Li Family Daoqiquan is a comprehensive system, comprised of a variety of complementary arts. In order to become a fully certified instructor (Shifu), one must master the following aspects of the system:
Traditional Empty Hand Skills
Baguazhang
Taijiquan
Xingyiquan
Traditional Weapons Skills
Staff
Saber
Spear
Sword
A choice of Three Section Staff, Bullwhip, Rope Dart and/or Meteor Hammer
Modern Weapons Skills
A choice of Tactical Baton, Folding Knife and/or Pistol
Traditional Health Skills
Meditation
Zhan Zhuang
Moving Qigong
Acupressure
Tuina
In addition to the required skills, the prospective Shifu is welcome to develop their skills in any of the other components of Daoqiquan.
Due to our high standards and the depth of the material, it takes years to become a Shifu of Daoqiquan.
We also offer certifications in each of the specific systems that make up Daoqiquan. For example, we have Study Group members around the world who are working towards their certification as a Shifu of Jiulong Baguazhang, an integral art of Daoqiquan.
Li, Zhanglai (1850-1946)
Li, Longdao (1890-1980)
Dr. John P. Painter (1943-present)
Shifu Andrew Garza (19 -present)
Shifu Alan Marshall (19 -present)
Shifu Robert Castaldo (19 -present)
Dr. John P. Painter
Dr. John P. Painter
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John P. Painter (Ph.D in Naturopathic Medicine) is one of the pioneers of Chinese internal martial arts in the United States. He has been learning and practicing Jiulong Baguazhang, Taijiquan and Xingyiquan from the Li family's system since 1956.
Born in East Texas, John P. Painter was a sickly child, unable to participate in many of the sports enjoyed by his peers. At the age of thirteen he was introduced to an elderly Chinese gentleman who had moved in next door. John spent many hours keeping the old man company. Mr. Li took an interest in the sickly young boy and soon began to teach him a special game called Stand Like a Tree or Quiet Standing. John was told that if he mastered the exercise Mr. Li would teach him the Daoqiquan boxing art just as if he were one of his sons. The training was effective and John's chronic illness diminished. Mr. Li was impressed with the boy's dedication and began to teach John, and a close family friend, his 400-year-old martial art of Daoqiquan.
With Master Li, Dr. Painter had the opportunity to study the following arts of Daoqiquan:
Five Circles & Six Stances
Quiet Sitting
Standing Qigong
Five Animal Fist Style
Flying Dragon Qigong
Dumo
Staff, Broadsword, Spear, Straightsword,
Three Section Staff, Double Head Spear & Twin Dragon Knives
Lightning Fist Xingyiquan
Ziran Xingyiquan
Heron Boxing
Jiulong Baguazhang
Snake Boxing
Li Family Taijiquan
Since his own introduction to the arts, Dr. Painter has continued to develop these methods into the concise system that is available today.
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Shifu Andrew Garza
Shifu Andrew Garza
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Andrew Garza has been a student under Dr. Painter since July of 1982. In October of 2000 after rigorous mental and physical testing he was promoted to the level of Shifu (instructor) of Taijiquan and Baguazhang in a ceremony held at the annual Founders Day Celebration.
Mr. Garza instructs classes at The Gompa in Taijiquan, Baguazhang and weapons training. He is also a sergeant in the American Rangers Law Enforcement Martial Training Institute specializing in hand to hand combat and expandable baton tactics. In addition to his teaching duties at the Gompa, Shifu Garza works full time in the architectural design field.
Shifu Andrew Garza is licensed by the Daoqiquan Gong Fu Association to instruct the following programs:
Martial Skills:
Jiulong Baguazhang - Taijiquan - Xingyiquan - Daoqiquan - Snake Boxing.
Traditional Weapons Skills:
Saber - Spear - Sword - Staff - Three Sectioned Staff.
Modern Weapons Skills:
Expert Knife Combat - Tactical Baton.
Holistic Health Skills:
Acupressure - Tuina Massage - Zhan Zhuang - Qigong - Quiet Sitting (meditation).
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Shifu Alan Marshall
Shifu Alan Marshall |
Mr. Marshall has been with Dr. Painter since the winter of 1983. His Daoqiquan specialties are in Xingyiquan and Jiulong Baguazhang. In October of 2000 after rigorous mental and physical testing he was promoted to the level of Shifu (instructor) of Taijiquan and Xingyiquan in a ceremony held at the annual Founders Day Celebration.
He is also a sergeant in the American Rangers Law Enforcement Martial Training Institute specializing in hand to hand combat and folding knife, weapons retention and baton tactics. Shifu Marshall teaches Xingyiquan and weapons programs at The Gompa and is employed in industrial management.
Martial Skills:
Jiulong Baguazhang - Taijiquan - Xingyiquan - Daoqiquan.
Traditional Weapons Skills:
Sabre - Spear - Sword - Staff - Three Section Staff.
Modern Weapons Skills:
Expert Knife Combat - Tactical Baton.
Holistic Health Skills:
Acupressure - Tuina Massage - Zhan Zhuang - Qigong.
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Shifu Robert Castaldo
Shifu Robert Castaldo
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Mr. Castaldo has been with Dr. Painter since 1978. His Daoqiquan specialty is Jiulong Baguazhang. In October of 2004 after rigorous mental and physical testing he was promoted to the level of Shifu (instructor) of Jiulong Baguazhang in a ceremony held at the annual Founders Day Celebration.
Shifu Castaldo oversees the Jiulong Baguazhang program at The Gompa and worked closely with Dr. Painter to develop the new Dragon Rolling the Pearl curriculum. He is also a sergeant in the American Rangers Law Enforcement Martial Training Institute specializing in hand to hand combat and pistol methods. Shifu Castaldo is a senior lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Martial Skills:
Jiulong Baguazhang - Taijiquan - Xingyiquan - Daoqiquan.
Traditional Weapons Skills:
Sabre - Spear - Sword - Staff - Three Section Staff.
Modern Weapons Skills:
Pistol.
Holistic Health Skills:
Acupressure - Tuina Massage - Zhan Zhuang - Qigong.
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MAIL: The Gompa -- P.O. Box 1777 -- Arlington, TX 76004-1777
TEL: 817-860-0129 -- FAX: 817-460-5125
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