Shifu Jerry Alan Johnson

Martial Arts Background

History

Professor Johnson began his initial training in martial arts at a very young age, inspired by his father’s boxing skill and training. He continued learning combative skills in western boxing and wrestling and in 1965 began formal training under Sensei John Brown at a Kodokan Judo Club in Jacksonville, Florida. Throughout the years he continued his studies in western boxing, grappling, wrestling, and several styles of Karate.

While teaching Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate for the Philippine-American Karate Association (P.A.K.A.) in 1974, he was introduced to the Chinese Martial Arts system of Northern Praying Mantis, and immediately began studying Tang Lang Shaolin under the stern private tutelage of Shifu (Master Instructor) John Staples.

While studying Northern Praying Mantis, he became intrigued with the fighting techniques used in the Northern Shaolin system of Mizongquan (“Lost Track Boxing”), and for the next several years focused his attention on training in Mizong combat. He completed his training in 1978, earning the Shaolin lineage name “Shao Ying” (“Little Eagle”), and become a certified Shifu (Master Instructor) through the Mi Tsung-I Northern Shaolin Federation of Taiwan, and the Ching Wu Kung Fu Association in Hong Kong.

In 1978 he also began teaching Shaolin fighting to an elite special forces unit at the Fort Ord Military Base, in Seaside, California. There, along with two Hung Gar Shaolin Masters, he formed the Fort Ord Shaolin Federation.

During the mid 1970’s Professor Johnson became training in Yang Style Taijiquan. After several years of training, he became a Shifu in Yang Style Taijiquan, certified through the Tai Chi Chuan Federation of Taiwan.

From 1978 to 1980 Professor Johnson began training in Baguazhang and Xingyiquan from Master Instructor Michael Alan Brown, becoming certified as an instructor in Baguazhang through the Ching Yi Kung Fu Association.

Throughout the years, Professor Johnson continued training in several Northern and Southern Shaolin and Wudang styles of Chinese combat, described as follows:

Shaolin Quan (“Small Forest Boxing”)

In Shaolinquan, Professor Johnson has studied Northern and Southern Praying Mantis, Hung Gar, Wing Chung, and Mizongquan Shaolin styles of fighting, weapons, and Martial Qigong, Shengong, and Neigong training.

Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm”)

In Baguazhang, Professor Johnson has studied several schools of internal fighting, including the Yin Fu, Cheng Ting-Hua, Liu De Kuan, Fu Zhen-Song, and the Chang Zhao-Dong styles of Bagua combat, weapons, and Martial Qigong, Shengong, and Neigong training. He is a Shifu in Chang Zhao-Dung Baguazhang, certified to teach through the authority of the Ching Yi Kung Fu Association, the Hsiao Mien Hu Martial Arts Association, and The Canadian Martial Arts Society.

He was elected to the International Baguazhang Research and Teachers Exchange Council, and served as a judging official and member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Chinese Kuo Shu Federation. He also serve as a coaching official, national certifier, and council board member of the Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.) affiliated with the U.S. Olympics.

Professor Johnson was elected to the Board of Advisors for the U.S.A. Wushu-Kung Fu Federation, and is a member of the International Congress of Oriental Medicine and Martial Arts. He is also a standing member of the North American Chinese Martial Arts Federation.

Taijiquan (“Great Ultimate Boxing”)

In Taijiquan, Professor Johnson has studied several schools of internal fighting, including the Yang Pan-Hou, Yang Chien-Hou, and Chen Fa Ke styles of Taiji combat, weapons, and Martial Qigong, Shengong, and Neigong training.

In 1993, Professor Johnson traveled to China and continued extensive training in the Yin Fu style of Baguazhang. At that time, he additionally began training in the Chen Fa Ke style of Chen Taijiquan. He eventually became accepted as a “Tudi,” earning the lineage name “Yuan Long” (“Dragon in the Clouds”), and was awarded the position of 20th generation disciple of Chen Family Taijiquan from the Beijing Martial Arts Association. At that time, he was also certified through the Beijing Chen Style Taijiquan Association of China.

He is currently certified as a lineage disciple of Master Feng Zhi Qiang through his senior disciple Shifu Zhang Yu Fei; and is also a certified Master Instructor in the Yang Style Taijiquan, teaching through the authority of the Tai Chi Chuan Federation of Taiwan.

Xingyiquan (“Form of Intent Boxing”)

In Xingyiquan, Professor Johnson has studied several schools of Five Element internal fighting, including the Hebei and Henan styles of Xingyi combat, weapons, and Martial Qigong, Shengong, and Neigong training.

Yi Quan (“Intent Boxing”) or Dacheng Quan (“Great Achievement Boxing”)

In Yiquan, sometimes called “Dachengquan,” Professor Johnson has studied under several excellent masters from mainland China and in the United States. To date, he has received training in several variations of Yiquan and Dachengquan combat, Martial Qigong, Shengong and Neigong.

Championship Competitions

Excelling in “Empty Hand,” as well as “Weapons Fighting” from both the Shaolin and Wudang Chinese Martial Arts Systems, Professor Johnson competed regularly in the tournament circuit and won first place titles several times in Black Belt Forms and Weapons from local and national Martial Arts Championships.

In May of 2004, Professor Johnson was inducted into the U.S.A. “Martial Arts Hall of Fame.”

In addition to his own success in championship competitions, many of Professor Johnson’s students have also gone on to compete at the national level, bringing several first place championship titles to the school.