Grand Master Shi Deru (aka, Shawn Liu Xiangyang)
Grand Master Shi Deru (aka, Shawn Liu Xiangyang), founder and CEO of L.I.U. International Shaolin Institute, came to the U.S. over 20 years ago, after a lifetime of immersion in Shaolin culture and martial arts. As a young child Master Liu Xiangyang entered Chan life like his mentor, Great Grand Master, spiritual Chan leader “His Holiness” Shi Suxi at the Shaolin Temple, Master Liu endured great suffering and hardship during the Cultural Revolution.
Back home in China, he young Liu rose to a prestigious position as one of two indoor disciples to Great Grand Master Shi Suxi, being named Shi Deru by his mentor, and becoming a 31st generation descendent of the beloved spiritual leader of the Shaolin Temple. While continuing in his studies in Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaolin Culture, Master Deru, became a martial arts Master, graduated with a CMD in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the School of TCM in Anhui, worked as a physician at the #1 People’s Hospital in the city of Wuhu, and earned a degree in Foreign Languages from Anhui Normal University.
When Great Grand Master Shi Suxi wrote to his protégé that it was his personal desire that his disciple: “transmit the Chan & Martial Arts to the world”, Shi Deru came to the U.S. as the torch bearer for Shaolin cultural heritage and martial arts.
In the U.S. he earned a Bachelor’s in English with Minors in Biology and Psychology (Mobile College), a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology (University of South Alabama), while quickly establishing himself, and becoming a highly sought after martial arts coach. Since 1987 more than 100 top fighters and martial arts champions in the world have trained under Master Deru at Shaolin Institute, among them; Patrick Barry, Cung Le, Robert Higginbotham, Kevin Nguyen, David Sanders, Wael Karika Muhammad, K.J. Noon, Li Jie, Juan Zarate and Melvin Guillard….
In the U.S. Shi Deru also devoted himself to making Sanshou/Sanda Kickboxing a worldwide sport, accomplishing that goal in 1993. He was so highly regarded that in 1994 he was voted Head Coach of the U.S. Wushu Sanshou Team by USAWKF (U.S.A. Wushu-Kungfu Federation) board members, board of advisors and national team competitors, leading the U.S. to victory in a number of international tournaments, winning many World Championship medals, and producing 5 World Champions in the process.
In 1995 Master Deru was voted Technical Chairman by instructors and officials of the International Wushu Federation (IWF) and IWF Pan American member countries, a position he holds to this day.
Grand Master Shi Deyang
He has been a guest master instructor since the birth of LIU international Shi Deru Shaolin Institute. Most well known as grand master of Shaolin traditional Kungfu forms, he is the 31st generation descendant, Grand Master, and close disciple of the Shaolin Temple Spiritual Abbot, Great Master Upper Su Lower Xi (Su Xi), the last and only Shaolin Warrior Monk Legend of the 20th century. He is the most well known and most respected Shaolin true Grand Master of the Shaolin Temple in China today. He is the president of Shaolin Warrior Preparatory team. He has been featured in over 10 documentary films.
- Featured on at least 20 Martial Arts Magazines cover page around the world.
- He has produced over 100 DVDs on traditional Shaolin meditation, Qigong, Shaolin health exercises and weapons and traditional Kungfu forms.
He has taught over 5 continents in over 50 countries including the US and Canada.
Grand Master Shi De Cheng (AKA: Chen Qing Zhen, Guest Master Instructor)
He became Shaolin Temple Grand Master Shi Suyun’s disciple after he studied with famous Shaolin Temple Wushu Studio Head Master Jiao Hongbo 焦洪波. Master Decheng was on the board of the Shaolin Temple Wushu Association and the Song Shan Shaolin Kungfu Research Association. He has visited, demonstrated and taught Shaolin Kungfu privately and on behalf of the Shaolin Temple Warriors Team in over 10 countries in 3 continents. He has won numerous medals in both China and Europe for his great contribution to traditional Shaolin Kungfu. He was featured in CCTV and on other western TV networks many times. He has taught at the LIU International Shi Deru Shaolin Institute since 2005 when he first came to visit America privately.
Chen Zhenglei (Guest Master Instructor)
Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei is one of the “Top Ten Martial Artists” in China as recognized by the Chinese government, the 19th generation successor of the Chen family and the 11th generation direct line inheritor of Chen Style Tai Chi. Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei is the author of the official and authoritative books and DVDs on all aspects of Chen Style Tai Chi. He has taught on four continents including Europe, US and Canada. He has been a guest master instructor at the LIU International Shi Deru Shaolin Institute since its birth.