ABOUT GRANDMASTER EDWARD OREM

Edward Orem has over 40 years experience in integral mind-body training systems, including several yogas and martial arts of India, China, Tibet, Japan. He was introduced to Asian martial arts when he started training in Bando (Burmese kick-boxing). However, he was already training full-time in collegiate track, carrying a full-time university study load, and working two part-time jobs, so he had to put his martial arts on hold for awhile. But he was hooked and went back to Bando after fulfilling his university athletic responsibilities and achieving his B.A. in English. He later was awarded an PhD (Honorary) in Holistic Health studies.

Kick-boxing remained his chief martial focus until 1970, with the beginning of instruction in Shaolin Kung Fu and T'ai-chi Ch'uan. Studies in Chi-Kung, Kempo, Xing-I Ch'uan and Pa-Kua Chang followed soon after.

Sifu Orem holds the following ranks:

-Certified Instructor, from the Guang Ping Yang T'ai-Chi Assn.;

-6th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Boxing, from the International Chinese Boxing Federation;

-8th Degree Black Belt in Zen Kempo-jitsu, from the World Nibuikai Budo Federation.

-9th Degree Black Sash, Shaolin Chuan Fa Kempo, from Chuan Fa Kempo International;

In 2006 Grandmaster Orem was appointed to the International Kung Fu Federation as the national representative to Costa Rica.

He was also voted into the World Martial Arts Masters Society (head-quartered in Germany), as the ranking member of the Society.

Sifu Orem is the author of several manuals focused on the practicum and methodology of effective training, including the acclaimed SENG PING TAO: PATH OF THE WARRIOR MONK and ESOTERIC MARTIAL ARTS OF ZEN: TRAINING METHODS FROM THE PATRIARCH. He has also created and produced 50 training videos with such diverse topics as Kempo Ki/Chi Development, Northern Shaolin for the Mature Athlete, T'ai-chi and Pregnancy, a children's Kung Fu series, plus many northern and southern Shaolin hand and weapon forms. He was a featured writer with the on-line martial arts magazine DRAGON'S LIST (dragonslist.com)in the following issues: November, (1999), January (2000), March (2000).

Sifu Orem has taught through a community college, as consultant with a Native American health clinic and as instructor at a rural hospital. He has also been a high school teacher, university teacher, language school director (Africa and Wash., DC), and research linguist. Post-graduate university course-work has included studies in holistic health, education, linguistics, anthropology and Tibetan health practices. Studies in Chi-Kung were undertaken at the Chi-Kung Institute in San Francisco. He was honored in 1976 to be chosen to work for President Carter's Bay Area Committee for Alternative health Practices.

Since 1990, Dr. Orem has been the Director of Kempo International, founded to promote the health--physical, mental, spiritual--of its members through fostering the growth of Western manifestations of Eastern martial and yoga arts. Instructional venues have included workshops in California, Oregon, Florida, and Costa Rica (Longevity Arts of China and Tibet, Chi-Kung, Chinese Yoga), and group instruction in Shaolin Temple Boxing, Chi-Kung, and T’ai-chi Ch’uan in California and Oregon.

Local classes are given in Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Call Master Orem for further info: 506-846-7559.