Sifu Frankin Fick

Sifu Franklin Fick

Founder and Head Instructor
Spirit Dragon Institute

Sifu Frankin Fick

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.

Frankin Fick - 1994

Franklin Fick - 1994

Self Portrait - Photo - 1998

Self Portrait - Photo - 1998

Self Portrait - Oil on Canvas - 1999

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

James McNeil - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua

Gong Zhong Xiang - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua

Gong Zhong Xiang - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua

Louie Martinez (far right) - Ng Ga Kuen

Louie Martinez (far right) - Ng Ga Kuen

Share Lew - Tao Dan Pai

Share Lew - Tao Dan Pai

Micheal Jue and Kathy McConnell - Taiji Quan

Micheal Jue and Kathy McConnell - Taiji Quan

Lin Miao Hua - Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua

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 Landscape Photo

Taiwan

Taiwan Landscape Photo

Taiwan

Taiwan Landscape Photo

Taiwan

Main Teachers

1991 - 1992

Everett Charles

Taekwondo

1992 - 1995

Jerry Otto

Shorin-Ryu Karate, 5 Animal Kung Fu

1992 - 2003

Will Hart

Yang style Taiji, Chen style Taiji, Qi Gong, Nei Gong, Meditation, Bodywork, Energy Healing

1993 - 1995

Philip Barrios

Aikido

1995 - 1999

Tim Barbour

Tien Shan Pai (Northern Shaolin), Yang style Taiji, Qigong

1997 - 2004

James McNeil

Xingyi, Bagua, Chen Taiji, Splashing Hands, Acupressure, Tui-Na, Qigong, Taoist Meditation

2002 - 2005

Gong ZhongXiang

Yang style Taiji, Xingyi, Gong Ting Bagua, Qigong

1999 - 2005

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

1999 - 2005

Yosan University of TCM

Classes in Taoist Cultivation, Taoist Theory, and Taoist Meditation

2003 - 2005

Share K Lew

Tao Dan Pai

2005 - 2006

Louie Martinez

Ng Ga Kuen (Southern Shaolin), Qigong, Meditation, Energy Healing

2008 - 2012

Yang YuSen

Gao style Bagua (Guang Hua Zhe Zong Tong Yi Pai)

2011 - 2012

Ross Mobley

Wu style Taiji

2012 - 2014

Lin MiaoHua

Sun style 3 in 1 (Taiji, Bgua, Xingyi)

2014 - 2019

Lu YuCheng

Gong Ting Bagua

2016 - 2018

Steve Perez

Ng Ga Kuen, Qigong, Tai Chi Ruler, Iron Lohan style

2018 - 2020

Mark Johnson

Taoist Cultivation

2005
2018 - present

Steve Grody

Tao Dan Pai Nei Gong and Kung Fu, Tai Chi Ruler

2019 - present

Wu MingHua

Cheng style Taiji, Taiji Daoyin, Chen style Taiji, Hu Lei Jia, Taoist Cultivation

2004-2005
2010-2012
2020 - present

Al Case

Karate, Shaolin, Taiji, Bagua, Qigong, Matrixing

Will Hart - Taiji Quan

Will Hart - Taiji Quan

Philip Barrios - Aikido

Philip Barrios - Aikido

Karate

Karate

Osvaldo Zarantonello - Judo

Osvaldo Zarantonello - Judo

Nelson Raquena - Aikido

Nelson Raquena - Aikido

Tim Barbour - Northern Shaolin & Taiji

Tim Barbour - Northern Shaolin & Taiji

Short Term / Informal Learning

2001

Ruben DeLeon

Private Lessons: Splashing Hands, Ng Ga Kuen

2003

Daniel Wang

Private Lessons: Yang style Small Frame

2005

Stu Charno

Private Lessons: Xing Yi Qigong

2014

Paul Zaichik

Kinesiological Stretching - Easy Flexibility Course

2015

Kun Lun Pai Daoist Temple

Dao Gong Taiji Quan, Dao Gong Taiji Sword

2017

Ivan Ang

Private Lessons: Sun style Bagua Sword

2017 - 2020

David Saltman

Qigong, Tai Chi Ruler

2020

Eric Graf

Jo (short staff) and Japanese Yoga

2020

Alex Dong

Dong Family Fast Form, Wu Hao Taiji

2002
2020 - present

Paulie Zink

Taoist Yoga, Aura Palm

2020 - present

Ken Cohen

Qigong

2020 - present

Waysun Liao
Bob Krzemienski

Temple style Taiji

2022

Jay Dunbar

Taiji Qigong, Wu Hao style Taiji

Seminars

1993

Andrew Nugent-Head

Daoist Qigong

1993

Tadashi Yamashita

Shorin Ryu Karate

1994

Fu ZhongWen

Yang style Taiji Push Hands

1994

Aikido Summer Camp

A week long training camp in upstate New York with top Aikido teachers from around the world.

1994

Dr. Osvaldo Zarantonello

Judo

2004

Dr. Stephen Chang

Taoist Internal Exercises and Taoist Theory

2004

Chao LiChi

Taoist Theory, Taiji

Lu Yu Cheng - Bagua

Lu Yu Cheng - Bagua

Fu Zhong Wen - Taiji Quan

Fu Zhong Wen - Taiji Quan

Willy Lin - Northern Shaolin & Taiji

Willy Lin - Northern Shaolin & Taiji

Teaching Experience

1993 - 1995

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

1994 - 1995

Jerry Otto Karate Studio - St. Croix USVI

Assistant Instructor

Taught all the children's classes and helped run most of the adult classes

1997 - 1999

Taiji and Wushu Club - Washington College, Chestertown MD

Founder and Head Instructor

Teaching Yang style Taiji and Xingyi

1998 - 2000

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.

2000 - 2005

Shen Long Internal Kung Fu - Long Beach CA

Founder and Head Instructor

Teaching Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua, Shaolin, Qigong, Nei Gong

2006

Shen Long Internal Kung Fu - Tainan City, Taiwan

Teaching private lessons

2007 - 2012

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.

2010

Spirit Dragon Institute

Started offering Online Lessons and Online Private Lessons

2012

Spirit Dragon Institute

Relocated to Taiwan

US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands

Maryland Landscape Photo

Maryland

Maryland Landscape Photo

Maryland

California Landscape Photo

California

California Landscape Photo

California

China Landscape Photo

China

China Landscape Photo

China