Shaolin Kempo Karate

Shaolin Kempo Karate is a unique system of Self-Defense with the combined

structure of Shaolin Kung-Fu, Kempo, Karate, and Jiu-jitsu. Through this
combination, students of all shapes and sizes can effectively learn to defend
themselves or loved ones in any harmful situation as well as learn discipline, self-
control, confidence and a positive path to good health and conditioning of the entire
body.

The History of Shaolin Kempo Karate

"Shaolin Kempo Karate" was founded by Grandmaster Frederick J. Villari. In the last
four decades, his fighting system has become widely recognized and respected. His art
traces its origin back over a thousand years to the Shaolin Temple of China. Many of
the basic methods are still used in his schools today. The present form has become
famous because of its very effective "Four Ways of Fighting."

Some evolutionary changes were necessary due to modern culture and the
technological development of many different types of weapons.

People today are bigger, stronger and more knowledgeable about weapons and
methods of combat, therefore, movements had to be changed and updated.
Grandmaster Villari developed a fighting system that combines the "Four Ways of
Fighting" into one. Today his system has spread nationally and internationally and has
a permanent record in the annals of martial arts history.

The great Shaolin Temple in the Song Shan Mountains of central China was
established around 495 A.D. The first monk who taught Buddhism there was Indian
monk Batuo, along with his first Chinese disciples Huiguang and Sengchou whom
both had exceptional martial arts skills. In this temple around 530 A.D., Bodhidharma,
an Indian monk traveling thru Central Asia, introduced a new Buddhist meditation
method and combat techniques to the monks. First, he introduced a form of breathing
exercises based on animal movements to the temple monks, to strengthen and
condition their bodies and purify their minds. Then he taught them how to use the
movements of animals for self-defense purposes. Over time, the monks changed and
perfected these movements. This style became known and respected as the art of
Shaolin Temple Boxing. Buddhism and Shaolin Temple Boxing or "Shaolin Ch'uan
Fa" were the Shaolin Temple's main legacy to the world. So it was in China that the
philosophical and religious system upon which many martial arts depend were first
introduced and nurtured. In the 1600's, Japan conquered Okinawa and to prevent
uprisings, restricted the people of Okinawa from using any weapons. The natives had
no alternative but to practice the art known as "Te" or empty hand fighting. Te was
derived from the Shaolin "Chuan" which had, by that time, spread throughout China,
and had become popular, around 900 A.D, with the Chinese people of the T'ang
Dynasty. Many Okinawans were secretly sent to China to learn the martial arts. They
later returned and influenced the methods in use on Okinawa. Okinawans changed the
name of their martial art from "Te" to "Karate". The term "Karate" means "T'ang
hand" and is used to acknowledge the Chinese influence in the Okinawan's art. Karate
was first demonstrated in Japan in 1917 where even more styles developed. Long
before either the Chinese or the Okinawans practiced and developed their arts, the
Tibetans and Mongolians had their own form of combat from which the venerable art
of Chin Na, or the art of the White Tiger, was further developed - a devastating form
of locking, seizing, holding and grappling. The Tibetans and the Mongols were
masters of grappling. The art of Shaolin Kempo Karate was founded and developed
by Grandmaster Villari after many years of studying and mastering numerous
different styles of the martial arts including Shaolin Temple Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Kung
Fu, Kempo, different styles of Karate, as well as the secret art of the White Tiger
(Chin Na).

Grandmaster Villari realized, because of his varied wealth of experience and his
dedication in seeking the ultimate fighting system that each fighting system offered
something unique, and each also had its glaring weaknesses that could make a fighter
vulnerable. After studying and mastering many different styles and ways of fighting,
Grandmaster Villari concluded that there really were only four ways of fighting.

1. With your hands (punching, striking - open or closed hand) or use of any part of the
arms, elbows, forearms, etc.

2. Kicking (with foot, leg, knee, shin)

3. Felling - that is to knock an opponent off his feet by throwing, tripping, pulling,
pushing, shoving, or scooping him

4. Grappling - by either wrestling, holding, breaking, locking bones or joints against

nerve centers

Grandmaster Villari understood that the ultimate in self-defense lay not in one way or
style of fighting. By combining the "Four Ways of Fighting." he devised and
developed ways to integrate diverse methods of fighting into one, eliminating
weaknesses and vulnerabilities. This is the central theory and method behind Villari's
art of Shaolin Kempo Karate. The Shaolin fighting system is the backbone of the
Villari system since Grandmaster Villari felt it was the best for promoting overall
good health, wisdom and longevity. This system is well balanced, incorporating mind,
body and spirit into one. In the realm of fighting, Shaolin is renowned for its
devastating kicking and punching techniques. It incorporates the movements of five
animals: Tiger, Crane, Dragon, Snake, and Leopard. The Shaolin theory of fighting is
based on circular movements, speed, conditioning, and developing strong internal
energy, tendons, and ligaments. These are essential for producing a superior fighter.

Karate is also highly favored by Grandmaster Villari, and he regards it as simple and
quick to learn and execute. Known for its linear and angular movements with quick
shuffles and in-line fighting movements, karate-type blows are more mechanical in
execution than Shaolin blows. They are also more explosive. Karate concentrates
more on external power and fewer moves are required to get the job done.

Grandmaster Villari also utilizes the art of Kempo. Kempo techniques are almost
entirely counters and use a mixture of hard and soft movements. Once attacked, a
Kempo practitioner aims to end a fight as quickly and efficiently as possible but will
wait for an opponent to make a first move.

Shaolin movements are more fluent than either Kempo or Karate and have more
patterns of multiple strikes. The weakness here is many wasted movements which
create openings for counter-attack. Karate, on the other hand, has too few movements
and is too rigid to stand alone. Shaolin takes longer to learn than Karate, but once
mastered, its blows are delivered more effectively because Shaolin is a balance of the
body's external strength and internal power. Each martial art offers something to
compliment the other. By combining circular and linear movements, the end result is a
system greater than the sum of its parts.

Grandmaster Villari's Shaolin Kempo Karate system also incorporates the venerable
art of Chin Na. It is the ultimate form of neutralizing an opponent, utilizing holding,
seizing, locking, throwing, felling and delivering controlled pain. No other martial art
gives such control over an attacker.

Grandmaster Villari also teaches moves of the Immortal Monkey, known for its art of
illusion. The Monkey cannot be hit. Its movements are lightning-quick with the ability
to change its direction rapidly. It never exhausts its energy and has superior longevity.
The monkey is always happy!

Grandmaster Villari is one of the pioneers of martial arts in the Western World. He
revolutionized and enhanced the martial arts, directing it more toward practical
fighting. His contribution to Asian fighting arts helped open the way of the Asian
martial arts, on a massive scale, to the ordinary layman. Before Grandmaster Villari,
teaching the martial arts to the masses was taboo. He demystified the prejudice that
only a few select people should have the opportunity to learn these skills. He showed
Westerners of all ages and cultures "the way of Asian martial arts." No other master or
system can lay claim or take credit for the unique fighting system of the Villari
Shaolin Kempo Karate System. His input and involvement produced a major turning
point in the teaching of martial arts. Grandmaster Villari is still actively teaching and
demonstrating the martial arts in his schools today.

An outstanding martial artist in his youth, Fred Villari was initiated into the principles of Shaolin Temple
boxing by his father at an early age. After mastering the techniques his father showed him, young Villari
ventured out and worked with other martial artists of different styles. Eventually, Villari realized there
were just four ways of fighting unarmed - punching, kicking, felling and grappling - and these four
methods were originally meant to be used together, as one. So, he brought together the many
techniques he had learned, using the systems of Shaolin, Kempo, Karate and Jiu Jitsu as guides in the
forming of a new, integrated style, which he named SHAOLIN-KEMPO-KARATE. Unique in the world, it
has become one of the most prevalent martial arts in the United States.