At seventeen, he studied ancient Chinese medicine with monks in the mountains of China. Now Chi Kung master and martial arts guru, RuHu Zhu heals others who turn to him after mainstream medicine offered no hope.

It's been at least 15 years since Hollywood's The karate kid introduced real aspects of ancient Chinese Martial arts into mainstream American conciousness. Kids around the country sought to imitate Ralph Macchio's victorious White Crane kick while chanting Mr. Miyagi's teaching over and over to themselves."Wax on, wax off" (outer block, outer block)."Paint the house, paint the house"(upper block, upper block)."Catch house flies with chopsticks"(patience and concentration) Sure it seemed awfully silly, but art truly imitates life, and for the last seven years, international martial arts master RuHu Zhu has been a Mr. Miyagi of sorts to residents in the valley. Acting as a sifu (teacher) of 13 different martial arts styles,he teaches how to manipulate the body on every level through self-defense forms and others that primarily strengthen your internal chi - the Chinese word for life force. Most notably, he is a master of the White Crane style.

Sitting in the back room of his Phoenix White Crane Kung Fu School, 50 year-old Zhu explains various martial art styles, Chinese medicine practices and his philosophies. Zhu began learning basic kung fu from his father at age seven while he was a curious, impressionable boy growing up in Taishan city, Guanzhou Providence (Canton), China. At age 13, he embarked on what would become a life-long study of the rarely taught or practiced, but very dangerous White Crane style. "The crane is a symbol for life and longevity and is associated with a lot of good spirits and internal energy," Zhu says. "But because it is very good for street fighting and potentially so destructive, not many people in China are able to study it, and teachers are very selective to whom they teach it." Zhu explains that in all of China there are only two or three schools that teach the art, and the student must already have an established relationship with the instructor. Outside of China, Zhu has one of only two schools that he is aware of that specialize in the discipline.

The White Crane, according to Zhu, combines strength and flexibility and is able to turn the force of the opponent to one's advantage or neutralize it and attack with power. Although Zhu's acclaim stems from his specialization in the art of White Crane, he also provides instruction in traditional kung fu, Nan Chuan (Southern Boxing), Chinese weapons, Five-Animal Form, sparring, self-defense, training and the internally strengthening arts of Tai Chi and Qiqong.

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