Sifu Peter Scheers began training Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu in 1992 in Trenton, NJ under Russell Chell. After receiving his graduate degree from Boston University in 1997, he moved to his wife’s hometown, St. Louis, MO. To share his traditional Chinese Kung Fu, Sifu Scheers began teaching in 1998. In November, 2001, Sifu Pete became an “Enter the Gate” student of Master Henry “Poo” Yee.
“August of 2002, we opened our commercial martial arts school in St. Louis. From 1999 to 2002 I was teaching garage kung fu, where I built a base to open a school. I continue to train with Master Yee and my Kung Fu brothers through seminars, private training, and the yearly student reunion at the school headquarters in Houston, TX.
I take my kung fu seriously but feel a relaxed friendly environment is the best way to learn. The number one reason that people continue to train is that they enjoy it. Coming to kung fu class should be enjoyable. Master Yee would say, ‘Come to class to learn, go home and practice.’ Everyone has their own reasons why they train and they are all valid. The thing I enjoy the most about the school is looking up and seeing different people train together who would have never been together if it wasn’t for kung fu.
“Over the years, by concentrating on one system, I’ve developed a teaching knowledge that can be applied to any student to improve. I’ve been asked many questions, and have seen many body types, and physical abilities.”
“I’ve concentrated on a single system. It is a vast system where I always find something to learn or improve on. It works for me and after a full time job and family, who has time to be an expert on many different systems? It’s my personality anyway. After all, I’ve also had the same wife for fifteen years! I’ve found that most systems are the same: if they are good systems, they have similar principles.”
“Master Yee has been good to me over the years. I have found his advice in kung fu and life to be accurate and helpful. It is my responsibility to carry this on in St. Louis.”
-Sifu Pete
Other credentials: Member of Traditional Kung Fu Wu Shu Federation 2004, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (3/97-4/08), Certified Assault Response Trainer for Dept. of Mental Health (3/01-5/08). Published in Inside Kung Fu Magazine (11/07) and other local media.