What is Fang Shen Do?
Fang Shen Do isn’t merely the largest chain of Kung-Fu schools in Canada, nor is it strictly a fighting art.
It’s a philosophy you apply to every area of your life.
Sijo Jacques Patenaude
Sijo Jacques Patenaude was the main founding member of Fang Shen Do – “Way of Survival” – the largest chain of kung-fu schools in Canada alongside his wife Linda and their four children: Stéphane, Martin, Christine and Sîlvain. He did not view Fang Shen Do strictly as a fighting art, but as a philosophy you apply to every area of your life. Finding what works has always been a passion of his, whether in martial arts, personal development, or in business. He believed martial art training is the best tool to overcome any of life’s challenges.
The odds had always been stacked up against him: first, coming from the small town of Embrun with nothing to do but milk cows, grow crops, play hockey, and fight with the local neighbours. There wasn’t a martial art school to train at for miles. Patenaude had but a brief high school education, and didn’t speak English until he was 20 years old. Teachers recommended he joined the Arm when he was old enough, or take up boxing to control his temperament and provide an outlet – since the age of 9 he was in constant trouble in the schoolyard.
Like so many other great martial artists, Patenaude’s biggest influence was Bruce Lee. He shared Lee’s philosophy of “use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it”.
Built by a family, as a family.
Having built their school from scratch as a family, when the time came to expand in dozens of Canadian cities, one thing had to stay identical to the original school Jacques and Linda started in a church basement over 35 years ago: the family atmosphere. Each student is treated with the utmost respect and is given personalized attention. Each PMA instructor is trained to bring out the best in you, to push you out of comfort zone and gives you all the tools you need to succeed in your endeavors.
We hope you will join us in Fang Shen Do – in the “Way of Survival“.
RANKING
Fang Shen Do uses the acronym: “MASTERY” to dissect the various colors and areas of development found within the FSD Ranking System. Different colored “sashes” represent a different letter of the acronym, and are used to distinguish a student’s level of expertise. When transitioning between solid color levels, stripes are incorporated between each level to bridge the gap with the next highest color within the learning ladder. The drills and techniques found in each level are designed in such a way to progressively build confidence and skill.
MASTERY is the physical areas of development for each level:
Manners, Agility, Sensitivity, Timing, Emotional intensity, Reflexes, Yin & Yang
Each level also has a conceptual area of development for each sash color. These 2 areas of development (physical and conceptual) when perfectly married together as demonstrated in the Fang Shen Do System, offers the student the best possible chance for success in the martial arts.
A solid structure combined with a well organized curriculum, keeps the student motivated and focused on their goals. Martial Art training should affect how you do everything in your life. Following this kind of intensive, training formation will do just that.
Fang Shen Do delivers with cutting edge training programs, friendly, enthusiastic instructors and a learning environment akin to any top level University.
- Sash conceptual areas of development
- White: Punctuality & Focus
- Yellow: Consistency & Effort
- Blue: Goal setting & Commitment
- Green: Courage & Self-Control
- Brown: Patience & Enthusiasm
- Black: Determination & Follow through
