The Shaolin style Gaocan Mun Nam Pai Chuan (少林高参門南北拳)has its roots and origins in the traditional martial arts practiced by the Shaolin Monks of China over 2000 years ago.

Shaolin Gaocan Mun Nam Pai Chuan translates to ‘The Shaolin school of Gaocan South North Fist’. Our Shaolin tradition is of the warrior monk Shi Gaocan (释高参)also known as Seh Koh San. Shi Gaocan was abbot of the Siong Lim temple in Singapore and is regarded as the father of the Shaolin arts of South East Asia (南洋少林. Nam Pai Chuan, or South North Fist, describes the evolution of the old rigid styles, combining the Northern and Southern Kung fu style and characteristics.

You may recognise Kung Fu from movies popularised by movie stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Donnie Yen. Some well-known movies include Kung Fu Panda and Ip Man. Kung Fu (功夫) is a generic term that refers to any skill that is acquired through learning and practice. In the martial arts context, it the general term for martial arts, including Wushu ( 武術), Guoshu (國術) and Quan Fa (拳法).

The history of Kung fu spans 4,000 years with thousands of styles today including Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Xingyi Quan, Nan Quan, White crane, Five ancestors and others. Within Kung Fu styles you can make distinction between ‘internal arts’ such as Tai Chi and ‘external arts’ such as Wing Chun. There is also a geographical association between Northern and Southern styles.

Northern styles employ more legwork, acrobatics and higher kicks influencing other martial arts like Taekwondo. Southern styles employ lower stances, greater use of hand techniques and a focus on tighter fighting techniques. Nam Pai Chuan combines internal and external elements as well as some characteristics of northern and southern styles – providing a system with breadth and depth.

The lineage of Shaolin Kung Fu generally spans to the Shaolin temple in Northern China with Bodhidharma and the Shaolin monks. Shaolin grew and spread throughout the 1500 years giving rise to other styles of Shaolin. Our tradition spans to Seh Koh San, a monk from Fujian of the Southern Shaolin tradition and the Chief Abbot of Siong Lim temple in Singapore. One of his most influential students, Grand Master Quek Heng Choon started opened schools in Malaysia and was renowned for his Iron palm skills. Teaching in the old manner in Kuala Lumpur, he was the Sifu of his eventual successor – Master Lai Khee Choong.

Master Lai took the art from style to system, applying modern methods to his gruelling traditional training. His further structuring of the system incorporated a formal syllabus and incorporated many more training principles through his friend and mentor Master Leow Cheng Koon, head of the Moo Duk Kwan Academy and an 8^thDan in Taekwondo.

Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practices, which are practiced for a number of reasons: as self-defense, combat applications, sport and recreation, mental and spiritual development, and cultural heritage. Martial systems vary based on their focus, some more traditional or combat oriented or competition based than others.

Throughout time and across the world, martial arts took on regional and cultural characteristics or ‘styles’ as well.

Chinese martial arts are quite broad in the range of striking, locking, throwing, weapon, internal practice within their system. This contrasted against some of the Korean and Japanese martial arts which tend to specialise. Quite simply you will find that Taekwondo, Karate and Muay Thai/Thai Boxing for focus on the striking disciplines, with Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling focusing on throws and grappling.

In recent times, the rise of Mixed Martial Arts have combined the different combative techniques and have suited them to a more competitive combat environment. Shaolin Kung Fu is a traditional martial art with a focus on the improving mind, body and spirit.