User:DCroley

Derek Croley
Derek Franklin Croley (born on January 24, 1975 in Pittsburgh, PA) is an American Chinese Martial Artist from North Carolina most noted for writting about and teaching Chinese Martial Arts.

Martial Arts
Croley teaches a series of martial arts based upon the principles of Xu Shen Chuan (Xu's Spirit Fist). Xu Shen Chuan is a series of principles assembled by Croley's teacher, George Xu (Xu Guo Ming). Xu came across these principles by interviewing and/or training with many of the existing Martial Arts Masters in China. Xu then assembled these teachings into what he terms the "Undefeatable Secrets." It is these Undefeatable Secrets that are the foundation of Xu Shen Chuan. Croley applies these principles to the arts of Kenpo, TAI Martial Arts as designed by David German, Tai Chi, Hsin Yi, Chin Na, Jujutsu, Yuan Gong Chan Chuan as taught to him by Liu Chan Shan, and the Integrated Martial Arts Systems as designed by Brian Adams.

Martial Arts History
Croley began his martial arts training in Columbia, SC first at a YMCA Karate class, and after that ended with Ronnie Barkoot's American Style Karate. This was predominately hard style forms with a great deal of free sparring. His family then moved to Sacramento, CA where he began training in Chinese Kenpo and Tae Kwon Do with [Dave Kovar]. Croley earned his first Black Belt from Kovar. From there he moved to Aiken, SC, where he began training in the TAI Kenpo/Jujitsu/Karate Martial Arts Systems with Andy Watford. The TAI Martial Arts System was originated by Grand Master David German.

Attending Clemson University, Croley joined the school Hapkido club, and also trained in Okinawan Goju Ryu with Stewart Fowler. During this time period he also trained in Yang Style Tai Chi with a Chinese man named Scotty, was exposed to Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu with Henry "Poo" Ye, and trained in Tai Chi with Dennis Brown.

Upon graduating from college, he worked at the TAI School in Aiken, SC before moving to Jilin City, Jilin Provence, China. There he met and trained under Liu Chan Shan. Liu taught him the Sun and Chen Styles of Tai Chi as well as the secret art of Yuan Gong Chan Chuan (Primary Skill Meditative Boxing). Yuan Gong Chan Chuan was supposed to be a single step art, but even though Liu already had a student he decided to teach it to Croley anyway. Once he had taught Croley the art, he then asked his teacher, the then 90 year old Po Rin Fu. Po granted permission so long as Croley teach Yuan Gong openly in America, which he does.

When he returned to American, Croley and his family moved to Asheville, NC where he began teaching the Martial Arts at Croley's Martial Arts Center. In the time since he has trained with Grand Master Brian Adams, the founder of Integrated Martial Arts, and Grand Master George Xu the President of [www.WACIMA.org WACIMA] (The Worldwide Association of Chinese Internal Martial Arts) and founder of Xu Shen Chuan.

He has acheived the following Martial Arts ranks and awards:

7th Degree Black Belt in Xu Shen Chuan under George Xu

6th Degree Black Belt in TAI Kenpo/Jujitsu under Andy Watford and noted by "Kenpo" Joe Rebelo

5th Degree Black Belt in TAI Karate under Andy Watford and noted by David German

4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate under Kevin Hudson

1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under Dave Kovar

Master Instructor in Xu Shen Chuan under George Xu

Master Intructor of TAI Martial Arts under Andy Watford

Shifu of Tai Chi and Yuan Gong Chan Chuan under Liu Chan Shan

WACIMA (Worldwide Association of Chinese Internal Martial Arts) Vice President

Honorary PhD in Martial Arts Philosophy from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies (note that this is not an academic degree- rather an award based upon contribution to the arts as well as years of service.)

Member of the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame

Recently highlighted in the documentary "The Why of Tai Chi" by film maker Bruce Kennedy.

Martial Arts Safety
Croley is the founding Chairman of the ASTM International subcommittee F08.29 on Martial Arts Safety. This subcommittee began with the joint efforts of Croley as well as Jim Green, PE with the intention of beginning steps to ensure a high moral standard for martial arts instructors.

Sharing the Martial Arts
Croley not only teaches daily classes at Croley's Martial Arts Center in Asheville, NC he also is the founding president of the White Oak Martial Arts Association. An association with the sole objective of sharing high level, formerly secret, martial arts knowledge. In that regard, he is also the President of The White Oak Institute. This is an institute that offers seminars applying high level martial arts to daily living.

He has also written Tai Chi Structure: The Secrets of Tai Chi Revealed, How to Approach Tai Chi like a Master, and Everything You Need to Know About Martial Arts But Didn't Know to Ask. These are available at www.TaiChiMadeSimple.com.

In an effort to help spread Internal Martial Arts, Croley along with Jim Green built WACIMA- USA under the direct supervision of Grand Master George Xu.

External Websites
www.CroleysMartialArts.com

www.WhiteOakMartialArtsAssociation.com

www.TheWhiteOakinstitute.com

www.IntegratedMartialArts.net

www.MasterGeorgeXu.com

www.TAIMartialArtsInternational.com

www.TaiChiMadeSimple.com

www.WACIMA.org

www.WACIMA-USA.com