Sifu Franklin Fick
Founder and Head Instructor
Spirit Dragon Institute
Sifu Franklin Fick
Founder and Head Instructor
Spirit Dragon Institute
Franklin Fick, Founder and Head Instructor of Spirit Dragon Institute, has dedicated his life to learning, practicing, and passing on Traditional Martial Arts and Energy Practices. He has learned from some of the best instructors in the world and has been teaching and sharing what he has learned for many years.
Growing up in the Caribbean, Franklin's early life was immersed in a way of living that was closer to nature then most modern people experience. For example, grocery stores were mainly for imported goods. Fruit was either available directly from the nearby tress or from friends who had an abundance from their own trees. Local farmers were a source for vegetables, meat, and dairy, and the ocean had an abundance of fish.
Not only was the abundance of nature taught at an early age, but also the destructive power of nature as well. Each year hurricane season was a reminder that no one could ignore.
When first discovering the Tao Te Ching as a a young child, the themes of living naturally and being close with the natural flow of the universe were familiar. He found the ideas presented in the writing piqued his interest and he wanted to learn more. From these early beginnings a lifetime of study and research were born.
After experiencing the complete break down of society in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane in 1989, with martial law being instated on the island, Franklin realized that food and shelter are not the only important things in life. Being able to take care of yourself also means being able to protect yourself from harm. He decided to study martial arts.
Franklin quickly realized that the study of traditional martial arts and self cultivation go hand in hand. They support each other. Martial Arts are a way to cultivate the mind and body that provides direct and tangible feedback as to if you are doing it correctly.
One of his earliest teachers introduced him to traditional healing practices in the form of body work and Energy Healing. This early experience changed his understanding of energy in relation to health, both personally and when healing others. Over the years Franklin continued to learn and practice. He later went on to earn a degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a Nationally Certified Acupuncturist (NCCAOM) in the United States.
In addition to a lifetime of learning Traditional Martial Arts, Energy Practices and Meditation, Franklin is also an artist and photographer. He has had showings in the US Virgin Islands, Maryland, and California. Some of his work can be seen on his Instagram.
Franklin Fick - 1994
Self Portrait - Photo - 1998
Self Portrait - Oil on Canvas - 1999
"In addition to the obvious benefits of traditional training such as self preservation, self defense, and health maintenance it is my belief that these ancient practices are still very much relevant in today's modern society as a means getting in touch with and staying in touch with the inner workings of the body, as a means of exploring the relationship and interaction of the mind and body, and as a way to explore and understand the natural world and our place in it." Franklin Fick
"These are traditional arts and require serious study and practice to master. At the same time practice must be approached with a sense of play so that you do not take yourself too seriously. A serious attitude with regards to the study means that you will have enough respect for the system, teaching, and art to thoroughly investigate and explore the teachings. A sense of playfulness will ensure that you will experiment and make the art your own. In this way the student has a firm grasp of the information and principles in his or her body. This way the art starts to become part of the student’s life and they start to make the art their own. This is when the benefits of training show up and why these traditional arts are more than just exercise or a series of forms that are practiced." Franklin Fick
James McNeil - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua
Gong Zhong Xiang - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua
Louie Martinez (far right) - Ng Ga Kuen
Share Lew - Tao Dan Pai
Micheal Jue and Kathy McConnell - Taiji Quan
Lin Miao Hua - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua
Having taught for many years, Franklin could understand what many of his older teachers said about being a teacher. It is hard to be a teacher because it is hard to find serious students and more often then not even serious students drop out of learning because of life changes, family, or they move away.
From first hand experience teaching, Franklin understood that in a traditional face to face in-person teaching environment, interested students are limited in their learning options. They have to find a good teacher that is close to them and they have to find a class time that fits into their schedule. Even if a student is interested in learning and does not live too far away from the class, there are many factors that can make it impossible for the student to come to class.
In 2010, Franklin decided that teaching online and using technology to bring these arts to interested students could solve many of these problems. With online classes, anyone from anywhere in the world can learn. And, they can learn on their own schedule. At anytime convenient for the student, day or night, they can login to the online school and take a lesson or review a lesson to gain corrections and further understanding.
Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan
Main Teachers
Everett Charles
Taekwondo
Jerry Otto
Shorin-Ryu Karate, 5 Animal Kung Fu
Will Hart
Yang style Taiji, Chen style Taiji, Qi Gong, Nei Gong, Meditation, Bodywork, Energy Healing
Philip Barrios
Aikido
Tim Barbour
Tien Shan Pai (Northern Shaolin), Yang style Taiji, Qigong
James McNeil
Xingyi, Bagua, Chen Taiji, Splashing Hands, Acupressure, Tui-Na, Qigong, Taoist Meditation
Gong ZhongXiang
Yang style Taiji, Xingyi, Gong Ting Bagua, Qigong
Exchange with Training Partners
Cheng style Taiji, Cheng Hsin, Temple style Taiji, Wu style Taiji, Sun style Taiji, Bagua, Northern Shaolin, Hung Gar, Qigong, Meditation
Yosan University of TCM
Classes in Taoist Cultivation, Taoist Theory, and Taoist Meditation
Share K Lew
Tao Dan Pai
Louie Martinez
Ng Ga Kuen (Southern Shaolin), Qigong, Meditation, Energy Healing
Yang YuSen
Gao style Bagua (Guang Hua Zhe Zong Tong Yi Pai)
Ross Mobley
Wu style Taiji
Lin MiaoHua
Sun style 3 in 1 (Taiji, Bgua, Xingyi)
Lu YuCheng
Gong Ting Bagua
Steve Perez
Ng Ga Kuen, Qigong, Tai Chi Ruler, Iron Lohan style
Mark Johnson
Taoist Cultivation
2018 - present
Steve Grody
Tao Dan Pai Nei Gong and Kung Fu, Tai Chi Ruler
Wu MingHua
Cheng style Taiji, Taiji Daoyin, Chen style Taiji, Hu Lei Jia, Taoist Cultivation
2010-2012
2020 - present
Al Case
Karate, Shaolin, Taiji, Bagua, Qigong, Matrixing
Will Hart - Taiji Quan
Philip Barrios - Aikido
Karate
Osvaldo Zarantonello - Judo
Nelson Raquena - Aikido
Tim Barbour - Northern Shaolin & Taiji
Short Term / Informal Learning
Ruben DeLeon
Private Lessons: Splashing Hands, Ng Ga Kuen
Daniel Wang
Private Lessons: Yang style Small Frame
Stu Charno
Private Lessons: Xing Yi Qigong
Paul Zaichik
Kinesiological Stretching - Easy Flexibility Course
Kun Lun Pai Daoist Temple
Dao Gong Taiji Quan, Dao Gong Taiji Sword
Ivan Ang
Private Lessons: Sun style Bagua Sword
David Saltman
Qigong, Tai Chi Ruler
Eric Graf
Jo (short staff) and Japanese Yoga
Alex Dong
Dong Family Fast Form, Wu Hao Taiji
2020 - present
Paulie Zink
Taoist Yoga, Aura Palm
Ken Cohen
Qigong
Waysun Liao
Bob Krzemienski
Temple style Taiji
Jay Dunbar
Taiji Qigong, Wu Hao style Taiji
Seminars
Andrew Nugent-Head
Daoist Qigong
Tadashi Yamashita
Shorin Ryu Karate
Fu ZhongWen
Yang style Taiji Push Hands
Aikido Summer Camp
A week long training camp in upstate New York with top Aikido teachers from around the world.
Dr. Osvaldo Zarantonello
Judo
Dr. Stephen Chang
Taoist Internal Exercises and Taoist Theory
Chao LiChi
Taoist Theory, Taiji
Lu Yu Cheng - Bagua
Fu Zhong Wen - Taiji Quan
Willy Lin - Northern Shaolin & Taiji
Teaching Experience
Aikido Study Group - St. Croix USVI
Group Leader / Instructor
Affiliated with the San Juan Aikikai and under Sensei Philip Barios who would visit once a month from Puerto Rico to offer instruction. Duties included running weekly classes, supervising practice, teaching new material, and getting students ready for testing in Puerto Rico
Jerry Otto Karate Studio - St. Croix USVI
Assistant Instructor
Taught all the children's classes and helped run most of the adult classes
Taiji and Wushu Club - Washington College, Chestertown MD
Founder and Head Instructor
Teaching Yang style Taiji and Xingyi
Little Nine Heaven Internal Kung Fu - Rainbow CA
Assistant Instructor
Assistant Instructor under James McNeil at the Little Nine Heaven Internal Kung FU and Retreat Center located in Rainbow California.
Shen Long Internal Kung Fu - Long Beach CA
Founder and Head Instructor
Teaching Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua, Shaolin, Qigong, Nei Gong
Shen Long Internal Kung Fu - Tainan City, Taiwan
Teaching private lessons
Spirit Dragon Institute - St. Croix USVI
In 2007 Shen Long Internal Kung Fu changed its name to Spirit Dragon Institute to help realize a larger gaol and purpose.
Offering classes at various venues around the island including Beeston Hill Fitness Center and Canegeda Sports Center for the Department of Parks and Recreation and offering private lessons.
Spirit Dragon Institute
Started offering Online Lessons and Online Private Lessons
Spirit Dragon Institute
Relocated to Taiwan
US Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands
Maryland
Maryland
California
California
China
China