Grand Master John W. Mason created Che-Lu martial arts in 1957. The system today is taught in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Texas and at his business, Capital City Martial Arts, on Lyons Drive.
"It is not a conglomeration of styles," Mason said. "It is a system of my own."
Che-Lu (courage, humbleness, enlightenment, love and unity) is based on the same basic principles as other martial arts: discipline and respect.
"The school has won thousands of trophies and awards since it started," Mason said. He opened in 1981 with his wife, Roberta.
Mason, a Lexington native, served with the 311th Air Commandos in Vietnam, was chief of police at Kentucky State University and holds a master's in psychotherapy from the University of New Hampshire where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
"I decided to come back to Kentucky to bring something back to my home state," Mason said.
Capital City Martial Arts is dedicated to serving the community, Mason says. The school has raised thousands for St. Jude's Children's Hospital and Cancer Research Center. He also says the school conducts a Thanksgiving and Christmas project that provides food and gifts for local families.
"We also have a drug prevention and behavioral change project where we take people into the organization for free," Mason said. "We provide a uniform and training if they will make passing grades in school, if they are a student, and stay in sobriety not using drugs, alcohol or any illegal substances."
Mason said he is honored that he has been able to teach hundreds from the Frankfort area.
"I truly don't feel most of them have received their just do," he said.
Students from Mason's school attended three tournaments in July: Bluegrass State Games, Mount Sterling Classic and Battle of Pigeon Forge. Many students took first place in all three areas of the tournaments: kata (training exercises), sparring and weapons.
Nikki Cheak and Leslee Haydon were co-grand champions at the Pigeon Forge tournament. Both girls are now eligible to compete in the World Traditional Karate Association tournament in Italy.
Martial arts is the best kept secret in the world, and can help children with behavioral problems, Mason said.
"Che-Lu will help people, especially young people, to gain in confidence, tenacity and discipline to make a valuable contribution to God, country, family and community."
Capital City Martial Arts
Location: 300 Lyons Drive
Phone: 226-5904
Web site: www.che-lumartialarts.com
Mason teaches three different classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He has a children's class from 6 to 7 p.m., and 15-year-old and up class from 7 to 8 p.m. and a specialty advanced black belt class from 8 to 9 p.m. He also teaches Che-Lu kickboxing aerobics Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.