Mastering the ancient art of Kung Fu

Local Special Olympians get martial arts training

By Jeff Eason of the Mountain Times
Five local Special Olympians graduated this week from beginners to novices in the ancient martial art of Sil-Lum Kung Fu.

Martial arts instructor Tim Cook (center, rear row) awarded Special Olympians Steve Norris, Billy Thomas, Andrew Bryan, Justin Cordini and Andrew Guy with advancement in the ancient Asian discipline known as Sil-Lum kung fu. Photo by Jeff Eason

Instructor Tim Cook awarded athletes Steve Norris, Billy Thomas, Andrew Bryan, Justin Cordini and Andrew Guy each with a yellow stripe, the first step in graduating from a white belt to a yellow belt in the kung fu chain toward the ultimate goal: the black belt. tc "Five local Special Olympians graduated this week from beginners to novices in the ancient martial art of Sil-Lum Kung Fu. Instructor Tim Cook awarded athletes Steve Norris, Billy Thomas, Andrew Bryan, Justin Cordini and Andrew Guy each with a yellow stripe, the first step in graduating from a white belt to a yellow belt in the kung fu chain toward the ultimate goal\: the black belt. "

Special Olympics Watauga County has been offering martial arts training for the five athletes since February 2007. Cook trains under local kung fu grandmaster Rick Ward and instructor Eddie Haywood at Blue Ridge Kung Fu and Arnis Academy. tc "Special Olympics Watauga County has been offering martial arts training for the five athletes since February 2007. Cook trains under local kung fu grandmaster Rick Ward and instructor Eddie Haywood at Blue Ridge Kung Fu and Arnis Academy. "

“Martial arts training gives these athletes something that helps develop self-confidence, self-discipline and self-control,” said Cook. Cook meets with his students once a week for physical training and discussions about the mental and spiritual aspects of Sil-Lum kung fu. The group meets in the martial arts studio of Stratiform Strength and Conditioning in Boone. tc "“Martial arts training gives these athletes something that helps develop self-confidence, self-discipline and self-control,” said Cook. Cook meets with his students once a week for physical training and discussions about the mental and spiritual aspects of Sil-Lum kung fu. The group meets in the martial arts studio of Stratiform Strength and Conditioning in Boone. "

Currently, Special Olympics North Carolina does not recognize any of the martial arts sports. The organization does not hold any competitions in any of those sports, although several states do. Special Olympics Watauga County started offering the training after it was determined that there was sufficient interest. tc "Currently, Special Olympics North Carolina does not recognize any of the martial arts sports. The organization does not hold any competitions in any of those sports, although several states do. Special Olympics Watauga County started offering the training after it was determined that there was sufficient interest. "
“I’m so proud of all of them, they’ve really worked very hard and it helps them with their other goals,” said Pansy Bryan, mother of Special Olympian Andrew Bryan. tc "“I’m so proud of all of them, they’ve really worked very hard and it helps them with their other goals,” said Pansy Bryan, mother of Special Olympian Andrew Bryan. "

Special Olympics is an international non-profit organization “working to encourage children and adults with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.” tc "Special Olympics is an international non-profit organization “working to encourage children and adults with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.” "

Sil-Lum Kung Fu"Sil-Lum Kung Fu"
The Sil-Lum style of kung fu was developed in the 6th century by Buddhist monk Bodhidarma who traveled from India to the Sil-Lum Temple on Mt. Shaoshi in China. There he noticed that his Chinese disciples had a hard time staying awake during long periods of meditation. To solve this problem he introduced the 18 Loban hand movements. tc "The Sil-Lum style of kung fu was developed in the 6th century by Buddhist monk Bodhidarma who traveled from India to the Sil-Lum Temple on Mt. Shaoshi in China. There he noticed that his Chinese disciples had a hard time staying awake during long periods of meditation. To solve this problem he introduced the 18 Loban hand movements. "

Bodhidarma wrote two manuals of technique called Sinew Change Classic and Washing Marrow Classic. From these 18 movements and classics, 72 techniques developed, eventually evolving into 170 techniques. These techniques were divided into five fighting styles named called the “five-formed fist” and named for animals: the crane, the leopard, the tiger, the snake and the dragon. tc "Bodhidarma wrote two manuals of technique called Sinew Change Classic and Washing Marrow Classic. From these 18 movements and classics, 72 techniques developed, eventually evolving into 170 techniques. These techniques were divided into five fighting styles named called the “five-formed fist” and named for animals\: the crane, the leopard, the tiger, the snake and the dragon. "

Over the centuries, the Sil-Lum style of kung fu has been refined by many masters and has spawned other styles of martial arts. tc "Over the centuries, the Sil-Lum style of kung fu has been refined by many masters and has spawned other styles of martial arts. "

For more information on Special Olympics Watauga County, call Karen Poteat at Watauga Parks and Recreation at (828) 264-9511. tc "For more information on Special Olympics Watauga County, call Karen Poteat at Watauga Parks and Recreation at (828) 264-9511. "

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