Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooks Nelson.
Brooks, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started as a student in 2004. I immediately fell in love with the diverse training, as well as the history and background of Kung Fu, Tai Chi, the Shaolin Temples, and Chinese culture. I always dreamed about becoming a black belt, but I never thought I would one day become a third-degree black belt and teacher! I was given the honor of taking over our school as the owner and head instructor in April 2015.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Kung Fu loosely means “Mastery through time and effort”, which is something one needs to run a business. It takes a lot of time and effort to run a martial arts school, and even more patience. Overall, it’s been a smooth road though.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a Shao-Lin Kung Fu school specializing in Northern Styles, Southern Styles, Animal Styles, External Styles, Internal Styles, and of course Weapons.
Shao-Lin practitioners are known for their self-defense, conditioning, health, longevity, and compassion.
What I am most proud of are the students who have never known any martial arts or self-defense, who stick with their training, defy all odds, and push their minds, bodies, and spirits to new levels!
We are different from other styles and schools because we rely more on training and techniques that have been passed down for 1500 years, rather than only focusing on physique, speed, and power.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I was born in my house in Hollywood, and moved with my family to the San Fernando Valley in 1994 after the Northridge Earthquake. Hollywood is right next to Korea Town, and there were a lot of Korean Kids who lived next to me who got me into Tae Kwon Do when I was young. I went to a couple Karate schools as well but never really stuck with it.
When I was in middle school and high school I started getting into hip-hop, and really fell in love with The Wu-Tang Clan. A lot of the audio samples they used were from Kung Fu movies, and they always had references to “Shao-Lin”. I still like watching some of those old movies!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaolinla.com
- Phone: 8187832356
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @shaolin_los_angeles
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shaolinla
- Twitter: @shaolinla
