For centuries Martial Arts have evolved from their simple origins, changing and taking new paths according to the demands of student, master, and purpose. Even now in our modern era, the benefits of training in the Martial Arts are worth pursuing. Though we may not have to fight the chaos of the lawless times of antiquity, we now must fight the stress and pressure of modern lifestyles. Martial Arts training can provide the tools to combat the mental and physical drains modern lifestyles place on us, and help put us in a position to lead happy and healthy balanced lives.

Martial Arts build vitality, the fundamental necessity for good life. Vitality is made up of physical health, mental acuteness, and the vigor of spirit. When someone’s vitality is strong, no matter their age, their physical heath, mental well-being, and strength of spirit will be obvious.

Self-defense and fighting applications are a fringe benefit to practicing Martial Arts in our modern era. Odds are against any good natured Martial Artist ever having to use what they’ve learned in a real life situation. But, if they are exposed to such a situation, they are empowered with the mental and physical tools to handle it better than if they had not trained at all.

The practice of Martial Arts should be viewed as a life-long undertaking. Whether or not one stays loyal to one school, trains in many styles, or foregoes formal training is irrelevant. Martial Arts can provide one with a life long learning experience and an exploration of mental and physical benefits.

"Teachers open the door… but you must enter by yourself." - Chinese Proverb

The Allied Gardens School of Martial Arts uses a combined training program consisting of two different Chinese Martial Arts: Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and Zhoa Boa Style Tai Chi Chuan. In addition, students all students will have access to supplemental training from: Tai Kwon Doe, Bagua, and Kom Doe. This combined program delivers fast, well-rounded results in self-defense, fitness, and health development. All martial art styles are good, but we feel that the combination of these Martial Arts with our philosophy has created a comprehensive method from which anyone can receive fast, balanced results.

Every person is different, and each has their own strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes; but all of us have at least one thing in common – we all want to feel good. At the core to feeling good is having a strong and healthy mind and body. Often individuals may only have a portion of this equation. Take a great fighter or athlete, they may have superior physical health and ability, but we often see them bringing physical or emotional harm upon themselves or others because they are not balanced mentally. A true Martial Artist is not only a good fighter, but also a complete person that uses his/her strengths and abilities as a tool to develop a higher understanding of themselves. This enables the Martial Artist to think and react to every day challenges with a high degree of awareness and confidence that will bring more positive results from their efforts.

Training Philosophy

Training your own mind and body should be fun and interesting. Although, like any path worth taking in life, there are always tough challenges to overcome in order to reach higher levels of success. The practice room is the students’ place to come to for 1 to 2 hours of the day and devote their concentration solely to their own improvement. Because the students share a common goal and commitment, they are able to train together in an atmosphere that is focused, relaxed, and enjoyable. Thus the students can apply their full attention, without unnecessary stress, on their own physical and mental awareness. This is an essential ingredient to understanding the movements and forms.

Many people learn a movement and then just go through the physical motions of practice expecting the movement to change them. It is not the movement itself, but the understanding of how and when to train with the movement, that will change them.

"You need Good Health to make Great Deeds." - Chinese Proverb

Knowledge and awareness of your own mind and body--being mentally aware of all parts of your own body and knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Understanding the correct position movement of a form or posture in a stance, their variations, how and why they work, and understanding the method or methods of how the forms may be practiced. Knowing when and what to practice, and when or what not to.

"The wisdom that does not increase by the day, diminishes the day." - Chinese Proverb

As the student progresses they will eventually begin to integrate these principles into their training. Once this begins, student can then apply these principles to attaining the three requirements to advance.

Three Requirements to Advance

Knowing your location or position--where you are mentally and physically. Knowing destination or where you want to go--the ability to defend yourself in any situation and enjoying an active lifestyle that makes you feel good. Having a map or guide--the tools, resources, and ability to reach your destination. When the student learns to apply these principles and requirements in their training their body will respond by improving faster. This in turn will invigorate the mind giving the student the motivation to stay with their training. With this motivation, the student will experience a “snowball effect” in their training; where mental and physical improvements will lead to a desire for more advanced movements in order to attain even greater levels of success in their training, again yielding greater achievements. This can result in a life-long pursuit of personal growth, where one is in a constant state of evolution and development of their mind and body.

"Three days away from study make for plain conversation." - Chinese Proverb