What We Teach
Lehigh Valley Martial Arts teaches a system of martial arts known as Chih chun Tao. Literally translated, this means “the way of the truthful falcon” or “the way of the wise falcon”. The Chinese language has symbols that can be translated or interpreted in a number of ways, hence the two different meanings of our system.
Under Chih Chun Tao, a student may train in multiple disciplines including Tai Chi, Chinese Internal Kung Fu, and Kyokushin Karate.
As in all martial arts, or any serious art practice, the basics are the most important part of training. Although the basic techniques are similar across the arts/disciplines, the attitude, focus, and intent with which they are practiced makes the difference between styles or systems. At Lehigh Valley Martial Arts, the basics are taken very seriously and practiced rigorously. Students will learn the practical applications of each technique whether they appear in a form/kata or in their basic training.
The main difference between Chih Chun Tao and other systems is our method of self-defense. Whether a student chooses to train in Tai Chi, Kung Fu, or Karate they will learn to understand the concepts and theories of movement and motion; how the body works and doesn’t work. They will not learn a catalogued series of moves and be expected to memorize them.
We do not believe that the key to good, practical self-defense lies with speed, power, and endurance. While these things are beneficial, they are not the key. We believe that the key to real ability in self-defense lies in timing, distancing, posturing, and positioning. With these things in place, the student maintains the ability to stay safe in most any situation.
Our Kung Fu forms are based on traditional Chinese animals; Tiger, Mantis, Crane, Snake, and Dragon. These forms are soft and fluid. The student learns to feelwhere the power is coming from. Through the attitude of the animals, the studen learns to control their emotions and their intent.
Our Karate katas are the traditional Kyokushin katas. In these katas the elements of hard and soft come together in a fluidity of motion where intent and focus become one. The student learns to harness their energy and hone their intent.
In Tai Chi students will learn the Wu 16 movement short form and the Chen long form consisting of 128 movements. Tai Chi, literally translated means, “Grand Ultimate”, as such, students should anticipate a lengthy learning process. The mastery of Tai Chi is not easily attained; however, the rewards of the training are many. Health practitioners recommend Tai Chi for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing stress and promoting overall well being. Martial artists recognize that Tai Chi holds some of the most powerful secrets of the martial arts.
Children enrolled in Chih Chun Tao will learn the principles of sparring. Sparring is taught using a step by step method ensuring that a child is never put into a situation on the mat that they are not ready to handle. It is important for the children to experience this type of training, so they can understand exactly what they are made of. They learn about hitting and getting hit in a safe environment that they trust and where they know they are loved, as opposed to experiencing it for the first time in a street situation. This allows the children to control their fears and not let their fears control them.
Adults will participate in an exercise called “Free Flow”. In this exercise both partners move slowly, simulating an actual fight situation. The slow movement is the key because it allows both partners to feel what is going on inside their body from both the perspective of defender and attacker. Remember, this is about concepts and theories of movement and motion. It is paramount to understand what is happening in your body. With this understanding, the student is able to manipulate an attacker while striking at will and not getting hit themselves.
Shifu Paul’s Teaching Philosophy
“The Martial Arts can be integrated into every facet of life. The knowledge and experience of martial arts training can benefit the strongest, weakest, youngest or the oldest of students. Imparting this study of life is as individual as every living thing. The method of teaching them is carefully considered on an individual basis. What a student wants is not always what they need. My goal is to make all of my students a master in life and in martial arts.
What I’ve learned from my teachers, that I believe I also impart: how I want to be treated as a student, to be patient and kind to all types of learners, to continue to learn from teachers and students alike, and to question everything and take nothing for granted.”
Shimu Dana’s Teaching Philosophy
“There are 3 main attributes I impart on my students: self-confidence, self-discipline and self-defense. If students are confident, they can not be intimidated physically or academically. If students have self-discipline, they will not give up on anything. If students are schooled in self-defense, they will be able to protect themselves in any situation, be it mental or physical.
I also strive to teach the 8 traditional values of the martial arts. Those values are courage, justice, generosity, politeness, honor, honesty, loyalty and compassion. I feel the most important one to master is courage. I explain to the students that real courage is not the lack of fear but the performance of one’s duty in spite of that fear. I teach them that without courage the other values will be impossible to embody. It takes courage to be fair in all things when others expect you to side with them. It takes courage to be generous if it means you may have to do without. It takes courage to remain polite when others are being ignorant to you or someone you care about. It takes courage to tell the truth even though it may cost you somehow. It takes courage to be truly loyal to a cause, idea or person. If you can do all of these things and more, people will consider you to be honorable. These are the lessons that I try to impart to the students through martial arts.”