More than 1500 years ago, Bhodidharma traveled to the Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province to teach Bhuddism. He noted how unfit the monks were from sitting in meditation for hours.

This concerned him and so he meditated on the situation, looking for a solution. While meditation he observed a snake and crane ‘fighting’ in front of his cave. It occurred to that by watching how the animals interacted in such situations he could develop a new way to physical health for the monks. The result: exercises that became the Shaolin Martial Arts of today. Through arduous training, the monks became famous for speed, skill, and an ability to defend people.

Dr. Sun initially taught Southern style (Tiger-Crane) Kung Fu, as he had been taught in his youth. His eldest son, David, concentrated his training in Southern Kung-Fu under his father and within years of the school opening, initiated both semi-contact and full contact training as part of the curriculum.  Following in his father’s footsteps as Team Leader for the U.S Chinese Kuoshu Team at the World Cup in Taiwan (1992), David was the Team Leader for the U.S. Chinese Kuoshu Team at the European Cup in 1993. 

His second son, Paul, also started his training in Southern Kung-Fu under his father but found a passion for Northern Style Praying Mantis Kung Fu when he started his training under his uncle, Master James Wu from Taiwan.  Paul’s extensive knowledge of forms and weapons is also attributed to other teachers including Grandmaster Ho Tsong-Yuan, also from Taiwan.

Mrs. Emilia Sun, Dr. Sun’s wife, was also deeply involved with the school and operated a gift shop out of one side of the store front.  Many students remember purchasing gifts for friends and family from the gift shop as well as uniforms, weapons and other school related merchandise.   

Over time, traditional Yang Style Tai Chi was added to the training offerings initially through the intervention of Dr. Sun’s mother-in-law. Dr. Sun continued the teaching of the Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi after she returned to Taiwan. Many Tai Chi students have fond memories of Mrs. Sun calling out comments to the students while training in Tai Chi.

Sadly, in August of 2009, Dr. Sun passed away.  Two senior students, Frank Wolek and Mary Ann Leonard began managing the school under the new name of the Siu Lum Academy to maintain Dr. Sun’s legacy in the martial arts world.  In January of 2019, the school moved to its current location on West Chester Pike in Havertown, PA, still offering quality training in Southern Style Kung Fu and Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi.

The school has added training in Yin Fu Bagua to its repertoire under the direction of a closed door student of Dr. Sun’s, Master W.C. Bey.  In addition to training in Yang Lu Chan Tai Chi for the advanced students, all practitioners continue their training in open hand movements, qigong, weapons and push/sensing hands.

The Southern Style Kung Fu training is offered through 2 senior students of Dr. Sun’s – Master William Holman, 7^th degree Black Belt, who has continued his training under other Masters as well and Michael Bartley, who achieved his 2^nd degree Black Belt under Dr. Sun.  Master Holman also teaches students in Cheltenham at a Recreation Center.  Dave Cleaver, 1^st Degree Black Belt under Master Holman, assists in the training of both adults and children at the school. Kung Fu training includes open hand, weapons and sparring. They have continued teaching with the same quality and dedication exhibited by Dr. Sun.

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The school continues to offer classes, seminars and private training in the Qigong, Southern Style Kung Fu, Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi, and Bagua.