Kogen Sensei/Keith Martin-Smith

Keith Martin-Smith has been studying Shaolin and Northern style Kung Fu since 1994.  Before training under Master Jong Hoon Jeon, Mr. Martin-Smith studied under the Venerable Shi Yan Ming, 34th Generation Shaolin monk, in New York City, and under the Iron Palm Master Brian Grey before that.

Keith became a formal disciple of Master Jeon in 2001, meaning he agreed to be trained in the very demanding and very traditional manner reserved for the most serious of students.  In 2002 he was awarded the title of Kyu Bum Nim (senior instructor) and permitted to teach on his own.  Keith ran Master Jeon’s Philadelphia school from 2002-2005, leading 9 classes a week. In 2008 he was elevated to a formal lineage holder and to a co-master.  In addition to Shaolin Kung Fu, Keith has also trained in Jin Woo (Jing Wu), Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and Jingui Qi Gong.

In 1996, he began studying the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) and took Empowerment and Bodhisattva Vows with Lama Tsering Everest in 2001.  In 2007 he met Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi and became a formal student of his, and was given the Dharma name “Kogen” (“Tiger Eye”).  Keith/Kogen has been authorized by Jun Po Roshi to teach Rinzai Zen meditation and has been awarded the title of sensei.

He uses his Japanese dharma name, Kogen, when teaching as well as the Japanese word for teacher, sensei (the Chinese word is sifu, a combination of “teacher” and “father”).  He is also a published author of fiction and non-fiction.

SiFu Jong Hoon Jeon

Grandmaster Sung Ho Kim began teaching in 1970 in Korea.  At the time, the Chinese government was forcing the Cultural Revolution on the people of China, and had destroyed the Shaolin Temples and imprisoned many of its monks. In the safety of South Korea, Grandmaster Kim sought to keep alive Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.

The Academy was founded to preserve traditional Kung Fu styles and teaching methods. The school trained students in the rigid and uncompromising way of the old world, with students expected to attend classes 6 days a week year-round with no exceptions allowed or there was immediate expulsion.  Intensive, free-hands sparing was required along with the mastery of Qi Gong breathing and technique that culminated in Iron Body testing (such as driving an automobile over one’s stomach). Master Jeon Hoon Jeon began his training in 1976, and in 1986 completed the necessary studies and passed the required tests, and was awarded the title of sifu at the incredibly young age of 29.  He came to America shortly thereafter.

Master Jeon lives in Philadelphia with his wife and son, and is semi-retired from teaching Kung Fu.