Shaolin Kempo Karate and its Roots
The Original MMA in the USA
The art of Shaolin Kempo Karate was originated and founded by
Great Grandmaster Frederick J. Villari. His fighting system of Shaolin Kempo
Karate has become widely recognized and respected in the last four and a
half decades, and his international organization of martial arts studios has
grown to be the largest chain of martial arts studios in the world. His art
traces its origin over a thousand years to the Shaolin temples of China and
India, and many of the basic methods are still used. The present form has
evolved to become famous and popular for its very effective Four Ways of
Fighting. These evolutionary changes were necessary due to the cultural development
of man and the technological development of many different types of weapons.
People are bigger, stronger and much more knowledgeable about weapons and
methods of combat; therefore, movements had to be changed and updated to suit
the 21st century.
As a result of Great Grandmaster Villari's varied wealth of
experience and his dedication to seeking the ultimate fighting system, he
realized each fighting system offered something both unique and special, and
each also had its glaring weaknesses that would make a fighter vulnerable.
After studying and mastering many different styles and ways of fighting, Great
Grandmaster Villari realized that there were only four ways of fighting.
1. With your hands (punching, striking -- both open and closed-handed) or use
of any part of the arms, elbows, forearms, etc.
2. Kicking (with the foot, knee or leg).
3. Felling -- that is to knock an opponent off his feet by throwing, tripping,
pulling, pushing, shoving or scooping him.
4. Grappling -- the secret of grappling is to always have control of your
opponent by either wrestling, holding, breaking or locking bones or joints
against nerve centers, thereby directing your opponent by delivering
excruciating and incapacitating pain.
Great
Grandmaster Villari finally discovered that the ultimate in self-defense lay
not in one way or style of fighting, but by combining the Four Ways of
Fighting. He then devised and developed ways to integrate these methods of
fighting into one, thereby eliminating any and all weaknesses and
vulnerabilities. This is the CORE, THEORY, and METHOD behind Villari's
devastating and impregnable art of Shaolin Kempo Karate.
Fred
Villari's Shaolin Kempo Karate system also incorporated the venerable art of
Chin Na because Chin Na is the ultimate form of controlling your opponent by
holding, seizing, locking, throwing, felling and delivering pain that can be
controlled. No other art can have such control over an attacker. Grandmaster
Villari also favors and teaches moves of the Immortal Monkey, known for its art
of illusion. It cannot be hit. Its movements are lightning quick and it has the
ability to change direction rapidly. It never exhausts its energy and has
superior longevity. The monkey is always happy!
Below is a breakdown of some of the important criteria which makes Fred
Villari's Shaolin Kempo system so unique. Grandmaster Villari's stances are
different from the original stances of Kempo and Karate in that he innovated
changes in order to have more fluency and freedom of movement. These are more
natural and logical to use. The old stances were suited for people of a
different stature and who fought in a low crouched position. Villari Fighting
Stances were developed using the way of the upright position, which has been
proven to be far superior. This is one of the most important changes that Great
Grandmaster Villari has made in the Karate and Kempo systems. No wonder so many
other martial art styles have copied and imitated his changes.
KARATE
Forms simulating fighting scenarios, one (1) through five (5) pinon, the unshakable
balance of the Crane, mandatory basics, foot maneuvers and fighting
techniques.
KEMPO
Kempo fighting techniques and combinations, one (1) through six (6) kata, Swift
Tigers, two (2) man fist set, Honsuki, basics, and fighting techniques.
SHAOLIN
More advanced forms simulating fighting scenarios, knowledge of all the
movements of the Tiger, Leopard, Dragon, Snake and Crane necessary for both
health and self-defense.
1. Sho Tung Kwok
2. Invincible Wall
3. Nengli North
4. Nengli South
5. Tai Sing Mon
6. 1,000 Buddhas
7. Dragon
8. Leopard
9. Snake
10. Branches of the Falling Pines (White Crane)
11. Wounded Tigers
12. Immortal Monkey
13. Mandatory basics, fighting techniques, leg and foot maneuvers
14. All breathing exercises to strengthen the internal and external
15. Plum Blocking System
16. The Eleven Hands of Buddha. A way of defending by blocking, trapping and
deflecting any attack, countering by delivering many hidden hand techniques.
Offense and defense with the use of cutting, deflecting, monkey, pressing,
dragon, scissor, upholding, trapping, pushing and pulling hands (once the
Eleven Hands of Buddha is mastered, it is impossible to defend against).
17. The Blood Palm
18. The Poison Finger Techniques of Shaolin (Dotting)
19. The Iron Palm
20. All 108 combinations and moves passed down from the moves of Shaolin Temple
and revised for present day applications (used in fighting situations). (Many
of these techniques had to be mastered before a monk could graduate the Shaolin
Temple).
21. The art of Chin Na emphasizing throwing, twisting, seizing and locking of
the joints, escapes and holding techniques. Methods of applying pressure as
certain nerve points with different techniques giving you complete control over
your opponent. Chin Na can be used to neutralize any attack, once
perfected.
22. All Twelve Branches of Shaolin are taught and are part of the system.
Great Grandmaster Villari is the pioneer of the martial arts in the Western
World. He came to revolutionize and upgrade the martial arts, gearing it toward
practical fighting for the 21st century. So, no other master or system can lay
claim to or take credit for the unique fighting system of the Grandmaster
Villari -- the VILLARI SHAOLIN KEMPO KARATE SYSTEM! His contribution to Asian
martial arts in the western world cannot be disputed. He taught and has
exposed, on a massive scale, the way of the Asian fighting arts to the ordinary
layman. Before him, teaching the martial arts on a large scale was taboo -- he
demystified the myth that only a few selected people could have the ability and
intelligence to learn. He showed westerners of all ages and cultures 'the way
of the Asian fighting arts.' His contribution is undoubtedly a valuable part of
martial arts history. Grandmaster Villari's input and involvement created the
turning point in the teaching of the martial arts on a large scale. Therefore,
his contribution to the history of the martial arts is of the utmost
importance.
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