Grand-master Leong Chan Lee entered the Shaolin Monastery in 1908 at the age of 8.  There he studied the Shaolin way for 17 years, taking a vow never to teach the secrets of Shaolin to anyone outside of the temple.  In 1925, he decided he wanted a family so he left the Temple to pursue this desire.

In 1929, at the age of 29, he married Song Ng.  They were happily married for 19 years, but unfortunately were unable to have any children.  They met while Grand-master Leong Chan Lee was practicing his Martial Arts in one of the gardens he tended.

Song Ng had a strong desire to learn his martial arts but his vow prevented him from teaching her.  In an effort to please her, he began to develop a way to change the Shaolin Martial Arts into an art that was both beautiful and functional and at the same time, still based upon the Shaolin fundamental principals.  The results are seen today in Chan Wushu Gung Fu or Chinese Shaolin Freestyle Boxing.  In 1948, Song Ng died from the Influenza Virus.

Plagued by memories of Song Ng, in 1950, Grand-master Leong Chan Lee left China and immigrated to America, specifically to San Diego, California.  There he lived a simple, peaceful life.  In 1975 he met nine year old Robert Waite while he was practicing his Gung Fu in Balboa Park.  Young Robert persuaded Grandmaster to teach him his Family system, and he subsequently trained Robert for ten years.  In 1985, knowing he was close to death, he returned to China to be buried with his beloved Song Ng in the Henan Province (Tiger Mountain), the place of his birth.

After meeting in Balboa Park, Grand-master agreed to teach nine-year-old Robert the Martial Arts in return for his humility and respect.  During his training, Robert  practically lived with Grand-master, helping him with his daily chores.

Robert studied with Grand-master Lee for ten years, mastering the family system of martial arts that Master Lee had developed from the Shaolin system he learned at the temple in the Hunan province of China.

Si-Kung Robert Waite has been practicing/teaching Chan Wushu since 1975, obtaining his mastery in SanDeigo California, teaching first in Albuquerque, New Mexico then moving on to teach in Oklahoma before settling in Fort Smith.  Si-Kung Waite has prevailed through many hardships, and like a true Shaolin Warrior, never lost his dream of passing on the knowledge Grand-master has imparted to him, thereby ensuring Grand-master's immortality.

The number of dedicated students studying under Si-Kung Waite continues to multiply.   To this date the Chan Wushu Kwoon has been together in Fort Smith since 1996.

Chan Wushu Gung Fu is a Five Animal System consisting of:
            1.  DRAGON  (power and wisdom)
            2. TIGER      (strength and aggression)
            3. CRANE     (balance and grace)
            4. SNAKE     (smooth and coiling)
            5. MANTIS   (patience and control)

This system strives to balance the yin/yang, the body's flow of energy.  The Chinese believe in the Five Elements of Life; Water, Air, Fire, Wood, and Metal.  The Shaolin use the elements in conjunction with the Five animals.

This system is taught in the Old Way of Shaolin.  It is a family style system passed from the late Grand-Master Leong Chan Lee to Master Robert Waite.

The Shaolin Family System consists of:

ANIMAL FORMS

SHORT HAND FORMS

KICKING FORMS

MOOK JUNG FORMS

STUMP FORMS

SPECIALTY FORMS

BREATHING FORMS

ISOMETRIC FORMS

BASKET FORMS

27 DIFFERENT WEAPONS

MEDITATION

TAI CHI

SHAOLIN EXERCISES
 
 

Chan Wushu is a way of life, the giving of knowledge to become a better person.
This system is my path to becoming complete with myself and to prosper in health and knowledge.
I am not here to learn how to fight.
I am here to learn:
    Self- Defense, Self- Respect
    Self-Reliance, Self- Discipline
    Self- Control.
I will not let any person change my path.
I have chosen the right path and shall maintain it throughout my life.
If I change my path for any reason,
I shall shame myself and my master.
Let the candle burn forever.
This is the Shaolin Way.

    Si-Kung Leong Chan Lee

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