About Us
Origins
Hundreds of different styles and specialties of the martial arts exist, but they were segregated into relatively small groups of techniques until I formed Tai Chuan Do. I took the best techniques from each style and incorporated them into one style along with philosophical teachings dating back to the late 1500s.
Grand Master Ken Champ
8th Degree Black Belt
Styles of Origin:
Aikido (Japan) - The way of harmony of self with nature. One of the softest styles, adapted in the early 1900s by its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, from Aiki-Jujitsu, a style mostly based on throws and joint locks from Jujitsu but eliminating all kicks and punches and comprised of circular techniques that can be utilized by anyone regardless of their muscular strength and was intended to not seriously injure the attacker by redirecting their force against them.
A.Kido (Korea) - The way of adapting self to surroundings. This style is very similar to Hapkido (see below) and it is believed that the two styles were once the same and at some point split off from each other. Neither style includes sparring. The Korean government recognizes and supports Tae Kwon Do and Judo as sports. A different organization was deemed necessary and the government formed the Kido Association in 1963 to provide recognition and support for the 31 original styles of Korean martial arts. Then, in 1966 the U.S. Headquarters for the Korea Kido Federation was established in San Francisco which unites all Korean martial arts taught by masters and instructors outside of Korea. In order to understand the movements and techniques of Hapkido, Kido and other Korean martial arts one must study and practice the theories of Yu (flowing like water), Won (circular theory) and Hwa (non-resistance or harmony). Also note some similarities to the Japanese style of Aikido (see above).
Hapkido (Korea) - The way of coordinated power. Blends striking and grappling styles, and is adapted from Aiki Jujitsu (Aikido.s predecessor), to include throws, joint locks, and pressure points as well as strikes and blocks. Hapkido is intended to immobilize the attacker as quickly as possible by countering in the opposite manner of an attack such as by countering a linear attack with a circular technique and vice-versa.
Judo (Japan) - The way of subtleness or gentleness. Grappling style developed in 1882 by its founder, Professor Jigoro Kano, from Jujitsu but altered its techniques due to his feelings that Jujitsu was too violent. Judo was intended to fulfil Kano.s ideals by incorporating two central concepts: .mutual benefit of the practitioner and society as a whole. and .maximum efficiency from minimum effort.. Judo emphasizes grappling techniques, especially those that upset the attacker.s balance, in particular . gaining leverage, throws, clothes grabbing, joint locks and strangleholds. Jujitsu (also .Jujutsu.) . (Japan) .Techniques of subtleness or gentleness. An all around martial art, Jujitsu is considered to be the .grandfather. style that spawned many of the modern styles that exist today Aikido, Judo, and to a lesser extent Hapkido, being foremost among these. It blends striking and grappling styles to include throws, joint locks, and pressure points as well as strikes and blocks. Teaches to change or adapt from one technique to another and then again. Open handed techniques are Jujitsu in origin, but various weapons and other techniques used by the Ninja are also taught.
Ninjutsu (Japan) - Techniques of perseverance and/or stealth. Also referred to as Ninpo .The natural laws of perseverance. Art of the Ninja which stresses training and development of one.s inner self to coincide with nature.s laws and the application of the techniques and skills of martial arts training in combination with your heart and spirit as a lifestyle.
Shorin-Ryu (Okinawa) - A specific .family. (Ryu) of Karate established by Ansei Ueshiro who arrived in the U.S.A. in the early 1960s. Karate was originally developed in Okinawa, an island between China and Japan which was ruled by China at the time, but is now a part of Japan. Karate was developed from
Kung Fu (Wushu) and Kempo (Chinese Boxing) by the Okinawan farmers in order to fight the Chinese occupiers, and later the Japanese aggressors. Karate was designed to be swift and violent, quickly dispensing of an opponent using hand and foot strikes and not usually involving grappling other than to hold the opponent briefly to prevent them from dodging an attack.
History
Founded September 30, 1977 By Grand Master Ken Champ
Man has always tried to find ways to protect himself and his family. Modern man cannot always carry a weapon around with him; so, the next best thing is to use Unarmed Combat. The style you are about to study is one of the oldest and deadliest forms of self defense ever developed. I have been studying the Art of Self – Defense since 1961.
My martial arts training began during my tour of duty with the US Army while stationed in Korea. I continued my training after being honorably discharged in 1963.
My studies led me to many different styles of Karate and Self – Defense. Some styles used just fists, feet and hard physical training, which was good but lacked philosophy. I tried soft styles but found that they lacked the power to resist a hard, all out attack. There was grace and discipline, but minimal power. Some styles were too rules oriented and would be almost useless for street and close-quarters combat.
Hundreds of different styles and specialties of the martial arts exist, but they were segregated into relatively small groups of techniques until I formed Tai Chuan Do. I took the best techniques from each style and incorporated them into one style along with philosophical teachings dating back to the late 1500s. The level of knowledge and skill gained through Tai Chuan Do will fit each student.s personal development. It will require a lot of hard work and practice, but you will be rewarded for your efforts with promotions and most of all, physical fitness and the ability to defend yourself and your
family. A sense of well being will enter the mind through your physical conditioning and discipline. This well being will affect every area of your life.
There is much to learn about my style. Be prepared to spend time, effort and energy. You will receive personalized instruction while training with my Black Belt instructors. You will learn to defend yourself against such things as chokes, knives, kicks, sticks, bear hugs and full nelsons. You will study the art of Jujitsu and Aikido. You will learn to spar using hard and soft styles of fighting.
Welcome to the School and Brotherhood of Tai Chuan Do.
Grand Master Ken Champ
8th Degree Black Belt
About Grandmaster LaSala
Thank you for considering LaSala’s Dojo. Let me tell you a little about myself, my mission, and my school. My name is Fred J. LaSala. I am a Master in the art of Tai Chuan Do Karate. I am a Christian and the head instructor of Karate for Christ Ministries and LaSala’s Dojo. My goal is to reach the lost and shine a positive light on the martial arts. We are a very traditional system and school. I am a hard but fair teacher. I have studied the martial arts for over a 1/4 of a century and have taught for the past 35 years. I started in the grappling arts and then continued in karate. My grappling training started in 1973. I attended many wrestling camps all over the country. This was early preparation to my success on the High School wrestling team, where I won many championships. During that time I was in and out of karate schools as a teenager and young adult. I could not find a karate school that I felt good about until I found Tai Chuan Do. Tai Chuan Do was founded by Grand Master Ken Champ. He created one of the most well rounded systems known. With Tai Chuan Do I have studied A-Kido, Jujitsu, and Karate. This training has led me personally to 7 World Championship Titles, 13 State Championship titles in fighting, breaking, kata, weapons kata, self defense and an induction into numerous Martial Arts Hall of Fames, including my most recent induction into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame. I am also a Member of the World Pan Hellenic United Martial Arts Foundation. I also I have won a Silver Medal in a jujitsu competition for Wide World of Sports. Many of these championships have been televised on ESPN2, ESPN, FX, CBS and The Sunshine Network. I can also be seen on the Discovery Channel’s documentary, “Extreme Martial Art.” My dojo is proud of it’s 46+ State Championship titles in numerous divisions that include self-defense, fighting, kata, weapons, submission grappling, and breaking. My Grand Master has permitted me to cross train in Hapkido Nam Moo Kwan with Master German Alpire, in which I hold a 3rd degree Black Belt and am registered by the KI Do Board at Kuk Ki Won, in Seoul, Korea. I also hold a 3rd degree Black Belt in Nicei-Gojo-Ryu full Contact Karate and am a 2nd degree Black Belt in American Gojo-Ryu/Okinawan Weapons Training and I have also trained in Judo and Kickboxing. In 1995 I fought with the U.S. Karate team in Venezuela. I have fought to the finals of the Tough Man Contest in Saint Lucie County in 1999. In 2006 I was once again honored to travel as a Coach for the U.S. Karate Team to Trinidad. Our team came back to the US with many International Pan Caribbean Titles. I have competed and won an International Title in Submission Grappling. I am still currently competing and won a World Title at age 64 this year in Traditional Weapons. My competition team competes nationally. We also have a demonstration team that is well known around the country. So, as you can tell, our system of karate and my school offer many things. While training at my school you will have personal instruction. You will be expected to work hard but you will be rewarded with spiritual growth and personal fitness and rank certification. Because of your training, you will be able to feel better about yourself and will be able to walk through life with a new confidence. God bless and I hope to see you in class,
In Christ,
Grandmaster Fred J. LaSala
7x World Champion