Golden Lotus Kung-fu system
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The Golden Lotus Kung-fu system, also known as Jing Ping Mei Kuen is a modern system based on both Northern andSouthern Style Chinese Kung-fu principles. The Golden Lotus Kung-fu system was formulated by Si-Jo John M. DeBellotte in 1998. Si-Jo John M. DeBellotte began his study of the Martial Arts in 1986 under Tim Robertson at the Robertson school of Bujitsu in Reading Pa. Robertson a student of the late Shihan Terry Hayford student of Professor Ronald Duncan[1]. After 2 years of training under Sensei Robertson, John M. DeBellotte met a Taoist priest of the legendary Dragon Gate Sect [2] which was founded by Patriarch Qiu in the fourth Xingding year (AD 1220), named Yi Shao Yun. Si-Jo John M. DeBellotte learned [Taoist inner alchemy[3]] from Yhi Shou Yun and became a Tiānchí or Taoist Priest of the Dragon Gate Sect. In addition to that Sifu John gained external kung-fu knowledge learned from Si-Fu James H. Smith in the system of Wing-Tao kung-fu. In 1998 the then Si-Fu John M. DeBellotte petitioned both masters for the right to charter and found a system based on their collective influences. The request was granted and the Golden Lotus system[4] was born.
[edit] Structure
Golden Lotus Kung-fu Academies all use the same internal structure. The Academy always has three Halls representing the three goals of the system, Longevity, Physical Health, and Mental Health. Each Hall has three Gars, or Families, representing the three training influences, Spiritual, External, and Internal. Each Gar has three chambers containing ten students representing the three forces, Nothingness, Chi, and Ling. The sum total of chambers in the entire academy also represents the twenty-seven theories.
[edit] Curriculum
The Curriculum of the Golden Lotus Kung-fu system is divided into three martial tiers each with external and internal aspects, 27 martial theories, and 27 applications for each theory totaling 729 base applications. Tier one is the basic tier that covers proper stance work, Animal fist forms, and basic weaponry forms. The first tier is designed to teach speed, coordination, flexibility, visualization, and body connectivity also know as full body mechanics. In this first tier the student is also taught the basic theories of the system; Theory #1 is the center line theory. This theory is a visualization aid that helps students to always protect their vital organs. This Theory states,"Imagine a pole going through the center of your body that your opponent can see. If you opponent strikes you center mass it will impair your balance the most, as well as do the most damage to your internal organs. Therefore the guard must always be kept on center-line relative to your opponent to avoid this." This theory is the foundation of the basic Golden Lotus combat guard. The other theories in the system build upon this one teaching such things as how to push incoming attacks just outside range to maximize counter attack speed, how to show you opponent a false opening in order to control them during combat etc.
