About Us

Training developed for over 1500 years!

Welcome to Shao-lin Kung Fu

Shao-Lin Kung Fu is a 1500 year old art that was developed to promote health and longevity. Whether you want to learn to defend yourself, get a good workout, or find inner peace, there is something for everyone in this complete art!

Head Instructor

Associate Master Mo Seyam is our head instructor. He began his Shao-Lin training under Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard in 2009, assisted in teaching classes in 2011, and has attained the rank of 5th degree black belt. He has traveled to many of the various Chinese Shao-Lin Centers in the U.S. to attend seminars led by Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard.    

Founders & Directors 

The Chinese Shao-Lin Center was founded in 1979. Classes began in the Spring of 1980. The founders and directors of the original Denver Center are Senior Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard. The Senior Elder Masters have studied the art of Shao-Lin Kung-Fu for over 40 years. They have taught the Shao-Lin Art as a full-time profession for over 30 years. David and Sharon Soard were the first westerners to be hosted in China by the Hunan Martial Arts Association. In 1987, they traveled throughout China to plan the first Shao-Lin organization student trip to the Orient. Every four years the Shao-Lin students visit China together with the Senior Elder Masters. The Senior Elder Masters continue to visit and study historic sites of martial arts interest throughout the world. In 1989, the CSC Student Training Manual was created and published by Senior Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard and contains history and legends, essential concepts of martial arts, curriculum, and more. For more about Senior Elder Masters Sharon and David Soard, please visit their website: www.shao-lin.com  
Shaolin kung fu

History

Legend has it that it all began 1500 years ago in a small part of Honan province in China at a temple known as Shao-Lin Ssu, the Young Forest Temple. Nestled at the foot of Sung Shan (Sung Mountain), monks, plagued by bandits, began practicing additional techniques for self defense as well as continued health and longevity. Finding a focus in their martial training, these monks learned and grew, collecting and developing different forms and styles of fighting arts and, thus was born the legend of the Shao-Lin Fighting Monks.
It was in the sixth century that Ta Mo, known as Bodhidharma in India, crossed the Himalayas and taught the Shao-Lin monks the 49 postures of the I Chin Ching, the Muscle Change Classic. Throughout the next centuries the Shao-Lin monks added to and perfected their art, and spread to other temples. The monks of the Fukien, Shantung, Omei, Kwangtung, Wutang, and Hua Mountain Temples focused their attentions on various aspects of the art, among them Northern and Southern Fist, Shantung Black Tiger, Fist of Hua Mountain, Iron Bone Training, T'ai Chi Ch'uan, and many and varied weapons.

Shao-Lin Kung Fu exists to this day and is taught at the Chinese Shao-Lin Center. Ta Mo's 49 postures of the I Chin Ching and much of the subsequent material has survived. The Shao-Lin Art has prevailed despite various attempts to erradicate it. The Shao-Lin Ssu itself can be visited today, as can the cave where Ta Mo is said to have meditated for nine years. The Chinese Shao-Lin Centers, under the guidence of Elder Masters Sharon and David Soard, continue to teach this ancient art to students in the United States and abroad. They continue to lead student trips to China to visit and honor the sites and traditions that have been handed down from these temples.
Shaolin History