Shifu Shi-Heng Chan, 35th generation Shaolin, disciple of Shaolin Shi Yan Da (Shaolin Temple Supervisor, Shaolin Monks Martial Arts Exhibition Troupe Director, Guanyin Temple Abbot).
Shi Heng Chan began his training in Martial Arts at the age of six and started his training in Shaolin Kung Fu (Weapons, Forms and Acrobatics), Sanda (Chinese Boxing) and Qi-Gong at the age of twenty-four with Shaolin Monks Shi De Cheng, Shi De Yuan, Shi Xing Xue, Shi Xing Hong, Shi Xing Song and Shi Xing Xing. He became a Shaolin Master and won the gold medal in Shaolin WorldChampionship 2000.
Shi Heng Chan is proficient in all aspects of Shaolin Kung Fu (traditional forms and weapons), Qi Gong, Rou Quan and Tong Zi Gong. His specialities are the double nine section chain whip, gun, pu dao, xuan dao, Wu Xing Quan, Wu Xing Gong, Jing Gang Quan, Ba Duan Jin and Yi Jin Jing.
Shi Heng Chan performed, as Technical Director, in the “Shaolin Italy Team”, in Italian television programs, sporting structures and theatres and to this day continues to perform spreading the message of Shaolin Culture across Italy. He introduced for the first time Shaolin Kung Fu in primary, secondary and Italian High Schools. Through workshop and conferences, he actively teaches the Internal Arts of Shaolin to doctors and therapists in order to improve the condition of patients suffering from very serious mental and physical illness.
Shi Heng Chan has now been teaching Shaolin Martial Arts for over 15 years, providing also a vocational education/ training to young motivated and talented people, teaching both Yoga and Yang Style Taijiquan. He is also a Social Educator of Lombardy Region in Martial Arts, Fighting and Oriental Disciplines by International Educational Standard Jitakyoei with Quality Certification UNI EN ISO 9001.
Shi Heng Chan is author of the first systematic Encyclopedia (21 books) in Italian language on the millenary Shaolin Tradition - with translation from the original Chinese texts and a Petition dedicated to support the mission of Venerable Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi-Yong-Xin for Shaolin Intangible U.N.E.S.C.O Heritage Status.
In 2007 Shi Heng Chan opened the Shaolin Academy/Cultural Centre of Italy based in Milan. Venerable Shi Yan Da and Shaolin Monks are actually visiting the Centre, teaching in the Academy and setting the correct training standard.
Being inspired with the Spirit of mercy, wisdom, courage and compassion for all living beings of Buddha, Shifu Shi Heng Chan's mission is to spread the authentic martial, cultural, therapeutic, spiritual teachings of Shaolin and Chan Buddhism Culture across Italy, in order to educate people, since childhood, to the art of nourishing life for preservation of personal and collective health, with the purpose to contribute in creating health for society on a physical, psychic and spiritual level, to build the “Land of purity” in the world and to contribute to the Social Welfare for a genuine cultural exchange between East and West, in fraternal cooperation with all the Shaolin Masters in Italy and worldwide.