Master Daniel J. Lee, A 5th degree black sash in the Tsai Family Shaolin Chuan Fa system, originally founded the HealthKick program in April of 2000 at 125 W. North Avenue. It was his desire to educate people about the benefits of Shaolin Kung Fu, not only as a system of exercise and self-defense, but as a means to the betterment of each individual. Master Lee passed away suddenly in June of 2005.
Since that time, the HealthKick program continued in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago under the stewardship of Sifu Paula Lazarz, owner of Energy Fitness, Inc. and Kung Fu sister and friend of Master Daniel J. Lee. Sifu Paula's intention was to continue developing Master Lee's belief that students can achieve their full human potential through the practice of Shaolin Kung Fu.
In January of 2005, the program expanded into the northwest side of Chicago, originally operating in Portage Park before finding its current home in Lincoln Square.
In July of 2007, the Chicago Shaolin Temple was established in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago by the 34th Generation Shaolin Master, Shi Yan Ju. The Chicago Shaolin Temple is a subsidiary organization of the Henan SongShan Shaolin Temple in China.
At that time, Sifu Paula introduced herself to Shi Yan Ju with the intention of studying under him and developing a working relationship. It was her desire that all HealthKick students have the vast instructional resources and martial arts talent of the Songshan Shaolin Temple available to them as a further extension of the mandate of the HealthKick program.
As of May of 2008, HealthKick Kung Fu is honored to have Shi Yan Ju overseeing the HealthKick curriculum and to have Shaolin Temple instructors teaching in all scheduled classes for children (ages 5+) and adults.
