Sifu Pete teaching kids class. More videos to come!

Kids Rings Exercise 1

Kids Staff Form

During the 08 student reunion GM Yee was referring to martial arts today everyone wants what is quick and easy.  People eat more hamburgers than steaks and most people don’t want to take the time to wait for a good steak.  Today in martial arts the perception is the less time it takes to learn (or become good at) the better it must be.  Why would this apply to kung fu when it doesn’t apply to any sport.  Can you hit a 90 mph fast ball in 30 days training?  Look at professional atheletes, they’ve spend years to get to thier level.  Same thing in martial arts, if you want to be a “professionial” or above average you must practice over a long period of time to reach that level.  When practicing, your goal is not to be hamburger but grade A steak.  In your mind practice to be the best you can, don’t settle for less, don’t settle for hamburger. 

Grandmaster Yee would use this quote to encourage people to teach and promote this kung fu system.  He would say “you can’t be #1 in your bathroom, if you got something good, show it to the people, share it with the people”.  Your kung fu can’t do much good if you keep it locked up and hold it to yourself.  Sure you have good health and good self defense but a kung fu man with a good heart shares it.  The internet has plenty of people who are keyboard warriors and #1 in their bathroom, it’s safe in there.  Nobody will ask you a question, challenge your thinking or challenge you.  Take a chance and put yourself out there, that takes some guts.  A good example people could identify with today would be BJJ, they brought their style to America because they thought they had something good, they promoted and shared their art.  Sharing your kung fu helps you advance by being challenged to teach better or reach people to become better.  You can’t do that from your bathroom.  Next up, the quote from the 08 reunion, “everyone wants hamburger, nobody wants steak”.

Sifu Pete 

This is often a quote heard by GrandMaster Yee, which was followed with “you people always excuse”.  This is what makes kung fu people different than others.  We don’t make excuses of not having the time, no money, too tired, don’t feel well, no excuses.  A real kung fu man is good because he practices and refined his art through hard work.  This carries over to his life and knows with a good heart, good mind, and hard work we can make a difference.  GM Yee would say kung fu people are not normal people.  I’ve seen students come and go from different backgrounds and economics and one thing for sure is if it’s important enough to you, you will make it work. 

I’ll be posting more quotes I’ve heard over the 17 years, next up “Can’t be #1 in your bathroom”.

Sifu Pete

We’ve returned from GM Yee’s annual student reunion 08 held in Houston, Tx.  I went down a few days early to help develop our kids program and attend GM Yee’s healing seminar which took place over 3 days.  The student reunion went well, Sonnie passed level 1 with a not often heard “pretty good” from GM Yee.  As long as I teach Sonnie well he should turn out some good kung fu, also Sonnie must practice (that’s the big secret).  Andrew made it down for his 5th year as a senior advanced student.  The bruises on his chest have healed and next year he won’t get the rental car.  You should’ve seen the yellow on this car.  We got laughed out of the parking lot. Thanks to GM Yee and his students for thier openesss and hospitality.  See you next year.

The summer schedule has begun.  Tues, Weds, Thurs 5:30-7:00pm, no Saturday class.  We’ll be offering more kids classes and private lessons.  Private lessons will also be available Monday evenings, please call for other available times for private lessons.

Luke P  is one of my first students who started learing this kung fu in my garage summer ’99.  He will be moving to Chicago for a great job opportunity.  Luke has been w/ me for over 8 years and has been a loyal and dedicated student.  If not for him and a few other students the school wouldn’t not be where it is today.  We appreciate all is help and friendship.  Luke will be continuing his training in Chicago as we have students of the system up there.  Thanks for everything Luke, good luck, and we’ll see in St Louis or Chicago.

Sifu Pete and the Students of the STL branch school

Check out the December Issue of Inside Kung Fu.  The St Louis Branch school has article in this issue.  Look near the back, the cover title is Legendary Power of the Mantis. 

We’ve stopped our summer scheudle, starting up saturday morning classes.  We’re preparing for our November trip to the Annual Student Reunion in Houston, Tx.

Effective from 5/29/07-9/4/07 No Saturday class.  Schedule is as follows;

Mon 6:30-8:30

Tues 5:30-7:00

Weds 6:30-8:00

Thurs 5:30-7:00

 See class schedule for class topics