Chi Lin Kempo (Kenpo) was developed over a 200-year or longer period of martial art study and research into the system we understand now, founded by the late Grandmaster Denis R. Decker. [1]

Grandmaster Decker, or more commonly known as Sifu, began this journey with a vision that would eventually become a lifelong passion: To teach the martial arts in such a way that it became more than just a hobby or sport, but a true way of life. Sifu achieved this goal by studying under many great masters, and dedicating a lifetime to perfecting his art.

During his life Sifu mastered many styles of martial arts including, but not limited to, Judo, Pai Lum Kung Fu , Goshin Jutsu , Shotokan Karate, Kosho Shorei-Ryu Kempo , Arnis, Pak Kua Jong , Aikido, Kenjutsu, and Tai Chi Ch'uan . He took aspects from all of these arts, along with his own unparalleled understanding of the human body and incorporated them into his Chi Lin arts. Chi Lin Kenpo has had many names over the years, such as Chi Lin Tao, Chi Lin Pai, Chi Lin Chuan Fa, and Kirin Kenpo. However, they were all similar systems of fighting and the understanding of natural body movements that defined Sifu's legacy.

The primary doctrine of the Chi Lin system was that as a student you were never confined to any one belief or set of structured movements. Chi Lin was a fluid, circular system that continuously adapted to each unique situation and practitioner. Sifu perfected his art simply by teaching it. He also constantly questioned what he was doing and what affects it had on his opponent: What different ways could he attack? How could he move inside and strike with explosive, internal power? Does a technique work better tensed or relaxed, and at what times would that be different? How could he attack the circulatory system? How could he attack his opponent's ability to breathe? How could he fight a powerful opponent much larger than himself? It all came down to distance, timing, speed, energy, and mass in motion. Sifu found that the most deceptive methods, coming from natural body movements, would usually work the best. This was how the art of Chi Lin began its evolution.

By the mid 1970's Sifu was teaching his Chi Lin arts throughout West Virginia. On a visit to New Jersey, Sifu met Shihans Robert Burger and Vic Marini , who held black belts in both Judo and Shotokan Karate. At this time Shihan Burger and Shihan Marini were teaching Shotokan Karate at Don Rosenthal 's Judo School. Interested in Sifu's understanding of martial arts and the human body, both began studying his Chi Lin arts, and spent the next twenty years training with him. Both Shihan Burger and Shihan Marini would eventually attain Master level in Chi Lin Pai and open various Kenpo schools along the Jersey Shore.

In 1978 Sifu began teaching full-time in New Jersey with Shihan Burger and Shihan Marini. Shihan Burger, along with Shihan Marini , took their mastery and understanding of Shotokan Karate and Judo and interweaved it with Sifu's more fluid and circular based Chi Lin fighting system. This was how the true Chi Lin Kenpo system was born. The simple's ways of Sifu's system was that it didn't always require you to be in a formal martial arts setting to learn. Many classes were conducted in studios, garages, open fields, and even an occasional overnight shift at Seven-Eleven. It wasn't the environment that changed your life; it was the heart of the man who was teaching you. At this time Sifu was teaching his art throughout the country.

One of Shihan Burger’s senior students took a great interest in Sifu and his Chi Lin arts, Master Dale Biles . Master Biles had met Shihan Burger at the time that Burger was studying under Sifu, and began training under Burger in the Chi Lin arts. Master Biles recognized Sifu's deep understanding of the martial arts and within five years began studying directly under Sifu. Master Scott Felsen also began studying directly with Sifu at this time.

Master Biles realized that what he was studying was unlike anything in the world. Here was a man that taught his philosophies and sacred arts and asked nothing in return other than loyalty, hard work, dedication, and a desire to continue teaching. This practice of teaching what you were taught, the way you were taught is one of the main pillars that make up Chi Lin Kenpo. Master Biles eventually attained his black belt in Chi Lin Kenpo and began teaching under Shihan Burger.

In 1993, after achieving a lifelong ambition of becoming a certified chef, Sifu Decker moved to Florida and began teaching near Edgewater at a local Karate school. Master Biles continued to teach Chi Lin Kenpo in New Jersey. Scott Felsen embraced the Gung Fu side of Sifu's art and began teaching what is known today as Chi Ling Pai Gung Fu.

In the summer of 1994 while working for Foodtown Supermarkets, Master Biles met a young man named Gerard Fredo . Fredo noticed that Master Biles had a tattoo on his right forearm of some kind of Asian lettering. Upon asking about it, Master Biles said it simply meant Karate. Without thinking, Fredo challenged Master Biles on his knowledge of Karate, and learned very quickly that he indeed was a master of the arts. Master Biles told Fredo that he was starting a school in Colonia, New Jersey and offered him the first open position. Fredo took him up on the offer and began studying.

Fredo recruited his High School friend Matthew Murdock to join and the two had their first class on Tuesday, September 13, 1994. Soon to join the class was Master Biles' son Brian VanAlstyne , and another former Foodtown Employee, Joseph Wilhelm . In early 1995 another student, Brian Zapoticzny joined the class. These five students became the backbone of Chi Lin Kenpo in New Jersey quickly forming a brotherhood.

During the summer of 1995 Fredo, Murdock and VanAlstyne accompanied Master Biles down to Florida to train hands on with Sifu Decker. For the first time they developed an understanding of where their art originated, and just how deep Sifu's development of his art had become. For Master Biles, it was equally important for his students to train with the man who had influenced his life so heavily, and who was the founder of their system. The dojo in Colonia was now fully up and running with nine students.

The following summer the five senior students traveled to Florida to train with Sifu, now in New Smyrna Beach. This time Wilhelm and Zapoticzny got to experience Sifu's martial arts first hand as they all trained in a field next to Sifu's home. Aside from learning various Gung Fu forms, the students were also trained in the art Aikido by Sifu's cousin Jason Baran .

1997 found the dojo with sixteen students, and aside from the five senior students, Salvatore Russo and Peter Corforte were making themselves prominent. In early May Master Biles informed the senior students that they would be testing for Shodan , first-degree black belt later that month in Florida. For the previous two and a half years, martial arts had consumed the lives of the senior students, with them practicing together three to four times a week, and by themselves two or more hours a day. This was the day they had been eagerly anticipating. All five knew what an honor it would be to test in front of Sifu Decker, and for Master Biles' senior students to be promoted by his teacher. On May 25, 1997 Sifu Decker and Master Biles promoted all five to Shodan.

Sadly on December 20, 1997 Sifu Denis Decker passed away at his home in Florida. Chi Lin family members around the country were crushed by this news. Sifu was cremated in his white satin Gung Fu gi and his ashes were flown home to New Jersey and spread at the graves of his mother and father. There was also a memorial service held in his honor and attended by various members of the Chi Lin family. Though he is physically gone from this earth, Sifu Decker's spirit still lives on today, stronger than ever. The art of Chi Lin Kenpo is one in a family of arts developed by Sifu that is taught to this day exactly the same way he taught it his entire life. Each time we execute a technique, or perform a kata, Sifu's spirit lives on in us. The students from the Colonia dojo are honored to be continuing a tradition that is so sacred, and to be furthering the art of Chi Lin Kenpo to a new generation of students.