Martial arts to me is something very great. I come from a standpoint of a young kid who could not afford martial art lessons so I gave up pursuing one of my biggest passions for years. For a long time I thought about training, reading books, watching movies, practicing punches using anger, force, brute strength, until I found out how to really throw a strike, with emotional content, not anger. Thank you Sifu Bruce. Thank you Sigung Rae, Sigung Fito, Sifu Israel Mak, Dr. Chaio Nien Wong, Sifu Mugglebee, for helping me on this journey.

I enjoy Kung Fu because it is a journey. Chinese Martial Arts these days is limited to movies such as Kung Fu Panda. Check the google statistics. So I feel that the general public does not have a good grasp of how effective Chinese Martial Arts can be. It is not mentioned as a striking art in major mixed martial art circles yet many moves can be applied in the octagon. In light of the recent match between the MMA fighter and “praised” tai chi master in China, I see that no matter what style you train in, your actions must meet your talk. Respect for tradition should be self-evident, as well as the showmanship of not smashing your opponent to death in a friendly exhibition. But your martial art skills lose credibility when they lack the “martial” aspect.

The refinery comes with the practice. It comes with trying out what you learned, and adapting it to real world. I have always wanted to learn about submission and grappling because when  I was thirteen I was in a fight and the other teen had me in full mount punching me in the head. From then I decided I would never become a victim. Little did I know of brazilian jujitsu or Judo at the time.  However, fast forward 8 or 9 years later and what do you know? Someone comes into your life to help you learn how to get up off your back from a full mount.

But the traditional martial arts caught my attention, especially the study of Qi and the energy arts, which I feel are misunderstood as well. I have used Tai Chi Chuan to help protect a friend who got involved with the wrong guys at the wrong time. Ultimately it helped me to end the fight with one foot on my opponents chest and looking straight forward at the 2nd instigator. Ground submission fighting is not my area of expertise, just an area that is covered to ensure I can survive and thrive. What I know is limited but very effective. I have trained with various clubs including the wrestling and grappling club at my grad school Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier, California, as well as training under the Eddie Bravo system for a period of about a year. I am still learning, and I represent a new age of teaching as we move forward from 2017 and beyond in terms of learning Traditional Martial Art techniques and applying them to a contemporary setting. Learn, apply, adapt, keep, refine, improve.