Shaolin-Do Or American Kempo?
I have been reading alot about how Shaolin-do is not "really kung fu" or that it is not a valid martial art somehow? It appears to me that the largest school of this so called Shaolin do is USSD. A very large franchise of MA schools primarily on the east and west coast of the US. After hours of reaserch I have come to a conclusion about USSD and their so called Shaolin do style. It's not shaolin Kung fu, its American Kempo. The founder Nick Cerio had studied under George Pesare. And later on in his martial arts career studied under Ed Parker (American Kempo). Now it is my belief that since the school has become a franchise and motivated more by the quest for the almighty green back it has tryed to capitalize on the popularity of the Shaolin name. So my conclusion is that USSD and their Shaolin do is nothing more than a money making scheme. If you are a student of USSD and can dicredit my allegations please try. Any other Martial artists Please add any comments or facts as I am sure mine have holes in them. Are USSD students proud of their school? Speak up. :confused:
Loc_Qui, just my opinion......
man-I went to USSD for awhile. They are a different school than 'shaolin do' people-but, I feel they are doing the same thing-using the shaolin name to get more students who want to learn 'kung fu' & can't really tell the difference. They did teach what they called Kung Fu at the one I attended, but i've seen people practice REAL kung fu at various places & finally my conscience wouldn't let me go there any longer. I found a Wing Chun kwoon completely by luck & signed up, and promptly left USSd. The kempo i learned wasn't 'shaolin' as they like to say...nothin' Chinese about it---just plain ol' American Kempo. If that's what someone wants-cool. that was ok..BUT they shouldn't deceive themselves into thinking they're learning TRUE shaolin kung fu in any way shape or form. I have friends both american /chinese & japanese(like that matters but...) who've studied traditional CMA & traditional Japanese Karate, we ALL agree-USSD/shaolin-do---are McDojos. And to be honest, at two of my belt rank tests, during a reaction drill where we were supposed to use a technique(s) on multiple attackers, one guy DUCKED AND COVERED HIS HEAD!!!! and what's more disconcerting--they GAVE him the next level belt!!! I couldn't take that...this cat now has a SERIOUS false sense of security & is gonna get pounced if he tries to defend himself...sad sad..and what's worse is that he truly said this "now i REALLY know how to fight.."
:rolleyes: (i am not making that up-honest)AND.....
no dis to anybody who goes there. If that's your only option...but I say look alittle harder..i did & got lucky. u never know. :D
[This message was edited by Abstract on 04-26-01 at 05:50 PM.]
San Diego Kung Fu Schools
Here's some other kung fu schools to visit:
Bak Fu Pai - www.bakfupai.com, southern short hands system. Miramar, La Jolla, Mira Mesa area
Choy Li Fut - White Dragon schools, check phone book. They're all over (5 or 6 schools in SD)
Choy Li Fut - Frank Primicias, Poway and Escondido
Hsing Yi - www.hsing-i.com, Mike Patterson in La Mesa
7 Star Mantis - Mike Desargo in La Mesa
S. Dragon and Liu He Ba Fa - Steve Martin in La Mesa, there's a webpage Sojourner's something
I personally recommend Bak Fu Pai. If you visit, tell them that I sent you.
Good luck.