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The elegant and elusive movements of the crane
as once observed by the ancient Chinese were imitated and combined with the Tiger's fierce attack in combat. The name Shaolin has become synonymous with Kung Fu though the source of Chinese martial arts can be traced back centuries before Shaolin styles emerged.
Certified Instructor Peyton Hunter Pictured Right
Situated on Sung Mountain in the Honen Province is one of China's most famous monasteries. Built in 495 AD this huge monastery, which at one time housed up 2000 monks,
created a natural atmosphere conducive to the contemplation of and devotion to the Buddha, by those who forsook society and sought spiritual solace.
Nevertheless it was no typical Buddhist monastery, for within its walls, along with the profound silence of monks sitting cross legged absorbed in meditation and the hypnotic drone of others chanting holy sutras was mingled the
piercing battle cries of warrior monks engaged in combat. Their refuge, the fabled Shaolin monastery, was a center for men dedicated not only to salvation but also to a secret
discipline which was a curious blend of physical toughness and spiritual purity.
The genesis of Shaolin Kung Fu, which because of oral
tradition, has become an interweaving of legend and history begins with the appearance of the enigmatic and awesome monk, Tamo. To Buddhists he is revered as the founder of Zen. To martial artists he is considered the father of Shaolin Kung Fu.
In the 6th century AD he departed from his home in India trekking eastward to Canton, up to Nan-king, then further north where upon reaching the Shaolin Monastery he stopped and thereby began to teach spiritual insight through Zen meditation. Tamo created certain exercises after
discovering that monks who, not being able to stand the
rigorous Zen discipline required for gaining enlightenment, fell asleep during meditation.
To nourish their health and supplement their passive seated meditation he devised three sets of psychological and physical yoga-like exercises called: 18 monks boxing, the sinew changing classic and the marrow washing classic. These active
meditational exercises allegedly formed the embryo from which Shaolin Kung Fu evolved.
The martial arts were born out of practical necessity. During holy pilgrimages monks were frequently robbed of religious treasures by marauding bandits. By adapting Tamo's postures into fighting moments they developed sophisticated fighting methods whereby they could protect themselves. With the influence of Zen, what would have been merely a deadly science of combat was elevated into a martial art. A physical and mental discipline created not only for self-defense, but also as a vehicle for spiritual cultivation, this art so flourished over the centuries that the valor and skills of the Shaolin monks became legendary.
In 1736 the fallen Manchu's battle troops attacked the
monastery. Vastly outnumbered the warrior monks were annihilated. The Shaolin monastery was burnt to the ground. A handful of survivors fled and openly spread their art to the populace. Today the Shaolin Monastery has been rebuilt and is remembered as the origin of a profusion of Kung Fu styles over the centuries. One such style is Hung, created and named after Hung Hei Guen, a Cantonese
master known as one of the Ten Tigers from Shaolin. He was a disciple of the famous Shaolin abbot, Gee Sin, who after escaping the burning of Shaolin became the major figure responsible for spreading Shaolin Kung Fu
throughout Southern China.
Combining the fighting movements of the Tiger with the Crane is in accord with the Chinese belief in the necessity of balancing opposite extremes to create a harmonious totality. In Kung Fu this concept is referred to as hardness and softness, the hard, represented by the tiger and the soft,
by the crane. Therefore, the elegant Crane's speed and
elusiveness in combat compliment the fierce Tiger's
tremendous power and directness in attack.
In Hung Hei Guen's Tiger and Crane form the hard
elements of combat are subtly wedded with the soft
elements in order to create a complete fighting method. Despite the seeming hardness there is a certain absence
of rigidity or stiffness, which is replaced by a fluidity or softness in the execution of each move.
This form exemplifies the concepts of the unification of hardness and softness, in that applied muscular tension is subtly balanced with relaxation. The total intensity
demonstrates the total concentration of physical and mental energy, which is the key to performing the form correctly.
Usually a form seems like a dance. Yet despite the
dance-like qualities a form is not a dance. Every movement is pregnant with hidden meaning. Behind those elegant and intricate hand and fist patterns are deadly techniques that can injure, maim, blind, emasculate or even kill. And behind the ever-flowing graceful motion is a power, which if unleashed can be destructive.
A form is a series of prearranged offensive and defensive techniques, which simulate conflict against a group of imaginary opponents. Contained in the many choreographed movements are the blocks, punches, kicks and various
techniques exclusive to that particular style.
To say form is the heart of Kung Fu is not to exaggerate its traditional importance. Everything is in the form for it is the primary method of both instructing and training in the art. A way of transmitting a system of knowledge from master to disciple, an encyclopedia of fighting techniques, application to those techniques, the principles of body dynamics and combat strategy. At the same time, as a formal exercise of Kung Fu, it is an effective way of developing power, speed, footwork and fighting combinations. All that is necessary to pack authority behind movements if they are to be effective in combat.
Simply as an exercise, form conditions the entire body for strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination. Still, on the purely artistic level, a form's beauty and grace of
motion is a visual poem or a musical composition, which allows the individual, through his body, a profound means of self-expression. When executed with precision and
virtuosity a form epitomizes the esthetics of power.
Kung Fu is power concealed in elegance.
The art of Kung Fu actually transcends the necessity of
combat. Once the mind has been emptied of all concern for self-defense, physical and psychological energies may be re-channeled into spiritual development. For ultimately as the Shaolin monks well understood, Kung Fu begins with the conquering of the opponent and ends with the conquering of the self.
“I chose Master Gohring's because I believe it offers the most traditional martial arts experience in Austin. I scouted every school I could find before making my choice. Martial Arts and Kung Fu are not just about
self-defense. Kung Fu is a whole body health and training system and a traditional martial art.”
- Phil Fogerite, Game Designer, Edge of Reality
“I like learning the moves and working to perfect them. I like doing the routines and am looking forward to learning them from beginning to end. I've always wanted to learn a Martial Art and had read about shaolin kung fu, re-sparking my interest, then I found your school, a great match.
I enrolled to learn how to change my instinctive reactions from scared to defense/protection. I enrolled at Master Gohring’s because I liked the teaching style I observed, everyone there is nice and welcoming and the yin yang on the back of the shirts matches my tattoo, almost to the
exact placement, it was kismet.” - Cassandra Richey, DPS
“I would say I am one of the older folks in the Kung Fu program. I thought I might be too old for kung fu but and in the beginning I did feel a little too old but it turns out with Master Gohring's instruction I have gotten in shape and done very well.” - Matt Berg, CH2M HILL
“I’ve always wanted to be in better shape, to be more physically active and in touch with my body. The problem was I get bored quickly so I’ve never been able to stick to any ‘workout’ regime longer than a few weeks without losing interest. I admire those who have the discipline to make it to the gym every day and walk in place for an hour, but Ive never been able to do that. I have a very actively curious mind so at some point I decided if I was ever going to want to stick with something; it would need to be
mentally stimulating, not just physically. After perusing the internet for ideas, I came to the conclusion that some type of martial art would be my answer. I looked up websites for programs around Austin and for a few months I thought about what they would be like. I finally decided on Master Gohring’s school because the website seemed to perfectly describe what I was looking for (even though at the time I wasn’t exactly sure what that was). After I called and left a message the rest was a breeze. I had zero previous
experience in martial arts but the staff was welcoming, compassionate and encouraging. It was intimidating at first but the challenge was exciting and inviting and the more I went the more Kung Fu I wanted. Now, every class I notice something else I can do that I couldn’t do before and each of these moments is truly empowering. I’m only four months into my Kung Fu adventure but I’ve never felt
happier or more excited about myself, my life or my body, ever. I’m looking forward to every challenge along the way and I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes me."
- Carly Levy, Foundation Communities
Master "Sifu" Gohring
Master “Sifu” Gohring has studied Tai Chi, Kung Fu and Yoga since 1986 with several well-known Masters. He earned his first Black Sash at the age of 17. Shortly thereafter his teacher opened a new school. His teacher said to him, “You’re teaching Kung Fu, you’re teaching Tai Chi and you’re in charge of the kids program.” He replied, “Yes Sir.” and the rest is history. He spent the following few years working for his teachers in their schools. Eventually he started classes in his back yard. In 1996, just as he was graduating from the University of Texas, he opened his own school on Airport Blvd.
Now a 6th Degree Black Sash, Master Gohring continues to enrich the lives of youngsters and the young of heart. Whether they start at age 4 or 84 Master Gohring and his team provide the individual care and nurturing necessary for each student to reach their full potential. Master Gohring’s team has established a diverse and welcoming community in his school. He has also become well known in the Austin community as an entrepreneur and founder/owner of Kick Butt Coffee. Come join him and his team and develop your “Black Sash” attitude.
“Black Sash” is a metaphor for Excellence.
School Locator Convenient Location in North/Central Austin, Texas, USA
Quick and Easy Access from
I-35, Lamar, 290 (2222) and 183Conveniently located a block and a half north of Highland Mall on Airport Blvd. in the Yellow Brick Road Shopping Plaza. Next to the China Palace Restaurant and the Arpeggio Grill. Near the Mercedes Dealership.
"When I first got interested in Kung Fu it was through movies. It was through Jet Li, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and the Matrix. The Matrix was the most recent one. It made me want to learn kung fu so I looked around a little bit and saw Master Gohring's School and it looked pretty legitimate so I checked it out. The more I learn in Kung Fu the more I wanted to learn. There is really no end in site. There is just so much. It seemed kind of dancy at first, but the more you learn the more you find out that there is a lot of extreme brutality...like hidden in the beauty of it. It is just a great thing to learn...If you are looking for an inspiring teacher you should definitely come here."
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May your future be bright and shiny. - Master Gohring
I'm Roger Prather and I have been a Kung Fu student at Master Gohring's for about 10 months now. I am currently an Orange Sash. When I first started I was a little reluctant to take up a martial art because I was 48 at the time. I was in pretty good shape from lifting weights and walking so I satisfied myself that I could meet with the physical rigors of the training. I enjoy it. I feel like my endurance has improved my balance and overall strength. So I don't really think that age is a very big factor if you are consideration a martial art. I chose this school in particular because I found the staff to be very warm and friendly and Master Gohring himself is very personable and supportive and class with him is fun. I always leave here feeling better than when I came in.
I have derived a lot of benefit from t he programs so
far. My self-confidence in general has improved. I am not a very
large person so I have never been terribly confident that I would be able to handle myself if someone attacked me but even now at a very basic level of training I feel far more competent in that regard. I can tell why it takes four years or so to reach the black sash level. It is a tough discipline to learn but I am enjoying it and look forward to the day that Master Gohring wraps my first Black Sash around my waist. See where I go from there.
My name is Phil Fogerite, I have been training here for nine months. I chose Master Gohring's because I believe it offers the most traditional martial arts experience in Austin. I scouted every school I could find before making my choice. Martial Arts and Kung Fu are not just about self-defense. Kung Fu is a whole body health and training system and a traditional martial art.
I would say I am one of the older folks in the Kung Fu program. I thought I might be too old for kung fu but and in the beginning I did feel a little too old but it turns out with Master Gohring's instruction I have gotten in shape and done very well. - Matt Berg, 35
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Sign up to receive the most concise, cutting edge, no-nonsense, useful tips and advise on kung fu, health, happiness, wellness, personal protection, raising great kids, success, and of course, enlightenment.
P.S. I promise never, ever to sell your contact info to anyone for any reason whatsoever!
May your future be bright and shiny. - Master Gohring
Master Gohring
Master Gohring has studied Tai Chi, Kung Fu and Yoga since 1986 with several well-known Masters.
•24+ years Experience • President of National Black Sash Association as a 6th degree black sash in Shaolin Hung Gar Tiger-Crane Kung-Fu and Tai Chi • Second-degree black sash in Internal-External Kung-Fu • Sanctioned by world renown Grandmaster Cheng Jin Cai • USA Chen Tai chi Federation Member • Certified Yoga instructor in 1991 • Demonstrated several times on network TV • Starred in his own series professionally produced and nationally distributed Tai Chi dvds. • Graduate of the University of Texas College of Business with a Marketing Degree
Our Mission: "The Elevation of Human Consciousness...Starting with Our Own"
To nourish their health and supplement their passive seated meditation he devised three sets of psychological and physical yoga-like exercises called: 18 monks boxing, the sinew changing classic and the marrow washing classic. These active
meditational exercises allegedly formed the embryo from which Shaolin Kung Fu evolved. 
• 24+ years Experience
