The Instructors
(Chief Instructor
Jim Eubanks practicing a double palm block at
Washington University in St.
Louis)
Jim Eubanks
Chief Instructor
ASC
Experience:
Jim began training in Shaolin Gongfu (Kung Fu), Hard
Qigong (Chi Kung), Yoga, Daoist and Chan (Zen) Meditation
in 1998 at The
Peaceful Dragon in Charlotte, NC. He continued training
in Shaolin Gongfu and American Kenpo in Greenville, SC
while an undergraduate student at Furman University from
2001-2005. In 2003, Jim became a formal monastic student
of American Chan Buddhist monk and Shaolin Gongfu Master
Ryugen Fisher (Ven. Shi Shen Long). Master Ryugen was a
leader in the traditional Chinese martial arts, teaching
Gongfu (Five Animals; Hung Gar; Chinese Kenpo), Taiji
(Tai Chi), Qigong and Yoga at his kwoon in California; he
was a former special forces operative in the US army and
sparring partner of Bruce Lee, among others.
In 2003, Jim co-founded the Furman University Chinese
Arts Group (FUCAG) along with Aden Albert to introduce
college students to the traditional Chinese arts and
meditation. During this time he also gained experience
training collegiate athletes at Furman University in Core
Strength Training (CST), including members of the Furman
football, soccer and lacrosse team, as well as girl's
golf. Jim was asked by Furman to teach Taiji as the
instructor of the FULIR (Furman University Learning in
Retirement) Taiji class from 2004-2005; it is part of
Furman's Division of Continuing Education. FULIR is one
of over 280 Lifelong Learning Institutes in Retirement
(LLIs) established at colleges and universities through
the US. While a philosophy student at Furman (specialized
in Asian and Comparative Studies), Jim began learning
about the applications of "Ki" in Ki-Aikido as a student
of David Shaner Sensei and Mark Stone Sensei of the
Eastern Ki Federation--both men are philosophy professors
at Furman. Jim graduated with a BA with honors in
philosophy from Furman and moved to St. Louis, MO to
study with his teacher, Master Ryugen Fisher. He also
began pursuing graduate studies at Logan University in
St. Louis, where he is now completing degrees in
Chiropractic Meditation (DC) and a Master's in Sports
Science & Rehabilitation (MS).
In 2005, Jim founded the Washington University Chinese
Arts Group (WUCAG) at Washington University in St. Louis,
and taught classes at Logan University, where he offered
instruction in American Shaolin martial arts, Taiji,
Qigong and Meditation. In January 2008, Jim formally
founded the American Shaolin Center (ASC) to consolidate
his goals of teaching the American Shaolin System to the
public and fostering the growth of a new approach to
martial training that incorporates traditional Chinese
martial arts with the latest research into human
biomechanics. Jim was hired by the St. Charles Natural
Healing Center in January of 2008 to hold the position of
head instructor of the martial arts and core strength
training programs.
Throughout his time as a teacher, Jim has worked with
others in the martial and meditative arts communities and
his formal students to hold periodic public workshops and
demonstrations in Greenville, SC and St. Louis, MO.
Under Shifu Ryugen (Ven. Shi Shen Long), Jim studied and
was ordained as a Chan Buddhist monk in October 2006.
After the untimely passing of Jim's teacher (Ryugen
Fisher), he became the formal student of David Shaner
Sensei, Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation,
7th dan in Ki-Aikido and long-time personal student of
Koichi Tohei Sensei.
>>Has 600+ hours of formal training under his
teachers
>>Has 100+ hours of sparring experience with
skilled practitioners
>>Has 1000+ hours of teaching experience
Tuan Nguyen
Disciple III
Associate Instructor
ASC
Experience:
Tuan began Gongfu training in 1994 under Shifu Desmond
Jackson at the Whirling TIger School in Gainesville,
Florida, where he studied the Northern Shaolin system of
Choy Lay Fut. Studies at University and travels have
brought him to New York, Seattle, and most recently St.
Louis where he is currently studying the American Shaolin
System under the instruction of Shifu Jim Eubanks. Tuan
is the Associate Instructor of American Shaolin at ASC's
Washington University location.
>>Has 250+ hours of formal training at ASC
Brett Welch
Disciple II
Associate Instructor
ASC
Experience:
Brett
began training in Wing Chun while an undergraduate
student. He has remained a formal student of Jim Eubanks
since 2005, and is now an Associate Instructor at
the St. Charles
Natural Healing Center in St. Charles, MO.
>>Has 200+ hours of formal training at ASC
Jon Carlson
Guest Instructor, Western Wrestling and Grappling
ASC
Experience:
Jon has wrestled for 16 years and coached for 2, with
experience in high school and NCAA wrestling. He is
currently a student at Logan University receiving his
degree in Chiropractic Medicine (DC).
Former Instructors of
ASC:
Ryan Hearn
Disciple II
Head Instructor
FUCAG
Matt Stone
Disciple II
President
FUCAG
A Special Thanks to:
Aden Albert
Co-founder and Graphic Designer
Jean Schwab
Graphic Designer
David E Shaner, Ph.D.
Furman University
Chair, Philosophy
Asian Studies
Chief Instructor of Eastern Ki Federation (EKF)
Organization Advisor
Personal Teacher of Jim Eubanks
Jan Kiely, Ph.D.
Furman University
Asian Studies & History
FUCAG Advisor
