We are proud to be the ones carrying on Master Pai's legacy. We are the only school operating with the support and guidance of Master Pai's only active Master.
Jason Perri is the head instructor of Yun Mu Kwan / Budongchan Li.
Bùdòngchǎn Lì has its roots in the teachings of the late Grand Master Min Pai. He originally taught a style he learned in Korea called Yun Mu Kwan and later incorporated elements from other styles into it, including Wing Chun, Choy Li Fut, Hun Gar, Praying Mantis and Tai Chi Chuan. By the time he was done his style looked nothing like traditional Yun Mu Kwan which was one of the early Korean karate styles that eventually metamorphosed into today’s taekwondo. Grand Master Pai changed the name of his system in later years to Nabi Su which was also the name of the form he created to epitomize the essence of his system. Although Grand Master Pai was of Korean descent, his teachings included both Chinese style martial arts and Zazen (Zen meditation).
Bùdòngchǎn Li reflects the array of methods and styles which Master Pai practiced and combined over the years. Its focus is on sensitivity of motion rather than the muscle building and body hardening of more run-of-the-mill karate styles -- on the theory that sensitivity overcomes power and is accessible to people of all sizes and body types, thereby eliminating the physical advantages which size, weight and strength can provide an attacker. The self-defense methods involve learning to understand the movements of those around you through your own bodily awareness in order to receive, deflect, neutralize and, when necessary, return an opponent’s attack. If learned correctly the sensitivity enables a practitioner to make even the most innocuous of bodily movements into a useful means of controlling and defeating an assailant.
Jason Perri and Ian Montimurro have a broad background in the martial arts, each having studied and practiced a variety of other styles before being accepted as students of Grand Master Pai. Jason holds a 4th degree black belt in the system, which he learned directly from the late Grand Master Pai, and Ian holds a second degree black belt in the style. The system is currently under the guidance and tutelage of Master James Stewart, a 6th degree Black Belt disciple of Grand Master Pai, and one of only two of his senior students selected by the late Grand Master to carry on his methods. Jason is authorized by Master Stewart to continue the self-defense and tai chi teachings of Grand Master Pai. Master Stewart is the only currently active master of the system today. The other Master of the system is Tom Rivers, who is no longer active.
Budongchan Li 2010 - Present, a system created by Jason and Ian based on all of the basic teachings of Grand Master Pai. This system incorporates Master Pai's teachings as well as the knowledge and experience of Jason's various martial arts backgrounds. We take the time to go through each of the forms and break them down to understand what works in certain situations. As we continue to evolve we developed counters and adapt to other styles and show you how to defend and attack. This is a proven fighting system and is based on realistic street situations. We strive on perfecting our Budongchan Li System as it is continuously evolving.
It is amazing to see how the style over four decades transformed, or as he would probably say like the Chrysalis.
From 1995 - 2004, Grand Master Pai continued to evolve and modify his system until his passing in 2004. Grand Master Pai's legacy continues to live on, leaving an incredible affect on all of those he and his students have touched.
Nabi Su, a discipline evolving out of Yun Mu Kwan was created by Grand Master Pai in 1987, when he created his signature form, Nabi Su. In 1995, Grand Master Pai discontinued his involvement with his school in NYC and continued to evolve his teachings at the Zen Monastery in Pound Ridge, NY.
Yun Mu Kwan, a discipline originally taught by Grand Master Pai in the 1960's, incorporates movements of Tai Chi Chuan, Kung Fu, Karate & Weapons of the Orient. The Yun Mu Kwan style is based on the forms and principles of five animals. Grandmaster Pai created his own unique interpretation of these Five Shaolin Animal Forms; Dragon, Crane, Snake, Tiger & Leopard.
