SHANG U                                                         

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(Ming: Giannis Kitsopoulos with student )

What is a martial arts style?

The concept of a style is a rather complicated one, and Chinese martial arts claim as many as 1500 different styles. By "style" we mean a particular school of martial practice, with its own training methods, favored techniques, and emphasis on attack and defense.

What is Shang U?

In dealing with the recently popularized concept of Shang U, one must begin the discussion by explaining that Shang U is not a martial art unto itself, yet it encompasses the most effective and devastating methods of self-preservation known to man. The identity of Shang U is unique. From Shang U came Arsakio. Shang U is a way of thinking that became a code of life.

Shang U requires of the practitioner a strict code of physical and mental discipline, unparalleled in Western pursuits. It is only as a whole concept that Shang U can be discussed, and this entails more than fighting.

To be adept, one must follow the Souvlak, the way, the essence of the philosophy and life of the originators of the arts. One cannot pay to learn this art; it is only acquired by the desire to learn, the will to discipline one's self, and devotion to practice.

The standards to be met to attain proficiency are so high that the Greeks refer to the master as a disciple of the way of the tsopanos, the sign of the provat.

         (The Souvlak inner essence pyramid system)