Personal Training
Philosophy: I train for spiritual enlightenment, physical
well being, mental dexterity and self-defense.
Motto:
“Worldly fools search the four corners of the Earth seeking exotic
masters, not knowing that their own mind is the master they seek.”
-- Bodhidarma
Like most
people of my generation in America, I was first introduced to
kung fu through the popular culture martial arts’ explosion of
the 1970’s. The first time I witnessed kung fu movements,
I was awed, inspired and forever changed. But I was young and
unfocused, so many years passed in which martial arts remained
a peripheral fascination, but still was not a serious endeavor.
This changed
in 1998 after a series of events led me to Sifu Arthur Berry and
the Kung Fu Club of DeKalb. As before, I was immediately
drawn into the beauty, suppleness, and apparent power of Chinese
kung fu. I was also impressed by Sifu Berry’s knowledge,
experience, and laid-back, yet serious manner in which he conducted
his class. I enrolled that night.
When I first
joined, I knew little about martial arts aside from what I learned
earlier from pop culture and some cursory knowledge I had picked
up. It didn’t take long, however, before I began to be lured
deeper and deeper into the martial world. It has always
been my philosophy that you really can’t grasp a concept, understand
it, until you take it and look at it comprehensively from all
angles.
I applied
this philosophy to kung fu, and as a direct result, I began experimenting
with using martial arts as a tool to teach certain principles
that would be beneficial to the practitioner not only in a martial
arts setting, but in the “real world” as well. With Sifu
Berry’s assistance I developed a youth program (Twelve Roads Youth
Program) that I hope to one day implement.
Also, I collaborated
with Sifu Berry and other dedicated students to create the Chuan
Fa T’sang Shu, The Kung Fu Club of DeKalb’s martial library.In
the past I have participated in numerous martial arts tournaments
throughout the Midwest garnering dozens of trophies, awards and
certificates.
Through my
training with Sifu Berry I have begun the process of mastering
several forms, both weapon and weaponless, as well as a multitude
of combat techniques.
I have had
the honor of training and learning from Sifus Scott Loxley, Pat
Spangler, Zeke Sunleaf, Neal Daley, Dan Cabrera and George Raetzke.
I hope to one day follow in the footsteps of Sifu Berry and be
a great instructor, excellent role model and an endearing friend
to my students.
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The
Chinese Kung-Fu Club of DeKalb
217 South Second Street. Suite #215
Dekalb Illinois 60115-3715
e-mail Sifu001@aol.com
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