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Shaolin Academyl History

On this page you will find

About many of the key events in the Academy's short history since it's founding in 1992, key dates and how it came to be named as it is.

The Naming

The start of the Academy may be seen when Sijo Robert Z started teaching private students in the city. The first instance of this was around the 24th June 1990 when he was promoted to Telstra HQ and moved locations to the upper side of Lonsdale street. Here he took over the position of Systems & LAN Management where, after a short while, it became know that he was a Shaolin Kung Fu Instructor. He was in daily contact with persons who were interested in private, one-on-one training. Over a relative short period of 6 months he had 8 regular client-students. It was several of these that suggested that he needed a name, if for no other purpose than for putting something on the Invoices and Receipts.

At around the same time, Dagmar Z, wife and partner, was already teaching Tai Chi to her staff and clients. So they put their heads together and found a Chinese poem which described Yin and Yang as; The two Ancient, ever opposing, ever complementing forces Which was also is called Liang-I (pronounced Liang-Yi) and traditionally represented by the Dragon & Phoenix. The name was registered with the Victorian Business Names Registrar as Liang-I Lifestyle Kung Fu. - Liang-I for the "search for balance" and to represent Sijo and Dagmar, - Lifestyle was to show that it was not to be a bash and fight club, but focusing on health and well-being, - Kung Fu as the means/tool to achieve this not the sole focus of the actively. During the next 5 years many, many business started using 'Lifestyle' in conjunction with everything including kung fu. The term was often mis-used and caused a diminishing of the name and it's function. Yet, this was a good thing as the term Shaolin was much better and thus replaced Lifestyle within the name. The name was changed to Liang-I Shaolin Kung Fu.

Liang-Yi, the traditional symbols for Yin and Yang.

The Academy's first WEB site was online in 1993 but really functional in 1996. It was noticed that entering Liang-I into the search engines (Alta Vista, et. al.) resulted in the club not being found. the "-I" in was interpreted as "exclude" anything that has an "i" in it. Liang-I and Shaolin both had an "I" and thus the club could not be found using our original name of Liang-I. In 1997 the original term of Liang-I was removed from usage. Shaolin Kung Fu though, is a style, not a suitable name and thus the term "Academy" was added and we became the Shaolin Kung Fu Academy. Yet all said and done, we are still Liang-I Shaolin Kung Fu.

This explanation also goes to show some of the development of the club, maturing of methods and fine tuning of curriculum that went hand in had, especially in the first 10 years. This culminated with a pilgrimage to China and the Shaolin Temple in May 2001 where select members and Sijo stayed for a while training, meditating and understanding Shaolin. It was not a development of the style or principles, it was a discovery how best these were presented and represented!

The Start

Initially, the club was just Sijo teaching some exclusive clients, in the city, one-on-one. This way of teaching was quite rewarding financially, but mentally and spiritually draining. Clients who paid close to $200 per 75 minute sessions had wants that were not part of the spirit that Sijo wished to represent (ie. Fighting & Competitions). It was a suggestion from one of Sijo's teachers (Sifu Pi-er) to try 'class' teaching as this may be more rewarding spiritually. The question was how? Sijo was fully employed, with up to 220 staff members all over Australia. He could at that time not really make a commitment to regular training and venue.

Sijo was involved at the time with some key members of Vision Australia and this offered the first opportunity. To help severally vision imparted person to cope better with life, an experiment was started, to last 12 months, to expose severe and fully vision impaired person to Shaolin Kung Fu (one of Sijo teachers was specialized in the 4 'Cripple' Kung Fu styles (One Armed, One Legged, No Legs and Blind - developed at the start of the industrial era in China for people to cope when they were physically damaged by their work). A vacant training facility was found in Kooyong and a free class for Vision Impaired members was started. This was moderately successful. The level of support required by the fully Vision Impaired was high and Sijo was not quite prepared for this. From the some 23 persons who started the program about half were still training after 4 month. At the end of the 11 month course 11 from 12 students passed with 60% or better, one with 80% (and he then joined a karate club in the area and may still be training with them) and one failed (mainly for lack of regular attendance.

Although there had not been any advertising of this fact anywhere, word-of-mouth had made the fact that a 'kung fu' teacher was in the area. Some non vision impaired students joined in along the way and trained along. Both groups got on very well (we even once had a wheel-chair sparring match). When the trial year was up, circumstances did not allow Sijo to travel out to Kooyong. Some where closer was needed. At this time a fellow Telstra Engineer was using the buildings Aerobics room was running Karate Classes. It was a small class and getting smaller. They reached and agreement to initially share the location, but at the end of the year the karate instructor decided to expand their Highett location and ceased their classes. Sijo had his second venue, 1/242 Exhibition St. Over the next few year until 2001 classes expanded to 5 each week. The third location offered itself from the same person the city venue came from.

The Locations

In 1995, Sijo was also invited, by the same instructor with whom he initially shared the City Venue (2nd location), to again share his Highett (3rd) location. This time not on the same days but on alternate days. This went well for 5 years. In 1999 the shared facilities became to small for both clubs to be able to expand to meet their needs, so Sijo searched for something new. Along the way a 4th location offered it self. Around 1995, Sijo was invited by a local special interest group to use their venue to teach kung fu once a week. This venue was closed a year later and we moved to the Frankston Mechanics Hall. This also went well for a few years when we received an offer from Take 5 Dance Studio to 'share' their venue. As, at this time this was a once a week training, on Saturdays, the offer was accepted. Here again, space/time problems arose which coincided with the need to move from Highett.

Frankston Mechanics Hall

Take 5 Dance Studio

Kimekai karate Studio and Shaolin Academy too.

A 6 month search found our 6th location, the Alen McLean Hall in Mordialloc. It was almost exactly between the two venues (if measured by a crooked ruler) and currently occupied by a Tae Kwan Do club that did not seem to be using it due to lack of attendance. Perfect location and timing to amalgamated the two into one and offer a 2nd 3 day per week location. Mordialloc Kwoon was launched with an Open Day on Saturday 13 March 1999. This venue is still operating, with 4 classes a week; 5 Animal Kung Fu Beginners Tuesday & Thursdays 6.30pm, Kung Fu Super Fitness Wednesdays 6.30pm, Traditional Chinese Weaponry Saturday 11am, Advanced Animal Kung Fu Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm and Weaponry Defence Saturday 12.30pm.

As a parallel development, one of our instructors was eager to teach. Sijo was not really prepared to hand over one of his classes as he enjoyed the training and teaching greatly; and it kept him fit, healthy and alert. The instructor assisted in classes for a year and was prepared for teaching. After he graded his Black Sash, he found a venue close to where he lived, in Craigieburn and started teaching (7th location). Great location, bad timing. The venue remained open for 2 years before it folded. The instructor came back and took over the Monday City Class. Sifu 1st Degree Wayne wanted to run a venue close to home. He had the right place and idea but a few years to early. Graigieburn was just starting to develop and most the people were focused on establishing themselves and starting families. He persisted for 2 years but had to close not having developed his student base much beyond a half dozen.

Located in a Warehouse Part, the Greensborough Mixed Martial Art center had everything we needed in a Kwoon Location.

Sifu 2nd Degree Sarah moved over to Greensborough with her then partner Kru Mark Cook and started Shaolin Kung Fu classes in Marks Mixed Martial Art Center. It went well for several years and starting to make some head way when Sifu Sarah became pregnant and needed to stop teaching. Sifu Danny, a great athlete, started teaching in Clayton and was finding success until the building he was renting was torn down.

Clayton would have been a great venue but it was torn down in 2003 and still being built in 2008

After the return from the Clubs, Shaolin China Trip the owners of the Clubs City location hire a new manager. This new management was not really interested in allowing the martial art to continue and started making problems, from inflated invoices to locked doors. We needed to find a new location. Sifu Wayne who had been wanting a venue of his own was tasked in finding a replacement and he did, at the Melbourne City Baths. At the same time Sijo sought a new location a away from the City and was fortunate to come across a venue that had burned down a few year earlier and was now refurbished and ready to take bookings. As Sijo was developing the new location in Caulfield, Sifu Wayne was warming to his task of having 'his own venue' and wanted to manage this his own way. He wanted to manage the curriculum and method of teaching himself rather than being part of the Academy and its now well structured curriculum. In Spring 1992, the Shaolin Academy ceased to have a City location after 9 years of operation.

From the corner of Lonsdale & Exhibition St to the Melbourne City Baths, 420 Swanson St

Shaolin Academy Caulfield Griffin Kwoon opened September 1991 with a great Martial Art show and two new students.

Our short term Bentleigh Location. Went well for a while but than complications arose when the council rented the venue to a TKD Club.

Six months search and again some good luck and a brand new location was found in Caulfield (our 10th location). The place had burned down 2 years earlier and all previous users had found alternate facilities as replacement; it was unused. The Caulfield East Reserve Hall was a real find, well renovated, clean, carpeted, toilet, shower, and even an equipment room. We were very lucky as most halls within a 30 km radius of the city were fully booked for many years to come. We are still in Caulfield and it is now managed by Sifu John, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 6.30pm.

We had a short stint in Bentleigh (11th location). We sought to teach children's classes in an ideal location between 3 schools. We rented the facility on Tuesdays and a Tae Kwan Do club rented it on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays. This made it impossible for us to expand as possible and we moved the children's classes to Mordialloc (note - the universe seems to balance itself as we took over a former TKD venue in Mordialloc . . .).

In 2006, a former friend and owner of the Tiger & Crane Kung Fu school approached Sijo and offered their venue. Having had a multiple heart bypass he wanted to give up his venue rather than just close it. With this the Shaolin Academy came to manage a third concurrent (12th location) venue in Camberwell. To honour this long history, the venue is know as the Camberwell Tiger & Crane Kwoon. This is also in full operation, Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at 6.30pm

Summary

Currently the Shaolin Kung Fu Academy is operating in three Locations;

Mordialloc since March 1999, Caulfield since September 2001 and Camberwell since August 2006. Sijo is the main instructor in Mordialloc able assisted by Sihing James S in the Wednesdays Super Fitness classes and Sihing Daniel who shares the Saturdays Traditional Chinese Weaponry Classes. In Caulfield, Sifu John fully manages the three Caulfield Classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, occasionally being assisted by Nick, Ash and Daniel. And Mr Mc manages the Mondays Camberwell class assisted by Mr James R. If you would like any further information regarding locations see our VENUE Page or call us on our Toll Free Number 1800 SHAOLIN that is 1800 742 654 or use our WEB page Free Call Facility.

The Instructors

Sijo, Wayne & Peta Vanessa, Paul† & Audrey

The first few years there was only Sijo teaching. Yet, there was one person from early on that stayed and continued until she reached Instructor level; Audrey. She was the clubs first accredited teacher around 1997. Short after Audrey, one of Sijo staff members, Wayne achieved his full Black Sash. Next was Paul, a person who started training in Frankston and also went to Highett. Paul was a great assistant and filled in for classes where Sijo could not make it. Vanessa started in the city and soon trained in every class that Sijo taught, traveling to the City, Highett and Frankston. Chris was just a year behind Vanessa and was next to achieve Black Sash. As with any group there was one exception, our perfectionist, Luke. He was more than ready for Black Sash and Gradings were organized three time but he declined and preferred to stay a Brown Sash. Yet, in all fairness, he was the quality and ability of a full Black Sash. For a while the club operated with these 1st seniors group of Audrey, Wayne, Vanessa, Chris, Paul and Luke. Change was already in the wings and future instructors already training! The Millennium change brought change.

When the club went on it's training and spiritual pilgrimage to China in 01 all the senior students still training joined. We needed the assistance of our best pre Black Sash students. Sharon, John and Narelle were exceptionally good and were well prepared for this task, assisting Sijo in class management and delivery leading up to the trip. Of these three, John persevered with his life-long friend Daniel and came to be successfully grade to Black Sash. Another person, who had been with the club since the Highett days came back from the US and started training with a vengeance. Sarah achieved her Black Sash.

In 2002 Sijo changed from being employed to being a full time martial artist. This required a fundamental change in operations. Up until this time the club was totally focused on People, Training and Kung Fu. From June 2002 there needed to be a 4th element, business & earnings. This did not go down well with many students. To overcome this problem and still be able to work at becoming a successful martial art business a transition plan was developed. New fees structures were introduced for new students and existing students continued to pay what they had before the change. This was the birth of the clubs "Price Guarantee". This need for change, reporting and accountability caused a lot of problems for some of the seniors. Two left almost immediately. After a while there was only Sifu Sarah and Sifu John. This remained like this for several years until in 2008 Daniel and Sam both achieved the Weaponry Black Sashes.

Sifu Sarah & Sifu John at their 1000 class presentation in 2004

Now we have a new, third group. Sifu John, now a third degree and the academy's' No1. Black Sash. Sihing Daniel and Sihing Sam (Sifu is achieved only as an accredited instructor; Daniel is working on his qualifications) are currently the only other full Black Sashes but there are a few people following closely behind or Red Sash plus students; (some of these training with us in excess of 8 years and 1000 classes) Douglas, James, Nick, Ash, Mark, Anthony, Carlisle (since 1999) and Robin (a full Instructor who has not yet achieved his Black Sash). There are also pre-Black Sash student already training to be instructors; another James, Martyn and Sapphire. We'll see what our 20th birthday in 2012 brings.

Sifu 3rd Degree John P, 5 Animal Kung Fu, Goju Karate & Snake Style Kung Fu Black Sash

Sihing Daniel B, Weaponry Black Sash, 5 Animal Kung Fu Red Sash

Sihing James S, 5 Animal Kung Fu Red Sash and Super Fitness Instructor

Sihing Robin Mc, 5 Animal Red Sash and Camberwell Instructor

Sidi Martyn Mc, Instructor in training.

Sidi James R, Instructor in training.

Sihing Ash B, Red Sash and Assistant Instructor

Sihing Nick M, Red Sash and Assistant Instructor

Sidi Reza SL, Instructor in Training

The Achievements

A student driven activity in 1995 was for the Academy to submit students to competitions. The Academy's seniors were tasked to evaluate what is available in reasonable competitions in Victoria. They attended Club events, University Comps, Style Tournaments and just local get-to-gathers and made a verbal report. Some of the accounts were disgusting (One such was of an senior instructor entering going to the window and spitting noisily from it; another was of an instructor who smoked and swore as he was teaching). After an evaluation process only one event was considered to be almost an all style event, the National All Styles. Sijo was very familiar in this organization being a accredited Judge and Referee with a large multi style Competition Circuit. Eight students from various levels entered the competition half way through the year and six of these qualified for the State Finals; three of these won their divisions.

At this time this circuit was at it's peak of recognizing other styles and working with them. There were truly competitors from divers style including Africa, Russia and Brazil. The Shaolin Academy won more than it's fair share of Forms and Weaponry competitions but struggled a bit in Sparring and Continuous. The Judges were easily able to see the quality of forms and Weaponry but were very used to the in-out type of punching that karate so preferred. In the following year we did much better in the Continuous sparring but still flagged in point events. We needed to see if it was our teaching or just the competition but Sijo put a stop to the speculation. "Shaolin students should always be able to adapt to the circumstances in competitions; win using the rules. This is the honorable way". This now became a club focus and many competitions were entered; any where there was a friendly association with the organizers. We went to Long Fu Pai tournaments, Wing Chung Competitions and other club event. Without compromising the Shaolin Kung Fu style we started coming ahead and also winning more than our share of events. At the end of a 5 year period (96-00) student had donated their 'spare' trophies to the academy and there were over 200.

The Academy will not train for specific competitions. Students are expected to inform themselves of the rules and compete using the rules without compromising the style or falling back on tricks. Since 2000 we have has some good achievements including in China on our visit. After an event in Xian we were invited back the following year for their big birthday celebrations. Were were offered free room and board for the event.

Students still enter this or that competitions. We prefer two circuits at this time; the Xtreme Martial Art in the framework of ISKA and the San Shao of the Australian Kung Fu Wushu Federation. In both these Sijo is accredited as a Judge and/or Referee.

The Challenges

It was more of a Sijo 'thing' to set himself challenges. As part of his development he spent a year teaching severally vision impaired persons in the Vision Australia facility in Kooyong. Another 11 months were spent helping victims of severe road accidents with the TAC Road Trauma Team. Some of the people participating in the sessions could sometimes only move one arm or leg. But all kept on coming back until funding was cut for the activity. There was also the 'special' classes for the Department of Family and Community Services has funded several project for special groups including the Victims of Violence, Islamic Women's Welfare, Young Adults with disabilities and many more. The Department of Family and Community Services regularly refers individuals to the Academy and Sijo for special consideration.

Current members of the academy include several with Autistic disorder, physical impairments, grossly over/under weight, ADT, some that come from battered and abusive relationships or household. All students individual information is kept confidential; yet those who have visible impairments are just as accepted into the class and students as anybody else.

The Future

Plan for the future, learn from the past and live now (Sijo 1993, Telstra Perth Planning Group). Sijo & Dagmar are wanting to sell their home and purchase a warehouse. This will be divided into three parts, living, training and social/coffee/office area. By selling the house they hope not to incur too much debt and by having only one place to pay for, reduce running costs, travel and such. This was planned to happen at the end of 09 but the current (2008/9) slump in housing will extend this plan to 10/11. Sijo hopes to have an uptake in housing prices before there is an uptake in commercial property and thus bridge the gape between the house value and future full time center purchase price.

This is a bit of a new venture as they will be selling their first and only home, for the first time, in an unsteady market and wanting to buy a live-in warehouse without plunging into debt that the club can not afford. Have a look at this page at the end of 2011 and see what happed.

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