Born in the Bronx, NYC, Dr. Christopher M. Viggiano, Chiropractic Physician, was brought up in a military & health profession family and was influenced at a young age by his father, Dr. Nicholas D. Viggiano USMC and uncles, William, Charlie & Domnick Puleo, all combat veterans. He sought out traditional Martial Arts Training in the early 1970’s under the guidance of Masters Joe Riccio & later Pete Van Rossum learning Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Boxing & Stick / Knife Fighting Skills, in which he received his first black belt in 1980 and as a senior Black Belt in the Martial Arts Academy of Flanders, he taught a children’s program. Master Viggiano sought out a higher & deeper level of training and in 1980 was accepted as a Personal Apprentice under the direct tutelage of the Grandmaster & Founder of Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa -Te … Soke Robert L. Murphy. This training includes the Philosophy, Arts & Science of the classic Isshinryu System, Japanese Swordsmanship & Aikijutsu, and the Chinese Martial Arts of Hung Gar Kung Fu (through Soke Murphy’s association with Grandmaster William Chung of Chinatown, NYC), the Internal Arts of Taijiquan 太極拳, Baguazhang 八卦掌, Xingyiquan 形意拳 and various Systems of Qigong 氣功. Through his unwavering commitment to his teachers he proved himself time after time to help promote, preserve, and perpetuate the arts and in 1987 Shihan Viggiano was awarded the title of Menkyo – Isshin Shorinji Ryu Master’s License and was registered with the Society of Black Belts of America in which Soke Murphy founded in 1964.
Dr. Viggiano along with Soke Murphy developed and offshoot of the ISJR System under the banner of American Bushido which flourished from 1989 – 1995. Master Viggiano founded the Aikido – Tai Chi Academy 1995 – 1999. After being introduced to longtime colleague and friend of Soke Murphy in 1980 … Grandmaster Master Jou, Tsung Hwa (1917-1998), Dr. CMV was asked by Soke Murphy to help GM Jou propagate the famous Tai Chi Farm, NY from 1991 – 1999. Christopher became a close colleague & student of Master Jou who tragically passed away in 1998. CMV also became a student of Grandmaster Tung Tsai Liang (1900-2002) – refining his Taijiquan 太極拳, Baguazhang 八卦掌 & Swordwork from 1995 – 2002. With the Blessings from Soke Murphy … in 2000, Dr. Viggiano received the honorable title Menkyo Kaiden – Renshi 錬士:: System Family Representative and Senior Master of the Isshin Shorinji Ryu System and was acknowledged as Headmaster & Founder of his own School / System … Shen Wu Dao Martial & Healing Arts. In 2006 Dr. Viggiano received from Soke Murphy the honorable title Kyoshi 教士:: Senior System Family Representative of the Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa-Te System and CEO ~ Director of the Society of Black Belts of America. In 2007 Dr. Viggiano and his beloved family & dedicated students orchestrated the Memorial Service for his most influential mentor and friend Soke Robert L. Murphy (1937-2007) at the Master Jou, Tsung Hwa Tai Chi Memorial Park, in which he co-founded with Sifu Bruce LaCarrubba in 2000.
From his steadfast 42 years of passion for the Medicinal, Martial, & Meditational Disciplines of the Asian Arts, Master Viggiano pioneered forward and co-founded Sword Stick Society International (2005) with colleague Grandmaster Lou Lledo and the United Fellowship of Martial Artists (2010) with colleague Dr. John Hsi Lee. Dr. Viggiano is a Senior Medical Advisor for the Mataw Guro Filipino Martial Arts Education Association, is an international tournament judge, a World Karate Union, an International Association of Martial Artists I.A.M.A., World Professional Martial Arts Organization, Action Martial Arts Magazine, and The Philadelphia Historic Martial Arts Society Hall of Fame Inductee. In 2014, the World Wide Martial Arts Council recognized Dr. Viggiano as a Grand Master and “Cherished Member of the Martial Arts Community”. He presents year round Continuing Education Workshops, Demonstrations and classes on the East Coast, USA. and has vowed to continue to Research & Develop these Magnificent Arts for the present & Generations to follow for the betterment of all who seek these Cherished Disciplines.