Yuma karate students learn from Shaolin monk
March 08, 2010 5:34 PM
BY CHRIS McDANIEL - SUN STAFF WRITER
The martial arts students who take karate classes once a week at the Yuma Boys and Girls Club were treated to a demonstration by a real Shaolin monk Friday.
Shi Yan Qing, (pronounced shur yan ching), showed off some of the skills he has learned through many years of Spartan living and training at the the Shaolin Monastery at Song Shan near Zhengzhou City, Henan Province in Dengfeng, China.
The Buddhist monastery is considered by many scholars as the birthplace of kung fu.
Qing, who has met the pope and Vladimir Putin, traveled to Yuma with Mark Steuver, who teaches the karate classes. The classes are offered through Young Champions of America, a national organization that is committed to making a difference in the lives of children by providing youth programs.
Qing is in the United States to spread peace through kung fu, and is staying with Steuver. Steuver, who lives in Casa Grande and travels to Yuma once a week to teach, was once Qing's student in China.
"He was first an apprentice of a guy who was teaching me, and I especially liked the way he was teaching me," Steuver said.
"We become good friends. We call each other brothers even though it is not very custom-like in China."
Steuver spent three years in China studying, and while there earned the name Shi Yan Jian. The former police officer now teaches martial arts classes in Casa Grande, Phoenix and Yuma.
"I want my students to learn how to socially interact in public and have self-confidence so they can go through life without fear and build their self esteem," he said.
Steuver's students sat quietly in the gymnasium as Qing brought kung fu to life, moving with a grace and form instilled in him through years of discipline and meditation.
After his demonstration, Qing granted an interview with the Yuma Sun. Steuver translated the Chinese into English and visa versa.
Qing has been studying kung fu since he was a young child.
"Now it's been 16 years," Qing said. "I was 8 years old when I left for the monastery. When I first left the house I was really excited and wanted to go, because I fell in love with kung fu when I was little, but once I got started, it was hard and I really missed my home. Now that I am a grown man I am glad I did it."
Qing said it took three years of living at the monastery before he became a monk.
"You also have to pass all the tests. You have to be a Buddhist first and you have to already know some kung fu. They interview you and if your kung fu is sloppy and lazy, they think your character is bad and they won't accept you."
Qing said the tests required serious concentration.
"Learning the mantras and doing meditation was hardest because you have to sit without moving for over an hour. Then you are allowed to change one leg, then sit for another hour, and then change the other leg, and sit for another hour before you change the other leg."
Qing said he had to learn how to master his pain.
"When you first start it is very painful, but after a year or so you don't even notice it."
Qing said he is impressed with the way his former student now teaches.
"He is very good. He is a lot different then when I first met him."
Qing said he has a purpose for being in America.
"I want to spread peace, and I think I can do that through kung fu and teaching people about Buddhism and Chinese culture."
Qing said there are many different forms of kung fu.
"There are many styles and many places in the world that have good kung fu. But the Shaolin Monastery is the birth place of all martial arts. Kung Fu's essence isn't about fighting or violence. It is only about integrating the mind, body and spirit to become healthy in all aspects of being."
Qing wants to establish himself in the United States, and hopes to teach kung fu.
"If everything goes right, I will be an old man here, but right now I only have a short visa and I am trying to get that extended. If I am useful I can stay longer."
Steuver will soon offer a new semester of karate classes and is inviting the public to enroll their kids aged 4 to 15. For more information call 520-836-0459 or log onto youngchampionsofamerica.org.
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