Shifu/Shihan Christopher M. Viggiano is a Chiropractic Physician since 1989, who has a family oriented practice in Hackettstown, N.J. After receiving his doctorate, he continued to further his studies to include Chiropractic Orthopedics while incorporating his experiences in traditional Oriental Martial & Healing Arts in the diagnosis and treatment of his patients. Presently, his research is in the area of Martial, Medical, & Spiritual Qigong for Life Enhancement.

Dr. Viggiano’s martial arts training began at an early age with his exposure to Boxing, Tae Kwon Do & Hapkido under the direction of Mr. Joe Riccio-Sandan in 1975. From 1977 to 1980, he continued his Korean studies with Mr. Pete Van Rossum -Sandan. In 1979, Dr. Viggiano began studying under Grandmaster Robert L. Murphy, who is the Founder & Grandmaster of the system, Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa-Te. Soke Murphy devised this Family system from tremendous research and experiences resulting in developing a practical convergence of Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Okinawan & Contemporary Martial Studies for the unification of the Mind, Body & Spirit. This system relies significantly upon Japanese and Chinese Swordsmanship while including modern sciences to develop the Warrior Spirit within.

It was in 1980 that Master Murphy, a friend & student of Master Jou, Tsung Hwa, introduced Christopher to Master Jou, which enhanced Christopher’s interest and study of Taijiquan and the Internal Chinese Arts. In 1980, Christopher achieved his first black belt in the Korean arts and through honor, sincerity and dedication was accepted as a personal apprentice of Soke Murphy and in 1987 received a Master’s Certificate and License to teach the Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa-Te System. It was from 1985-88, Dr. Viggiano propagated the teachings of Soke to fellow chiropractors in Iowa and a documentary training tape was produced. In 1989, Soke Murphy and Dr. Viggiano together brought to the public a new approach to training by establishing an off shoot of the Family System, named American Bushido, which flourished in the 1990‘s.

In 1994, a life-threatening illness left Christopher partially disabled and blind. During this period, he received Qigong healing sessions and inspirations from Master Jou, Tsung Hwa, who helped guide him to self-recovery through the principles and practices of Taijiquan and Qigong. As a professional musician, in 1997, Christopher produced a meditative musical CD composition dedicated to Master Jou and infamous teacher & friend Master T.T. Liang (1900-2002) entitled … Peaceful Spirit.

Because of his closeness with Master Jou, Tsung Hwa throughout the years, Christopher was honored by the Jou Family to carry their beloved one to his final resting place after a tragic car accident in 1998.

Dr. Viggiano, his family, and students have been an integral part of the Annual Zhang San-Feng Festival at the original Tai Chi Farm, founded by the late Master Jou, Tsung Hwa (1917-1998), since the early 1990's. Christopher is continually honored to be an international head referee and judge for numerous Martial Arts tournaments also since the early 1990's.

To better represent his current training methods and spiritual direction, in 2000, the Shen Wu Dao Martial & Healing Arts was founded with the blessings of his most influential teacher, Grandmaster Robert L. Murphy. In honor of Grandmaster Jou, the Shen Wu Dao School’s projects include the continual development of the “Master Jou, Tsung Hwa Tai Chi Memorial Park”, a new martial arts training center co-founded with Shifu Bruce La Carrubba and crafted in the Spirit of the original Tai Chi Farm by numerous contributors. It is a wonderful escape nestled in Sussex County, New Jersey where connecting back to Nature is the focus. Here, the Annual Master Jou Birthday and Tai Chi Celebration is in its seventh year.

Another new horizon had begun in 2005 as Mataw Guro Louelle Lledo-Shihan and Dr. Viggiano-Shifu/Shihan have founded Sword Stick Society International, an international organization dedicated to continuing education workshops for the historical preservation and contemporary evolution of the Martial, Healing & Spiritual Arts. The next generation has begun as second son, Luke A. Viggiano-Sensei begins his career with his own school, Shinken Bushido Ryu, an offshoot of the Kensho Japanese Swordsmanship Division of Isshin Shorinji Ryu/Shen Wu Dao Family System Arts.

Vico Viggiano, Dr. Viggiano's first son, has been a significant blessing to his father as he provides his expertise in photography, filmography, and digital editing for documenting all the events, workshops, and instructional DVDs.

With the untimely passing of Soke Robert L. Murphy in 2007, the Murphy family had designated Dr. Viggiano and son, Vico, to be the sole Archivers of Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa-Te in the assurance that the System is protected and preserved factually.

Today, in 2008, Dr. Christopher has helped to create another new horizon with his good friend and "Gong Fu brother", Dr. John Hsi Lee, as Christopher becomes an advisor and teacher at the Dr. Lee's Academy of Martial & Healing Arts in Riverside, NJ where a diversity of Asian Studies are taught by a team of highly skilled and motivated staff.

Dr. Viggiano has vowed to Preserve, Promote, & Perpetuate these priceless teachings in honor of all of his Masters and teachers for this generation and for the generations to come as we all are in a personal Quest for significance and inner peace.