The Potomac Kempo mission statement, for those who don’t know, is this: “We improve lives by challenging men, women, and children to become healthier, happier, and better. We do this through personalized instruction in the versatile martial art of Shaolin Kempo.” To some of us, this statement is a personal crusade, something that occupies our thoughts every day. This mission stems from our own experiences — our own journey of becoming healthier, happier and better. Anyone who has studied the martial arts has experienced this, and anyone who continues to study continues to experience it.
It is different for everyone; to some it is physical, to some it is mental, to some it’s more. To some it is the high they get going home sweaty and exhausted, to some it is calm and patience that seems to pervade their lives. To some it is lower blood pressure, to some it is greater confidence. It is a very real feeling that millions of people have experienced over the years. Honestly, I don’t fully understand why doing a form a thousand times improves your life or why sparring and doing pushups can create euphoria. All I know is that it works, and continues to work. Once you acknowledge that the martial arts can improve lives —making people healthier, happier and better —wanting to share that is almost automatic.
Master Chris Santillo
