Shaolin Institute
& its history
Shaolin Institute has been officially established in the United States since 1999, although the original group started teachings as early as the beginning of 1987 at the University of Mobile, and later at the University of South Alabama in 1989.
From that group, Shifu DeRu and his team produced a national Wushu champion and an all-around international youth Kung Fu champion as well as a national Master Tai Chi champion, who represented the US in the World Tai Chi Conference in southern China.
Shaolin Institute is the only private institute in the US with combined programs in Shaolin Chan, Internal & External Kung Fu, Natural Healing & Chinese Cultural Studies, with over 25,000 combined sq. ft. of training and studying facilities. It is also the only institute of its kind with full-time resident students in the entire US.
Shaolin Institute was incepted by Grandmaster Shi DeRu to share Shaolin wisdoms in healing, martial arts and a healthier life style. Shifu DeRu is a 31st generation Shaolin Grandmaster. He is one of the two most well-known disciples of the Shaolin Temple’s late abbot, Great Master Su Xi.
Shaolin Institute is committed to spreading original Shaolin wisdom, passed down from generation to generation for over 1,500 years. Curriculums are derived from the ancient teachings of the Shaolin Temple in China.
The wisdom of Chan, Confucianism, Taoism and the discipline of traditional Kung Fu is taught with age-appropriate curricula: Shaolin Chan (Zen) Culture, Shaolin Kungfu, Tai Chi, Qigong, Zen-Tai Gong for natural healing, Chan (Zen) philosophy meditation, extreme kickboxing for Iron Body Shape, Sanshou/Sanda, Qinna (grappling),Shuaijiao(wrestling) and Shaolin Chan nutrition. The instructors at each campus are committed to life-long learning under the direction of Grand Master DeRu.
Shaolin Institute teaches and cultivates in each student the freedom of the mind,
The most fundamental values, intelligence, potentiality, artistic and athletic talents, as well as mind-body high consciousness, integrated human ability and power besides the most basic personal development needs: personal safety, character, problem solving skills, leadership training, self-discipline, self-control and indomitable spirit.
Our slogan is “a healthy body and a healthy mind.” The Institute’s mission is “to enlighten and empower everyone we encounter to find his/her self-nature and the greatest potential within so as to be totally free.”
In addition, Shaolin Institute teaches a way of life. We embraces all educational programs of traditional Shaolin developed over 5000 years in China without limitations. We inherited more than 70 styles of internal and external martial arts and other mind-body training programs from the Shaolin Temple beyond today’s mixed martial arts (MMA). A few of the cultural exchange programs that are being developed at the Institute including Zen life style, cultural ambassadorship, and language programs.”
MMA fighter Training
As in combat arts, many world-class MMA, Muay Thai, and Kungfu Sanshou/Sanda international champions have either professionally trained or started their martial arts careers under Shaolin Grand Master DeRu (Master Shawn X. Liu). These champions include: Cung Le, a Strikeforce MMA world champion; Patrick Barry, one of the best UFC Strikers; Wael Karika Muhammed,a world Sanda champion with a MMA record of 6 wins and 0 loses in the US, and many other international and national champions such as Melvin Guillard, Juan Zarate, Dustin Carbajal, A.J. Verret, Robert Pritchett, Mike Altman, Kevin Nguyen, Robert Higginbotham, Li Qiang,K.J.Noon, Steve Dang, Shi Zhong Qin, Aaron Honeycutt, RuddiOtt, Max Chen, Albert Pope, and David Sanders…
Shaolin Institute has given scholarships and financial assistance to thousands of people in the past 20 years. For example, following Hurricane Katrina, under Master DeRu’s direction the Institute donated thousands of dollars to assist students in need and provided financial assistance to help hundreds of highly distressed hurricane victims get their minds and bodies to health and harmony. The Institute continues to give scholarships to families or individuals in need who are interested in health and wellness, personal safety and personal growth each year.