Built on compassion, patience & tradition.
Since 2012, our 5,000 square foot academy has taught Cleveland the complete system of Traditional Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.
A complete Shaolin system under one roof.
Our academy has been instructing the citizens of Cleveland in martial arts since 2012. Our spacious 5,000 square foot training hall offers Traditional Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, women's self-defense, meditation and lion dance.
We teach hand and weapon forms focused on external movement, speed and power — alongside Tai Chi, Qi Gong and meditation. Together they keep the body in a state of optimal health, supporting longevity and higher energy.
Our goal is for the relationship between teacher and student to be one of compassion and patience that inspires everyone around us — and to give every person we serve the gifts of aliveness, confidence and success.
Instructor Robert Antio
Robert Antio is an accomplished instructor and long-time practitioner of Chinese martial arts specializing in Traditional Northern Shaolin Kung Fu — with deep knowledge of Shaolin fighting forms and techniques as well as Tai Chi and internal meditative arts.
His training began at the Shao-lin Center for Martial Arts in North Olmsted, Ohio, under Si-Gung Frank Versagi — trained and tested at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province on three occasions, a 6th Degree Black Sash in Chinese martial arts and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate.
After earning his black sash and instructor certification, Antio relocated to Houston to train at the Houston Shaolin Kung Fu Academy under the venerable Shi Xing Hao, studying Shaolin martial arts, Tai Chi, meditation and Chi Gung while developing his teaching skills under the master's close supervision.
Shi Xing Hao, 32nd Generation Warrior Monk
Shi Xing Hao began training in Wushu and Kung Fu at age 6 and became a local Wushu champion by 14. He began formal training at the Shaolin Temple in 1985 and traveled the world with the Shaolin Temple Monk delegation.
In 1998 he was sent to America to spread Shaolin martial arts from the roots of the Temple, and founded the USA Shaolin Kung Fu Federation — of which our academy is a proud member.
Character before a single strike.
Students learn these tenets before anything else — and recite them from memory to pass their first rank test.
Motivation
Have the desire to succeed.
Confidence
Believe in yourself.
Discipline
Follow directions.
Perseverance
Keep working for what you believe in, despite hardship.
Respect
Be willing to respect yourself and others.
Community
Care for and be positive with others.
Righteousness
Do the right thing — simply because it is right.
Tolerance
Do not allow emotions to overflow and affect character.
Shaolin Kung Fu, as in Buddhism, ultimately lives in the heart. These tenets emphasize pure-minded concentration, fairness and righteousness in every interaction — including the training hall.
“All martial styles were born under the sun of Shaolin.”
Shaolin Kung Fu is rooted in Chán Buddhism — from the Indian word dhyāna, meaning meditation. Tradition holds that Bodhidharma taught the monks martial exercises that would become known as Wushu, Gong Fu and, in the West, Kung Fu.
For centuries the Shaolin Temple acted as a rigorous college and laboratory for creating, refining and preserving Chinese martial arts. Once protectors of the Emperor, Shaolin monks still wear yellow robes in honor of that original symbolism.
Kung Fu that gives back.
Community involvement has always been a key element of Shaolin martial arts. Instructor Antio works with community youth groups and volunteer teaching programs, and our lion dance team performs at Chinese New Year celebrations, weddings and business openings.
We believe that connection with the community enriches the lives of every student — whatever their background.
Your first week is on us.
Try any class free for a full week — kids, adults, Tai Chi or kickboxing. No contract, no pressure. Just mention our website.