Villari's Self-Defense Center in Mashpee

Brief History of Villari's Shaolin Kempo Karate

    – excerpt from www.homepage.mac.com/villaris

 Shaolin martial arts were originated in the Hunan Province of China at the Shaolin, Young Forest, Temple circa 495 AD. Based upon the movements of 5 animals, dragon, tiger, leopard, snake, and crane, it quickly became the originating fighting art of Asia and most effective. Fast forward to 1968 and a developing need of the public for a practical and modern martial art that comprised many facets such as grappling, dealing with modern weapons and fighting techniques, confidence building, and being usable by the average person, Grandmaster Villari came onto the scene.

Shunning the limelight, Grandmaster Fredrick J. Villari has accomplished much with a minimum of publicity. He's rarely seen in martial arts magazines. However 10,000 Black Belts and 250,000 students after its conception Fred Villari's Studios are now a far cry from the days when Fred Villari taught two students at seven in the morning in a walkup studio in Waltham Massachusetts.

The name Villari and Shaolin Kempo Karate is synonymous with East Coast Kempo.  In 1995, annual Villari national tournament, held at the World Trade Center (Boston), drew 10,000 spectators to watch 5,000 participants. From an early age Villari was exposed to the martial arts. After studying and achieving black belt level in several different styles of fighting, notably Kempo under the direction of Professor Nick Cerio, Shaolin under Master Len Chou and an Australian Master So, Shaolin Techniques with his father and with the advice and direction of several other teachers. Fred Villari realized, because of his varied wealth of experience and his dedication in seeking the ultimate fighting system,that each method offered something unique, and each also had its glaring weaknesses that could make a fighter vulnerable. Grandmaster Villari concluded that there really were only four ways of fighting.

1. Striking (punching, striking - open or closed hand) or use of any part of the arms, elbows, forearms, etc.

2. Kicking (with foot, leg, knee, shin)

3. Felling - that is to knock an opponent off his feet by throwing, tripping, pulling, pushing, shoving, or scooping him

4. Grappling - by either wrestling, holding, breaking, locking bones or joints against nerve centers

Grandmaster Villari realized that the ultimate in self-defense lay not in one way or style of fighting. By combining the Four Ways of Fighting, he devised and developed ways to integrate diverse methods of fighting into one, eliminating weaknesses and vulnerabilities. This is the central theory and method behind Villari's art of Shaolin Kempo Karate. We comprise the best attributes of Shaolin, Kempo, Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, and Chin-Na.  The backbone of the Villari's style is the Shaolin system since he felt it was the best for promoting overall good health, wisdom and longevity. This system is well balanced, incorporating mind, body and spirit into one.

Villari promoted his ideas well through solid instruction and modern business practices. Eventually his method was spread throughout the world as more than 500 schools have been opened that teach his method, however only the ones bearing his name teach all of the system and updated methods. His contribution helped open the way of the Asian martial arts, on a massive scale, to the ordinary layman. Villari is still actively teaching and demonstrating the martial arts in his schools today.

Deer Crossing Building C-14 681 Falmouth Rd Mashpee, MA 508-539-9462