Shaolin Kung Fu
Northern Shaolin kung fu is the foundation of Chinese martial arts - an ancient system stretching back over 1,500 years. Powerful kicks, dynamic hand techniques, wrestling throws, traditional weapons.
Learn authentic Shaolin through direct lineage to Grandmaster Yang Jwing Ming and Chan Kwok Wai. This isn't sport wushu or movie kung fu. This is the traditional system that influenced every Asian martial art - the grandfather of all kung fu styles.
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What Makes Shaolin Different
Most kung fu styles specialize. Wing Chun focuses on close-range combat. Tai Chi emphasizes internal cultivation. Praying Mantis develops speed and precision. Shaolin is comprehensive - the complete system these specialized styles later drew from.
Striking
Punching, palming, blocking, intercepting. Ancient Chinese boxing developed every hand technique found in modern martial arts. Northern long fist emphasizes extended, powerful strikes with dynamic footwork.
Kicking
Shaolin places heavy emphasis on kicking techniques - high kicks, low sweeps, jumping and spinning kicks. Northern styles are known for acrobatic, powerful leg work that develops flexibility and explosive power.
Wrestling - Shuai Jiao
Throws, takedowns, chin na joint locks. Shuai jiao (Chinese wrestling) is one of the oldest combat systems, integrated into Shaolin training for close-quarters situations when striking range closes.
Weapons
Staff, spear, straight sword, broadsword. Traditional Shaolin weapons training extends empty-hand principles to classical combat tools. Every practitioner learns weapons as part of complete martial education.
This isn't scattered techniques borrowed from different arts. It's one integrated system refined over 1,500 years - where striking flows into kicking, kicking sets up throws, throws transition to locks. You're learning the foundation that shaped all Chinese martial arts.
What You'll Learn in Shaolin Training
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Stances for power and stability - horse stance, bow stance, empty stance. Hand techniques - punches, blocks, palms, intercepting. Kicking methods - front kicks, side kicks, roundhouse, sweeps, jumping kicks. Basic conditioning for strength, flexibility, and endurance.
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Choreographed sequences that teach movement patterns, build muscle memory, and preserve traditional technique. You'll learn Shaolin forms passed down through lineage - starting simple, progressing to complex forms integrating striking, kicking, and dynamic footwork.
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How techniques work in practice. Partner drills develop timing, distance, and reaction speed. Sparring applications show how forms translate to real situations. Combinations that flow from one technique to the next.
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Shuai jiao (Chinese wrestling) - throws and takedowns. Chin na - joint locks and controls for defense. How to transition from striking range to grappling range when combat closes distance.
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Staff (gun) - foundation of all weapons. Spear (qiang) - "king of weapons." Straight sword (jian) - precision and control. Broadsword (dao) - power and cuts. Weapons extend empty-hand principles to classical combat tools.
Training progresses based on skill development, not time served. Beginners start with fundamentals. Intermediate students add complexity, weapons, and applications. Advanced practitioners master complete forms and continue refining over decades.
Our Shaolin Lineage
Sifu Michael Thomas first learned Northern Shaolin under Sifu Jeff Bolt, a lifelong student of renowned Grandmaster Yang Jwing Ming. From Sifu Bolt, he studied Northern Longfist (Changquan), White Crane Qigong, and Chin Na - all in the Yang Jwing Ming lineage that preserves traditional northern systems.
Sifu Michael Thomas also previously studied under Sifu Roberto Baptista, an internationally recognized Shaolin master in the lineage of Grandmaster Chan Kwok Wai — occasionally hosting Sifu Baptista for weekend Shaolin Seminars at Zhonghua Wushu.
Through these teachers, the Shaolin system at Zhonghua Wushu traces directly to traditional temple methods - not modern sport adaptations. You're learning authentic Northern Shaolin passed through unbroken transmission.
Complete system. Traditional methods.
The way it was preserved through generations.
Beyond Shaolin - Other Northern Systems We Teach
Northern Shaolin is the foundation, but our curriculum includes specialized northern systems for students who want to explore deeper. Based on progression and interest, Sifu teaches Praying Mantis, Chaquan (Long Fist), Huaquan, Piguazhang, Bajiquan, and other traditional northern styles.
Talk to Sifu. Watch a Class. See If It Fits.
Call or text to speak with Sifu Michael Thomas about what you want to learn.
Or walk in Monday-Friday, 4:30-8pm at 2523 N Laurent and observe a class. Ask questions. Get a feel for the school.
No pressure to join. No obligation to commit. Just come see what traditional Shaolin kung fu looks like.
