Meet your teacher!
Sifu Greg Copelan
Martial Artist, Athlete, Entrepreneur, Longevity Expert and Author
“I have studied Shaolin Martial Arts along with Daoist Internal Arts for 35 years. In that time I have had the privilege of studying under some amazing Masters with direct lineage at the highest levels of their practice. Because of this I have been able to put together this system of Martial Arts, Internal Arts and Self Mastery practice that is second to none!”
Sifu Greg
My Methods
My Background in the Eastern Arts
Below is some background information on my journey in Shaolin Martial Arts, The internal Martial Arts, Daoist Internal Practice and Self Mastery
Shaolin Martial Arts
I began studying Shaolin Martial Arts in the late 1980s. My first Teacher taught a general curriculum of Tan Tui, Luohan, several animal systems and Hua Chuan. I practiced with this Teacher for nearly 15 years. Although the practice was comprehensive, with both internal and external Arts, I always felt like the practice lacked consistency and a clear direction that I desired. In 2001, I began studying Five Ancestor Fist, Feeding Crane and Incense Shop Boxing (Southern Style Luohan). I have been practicing this to date. It has become the primary practice that I teach. In 2008 I met a teacher who is in the lineage of Huang Xing Xian. Although he is primarily my teacher for Tai Chi and the internal arts, I learned some amazing White Crane (Calling Crane) internal technique that I have folded into my practice and have incorporated into the JDMAA curriculum. (To learn more, click on the Picture)
Tai Chi Chuan, Xing Ie Chuan, Baguazhang and Shaolin Roe quan
Internal Martial Arts are an integral facet of our curriculum. I have studied Yang Style Tai Chi (CMC and Huang Style) for over 30 years. I do not teach Tai Chi until very late in the curriculum because to become an effective fighter utilizing Tai Chi requires specific “qualities” that get developed over time and specific practice (you can learn Tai Chi as a stand alone practice however). Instead, I teach Xing Ie beginning in first intermediate level of proficiency. I teach Baguazhang after. Because our core curriculum is Five Ancestor Fist, internal practice is the fifth ancestor and is crucial to the art. I begin teaching internal fundamentals and qualities in the first year of practice at level 2. Shaolin Roe Quan (or Shaolin Cotton Fist) is an internal practice that is traditional to Shaolin Systems. You will learn several rou quan forms as you progress. (To learn more, click on the Picture)
Daoist Internal Qigong, Neigong and internal alchemy
I have studied Qigong and Neigong practices for over 30 years. early on, much of it was basic Shaolin Qigong practices such as Ba Duan Jin and multiple meditation levels. These are very sound practices and have tremendous benefits for individual health and wellness. However, in 2008 I started studying the Northern Daoist Longmen internal practices. From this practice I have devised the Neigong curriculum that I teach with both JDMAA and with my students/clients at SynerG Coaching and Wellness. It is a profoundly deep practice and is built in a very pragmatic way. It requires the practitioner to build very specific internal qualities that help lead to the development of the next higher level qualities and so on. This practice has incredible implications in terms of health, wellness, strength, longevity, mental clarity and more. It is a part of the JDMAA curriculum and can also be learned as a stand alone. (To learn more, click on the Picture)
Self Mastery
The best explanation for Self Mastery goes something like this. There is only one area of control that is in your hands. These are the things about you that make you the person you are or can be. These are things about you that nobody in this world can access. Self-mastery is about exploring, observing and learning about these things. Once you have that understanding, you can make better decisions and respond to life, and to others, with clarity and understanding. You can find stability in an unstable world. You are better equipped to manage your personal wellness. Self Mastery is an expected outcome from practicing within the JDMAA. There are continual teachings on this as the student progresses. We also offer Self Mastery classes through SynerG Coaching and Wellness.
SynerG Coaching (the parent company)
The approach at SynerG has been developed through my years of experience in multiple arenas. I have been an entrepreneur, executive and business owner so I recognize the challenges that arise from trying to balance professional and personal life. I have studied Shaolin martial arts, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and other Internal and Taoist arts for over 30 years.
Through the years I have had multiple Teachers and have passed knowledge to hundreds of direct students. I have been privileged to coach professional athletes as well as being a collegiate and professional athlete myself. These experiences have given me the opportunity to learn and develop “patterns and processes of success.”
Over the years, in business and in sports, I have noticed that ultimate wellness, happiness and success requires balance in all things. This is true regarding your health and the way your body has to be balanced in multiple aspects. But it also means that you need to find balance externally. That is the beauty of our system at SynerG. The Five Pillars of Longevity work to balance the physical and the wellness side of who you are. The Self Mastery aspect of what we teach helps you balance all of the external forces of your life.
The goal at SynerG is to share this knowledge and help develop strategies that will allow you to reach the highest levels of health, wellness, success and happiness. (click the photo on the left to visit SynerG Coaching webpage)
Our on-line Academies and Courses are perfect for remote, self paced learning
You can learn almost everything we teach through our Academies! The beauty of this is that you will learn at your own pace and have access to answers to any question through our Warrior in the Garden Community forum! We have four Academies available: Jade Dragon Martial Arts Academy, Tai Chi Academy, Xing Ie & Baguazhang Academy and our Neigong Academy!
Our Academies
We offer four different online Academies that offer continual learning in our primary curriculums. You can join one or multiple academies at a time. The academies are:
- Tai Chi Academy
- Neigong/Qigong Academy
- Bagua & Xing Ie Academy
- Shaolin Martial Arts Academy
To Learn more about each Academy click the button Below.
Individual Courses
Sometimes you are just looking for a specific course to learn. We offer several options for individual courses. Our Course offerings will be varied and will consist primarily the following:
- Specific Internal Practices
- Martial Arts Forms and weapons outside of the JDMAA Curriculum
- Specific training methods
To Learn about our what Courses we are offering, click the button Below.
Private Online Coaching
I do teach private lessons online. I was skeptical about this approach initially, but learned over Covid that online learning can be very effective. I teach several of my Students that have moved to other areas as well as others who wish to learn specific things to add to their knowledge base and practice.
To Learn more about private online coaching, contact me directly or click the button below to schedule a free 30 minute session to discuss what may work best for you.
Learn the Complete Ba Duan Jin for Free!!!
Click the link below and you will be able to enroll in:
- The online complete Ba Duan Jin course! This is a $97 course you get for free!!!
- Automatically become enrolled in the Warriors in the Garden online community!
- The Warriors in the Garden Newsletter!
- Free Entry into online events with Sifu Copelan and other prominent guests!
- And More!!!
