Shaolin Kempo Karate Some Quick Facts

"Shaolin Kempo Karate", is an ancient Chinese fighting system that traces back its origins to the famous Shaolin Temple of China. Over the years, this fighting system has evolved in many ways because of the technological advances in weapons and the fact that people are larger and stronger. It combines, what are called, the "Four Ways of fighting' into one. At present, the Shaolin Kempo Karate system is widely respected and holds a special place in the history of martial arts.

The grand Shaolin Temple was erected by the Chinese Emperor Hsiao Wen during 495 A.D in the honor of an Indian monk called Batou, identified by the Chinese as Fo Tuo. This temple was visited by another Indian monk named Bodhidharma in 530 A.D. He taught the monks a fresh Buddhist meditation technique and other combating techniques centered on animal movements. He also taught them breathing exercises, which they could use to strengthen their bodies. Over time, these techniques developed to become "Shaolin Ch'uan Fa" or what was known as Shaolin Temple Boxing. The system gained popularity in 1600's in Okinawa when the Japanese conquered it and confiscated all their weaponry. They started practicing `te', literally, hand fighting. Many Okinawans secretly went to China to learn Shaolin Temple Boxing, which did not rely on weapons and altered the name to Karate. The Mongolians and Tibetans also had their separate system of hand fighting called Chin Na, or the art of the White Tiger, which has a specific pattern including locking, seizing, holding and grappling.

Modern day masters have combined all these various forms into the Shaolin Kempo Karate System. The best part about this system is that it took the best from many forms of fighting and did away with many of their weaknesses. Ultimately, there were merely four methods of combating:

1. Use of hands or any portion of the arm, forearm or elbows that can be used to punch or strike.
2. Use of legs or feet to kick the opponent.
3. Knocking down the Opponent by tossing, tripping, pushing or shoving.
4. Grappling by wrestling, holding, locking up bones or joints against nerve centers.

The Shaolin Kempo System is supposed to bring balance and harmony to the mind as well as the body, famous for its punching and kicking techniques. It includes the maneuver of 5 animals, the Leopard, the Tiger, the Dragon, the Crane, and the Snake. It also incorporates the best of Chin Na, which is the best way of neutralizing an adversary, using a combination of holding, seizing, locking, throwing, felling and dispensing controlled pain. Another thing that the system teaches is the movement of the Immortal Monkey, recognized for its art of illusion. This money is super fast and can vary its direction so fast that it cannot be hit. It is also always full of inexhaustible energy supplies and remains happy.

Shaolin Kempo Karate has brought these ancient fighting techniques to common man who did not have weapons to fight. Earlier, teaching these techniques to ordinary people was not allowed. Now, modern day Kempo Karate masters have popularized this technique among westerners with the belief that knowledge should be available to all.