Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu & Qigong

At the Martial Arts Complex, we offer training in traditional Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu & Qigong, as handed down by Grandmaster Glenn C. Wilson through the White Dragon Warrior Society. Please read below for:

• Pai Lum Tao history and philosophy
• Qigong Program
• Instructor profile
• Kung fu links

**Note: As the delicate, yet powerful techniques of kung fu take many years of practice to master, "cross-training" in kung fu while practicing another martial art is not recommended or encouraged. Therefore, students enrolled in another martial arts school, or participating in another training program at the Martial Arts Complex may not enroll in the Kung Fu & Qigong program.


History:  Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu and Qigong were introduced to the U.S. through the lifelong work of Great Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai (pictured at right). Grandmaster Pai's grandfather Po Fong, left his home near a Southern Shaolin temple outside of Singapore
and moved his family to Hawaii in 1924, adopting the Hawaiian name Po Pai. Po Fong/Pai came to the U.S. hoping to earn a better living for his family by passing on his vast martial arts knowledge. Several years later, Daniel K. Pai was born to Kane Pai, the son of Po Fong/Pai. Po Pai trained his grandson in the family martial arts system, which consisted primarily techniques from dragon and crane styles of kung fu, as well as several other animal styles. During this period of training, Daniel K. Pai also received instruction from his grandmother, who was a master of the White Crane style of kung fu, and his father, a judo expert. It is also said that, to expand his grandson's training, Po Pai sent him to the White Lotus Monastary, in Okinawa, where he trained and received a black belt in Kobayashi-ryu karate-do and White Lotus Kenpo. Following World War II, Great Grandmaster Pai worked on the Parker ranch in Hawaii, and trained with kenpo master Ed Parker. Later, he studied judo with Professor Osakis and Richard Takamora.  Great Grandmaster Pai served in the U.S. Army on active duty from 1951-1955, and was given an honorable discharge in 1962. He opened his first kung fu school in 1951, before leaving to fight in the Korean War. During his military service, Great Grandmaster Pai was awarded 4 bronze stars, the Korean Service Medal, the U.N. Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal.   From the 1960's through the 1970's, Great Grandmaster Pai traveled throughout the U.S. opening kung fu schools and teaching new students.
                 In 1966, while Great Grandmaster Pai was establishing kung fu schools across the U.S., Master Jim McIntosh also began sharing his vast martial arts knowledge with students in the U.S. after spending 20 years as a merchant marine. Master McIntosh instructed his students in Gong Yuen Chuan Fa, or "Way of the Hard and Soft Fist." Gong Yuen Chuan Fa was founded from four martial arts: Shorinji Kempo, LoHan Buddhist Monk Boxing, Plum Flower Boxing, and traditonal five animal kung fu. This combination provided an awesome array of empty-handed and weapons techniques. Training under Master McIntosh was both physically and mentally demanding, and Sifu Glenn C. Wilson was one of only three Sifu produced by Master McIntosh. In 1974, the Gong Yuen Chuan Fa Federation was founded to govern the ranking and curriculum taught in Gong Yuen Chuan Fa schools. Sifu Glenn Wilson was assigned the duty of Federation Director, a role he has faithfully fulfilled since that time.                     In the early 1970's Sifu Glenn C. Wilson was sent to meet Grandmaster Pai, and they immediately became fast friends. Grandmaster Pai was especially impressed with the powerful kung fu system taught by the young Sifu Wilson. In 1974, Grandmaster Pai accepted Sifu Wilson as a student, while maintaining his rank in both the Gong Yuen Chaun Fa and the Kou Shu Federation of Taiwan (3rd higher level), and the blending of the Pai family martial arts with "the Way of the Hard and the Soft Fist." began. In 1979, Sifu Glenn Wilson was given the rank of Sigung (master) by Grandmaster Pai and the Kuo Shu Federation of Tawain. In 1992, Grandmaster Pai began re-organizing his martial arts schools under the World White Dragon Kung Fu Society. Sigung Wilson was entrusted with forming the organization and maintaining it's curriculum. 1993, Grandmaster Daniel Pai sadly passed away while in the Dominican Republic, and was buried with military honors at the Hawaiian National Cemetary. To meet his obligation to his teacher, Sigung Glenn C. Wilson founded the White Dragon Warrior Society, Inc., dedicated to preserving Grandmaster Pai's philosophy and teachings. Since then, the organization has grown to international proportions, with schools throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, and the Carribean. Sitaigung Glenn Wilson has worked tirelessly and unselfishly to ensure that each Pai Lum Tao school meets the high standards set by Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai, and to keep all the teachers and students of Gong Yuen Chuan Fa Pai Lum Tao united as one family.
   ---Sources: White Dragon Warrior Society Website; Gong Yuen Chuan Fa Pai Po Lung Gar Student Manual (2004). 

Philosophy:

"Through the White Dragon Warrior Society, the Gong Yuen Chuan Fa family of Pai Lum Tao and Grandmaster Wilson maintain the highest standards of kuoshu. Through the virtues of honor, loyalty, and courage, they have proven to be second to none. A respectful practitioner who displays traditional values and executes superb techniques is the standard that we will all be judged by."
                                                                                                                                          --Gong Yuen Chuan Fa Pai Po Lung Gar Student Manual (2004).

The Dragon Code:
 
The Dragon Code was dictated by Great Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai and encompasses the philosophical essence of Pai Lum Tao. All students must learn this code and be able to recite and explain it from memory. The code provides a guide for Pai Lum Tao students to train and live by, and underlines the importance of the family in Pai Lum Tao teaching.


Qigong & tai chi:   The Gong Yuen Chuan Fa Pai Lum Tao family of martial arts also includes Pai Lum Tao qigong and tai chi. These internal arts teach the student to focus their "qi," or vital force through slow, concentrated movement; breathing exercises; and meditation exercises. Practicing the arts of tai chi and qigong lead to improved health and vitality, increased longevity, and a greater mental focus and clarity. The program in tai chi and qigong can be taken by itself, or in conjunction with training in Pai Lum Tao kung fu. Please e-mail us or stop by to speak with the instructor for more information on our qigong and tai chi program.

Instructor profile: Joshua Blakeslee has been training in the martial arts for over 20 years. In addition to Pai Lum Tao kung fu, Joshua has trained in shorin ryu and goju ryu karate, the Korean art of Chungmudo, eagle claw kung fu, Chang chuan (longfist) kung fu, and wing chung kung fu. Joshua is currently the Rhode Island State Representative of the Pai Lum Tao International White Dragon Warrior Society. He has also served as the Indiana State Representative of the W.D.W.S. and the head instructor of the Malone's Gymnastics Kung Fu/Wushu program in Lafayette, IN.


Pai Lum Kung Fu Links:

Pai Lum Tao International White Dragon Warrior Society
Sitaigung Glenn C. Wilson's homepage
More links coming soon!