High Impact Styles





Karate



Karate is basic Kung Fu. All students studying Kung Fu at the school will learn most Karate techniques during their first 12 to 18 months of training. Karate began its development in the late 1800's. Soldiers from Okinawa, Japan and Korea while occupying China learned basic Kung Fu techniques then brought them back to their native countries and further developed them there. Modern day Karate for a majority of schools has changed drastically in the past 30 years into a sport but some Karate schools still exist that stick to their original usage of self defense. Karate is considered "seven star" training (segmental).



Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu



Northern Shaolin Long Fist is a derivative of Shaolin Kung Fu developed during the Tang dynasty (Late 900's AD the father of modern day martial arts) At the Academy we combine the best of Shaolin, Northern Long Fist, Cha Family Style and the Central Nanjing Institute from the 1920's to provide a complete Kung Fu program. Kung Fu is easily recognizable since it is the system used for the majority of fighting scenes in the movies. Kung Fu is a very physical program that chisels and strengthens the body. it is best used for self-defense but is used in sport fighting and form competition. ​This is a required system for beginners when entering the high Impact program. Kung Fu is considered "seven star" training but later moves to full body. (Segmental to Shen Fa)



Shuai Jiao (Wrestling/throwing)



Shuai Jiao is the Grand Daddy of Shaolin Kung Fu. Developed approximately 2500 years ago. Samurai Jiu Jiujitsu, modern day Sport Judo, Modern Jiujitsu all came from Shuai Jiao. Shuai Jiao was forbidden training during the cultural revolution due to its deadliness. Modern day Shuai Jiao is a growing sport. The Academy teaches Shuai Jiao fundamentals in all styles at the school. The Academy also has Shuai Jiao classes to prepare for National and World competitions that are coordinated through the Academy's assistant instructor Joseph Harrison. Number 1 or 2 in the USA each of the last seven years, Fifth world wide and member of " Team USA" the equivalent to Olympic level world cup competitions. If you are interested in this training separate classes are offered. Shuai Jiao is considered "seven star" training but later moves to full body. (segmental to Shen Fa)



BaJi Quan (Eight Extreme Boxing)



BaJi Quan is a rare fighting system in the USA but very famous in China and Taiwan as a no nonsense power system. In fact to the uninitiated it can be confused for Karate. Used and favored by bodyguards it earned the name "The Bodyguard System" This system can be taught as a standalone system but at the Academy is usually taught when a student begins to become proficient in Kung Fu. BaJi improves the use of power and restraining methods while teaching a student to be more mobile using full body power. BaJi is considered "six harmony" training (full body)



Through-Back Preying Mantis Kung Fu



Our Preying Mantis Kung Fu is a very rare system called Tong Bei Tang Long Kung Fu. Developed during the last century it uses very aggressive offense along with the intercepting hands of Preying Mantis It requires very quick foot work and uses more Tong Bei principles than other Mantis systems. Our system was developed in Taiwan by famed General Zhang Dun Xi. A Tong Bei expert. This is a "six harmony" system using full body power. Any potential student must have prior knowledge of either Karate or Kung Fu in order to more easily learn this style.. In fact all Preying Mantis ​schools teach basic Kung Fu for a few years before actually teaching Mantis if they are teaching correctly. The style taught at the Academy should not be confused with the style developed afterward in China.



Tongbei Quan (White Ape,WuXing,Qi)



Tong Bei Quan or "through the back fist" is a rare system. Often called "Black" due to teachers not wanting to divulge its secrets to students they deemed not worthy. This caused it to become more elusive. Depending on the knowledge of the instructor it is either taught as a stand alone exercise system/underlying principles to another system or a stand alone system. At the school we teach all three. ​As an exercise system it allows the muscles to work and circulate energy with the least amount of work. Used as underlying principles it greatly enhances any martial art system. (which is why it was withheld).As a full system it is very effective in fighting. We teach three systems Wu Xing/Qi and Shi "White Ape". But they are fused as one. Tong Bei is a "six harmony" system training the full body. Tong Bei at the Academy is taught to all students piece by piece as they continue to train. There is a saying "No Tong Bei No Martial Art".



Middle Impact Styles





Hsing I Quan



Form-Mind Boing is a basic system that turns more complete as it teaches the student the ABC's of all martial arts. Compulsory by military and Red Guard in China and Taiwan. An offensive style that takes "No prisoners" It does not have a lot of techniques and/or forms (kata. It is the best system for quick self defense. Also it a "cusp" system that has the hardness of Karate and the softness of Tai Chi. It is considered a muscle tendon changing system that balances and promotes health in the five major organs. Liver, heart, lungs, spleen and kidney's. This is a core system for the middle impact program recommended for beginning students 15 to 65years of age but once learned it can be practiced as old as you become. Great health benefits, great self defense you cannot go wrong. For those advanced martial artist this is the original Muscle/Tendon change. Not to be confused with the more common Buddhist set.​



BaGua Zhang



BaGua has similar attributes to Hsing I but takes the straight line tactics of Hsing I and teaches the student to spiral them in a circular fashion. BaGua is the king of martial arts from a fighting and health perspective, The movements use maximum articulation of the joints thereby improving the power and circulation for martial arts and health. Since BaGua is an advanced system it takes everything you have learned from other styles and amplifies their effects. There are very few BaGua schools that teach BaGua properly. Which means they converted it totally to a health exercise and left the martial side behind. They turn it into a circular dance, At the Academy we see no reason to spend so much time learning something and not be able to defend yourself. BaGua enhances the health aspects of yoga. And is an advanced flowing form of yoga and moving meditation. BaGua Zhang is advanced Hsing I, advanced Tai Chi and advanced Kung Fu tied into one package..​



Yang Tai Chi Quan (simplified)



Yang Tai Chi is the main Tai Chi the public usually sees. It is the most practiced martial art in the world. There is no reason to go into the health benefits. They are well known. We called the Yang Tai Chi "simplified" because it has been since the early 1900,s to make it easier to learn. If you studied Tai Chi you most likely studied the "simplified" version. Although we call ours simplified it actually is more complex than most versions. In fact several area doctors recommend Tai Chi to their patients not understanding how complex it is. They are better off with Qi Gong. As Tai Ci became more "simplified" over the years it lost many of its usefulness for self defense and health benefits. At the Academy we make sure that does not happen. You will learn a system that is easier to learn then the original but maintain much of the original as possible thereby minimizing losing the health benefits or self defense capabilities of the original. This is considered a core system for the middle impact program. Students start with Tai Chi or the Hsing I.​ Or both.



Original Yang Tai Chi Quan (Tong Bei Tai Chi)



The original Yang Tai Chi has all the health benefits of the "simplified" version but improves the self defense capabilities. The general public does not realize that at turn of the1900's Tai Chi was considered the best fighting system. It was only after they changed and "simplified" the system that it lost that ability. In fact probably about 99 percent of Tai Chi practitioners are unaware of this. The general public flows to what is popular and easy to learn not realizing the opposite is better. This system was influenced by Hsing I, Kung Fu, Tong Bei and sword arts. It was built for fighting .first. The health benefits became secondary. We teach this style if a student is interested and understands the simplified version.



Sun Tai Chi Quan



Sun Tai Chi is taught to beginners or advanced students at many schools as a "simplified" version. At our school it is taught as the original version. At the Academy it is taught as an advanced fighting art that shrinks, compresses energy and releases it with little effort. This version is sometimes called "Bagua Tai Chi" because it is a synthesis of Hsing I, Tai Chi, Tong Bei and Ba Gua. Taught in the simplified version it has little self defense attributes. The health attributes are similar to Qi Gong.or health attributes attributes. If practiced in the original advanced version it takes a student from very good to outstanding when it comes to issuing power. .



BaGUa TAi Chi Quan



BaGua Tai Chi is a rare form based on Yang Tai Chi. It is based on the Yang Long form with quite a few changes. This form works pulsating energy into the earth and receiving it back. It also helps with some advanced mechanics. Only the most advanced students are taught this form. Our form comes from the great Fu Shu Yun. The number one female martial artist from China during the last century. ​Some may find it on YouTube but copying it is not enough. You will need a teacher to 1. Be sure you are ready for it. The previous mechanics you learned are correct. 2. To teach the subtleties in it.

This is a very high level Qi Gong form.



LOW IMPACT STYLES





Meditation/Mindfulness



Most meditation techniques at the Academy are standing type exercises similar to Indian Yoga but with their own twist on it because they are utilized for self defense practice. Seated and lying down methods are available from the Taoist tradition if a student is interested. Moving meditation is always better than seated meditation. But they all have their hi points and low points. Depending on your level of training and what you are trying to accomplish we tailor these exercises in certain cases. ​



Qi Gong (Air/Energy Work)



Qi Gong or "air/energy work is one of the best health practices available. Qi gong covers many diverse methods too numerous to list here. Qi gong improves all cells in the body. repairs or heals things youwould not usually consider can be healed. Tai Chi is a bunch of Qi Gong movements interwoven together. This makes Tai Chi more difficult. Many people are not interested in self defense. For them Qi Gong is the best exercise to Tai Chi. Qi Gong is the core work for the Low Impact program. Along with proper stretching and Tong Bei exercises it does make for a complete exercise program for boosting the immune system, balancing the hormones, relieving stress and longevity. All Low Impact and Middle Impact classes include this work.​ qi Gong is automatically done by training either Tai Chi, Hsing I or BaGua. I Gong focuses mainly on the acupuncture meridians and the bodies bioelectric system.



Nei Gong (Including Bone/Marrow Washing)



Nei Gong or "internal work" picks up where qi gong drops off. Nei Gong is done moving or static. The exercises and mental direction drives deeper into the body affecting. the internal organs ,fascia, bones and marrow. ​For people not interested in Tai Chi, Hsing I and Ba Gua for self defense advanced Nei Gong exercises are used. The above martial arts cover this as well as Qi Gong, meditation and Nei Gong into one package. But not everyone wants to learn the more complex self defense systems. These exercises are part of the low Impact core system.



Taoist Philosophy



All Asian Martial Arts require a connection to their mainland's culture and philosophy. .Lao Shi Smith the Grand Master at the Academy has studied all Major philosophies from China since the age of 14.Training in the Martial Arts without this knowledge leaves a little behind. Most Westerners look for Asian teachers to capture this teaching. Lao Shi Smith has this training .Self studying diligently through his life until he met his latest instructor of the past 21 years. Lin Chih- Young. Great Grand Master Lin helped tie Lao Shi Smith's earlier studies together.​ A deep sense of spirituality is urged during training to help develop the whole person. Each students own beliefs are encouraged to be strengthened.



Shen Gong (Spiritual Training)



This training is reserved for the most advanced students that are working their way towards the Eastern idea of Enlightenment.​ It also specializes in controlling the mind. A deep sense of spirituality is encouraged during training to help develop the whole individual. Each students own beliefs will be strengthened.



Self Healing/Healing others



As a person trains in many of the above systems they will learn the medical implications of their exercises and be able to fine tune themselves and improve many health ailments they may encounter for themselves.. The above systems also will teach the student the fundamentals used for further study in Acupuncture, Tui Na and Qi Gong Medical healing*.

*Please note we are not a medical school. It takes many years of hard work to achieve any healing abilities. You must study at an accredited Medical School that specializes in the Eastern Healing Methods to heal others.​



ACADEMY OF ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS L.L.C.




215 Hickory Street
Scranton, PA 18505