The Liu Quarterly
Rave Reviews for “Journey to the East”
The Liu Institute International, in conjunction with the Shaolin Temple Warrior team headed by Shi Deyang and Shaolin Legacy productions, presented “Journey to the East”, a large-scale martial arts, dance, acrobatics, and music stage show in Mobile and New Orleans in November and December, respectively.
The show received great reviews from the audience, the newspapers, and the performers alike. Here are some comments: “It was spectacular,” said an audience member; “I got chills when I saw these kids performing on the stage,” said a woman; “It is inspirational to all of us,” said a famous Chinese restaurant owner; “This is what New Orleans really needs,” said a teacher; “I am sorry that I could not hold it in, but wept,” a policeman told us when he came out of the show; “It was a beautiful show, we are proud to be part of it,” said an executive producer of PBS who helped to promote the show at their New Orleans station.
The show will be made available on DVD shortly. Thanks to all who participated and helped out!
Important Dates
Feb. 3-4 - Masters Seminars with DeCheng
Feb. 17 - Chinese New Year (Celebration in New Orleans)
Feb. 18 - Chinese New Year (Celebration in Mobile)
February 23-26 - Qi Retreat, Destin, FL
March 6 - Shifu’s Birthday
March 8 - YuanJi
March 31 - Quarterly Testing in New Orleans
March 31 - Battle in the South— US Open Kungfu Sanshou Challenge
For more details on Important Dates, contact the Liu Institute.
Liu Institute on the Road—Qi Retreat
Looking for a way to cleanse your body and mind? The Liu Institute International is hosting its annual Tai Chi and Qi Gong retreat from February 23-26 at the Seascape Resort in Destin, FL.
The seminar sessions over the course of the retreat will include traditional Qi Reeling exercise, Tai Gong, Chan (Zen) meditation, traditional Chinese nutrition and healthy nutrition discussion, as well as other cleansing and nourishing Qi Gong for energy rejuvenation and healing. This year’s Qi retreat will also cover some animal Qi Gong and other ancient Shaolin Qi empowerment training. It will not only help you release stress and balance your energy, but it will also greatly improve your Qi power.
Tuition for the entire weekend retreat is $375 for Liu Institute members. Healthy Chinese meals and lodging are included. Please call 251-343-6023 for information.
Liu Institute on the Road—China Trip
ANNUAL SHAOLIN TEMPLE CHINA TRIP
This year’s China Shaolin-Tai Chi Qi training and studying retreat trip will be tentatively scheduled for June 9th thru June 23rd (exact date to be finalized) at the Shaolin Temple, China. Shaolin & Tai Chi Instructors Certification Credits may be available after completion of the tests. We will as usual have one week training from May 29-June 3rd (tentative dates) in the US as part of the preparation for training in China. Shi DeYang, Shi DeRu and other Shaolin monks and Masters will conduct all training and studies. This Shaolin-Tai Chi China Retreat is sponsored by the Shaolin World Federation and run by Grand Master Shi DeRu and Shi DeYang.
This year’s Qi Retreat and the training Camp will guide each individual through a series of peaceful meditations, basic Shaolin internal Qigong movements, and traditional skills and techniques for mind, body and spiritual growth. The main topics are Shaolin Chan Philosophy of man’s true spiritual freedom, mindfulness, and ancient Shaolin forms handed down from generations of the Shaolin Great Masters and Legends. The retreat and the training camp will also teach some of the most fundamental self-defense skills such as Shaolin Qinna (grappling and common Demarks), body and mind toughening, and Chinese health nutrition.
Please contact the office for more information and to express interest in traveling with the Liu Institute. We will need to know a few months in advance, so we can book airfare and make accommodations. A step-by-step schedule will be issued to everyone one month before the departure.
Letter from the Editor
Happy New Year! We wish you all health, happiness and prosperity! As we enter into this New Year, it is best to reflect back on the past before looking forward to our future. This past year has been full of many joyous occasions, but also sad earthly events. Grand Masters Shi De Ru and Shi De Yang’s teaching father, the great Master upper Su, lower Xi passed away on March 8th, 2006 at 11:00am at the age of 82 after his 70 year service to the Shaolin Temple. During his time, he poured himself into protecting the Temple from extinguishing, teaching the philosophy of Chan, promoting true freedom of humanity, compassion and peace. We (the brothers and their students) had a 9-day memorial that ended on the 16th of March. Our Master's brother, Master Shi De Cheng, also participated and stayed for a whole night chanting with us outside the Shaolin Temple. Many other brothers from all over China came for the memorial ceremony. We had an estimated 10000 people from all over the world come to the doorstep of the Shaolin Temple to pay their respects to the Great Master of this Generation and of this century.
Grand Masters De Yang and De Ru together hosted a 100-day memorial service, which echoed from opposite ends of the earth in remembrance of their teaching father the Great Master Shi Su Xi. Together, they devoted themselves to adopting the responsibilities passed on by their teaching father: to teach to future generations the Ancient Shaolin Teachings handed down to them, to teach the wisdom of China and the wisdom of mankind so as to benefit the world.
On March 8, we will hold a memorial to remember the spiritual leader, Great Grand Master Upper Su and Lower Xi, who left us physically on March 8th last year. His departure and his life on earth will be remembered not only by his close disciples and students but also the world. He is still remembered as the ethical and moral authority to Chan Buddhists and Kungfu students as well as compassionate and loving people around the world.
Peace,
Editorial Staff
Journey to the East, Chinese New Year and Kids’ Days!
A Letter from T.J.
Greetings Students,
The new year is upon us and life is returning to normal (or at least what passes for normal) here at the school.
First of all, I would like to say congratulations and thank you to all of you who took part, whether on or off stage, in The Journey to the East. I think that the show was a great success for all of us on so many levels. I know that I speak for Shifu, as well as myself, when I say that you should all be very proud. Your time and hard work definitely paid off. Not only did we grow as a school and as individuals through this process, but we were also able to touch many lives with the message of The Journey to the East.
Following the show and the holidays, we now find ourselves trying to get back into a regular routine. To this end, we are currently in the process of making revisions and clarifications to all of our curriculums. Once the revisions are complete you may expect to see a new student handbook, which will allow you to check your own progress. We hope that this will help to clear up any confusion regarding testing and sash promotions.
Further, our class schedule is also being revised. Please make sure that you get a copy of the new schedule so that you won’t miss any of the exciting new training opportunities that are being offered each week.
Our next major event will be our Chinese New Year celebration, which will take place the weekend of February 17th and 18th, 2007. This is the year of the Fire Pig, a year marked by acts of generosity, warmth, and community spirit. The celebration will include demonstrations, food, and a lion dance. There will be events in both Mobile and New Orleans, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend one, if not both. Chinese New Year is always a special event for us as a school family, as it gives us a chance to enjoy time together as a community, while also providing an excellent opportunity for us to introduce new people to our school. (Yes, that’s a hint. Bring friends!)
In keeping with the community spirit of the year of the Fire Pig, we will also be adding a special “kids day” to our list of activities once a quarter in Mobile. These will be days when the kids will be able to go out for a fun afternoon with their kung fu big brothers and big sisters. Activities will likely include lunch and a movie. It is our hope that these afternoons will help to further strengthen the bonds of family that exist within our school.
I hope that everyone is ready for an exciting new year at the school. I look forward to working with all of you to make 2007 a year filled with growth, learning, and much positive Qi.
Peace,
T. J. DeZauche
Mobile/Daphne News
The New Year has just arrived. Paul Howell has left us due to his new lab job and a very busy class schedule, plus graduate school preparation. We support his endeavor with our hearts and soul. Mary Casuccio temporarily has taken over most of the office management work until we find another Accelerated Management Training staff member to assist her. Susan Goucher will, as usual, assist with the promotion and coordinate between the office and the outside world with some help from John Putman. Carolyn Orr will be an office assistant and with the floor assistant training program. T.J. DeZauche will do some office work for introductions and students’ progress checks besides the coordination between the office and floor and organizing the demonstrations and testing. He is trained as chief assistant instructor. Whew!
Others who are on the accelerated teaching and office managing and assistant programs are: Josh Beech, Dararith Kuy, Nadja Melzer, Wolf Melzer, An Ngo, Leon Ngo, Helen Savage-Olsen, Fintan Steadman, Tom Swindle, Kasey Yamane. For our Daphne class, we appreciate Dan Dealy, Susanne Fogger, and John Jefferson for their leadership.
We also have our dedicated SWAT Team members to be leaders assisting with our youth class: Deforest Dennis, Garrett Barry, and Peter Barry.
Starting February 5, we have made some changes to our weekly class schedule. We have tried to add some highly requested classes that will help to round out your martial arts training. Please have a close look and give us some feedback. Due to personnel limitations, we may not be able to fit every individual’s request.
We thank everyone for their hard work and look forward to a successful year!
New Orleans News
As mentioned in the last newsletter, our beautiful space has been sold to a developer and will soon be demolished. We will move out in less than two months to a place very close to the present school site. We will certainly do better at our new location!
We are pleased to have Mark Faulkner as our newly employed office staff member as well as being one of our new Tai Chi students. He will be training a lot on the floor.
Others who are on the accelerated teaching and office managing and assistant programs are: Lizhen Chen (office), Maria Maurin (office), Lauren Thomas (office), Ryan Brent, J.C. Emmons, Jay Pelegrin, David Yang, Dagang Yang, John Lutz (senior chief assistant instructor), George Lunsford (chief assistant), Thomas Garatie (temporary trial program), and Jeff Ryan (assistant).
Three of our boys, Jacob Namias, Dominick Namias and Terrell Edwards are up for training on the SWAT team to be our future leaders.
NEW ORLEANS: Free Seminar “Action Against Violence”
Invite your friends, family and everyone you know!
Shaolin Temple Master Shi Decheng will be flying in to join his Shaolin Kungfu brother Grand Master Shi Deru in New Orleans for a special seminar presentation: “Action against Violence” to help local people in New Orleans and the metropolitan areas to act together against violence.
The seminar is to promote peace and harmony in the community. It presents self-awareness, and teaches how to detect and sense violent surroundings and retain calmness to escape from violent traps. The seminar will also be teaching basic self-defense techniques to control weapons with the bare hand. Through the seminar training, participants will gain more confidence to handle violent situations with more peaceful means. New Orleans own product, world kickboxing champion and USA number one K-1 world kickboxing contender Patrick Barry will also join the presentation as chief assistant.
The seminar is part of Liu Institute International and United States of America Sanshou Kungfu Federation’s community outreach program, totally free to the public.
The first presentation will be on February 1st at 7:00 PM. For more information, please contact the office.
MASTERS SEMINARS WITH DECHENG
Master Shi Decheng will join with Shifu hosting seminars in Mobile on February 3rd and 4th. These seminars will cover Hard Qigong and Weapons such as Shaolin Staff, 9-section Iron Whip, and 3-section Staff. Please contact the office for a detailed schedule and registration forms. This is a rare opportunity.
8 PIECES OF SILK BROCADE
Many of our students have asked for an official list of the 8 Pieces of Silk Brocade.
We at the Liu Institute are always happy to oblige.
Both hands reach to the sky
Pull bow, shoot the vulture
Reaching to the earth and the sky
Turn and look over the shoulder
Raise heels, rise to the sky
Punch fists, collect chi
Dragon wiggles its tail
Reach down, touch the earth
NEW STUDENTS
WELCOME TO OUR NEW FAMILY MEMBERS!
Mobile: Leslie Cannon, Kendall Etheredge, Anthony Gamble, Daniel Gonzalo, Naida Gonzalo, Criss Grissim, Robert Herring, Ian Hughes, Gary Jackowski, Robin Jordan, James Louis, Michael McIlwain, Shad McKinnell, Edgar Morales, Tuong Nguyen, Jonathan Palacios, Susie Pham, Jamie Pilgrim, Leane Richardson, Al Warsh, Brent Willcutt
New Orleans: Andrew Abate, Colin Ahern, Konstantin Bogdanou, Sundiata Bondojia, Scott Bryan, Felicity Collins, Leandro De La Torriente, Mark Faulkner, Monica Haynes-Nino, Winston Labouisse, Trey Ledford, Jesus Marquez, Julia Matherne, Sam Mohanty, David Molins, Nathan Morrell, Jacob Pattison, A.J. Reza, Michael Smith, Lu Tran, and Ben Johnson.
October Monthly Testing Results
KUNGFU
White – Rheanna Farr, C.J. Hauser, Ian Hughes, Tony Ingram, Kaylee Jackson, Robin Jordan, Shad McKinnell, Grace Mineo-Marinello, Andrew Trentacoste, Omena Obervuwu
Yellow – Ian Calamari, Dylan Armand, Kyler Fisk, John Pinto, Jason Royston
Orange – Ronald Bowser, Mark Dunaway, J.C. Emmons, Bo Lampley, Dylan Le, Jason White
Green – Sophie Leonard, Chris Mooney, Bo Poston
TAI CHI
White – Thomas Garatie, William McGill, John Phelps, Conrad Schwartz, Linda Schwartz
Yellow – Lizhen Chen
Orange – Glenn Heisser, Heide Sarubin
Red – Helen Savage-Olsen, Kasey Yamane
SANSHOU
White – Mary Casuccio
Blue – Thomas Garatie
Quarterly Testing Results & Pre-Disciple Induction
KUNGFU
White – Konstantin Bogdanov, Naida Gonzalo, Robert Herring, James Louis, Elizabeth Maurin
Yellow – Blythe Calamari, Sheila Calamari, Daniel Gonzalo, Robin Jordan, Ethel Kostmayer, Shad McKinnell, Hunter Tyon, Joshua Yang, Jr. Yang
Orange – Justin Cosper, Ben Foster, Nancy Hua, Jakobe Ingram, Jonathon McKeough, Jan Melzer, Roman Piele, Walker Sacco
Green – Chris Acklen, Sherard Box, J.C. Emmons, Drew Evans, Kaitlyn Evans, Brenna Meehan, Fenja Melzer, Tyler Moore, Jeff Ryan, Tonya Tolbert
Blue – Terrell Edwards, Edward Johnson, Chris Mooney, Dominick Namias, Jacob Namias, DaGang Yang
Red – John Valentine
Purple – T.J. DeZauche, Alexander Elmore
Brown – Garrett Barry, Deforest Dennis
Golden Black – Lac Ngo
TAIJI
White – Felicity Collins, Naida Gonzalo, Robin Jordan, Al Warsh
Yellow – J.C. Emmons, Jennifer Swanson
Green – Patrice Bucher, Jeff Ryan
Blue – Fintan Steadman
Red – Susanne Fogger
Purple – T.J. DeZauche
Brown – Wolf Melzer
SANSHOU
White – Colin Ahern, Konstantin Bogdanov, Elizabeth Evans
Yellow – Mary Casuccio, Ben Egan, Marco Topete, Brent Willcutt
Orange – William Semple
Blue – Andy Ngo, Lac Ngo
Brown – Dararith Kuy
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PRE-DISCIPLE INDUCTEES
Dennis Baron, Mary Casuccio, Justin Cosper, Nancy Hua, John Jefferson, Sophie Leonard, Jonathon McKeough, Brenna Meehan, Jan Melzer, Philip Montalbano, Roman Piele, John Pinto, Heide Sarubin, Marco Topete, William Semple
SHAOLIN APPRENTICESHIP
Ryan Brent, T.J. DeZauche, George Lunsford, John Lutz, Wolf Melzer, Andy Ngo
End of Year Awards
Best Performer – Andy Ngo (Mobile), Dominick Namias (New Orleans)
Best Floor Assistant – Chris Acklen (Mobile), Jay Pelegrin (New Orleans)
Most Dedicated Student – Nadja Melzer (Mobile), Marco Castro (New Orleans)
Shaolin Warrior of the Year – Tyler Moore (Mobile), Jonathan McKeough (New Orleans)
Sanshou Fighter of the Year – Tom Swindle (Mobile), Thomas Garatie (New Orleans)
Most Improved Kid – Hunter Tyon (Mobile), Ian Calamari (New Orleans)
Most Improved Adult – Sophie Leonard (Mobile), DaGang Yang (New Orleans)
Most Improved Taiji – Donna Earnshaw (Mobile), Philip Montalbano (New Orleans)
Most Improved Sanshou – Tom Swindle (Mobile), Ben Egan (New Orleans)
Instructor of the Year – T.J. DeZauche (Mobile), George Lunsford (New Orleans)
Most Efficient – T.J. DeZauche
Outstanding Contributions – Susan Chan, Mahala Church, Debbie Foster, Maria Maurin
Student of the Month - Mobile
October—Ben Foster
Nov./Dec.—Ian Hughes
Student of the Month is coming to New Orleans soon!
Words of Enlightenment
Winners never quit and quitters never win. No Shaolin Warrior quits.
Where others criticize, we participate.
“Do it again - one-thousand times!”
- Shifu
Enlightenment is a journey, not a destination.
Before enlightenment, I carried water and chopped wood. After enlightenment, I carry water and chop wood.
SHAOLIN FAMILY
(In Chinese, “x” is pronounced as “sh”)
Shi fù – Teaching Father
Shi jiě – Big Sister/Senior Sister
Shi mèi – Little Sister/Junior Sister
Shi xiōng – Big Brother/Senior Brother
Shi dì – Little Brother/Junior Brother
Ni men– “Y’all” (you)
Shi bó – Teaching Uncle
Shi yé – Teaching Grandfather
Ni Hào – Good Day, “Y’all”
Hào – Good
Zài Jiàn – Goodbye
Examples:
At the start of class, if your teacher is male, you would say: Shi Xiong Hao.
At the end of class, if your teacher is female, you would say: Shi Jie Zai Jian.
Always address the Master as Shifu.
Counting in Chinese
(“q” is pronounced as “ch”)
Want to perfect what you have learned in class?
Sign up for a Private Lesson with one of our knowledgeable
instructors!
$40/half hour for beginners;
$60/half hour for advanced/weapons.
Call the office for an appointment.
Mission Statement
The Shaolin, Taiji Kungfu, and Chinese Health-Wellness Programs at the Liu Institute International are designed to bring the best of Chinese philosophy, Arts, Medicine, and Exercise to the West, thereby improving the way of life in the U. S. and all over the world. The main objective is to provide quality health and martial art programs to facilitate personal, mental and spiritual growth and to help people make life-long choices for optimum health and well-being. Our slogan is a healthy body & a healthy mind.
To achieve this objective, the Liu Institute International offers a variety of programs. The youth programs are designed to help improve children’s self-discipline, self-confidence, self-control, and respect, as well as their physical and mental well-being. We help them develop character, acquire mental and physical skills to enable them to help themselves and their community with integrity, and prepare them for their journey in life.
The adult programs are designed to assist each student to improve overall fitness and mental and physical Qi balance, and to empower himself/herself to channel energy and turn stress into uplifting Qi so as to meet life challenges.
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The Liu Quarterly Editor-in-Chief: Shifu Shi Deru
Editor: Mary Casuccio
Contributing Writers: John Lutz, T.J DeZauche, Mary Casuccio
Liu Institute International
444-E Azalea Rd 2708 Jefferson Hwy
Mobile, AL 36609 Jefferson, LA 70121
251-343-6023 504-835-1877
Bounds Family YMCA
8051 Whispering Pines Rd
Daphne, AL 36526
251-343-6023
Fax: 251-343-6023
Web address: www.liuinstitute.com / www.shaolin-world.net
www. shaolinlegacy.com
