8th Degree Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard founded the The Chinese Shao-lin Center for martial arts in 1979, and kung-fu and Tai Chi classes began in the Spring of 1980 at the original Denver location. The Elder Masters have studied the art of Shao-lin Kung Fu under Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé for over 35 years. They have taught the Shao-lin Martial Arts as a full-time profession for over 25 years. David and Sharon Soard were the first westerners to be hosted in China by the Hunan Martial Arts Association. In 1987, they traveled throughout China to plan the first Shao-lin organization student trip to the Orient. Every four years the Shao-lin Kung-Fu students visit China together with the Grandmaster and Elder Masters. The Elder Masters continue their martial arts training under the Grandmaster, and also continue to visit and study historic sites of martial arts interest throughout the world. In 1989, they created and published the first edition of the Chinese Shao-lin Center Student Training Manual, containing history, legends, essential concepts of martial arts, curriculum, and more.
More information can be found at www.shao-lin.com
All Chinese Shao-lin Kung-fu Head Instructors (Sifus) are required to attend special Instructor Seminar and Martial Arts Training Workshops organized by Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard every six months and to train with Shao-lin Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé at least once a year. During these workshops, Sifus continue their intense martial training for advancement, correct and polish previous material, are given business and instruction training, and are reevaluated. All CSC Head Instructors must also re-certify their teaching credentials each and every year with Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard and Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé.
The Chinese Shao-lin Kung-fu and Tai Chi Martial Arts Center in the Phoenix area is affiliated with the Chinese Shao-Lin Centers and operates under the guidance of the 8th Degree Black Belt Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard of Denver Colorado and of current Shaolin Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé. All students get the privilege and opportunity to train with the Elder Masters AND the Grandmaster during their annual visits to the area!
The owner and Certified Head Instructor of the Phoenix school is 4th Degree Black Belt, Robert Gardner. Sifu Robert began his Shao-lin martial arts training in 1996 and is the only one in the Phoenix area duly certified by the Shao-lin Grandmaster and Elder Masters to teach Shao-lin Kung-Fu. Sifu Robert continues to train and advance toward 5th Degree Black Belt with new, more complex, and more challenging material!
His goal in the Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa area is to pass on the knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of the Shao-lin Art the way it is presented to him by Elder Masters David and Sharon Soard and Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé!
