Mountain Gate Academy

Shan Men Shaolin Quan gives you access to one of the world’s most comprehensive training systems. Fully integrated and covering all that you will need to become a Master - not just to achieve a black belt. Below we share with you the various aspects of this amazing training system.
You will learn:
Personal development
As a member you will learn powerful tools for personal development. You need more than positive thinking or cute quotes to create lasting effects and the Restorative Learning® tools that you will study have proven their profound effects in increasing quality of life.
Health and fitness
Health and fitness development is a key component to our training. MGA training is based on one profound principle – the foundation of fitness is health. For this reason MGA revised all of its traditional training practices and integrated Restorative Learning® Internal Threshold Training. Since doing so our members have become fitter and healthier and their skill level has improved tremendously.
Foundations
Our foundation training is of a world class standard and extremely comprehensive. Our teachers work to impart 100% comprehension of the system so that there are no wasted movements. Your foundation training will cover breathing, engagement, footwork and evasion, defensive principles, striking and punching, kicking, sweeping, takedowns and throwing, joint locking, pressure point controls, falling controls, receiving of strikes and attacks, Qi Gong and meditative principles.
Self-defence principles and applications
Functional self-defence is a high priority in Shan Men Shaolin Quan.  You will begin by developing your perception and control and progress the training in accordance you’re your ability. Our teaching system, called Challenge/Solution, allows you to rapidly develop skills against a wide variety of strikes, kicks, grabs, holds and weapon attacks, by a single opponent or by groups. 
Classical forms and Animal Styles
Unlike modern ‘patterns’ classical forms are complete styles. Over the last 1500+ years of Shaolin Temple’s history many masters contributed forms and provide us with many different styles to practice today, including the famous Shaolin Animal Styles. Some examples of classical Shaolin Temple forms, in your curriculum, include Xiao Hong, Da Hong, Pao Quan, Lohan 18 Hands, Qi Xing, Five Animals, Black Tiger, Mantis, Eagle, Snake and many, many more.
 
Weaponry
Shan Men Shaolin Quan contains a complete curriculum for improvised and traditional weaponry. Although only the Pole and Broadsword are required for advancement, there are many weapons for you to learn. Apart from the wide range of traditional weapons, you will also regularly cover modern improvised weapons such as coins, belt, pen, jacket, book and so on.

In addition to the improvised weapons there are a number of traditional weapons for you to explore. The traditional weapons that you will cover include: Flail (nunchaku), Pole – Yin Shou Gun (Tao Lu), Broadsword – Shaolin Dan Dao (Tao Lu), Single Dagger, Thrown blades, Chop sticks, Ring daggers, Flute, Fan, Straight Sword, Spear, Pu Dao, Monk’s Spade, Sickles, Shaolin 36 Pole (Tao Lu), Kwan Do, Double Broadswords, Trident, Batons (Tonfa), Broom, Wind/Fire Wheels, Three-Section Staff, Chain whip and many more.

Tournaments             
MGA also has a sporting side to its program with regular tournaments and tournament training including forms, weaponry and sparring. As a member of MGA you will be able to participate in tournaments as a way of developing your presentation skills, confidence and enjoyment in a context that is relevant to the modern martial arts environment.
 
Shan Men Shaolin Gong Fu Curriculum
Following is a brief view of your curriculum outlining the major forms of the levels as well as some of the themes on which each level is built.

Level 1 – White Sash – Foundations
At the White Sash level the focus of training is on creating a base that is stable, comprehensive and that will prepare the student for all that will follow.
Functionally the student is developing the skills of developing engagement, gaining emotional control, maintaining a barrier to the opponent, and controlling the opponent through the barrier.
Forms

Wu Bu Quan (Five Step Fist) – Qi Ban Tao Lu
Shaolin Wu Bu Quan offers a comprehensive base of the five major stepping actions supported by foundation hand and kicking structures. Shaolin Wu Bu Quan is a form that is visited again and again and is an excellent physical conditioner especially in repetition.

Level 2 – Yellow Sash – Short Power Functionality
Theme: Expanding the base of foundation movements and combinations. Functionally the student learns how to compress their barrier in response to a stronger or exceptionally aggressive opponent. Close in weapons such as knees, elbows, shoulders, hips and so on take on a greater emphasis at this level of work.
Forms
Lien Huan Quan (Linked Rings Boxing) – Ji Ben Tao Lu
Lien Huan Quan functionally expands the principles covered in Wu Bu Quan. This form has no repetition and moves smoothly from one complete function to the next.
All of the steps of this form are easily interchangeable, functionally, which creates a seamless transition from one application to the next, giving Lien Huan Quan its name.
Level 3 – Orange Sash – Long Power Functionality
Theme: JiBen Gong expands greatly to encompass more of the spin sweep, jump kick, whirlwind fist, and combination work. At this level the student learns to use a much more elastic barrier for defence and to develop power at the extremities. Fast, fluid footwork and evasion, Qin Na, and an expanded technical base develops buoyancy in defence against single and multiple opponents, unarmed and armed. At this level a student may commence regular weaponry training. 
Forms
Lien Huan Chang Quan (Linked Rings Long Boxing) – Ji Ben Tao Lu
This form completes the trilogy of Ji Ben Tao Lu that is the foundation of Shan Men Shaolin Quan. Lien Huan Chang Quan is physically more demanding than the previous forms and more fluid in its movements.
Level 4 – Green Sash – Foundation unification
Theme: Up to this point there has been quite a lot of information to take in so at this level we are looking to unify the previous work as well as return to the style that started it all – Eighteen Hands of Lohan. With the student having a strong base they have the space and ability to explore the evolution of Quan Fa through the forms that follow. The Student also requires a foundation in Shaolin Pole before progressing further.
Forms
Shi Ba Shou Lohan (Shaolin Eighteen Hands of Lohan) – Tao Lu
The Eighteen Hands of Lohan sets the conceptual foundation of Shaolin Boxing.
This form is small but contains layers upon layers of functionality. The Eighteen Hands of Lohan teaches direct and effective applications that can be used with even minimal training.
Yin Shou Gun (Yin Hand Pole) – Tao Lu
Yin ShouGun teaches how to use the pole in unfavourable situations, such as when the pole is bound or smothered by the opponent. By realizing the potential of the Yin Hand the pole fighter can shorten and lengthen the pole at will making them equally dangerous in close and at a longer range.
Level 5 – Blue Sash – Expansion of form
Theme: having set a strong foundation the student can now expand their understanding and ability in classical Gong Fu. Exploring greater subtlety in functionality and stepping into intermediate work.
Forms
Xiao Hong Quan (Small Red Boxing) – Tao Lu
Xiao Hong Quan is probably the most well known fist form from the Song Shan Shaolin Temple. Xiao Hong Quan covers all the basics of classical Chinese Gong Fu with a broad range of functions. The movements of Xiao Hong Quan are deliberate and dignified and the heroic character of Shaolin is easily visible in this form. This form contains great subtlety and is a true treasure from the classical world.
Shaolin Dan Dao (Shaolin Single Broadsword) – Ji Ben Tao Lu
Shaolin Dan Dao teaches the fundamentals of Broadsword work. The movements are direct and each wall of the form expands the functions of the previous wall. This form allows the student to develop a strong foundation and conditions the student to be able to use the weapon effectively.
Level 6 – Purple Sash – Imitative (Animal) Boxing
Theme: Imitative Boxing was created as a way of exploring the development of the psyche through the creation of minds. At this level the student learns how to use the Five Animal Styles to change the levels of agreement within Challenge/Response and gains usable tools for self-defence and personal development not just some cool animal moves.
Forms
Wu Xing  Ba Fa Quan (Eight Laws of the Five Animals Boxing) – Ji Ben Tao Lu
Wu Xing Ba Fa Quan teaches the concepts and foundations of Shaolin Five Animal Gong Fu. The interaction of the Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake and Dragon give this form its character. This form teaches the student how to seemingly change personality to change the dynamic of combat.
Level 7 – Brown Sash – unification and step into advanced form
Theme: With the student working strongly through the intermediate levels, this level grounds the student with strong, direct styles and a revisit to the foundations in preparation for Black Sash.
Forms
Da Mo Quan (Bodhidharma Boxing) – Tao Lu
Da Mo Quan is a powerful and direct system of boxing. This form contains many battlefield style functions with strong striking and kicking methods and many Qin Na and grappling functions.
San Shi Liu Gun (36 Pole) – Tao Lu
The 36 Pole form teaches old school Shaolin pole work. Strong, fluid technique and fast northern footwork give the student a strong base in the use of the pole. Where the functionality of Yin Shou Gun was subtle and deceptive the 36 Pole style is direct and powerful.
Level 8 – Brown/Red Sash – unification and advanced function
Theme: As the final level before Black Sash and the completion of the base apprenticeship in Shan Men Shaolin Quan this level requires the student to step up and meet the challenges, and rewards, of the higher levels of practice. At this level the student can now use their experience to choose a form that they feel brings out their strengths and personality. 
Forms
Yi Lu Da Tong Bei Quan (First Road Greater Penetrating Boxing) – Tao Lu
Yi Lu Da Tong Bei Quan explores the functionality of “Burdened Down” combat – meaning the fighting of groups of opponents where at least one is grappling with you while the others attack.
Also the student chooses one form from the following list to demonstrate for their Black Sash examination.
Xiao Lohan Quan (Small Lohan Boxing)
Da Pao Quan (Great Cannon Boxing)
 Yi Lu Jiao Yang Quan (First Road Greet the Sun Boxing)
Da Mei Hua Quan (Great Plum Blossom Boxing)
Zhui Feng Zhang (Wind Catcher Palms)

Level 9 – Black Sash
Theme: Having accomplished the base apprenticeship the student now explores the high-end intermediate work into advanced. At this level and above, having set a complete foundation there is a mix of compulsory and elective elements. This allows the student to develop a style that is best for them.
Forms
Yi Lu Da Hong Quan (1st Road Great Hong Boxing)
Er Lu Da Hong Quan (2nd Road Great Hong Boxing)
San Lu Da Hong Quan (3rd Road Great Hong Boxing)
In addition the student must demonstrate three elective boxing forms from the rest of the curriculum – there are many forms to choose from not just those listed above.