History

The name of our art is Shaolin Nam-Pai-Chuan (Shaolin North-South Fist). We are a traditional kung fu system, incorporating all elements of true martial arts. The Nam-Pai-Chuan style can trace its line back to Great Grandmaster Hui Cheng of the Chek Chian Nan Hai Pooi Chee Temple in China. Master Hui was a direct decendant of the Southern Shaolin tradition taught by Buddhist monks in the tradition of Da-Mo. One of Master Hui Cheng's students was Grand Master Seh Koh San.

Cho-Si Seh Koh San

Seh Koh San was a legendary figure in martial arts of the far east. The Nam-Pai-Chuan school and style owe its origin largely to his teachings. He is the great grandmaster of the Nam-Pai-Chuan System. He belonged to the 2nd chamber 48th generation of Shaolin and was the Abbot of the Siong Lim Temple in Singapore until his death in 1960 at the age of 74. The art taught by Cho-Si Seh Koh San was known as "Shaolin Kun" or "Shaolin Martial Arts". It was also commonly refered to in the far east as "Fatt Kah Chuen" or "Buddhist Fist". The School of Cho-Si Seh Koh San still flourishes today and the students taught by him belong to the 2nd chamber 49th generation of Shaolin. One of his students was Grandmaster Quek Hen Choon, 2nd chamber 49th generation.

Grandmaster Quek Hen Choon

Grandmaster Quek studied and trained under Cho-Si Seh Koh San until his masters death, after which he returned to Malaysia to teach. Master Quek is particularly reknowned by his demonstrations of Ying Qigong (Hard Chi Gung). In the sixties, he demonstrated this by breaking marble table tops on his back and with his hands. He represents the original 49th generation of Shaolin and his students come from Malaysia, Singapore and China. In 1971 he started his first own school Quek Heng Choon Martial Arts Sport School. In 1977 he initiated the Kuala Lumpur Song Shan Shaolin Wushu Association. Master Quek is the permanent Chief Instructor in this school. He still resides in Malaysia and to date, he is considered to be one of the oldest, important and most influential students of Cho Si Seh Koh San still alive. Master Christopher Lai Khee Choong, the chief instructor of the Shaolin System Nam-Pai-Chuan in Europe was a student of Grandmaster Quek.

Sifu Lai

Sifi Lai (2nd chamber, 50th generation of Shaolin) has studied martial arts since 1959 and in particular Shaolin Kung Fu from 1967 - 1979. In those years, training was intense in the traditional manner and was undertaken on a daily basis, often twice a day. Sifu Lai also trained with Master Leow Cheng Koon, who was the chief instructor of the Taekwondo Federation. Master Leow Cheng Koon's brand of martial arts transcended Taekwondo and had incorporated other arts he had learnt, some of which include Chinese Kung Fu, Hap-Kido and Hwarang-Do. Master Lai found there was much to be gained by using modern Taekwondo training and teaching techniques in teaching and unlocking the traditions of Chinese martial arts. He helped in the formation of the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (WTF) in 1974 and was its first Secretary-General from 1974 until his departure. In 1977, Sifu Lai decided to emigrate to the United Kingdom (UK), where he had undertaken his legal education. Since martial arts was part of his life, he felt the need to bring his school with him. Prior to his departure, he asked Grandmaster Quek to clarify the name of the style he had been taught. Grandmaster Quek gave his permission and stated that the style of Kung Fu he taught was "Shaolin Nam-Pai-Chuan".

Copyright ULU Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan.