Sil Lum Kung Fu is one of the most well-rounded arts in the world. Sil Lum (or Shaolin) Kung Fu originated in Shaolin Temples hundreds of years ago. Although the exact origins are difficult to trace, the birth of Sil Lum is usually accredited to the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, who introduced the 18 Lohan movements to Shaolin monks as a form of exercise.
The Lohan eventually gave rise to the five basic animal styles that Kung Fu is famous for: Crane, Leopard, Tiger, Snake, and Dragon. Practitioners of these styles mimic the movements and assume the fighting spirit of these animals. For example, the Tiger teaches clawing techniques and courage. The student does not just mimic hand movements of the animals. They are taught a strategy of defense as it relates to how each animal would hunt or defend itself. Additional styles such as Praying Mantis and Monkey were subsequently developed. Kung Fu was originally taught only to Shaolin monks who could not leave the temple until they passed a life or death test. Graduates were well known for their fighting prowess. The modern Kung Fu student is no longer put to such extremes, but nonetheless has inherited a powerful fighting art laced with a philosophy emphasizing peace and respect for life.
The Academy offers Emperor's Long Fist. The art was founded by the first emperor of the Sung dynasty, Chao Kuang Yin. "Tai Tzu Chang Chuan" or Emperor's Long Fist covers all aspects of Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing I, Ba Gua and Northern Chinese Gong Fu. The emperor had a keen interest in the martial arts and is credited with collecting all available documents and manuscripts on the subject including those from the famed Shaolin temple. It is said that these manuscripts were stored in a tower behind the Shaolin temple. When the temple was destroyed, most of the records were lost. Fortunately, much of the art was passed on and lives today.
These "internal" arts help to develop the inner strength and relaxation essential for proper self defense. Thousands of Chinese and a growing number of westerners also practice Tai Chi. The internal arts can provide aerobic exercise, increased flexibility, and increased health and longevity. This art was formulated using all of the principles of the Wutang and Shaolin schools. Almost all Northern and Southern styles were derived from the Emperor's Long Fist. We have a proud lineage in this art, traced directly to the Chao family for over 36 generations.
Check out all the websites for lots of martial arts history and to see what BRKFAA schools have to offer. You can also find out how to get in contact with great instructors willing to share their expertise.
SISTER SCHOOLS
Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy - International Headquarters School
Grandmaster Rick Ward - Boone, NC - On facebook @BlueRidgeKungFu
Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy - Winston-Salem, NC
Master Eric Marks - www.blueridgekungfu.com
Foothills Kung Fu Arnis Academy - Wilkesboro, NC
Master Jason McGuire - www.foothillskungfu.com
Ashe Kung Fu - West Jefferson, NC
Master Adam Kahn - ashekungfu@gmail.com
Triangle Kung Fu Arnis Academy - Raleigh, NC
Sifu David Ng - www.kungfuarnis.com
Mid-South Kung Fu Arnis Academy - New Albany MS
Sifu Thanos Kalemeris - 662-448-1682 - www.midsouthkungfu.weebly.com
Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy Blog
Grandmaster Chris Laing - www.blueridgekungfuarnisacademy.wordpress.com
Cloud Forest Chin Woo College of Martial Sciences
Master Michael Johnson - www.cloudforestmartialarts.com
We are a combat oriented school. Our goal is to teach you a personal combat system so that you can be physically safe, and able to protect those around you at all times.
We have a rich history in the martial arts and we impart this knowledge unto the students who wish to learn more than just self defense.
Grandmaster Rick Ward is the Vice President of the Cloud Forest Chin Woo Martial Arts Association, which is one of the largest and oldest martial arts associations in North Carolina, with the headquarters located in Greensboro, NC.
Students at Blue Ridge Kung Fu Headquarters in Boone, NC are able to visit the Cloud Forest Chin Woo Assocation for extra training at no charge. We as an organization and educators in the martial arts aim to provide as many resources as possible so that we build confidence and your ability to fight for what's important to you.
"How you practice Kung Fu is how you live your life. It's an art and there is always more to learn and perfect. We practice the art and the way of Kung Fu for health and balance. These skills are priceless and will teach you to creatively think and act. Grandmaster Ward has positively impacted my life over the last three plus decades. Simply put, as an ex-military pilot, Kung Fu helps you operate and function at a higher level, no matter what your goals or life circumstances." - John Budd
Grandmaster Ward's student, John Budd, competing in South Korea at age 22, where he won the tournament, shocking the Korean fighters. John is only one success story, as Grandmaster Ward has been teaching champions, police officers, and soldiers for over 5 decades. Several of his students are now Grandmasters themselves, and still study under him while running their own Kung Fu Schools. This is a teacher of a life-time.
Grandmaster Rick Ward began martial arts training in 1979 at the age of 19 to rehabilitate his health after a long illness. When his health began to improve, his dedication and love for martial arts grew. He knew at this time he wanted to be a teacher and help other people build self-confidence, learn respect for themselves and others, and become better individuals in their own way. This has made him a highly devoted and respected martial artist, and motivated him to continue teaching the martial arts as a way of life.
Ward currently holds the rank of 10th Degree Grandmaster, and is the founder of Sunburst Natural Fist System (Tai Yang Tzu Jan Men), Sasamba, founder and president of the International Kung-Fu Arnis Association, the International Kung fu Arnis Weapons Association, and the White Cloud Society. In 2000, he was appointed 36th patriarch of the Emperor’s Long Fist System by international Grandmaster David E. Kash. Having promoted over 100 black belts, Ward is Grandmaster instructor over several schools in North Carolina as well as Tennessee, Kansas, Virginia, and Florida.
Grandmaster Ward was a Deputy Sheriff in Avery County, NC for five years, a police officer in Banner Elk, NC for eight years, and has taught seminars to law enforcement officers. He has conducted many seminars and demonstrations in Modern Arnis, Kung-Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, Chin-na, and Outdoor Survival in the U.S.
Grandmaster Ward is ranked in various styles of martial arts under the following masters:
Master Allan Woods – Sil-Lum Kung-Fu and Tai Chi Chuan
Dr. David E. Kash (Wei Jung Dao) – Emperor’s Long Fist (Tai Tzu Chang Chuan), Natural Style Boxing (Tzu Jan Men), Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua, Hsing-I, Mongolian and Tibetan Lama, Penjak Silat, Serak Kuntao, Sil-lum Kung-Fu Five Family Style of Choy, Li, Fut, Mok, Hung and Five Animal Style, Iron Palm Skills Training, and Wing Chun Chuan
Grandmaster Norman Pedlahore – Sil-Lum Kung-Fu and Lung Shou Pai
Grandmaster Derman Hodge – Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Kubudo weapons, Akijujitsu, Tae Kyon, Tae Phung Kwan, Hosin Do
Grandmaster Eugene Humesky – Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido
Grandmaster Remy Presas – Modern Arnis
Grandmaster Gaudiosa Ruby – Comjuka-Kali
Master Brian Moran – Chuan Fa, Tai Chi Chuan, Tae Kwon Do
Chronological selection of career highlights:
1979
Began studying Judo and Jujistsu with Jim Nicely (U.S. Army Special Forces).
Introduced by Nicely to Master Allan Woods who became Ward’s first Kung-Fu instructor.
1984
Promoted to Black Belt (sash) in Sil-Lum by Master Woods.
1985
Ward opens his own school.
Promoted to Red Sash (Sifu) in Sil-Lum.
1988
Presented with the outstanding student award from the Thai Boxing Association of the United States by Master Chai Sirisute.
Began studying Modern Arnis from Grandmaster Remy Presas.
1990
Began studying Tae Kwon Do, HapKido, Kubudo Weapons, Tae Kyon, Tae Phung Kwan, Hosin-Do, Akijujitsu, from Grandmaster Derman Hodge.
Promoted to Basic Instructor in Modern Arnis by Grandmaster Remy Presas.
Introduced to Grandmaster Norman Pedlahore, founder of Lung Shou Pai (Dragon Claw Style) Assoc., and the Amercan Martial Arts Alliance.
1991
Selected for the Board of Directors of the International Modern Arnis Federation of N.C.
1992
Selected to be Assistant Vice-Present of the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Southeast.
Promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt in Chang Hun Tae Kwon Do by Brian Morain.
Ranked to 5th Degree Black Belt by the American Martial Arts Association from Professor Wally Jay, Rick Clark, and Grandmaster Remy Presas.
1995
Introduced to Dr. David E. Kash ( Wei Jung Dao) , 9th Degree Grandmaster, Chief Advisor of the World Cloud Forest Martial Arts Association.
Began training in Emperor’s Long Fist (Tai Tzu Chang Chuan), Natural Style Boxing (Tze Jan Men) ,Tai Chi Chuan, Paqua, Hsing-I, Mongolian and Tibetan Lama, Penjak Silat, and Iron Palm.
Ranked to 5th Degree Black Belt in Moosul Kwan Hapkido by Derman Hodge W.M.K.F. and Prof. Eugene Humesky U.T.B.
Ranked Honorary 5th Degree from the U.T.B. by Prof. Eugene Humesky.
Ranked Honorary 5th Degree Masters Certificate from the Universal Martial Arts Brotherhood in the Chinese Martial Arts and Modern Arnis by Prof. Eugene Humesky.
Appointed Executive Committee member of the Society of the Natural Fist National Association. Appointed Assistant Branch Director of the N.C. branch of the United Kung-fu Federation of North America.
Appointed Assistant Branch Director of the N.C. branch of the United States Chinese Kuo Su Federation.
Ranked to 2nd Degree Black Belt in Chuan-Fa by Brian Moran, Lung Fu Jin Shin Kung-Fu Assoc.
Ranked to Honorary 10th Degree Emperor’s Belt C.F.A., the Associations highest award.
Promoted to 1st Deng in Shaolin Temple Iron Palm, 5 element fist style, C.F.A.
Appointed State Representative of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Changed name of Tai Yang Ng Shi Tong (Sunburst System) to Tai Yang Tzu Jan Men (Sunburst Natural Fist System).
Promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis by Grand Master Remy Presas.
1996
Awarded the Title of Martial Arts Professor by the C.F.A.
Appointed Vice President of the American Chinese Chi Kung Acupressure Association
1997
Inducted into the Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Grandmaster of the Year.
Appointed membership to the Board of Directors for the Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Certified Membership of Ku Wu Cheong Iron Palm Society and given the status of Society President.
Certified Instructor in Chinese Daoist Temple Chuan Zhen Pai Chi Kung by the American Chinese Chi Kung Acupressure Association.
Ranked 7th Duan Black Belt in the American Martial Arts Alliance headed by Grandmaster Norman Pedlahore.
Appointed Chairman for the Cloud Forest Chin Woo Association (founded in 1909 Shanghai, China).
Appointed Assistant Instructor United States Chinese Kuosu Federation Branch School.
Appointed as a Licensed Police Self Defense Instructor by the United States Kali Association Incorporated, Law Enforcement Self Defense Tactics Division.
Registered as a Police Tactics Instructor by the Police Tactics Insructors of America.
Ranked 3rd Degree Black Belt in Pentjak Silat, Poekalan Tjmande style.
Ranked 8th Degree Black Belt in Sunburst System by Cloud Forest Association.
Awarded a Certificate and Medal for the Worlds Top One Hundred Exceptional Martial Artist Gold Medal Award, from the International Martial Arts Federation, signed by President Bill Clinton, Former President George Bush, Governor of California Pete Wilson, Mayor of Los Angeles Richard Riordan.
1998
Became a member of the International Martial Arts Federation, Eastern USA Branch.
Appointed Vice President Examiner for the Traditional Chinese Medicine College.
Appointed Committee Chief for the Cloud Forest International Han Shi Committee.
Founded and appointed President of the International Kung-Fu Arnis Weapons Association.
Ranked 1st Duan Black Sash Ta Ting Shih Coach in Shaolin Temple Iron Palm Skill.
Certified as Massage Therapist in Chinese Clinical Chi Kung Acupressure and Massage Therapy by the American Chinese Chi Kung Acupressure Association.
1999
Honorary Doctor of Martial Arts from the Cloud Forest Chin Woo Martial Arts Association.
Appointed Southeastern Regional Director of the Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
2000
Appointed 36th patriarch of the Emperor’s Long Fist System, 10th Duan active.
Founded the White Cloud Society.
Became a member of International Han Shi Organization.
Recognition of the title of Goeroe Master Teacher with the rank of 8th Duan Red Belt/Sash in Tai Yang (Sunburst) Natural Fist Style founded in 1994 by Grandmaster Rick Lee Ward.
2001
Master Ward initiates Scott Stansberry, Dave Miller, Jason Albright, Josh Christian, Jason McGuire, and Jeremy Johnston as disciples.
2002
Ranked to 7th degree Black Belt in Comjuka-Kali by Tuhon Gaudiosa Ruby.
Blue Ridge Kung-Fu Arnis Academy became an accredited Comjuka-Kali Martial Arts school.
2003
Awarded title of Tuhon of Sasamba Kali Arnis by Tuhon Gaudiosa Ruby.
Voted to 9th Duan of Sunburst Natural Fist by disciples.
Initiates Eddie Haywood, Rick Wilcox, Eric Marks, Beau Coan, Vaugn Winecoff, and Jason Arney as disciples.
2009
Awarded the rank of Associate Director Black Belt 8th Degree in the art of Comjuka-Kali Systems.
2011
Ranked to Black Belt 9th Degree in the art of Comjuka-Kali by Tuhon Gaudiosa Ruby.
2014
Ranked to 5th Duan Black Sash in the Chinese style of Toi, Lee, Fut, Mawk, Hung and Five Animals by Si Fu David Kash, Branch 14 Headquarters President of Wong Ark-Yuey Kung Fu Academy, Wah Que Studio of Chinese Kung Fu Los Angeles, CA.
2016
Ranked to 5th Duan Black Sash in Choi Li Fut Chuan in the Wah Que Guo Ji Fen Zong Hui Hong Sing Guo Shu Guan (Overseas Chinese National Martial Arts Association) founded in 1836 Canton, China; Established 1919 in California, USA Branch H.Q. established 1970.
Ranked to 5th Duan Black Sash Si Fu in Wing Chun Chuan Fa by Si Fu D.E. Kash, Black Sash 10th Duan and the International Wing Chun Chuan Fa Association founded in 1993 in California, USA by Master Lyno Colangelo.
Ranked to 5th Duan Black Sash Si Fu in Shao Lin Yong Chun Chuan by D.E. Kash, Black Sash 10th Duan, in the Bak Fu Ving Tsun Athletic Association USA.
Ranked to 7th Dan Black Belt in the art of Daito Ryu Aiki JuJutsu by Grandmaster Derman B. Hodge.
Received Certificate of Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chinese Medicine by the Cloud Forest Chin Woo Martial Arts and Traditional Medicine College.
Appointed as Vice President for the Golden Lion Kuo Su Association in the USA by D.E. Kash.
Martial Arts Organizational Affiliations:
American Martial Arts Alliance
American Martial Arts Association
International Modern Arnis Federation
Universal Tae Kwon Do Brotherhood
Cloud Forest World Chinese Martial Arts Association
World Moosul Kwan Federation
United States Chinese Kuo Su Federation
United Kung- Fu Federation of North America
Overseas Chinese National Martial Arts Athletic Association
International Grandmaster Han Shi Committee
Universal Martial Arts Brotherhood
Lung Fu Jin Shin Kung-Fu Association
World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame
Natural Combat Systems
American Chinese Chi Gung Acupressure Association
Filipino Martial Arts Hall Of Fame
United States Kali Association Incorporated
Cloud Forest Chin Woo Association
Police Tactics Instructors of America
Ku Yu Cheong Iron Palm Memorial Society
International Martial Arts Association
Wong Ark Yuey Memorial Society
Chian Chuan Tai Chi Chuan Association
International Kung-Fu Arnis Association
International Kung-Fu Arnis Weapons Association
White Cloud Society
International Han Shi Organization
Golden Lion Kuo Su Association
We are builders of confidence. Blue Ridge Kung Fu and Arnis Academy in Boone NC is the headquarters for the schools found from Virginia to Raleigh North Carolina. 10th Duan Grandmaster Rick L. Ward has been teaching generations of students for over 50 years now and still brings all of his experience and skill levels to the higher levels helping students improve their own ability to stand up for themselves and defend themselves.
Grandmaster Rick Ward actively participates in each student's education, demonstrating that true power only increases with years experience.
"Grandmaster Rick Ward has been one of the most influential people in my life. Growing up in a small country town, I didn't understand that I was learning some of the highest quality martial arts that you could learn. When I was younger, I took Rick's teaching for granted, believing I would learn even more when I grew older and moved to a bigger city. I cannot tell you how wrong I was. The quality that he and the teachers under him put into my training made everything else seem silly and honestly, a joke. This is real martial arts, for real combat. Don't let marketing of other schools and teachers tell you differently. This is the real deal and it's hard to find something of this calibur in other places". -Michael Johnson, Sifu
Rick Ward has built such a powerful community of people from ages 3 and up, of all races, languages spoken, religion, and socio-economic statuses...they all are part of this martial arts community, brothers and sisters alike.
