HISTORY

Chinese martial arts go back to approximately the third century AD to the monastery in Hunan province known as Shaolin. Tradition states that the monks at this monastery were ascetics (having denied the physical) who had become sickly due to lack of nourishment or any care of providing for the body. Even during meditation they fell asleep because they lacked the stamina required for long periods of inner travel. The Chinese emperor invited an Indian mystic to visit China and study with the monks at its monasteries. His name was Bodhidharma, the twenty-sixth patriarch in a direct line descending from the original Buddha. The Chinese came to know him as Tamo.

Tamo, upon seeing the sad condition of the monks at Shaolin devised especially for them a set of conditioning exercises for spirit, mind, and body. He referred to these as the I Chin Ching and divided them into three levels of study: Muscle Change Course, Sinew Changing, and Marrow Washing. Each provided the monks with the ability to tap ever deepening levels of energy for stamina, alertness, and knowledge of their own anatomy.

The Chinese monks, being inventive, later found that these powerful exercises, linked with their observations of various creature observed in nature, could be used for self-protection. The bandits of the time were ruthless in their attacks on the monks during their travel to and from the monasteries. Sometimes the monks carried valuables, including gold artifacts. The fact that the monks were easy targets and carried gold made them regular prey for the bandits. However, the skills that the monks developed from regular Kung Fu training made them invincible against any attack. Soon they were known as the most fearsome fighters in all of China. The legend of Shaolin was born

The White Lotus Martial Arts Center was established in 1977 by Headmaster David J. Everett for the purpose of bringing authentic and traditional Chinese martial arts to Central Connecticut. Since then, we have added the combat-effective art of Pekiti Tirsia Philippine Kali. Mr. Everett has been involved in the study of various martial arts for over 35 years. He has studied from many of the most prolific masters of our time, including; Koichi Tohei, Daniel K. Pai, Dan Inosanto, Leo Gaje, William R. McGrath, Wu Jen Dai and Manfred Steiner. He continues to teach master level classes in all arts on a weekly basis.

The symbol of the lotus was chosen because it represents a thousand facets of knowledge unfolding through practice and it depicts the unseen inner forces which can rise to the surface in any individual dedicated enough to find the truth.

Since its inception, White Lotus Martial Arts Center has striven to focus on presenting martial arts as an activity for personal development rather than for sport or competition, although our students have regularly participated in and excelled in these areas. Regular practice in the martial art forms that we offer will build confidence and hone skills in other areas of life, whether they be professional, academic, or recreational.

Only through participation in these mind/body arts will the individual truly appreciate their intrinsic value. All people are welcome to call us or stop by our facilities at 26 Newington Road to arrange for a free introductory class.