About Mike Murphy

Mike Murphy has been studying martial arts since 1971. His first training was in Tae Kwon Do. His first teacher was Wesley Doi, who taught an intro to TKD as an inter-mural class at Schmucker Middle School, Mishawaka, IN.. Mr. Doi was one of Mikes teachers.

He earned his first Black Belt, in Judo at the Kodokan in Japan, in 1979. He returned home from the Military where he began studying Juko Ryu Aki Jujitsu, and Kempo Jitsu with Randy Harvell, while continuing his training in Judo with Charlie Hooks in 1981.

1983 – 1987 he traveled for work a lot, and trained where and with whoever he could.

In 1987 he moved to Chicago and began studying and teaching Shaolin Kempo Karate.

In 1991 he left a career in telecommunications in Chicago for Madison, WI. where he became a full time Martial Arts instructor/owner of a Martial Arts school. There he studied and taught many martial arts from China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, and Indonesia. From 1987 to 1994 Mike was with Fred Villari’s organization, Mikes primary Teacher was Hugh McLaughlin. He also trained with other Villari masters such as Fred Bagley, John Fritz, and Joan Rickert.

In 1994 Mike left the Villari organization.

In 1994 Mike began to teach Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo at his school under Bruce Juchnik. During this time frame learning the healing arts became an important part of training. He began training Cheng Man Ching style Tai Chi, and Chi Kung.

In 1996 Mike Murphy stopped teaching anyone that wasn’t at least Black Belt level in one system of another, and began a search down his own path. He left the Sei Kosho Shorei Kai at that time.

In 1996 Mike moved back to Chicago and trained Liu Ho Pa Fa , Hsing-I, and Chi Kung with Master Wai Lun Choi. Mike trained with Master Choi through the 1996-1997 time frame.

In 2002 Mike began training with Sifu James McNeil. His main training with Master McNeil is Tzu Men Chuan, Pa Kua, Iron Hand, Shih Shui, Physic Healing, and Hsiao Chiu Tien Wu Tao. He also has had some training in the other systems that Master McNeil teaches, such as Hsing-I. Mike also cross-trained various systems taught by Sifu McNeil with other students of Sifu McNeil’s, at his suggestion.

Though Mike had been training Chen style taijiquan since 2002, in 2004 Mike began training “Chen Practical Method Taijiquan”. At that time a friend who had lived and trained in Jinan, Shandong province, China brought Chen Practical Method to Mikes attention. Mike sought out Master Chen Zhonghua at that time. He found that Master Chen was living in Canada but, had a disciple living in Milwaukee, WI. Mike then began training with Tim Duehring until he later had a chance to train with Master Chen. Mike continues to visit and train with Master Chen Zhonghua whenever possible.

Mike has been taught “Tzu Men Chuan” by Australian, (Rod Upward) in one-on-one private classes in recent years.. Mike has added Reiki to his studies, and has become a Master of Gendai Reiki, Tibetan Reiki, and Karuna Reiki (trademark) under Pam Jones.

Mike is once again teaching all levels students publicly. From beginners with no experience that just need to quickly learn self-defense, to those with decades of training seeking deeper understanding.