Our Style

​"SEIKIDO" (正氣道) is a martial arts system founded in 1980 by Doshu Paul Li that incorporates practical hard and soft techniques to prepare students for real life situations. 
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The following article captures the Art of Seikido from a sensitive and non-biased viewpoint.
Elaine Morrison, Peace Arch News, 2001

            "A winning lifestyle comes in many forms. One of the most effective provides a foundation of a positive attitude, physical challenges, self-discipline and control as well as a respect for others. You can find this lifestyle with Seikido.
            Since its inception in 1980, the Seikido Martial Arts Federation of Canada has offered martial arts instruction in over 20 locations throughout the Lower mainland, reaching over 20,000 members. Integrity and compassion contribute to the success of the Seikido organization. A strong emphasis on viewing each student as an individual, unique in their abilities, plays a key role in the development of each student.
            Paul Li, founder of the Seikido style says this is a lifestyle that can benefit everyone, regardless of gender or age. “We are a martial arts club, not a sports club,” says Li. “My grandfather was the one who formulated the roots of the club in Hong Kong.”
            Since the introduction of Martial Arts into Canada, Paul feels the true essence of the “art” has been minimized. His Seikido system maintains the historic relevance of martial arts, while avoiding the highly competitive sporting style offered by many Canadian martial arts studios. Traditionally, martial arts have been a form of self-defense as well as promoting inner spiritual and mental strength. The Seikido founder intends to stay true to the original art form.
            At the Seikido Dojo, there’s a substantial focus on the nature of the art and respective the importance of the physical aspect. When it comes to physical contact outside of the studio, martial arts should be used only as a last resort and in the case of self-defense. This rule is unwavering for Seikido students.
            Although some benefits of practicing this art form result in a balance of inner and external strength, there are other spin-off rewards. These include elevated confidence and self esteem levels and there’s no doubt you’ll meet a variety of people with similar interests. Visit the Seikido Dojo and discover the true martial arts way. You’ll be one step closer to a winning lifestyle."

​Our Founder

​Doshu Paul Li founded Seikido in 1980. His inspiration and first teachings came from his grandfather, Mr. Li Tian (李添), a wealthy philanthropist and gentleman of great virtue known for helping others in need. In 1920, his grandfather established the Jing Wu Martial Arts Association’s (精武體育會) Hong Kong branch. This organization is famously known as one of the first public Martial Arts institutes in China.

As the path we take in life is undoubtedly the most important decision we make, the name “Seikido” (正 気 道) translates to “The Correct Path” and has great implication. Doshu chose the name “Seikido” to honour the memories and moral principles of his late grandfather.​

Doshu spent the first 20 years teaching Seikido in community centres across the Lower Mainland. His primary objective was to transform his students into outstanding martial artists and help them live productive and meaningful lives. He has without a doubt accomplished this, teaching tens of thousands of students over his career. He is a pioneer in the Martial Arts community but more importantly a man respected for his integrity and virtue. In 1988, he received the “Certificate of Merit” from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, honouring his work and contributions to our community.
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Doshu is a true humanitarian. He taught us that Martial Arts is about becoming our best self, and that we must use the strength and knowledge we gain to make our world a better place.

Our Organization

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​In 1980, Doshu established the "Seikido Martial Arts Federation of Canada" to spread the philosophy and art of Seikido. Over 50,000 students have practiced the Seikido since its inception. As one of the Lower Mainlands original Martial Arts organizations, we are proud to exemplify excellence in a true Martial Arts education.
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SEIKIDO Philosophy

Dr. Andrew Jin
Sho Dan Essay, Year 2000

            In this essay I will state my personal interpretation of the underlying values and principles of Seikido, based on my own observations during the past, almost five years that I have been a student of this school of martial arts. It is an interpretation because one is never explicitly told, nor is there any written statement of the philosophy of Seikido. It is personal because each student must arrive at his or her own interpretation through individual reflection. I respect the opinions of my fellow students and I speak only for myself.
            Seikido literally means “the correct spirit way.” I believe this is statement of fundamental purpose. The goal of Seikido is to cultivate a correct attitude – towards oneself, towards other people, towards the world that one lives in; in all that one does. Physical training and acquisition of physical skills are, of course, central to the study of Seikido, but these are means to an end and not ends to themselves. The process of physical training is a model for one’s approach to education, life-long learning and self-improvement. The physical training clearly has direct benefits. Among them – fitness and health, self-defense skills, enjoyable recreation, social networking and, if one is so inclined, sporting competition and the acquisition of job skills of one intends to pursue a career in the military, law enforcement, security or teaching of martial arts. I must admit, when I began studying Seikido I was attracted by the prospect of some of these benefits, in particular physical fitness, self-defense and recreation. Somewhere along the way, I began to understand that although I was getting such benefits, they did not explain why I continued to study Seikido or why Seikido is worth studying. I have never had an aptitude for athletics and, even after years of training, my self-defense skills were still modest. As for physical fitness and recreation, these I could have obtained elsewhere, perhaps more conveniently too. However, to focus on immediate personal gain would be missing the point. It is also a short-signed and selfish way of thinking which is contrary to the spirit of Seikido.
            Seikido promotes a system of values and beliefs which do not necessarily provide any immediate advantage to the practitioner. In fact, following the correct path may incur short-term costs, sometimes painful. But it is the right thing to do.
            Seikido teaches the student to treat others as one would want to be treated. This means respecting other people’s rights, being helpful and generous in accommodating their needs, being polite and considerate of the feelings of others.
            Seikido promotes an attitude of responsibility. Personal responsibility proceeds from a foundation of self-respect. A belief that you as an individual are important; that what you say and do matters, to yourself and to others, and from self-efficacy, a belief that the choices which you voluntarily and consciously make will determine what happens. The ability to predict the consequences to oneself and to others is a matter of attitude. Responsibility includes honesty; telling the truth and keeping promises. Not to do so represents denial of ownership of the consequences of one’s words and actions. Responsibility also includes striving for self-knowledge, of what one is capable of, for better or worse, and of one’s own limitations. Such self-knowledge enables a person to effectively predict consequences, exercise restraint and self-control, and make commitments that one can fulfill.
            Seikido teaches respect for legitimate authority. We owe respect, loyalty and obedience to our parents, elders, teachers and to the law. This does not mean blind, unthinking obedience, because all persons of authority are human and capable of error, and ultimately, every individual is responsible for his or her own decisions and actions. Respect for authority also works both ways. For those of us in positions of authority, we owe a duty of care to our children, our students and other who are counting on us.
            Seikido teaches sportsmanship. A correct, sportsmanlike attitude means respect for the rules and for the authority of the games officials; courtesy towards fellow competitors (including opponents) because one would want the same for oneself; politeness and consideration for the feelings of others as one graciously defeat or victory; and mindfulness of one’s responsibility towards younger or more junior participants who are watching and learning from the example set by their more experienced colleagues.
            Seikido teaches the value of hard work. Physical training demonstrates the effectiveness of discipline, dedication and persistent effort. All goals worth achieving require hard work and the value of the outcome is in direct proportion to the effort needed to produce it. Some of us are born with greater gifts or talents achieve to a higher standard.
            Seikido means respect for education. Learning is a life-long process. It never stops because there is always more that a person can learn. With learning comes an obligation to share knowledge, to teach if one is capable or to do what one can support the learning process for others. As practitioners of the martial arts of Seikido we are custodians of ancient and sacred knowledge; part of the cultural heritage of humankind. This knowledge cannot be preserved in books. It lives in the people who practice it. It is our responsibility to preserve this knowledge, to protect it from misuse and to pass it on effectively to our children and to future generations.
            Finally, Seikido promotes an attitude of open-mindedness; a broadening of one’s perspective beyond the immediate, beyond just oneself. This means thinking about consequences – for other, for the future, balance and moderation. Considering and respecting different points of view naturally leads a person towards balance and moderation, and respect for life and nature. Broadening one’s perspective also means thinking about when my parents taught me a Chinese proverb.
            The first two words, “Xiu shen” form the Chinese name that my wife and I gave our eldest daughter. Translated, the proverb says,
            “Cultivate self, orderly house, govern the country, peace under heaven.”
            Cultivating oneself is the essential first step that enables a person to take care of a family, to participate in a civil society and to contribute to greater natural order. To study Seikido is to cultivate oneself.

​This is why I study Seikido.
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