Mission

To teach and stimulate the learning of culture, effort, courage, patience, humility, respect, perseverance, sharing, exceeding one’s potential and success in our youth.

Primary activities

Practicing traditional Shaolin Gong Fu (Traditional Chinese Martial Arts) and equestrian art (Horseback riding).

General Organization

Planned is the construction of an external martial arts and equestrian center in the Brome-Missisquoi region. This center will be a non-profit organization with traditional Shaolin architecture and will accommodate young boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17 years-old after regular school hours, weekends, and during the summer.

History of the Shaolin temple

(City of Deng feng, Henan province in the center of China)

Martial arts existed in China long before the temple’s construction. The first temple was built at the foot of mount Shaoshi in 495 by the emperor Xiao Wendi during the Wei dynasty from the north (386-534) for Batou, a monk who came from India. The arrival of Bodhidharma, approximately 32 years after the temple was built, fundamentally influenced the practice of Gong fu in integrating energy work. This energy work is called both Qi Gong and the work of "Chan" -- which became "Zen" in Japan. During the Song Dynasty of the north (960-1127), monk Huzhu Hechang, who was reign of the temple, invited 18 of the most talented Chinese martial artists to live inside the temple walls for 3 years.

The Shaolin style was then written from the best techniques of each of these masters. Traditional practice is in large part a reflection of this period. The key to this thinking is interior peace and emotional balance while practicing martial arts. This becomes second nature with perseverance and consistent practice.

It soon became the heart of all martial arts around the world in keeping with the following 3 fundamental Chinese philosophies:

• Laotse ; man and the universe (Yin & Yang)
• Confucius; man and his relationship with society
• Bodhidharma; The harmony of the body and spirit in the energy divine (life) which animates all men

Horse and I

To touch a horse is to touch pure vital energy.

Certain therapeutic properties linked to horses have been known since ancient times. Horseback riding was practiced in Greece in Esculape’s temples to heal certain somatic diseases and to strengthen muscles. Regular contact with horses was already a part of their lives in helping with youth education and improving sick people’s health.

Building a relationship with an animal is very rewarding in many respects; for a person with an emotional, social or psychological disability, the trust and loyalty of an animal demonstrates to the student how important they are and this allows them to extend these attributes to personal relationships. Horses are incredible animals. They seem to sense when people have special needs and they try their best to adapt and meet those needs. These gentle giants are unbelievably understanding, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. Unless one is deliberately brutal, they continually excuse us for our mistakes. Horses truly give their hearts and souls to the people that love them.

"The horse is a good master not only for the body, but for the spirit and heart. ", Xenophon, 5th century B.C.