Sheng Chi

With all the recent promotions we saw a need to update the schedule so everybody could get the most out of their training. We've added a few classes to benefit those that are working hard.

Because we have so many blue belts now we were able to add another blue belt class. This class is Thursday at 6:00PM.

Friday open mat has evolved into something of a weapons training class so I'm going to officially make this the "Whatever Shun Shifu feels like teaching class" . This class is invitation only.

There are a few other changes but they shouldn't affect anyone adversely. we closely looked at everyones schedule to try to avoid any conflicts. The schedule is attached to this post. It should be easier to read also.

So get in and take advantage of those classes.

SSW 

Da' Shifu Still Teaches

It's here. Finally!

It feels like forever and at the same time feels like only a few days ago. In reality it was exactly five years. On August 9, 2002 at 5:00 PM we met with Marylin Moore and informed her that we were leaving the organization. While I think the general perception among most was that it was the end for us, we insisted it was the beginning, and we were right.

I had made the decision the previous Monday. After seven very miserable months following the passing of our teacher and the takeover of the new regime we had had enough. Things were very bad and getting worse. Anyone who was loyal to Da' Shifu and his teachings were targets and I was top of the list or at least number two. That was made quite clear.

That Monday I knew it was coming. I left for the meeting with a twisted gut. Although my wife was supportive I knew she feared I would come back broken or worse. She later confided that she always was in fear that I would not make it back from those meetings in one piece.

The details of those months, that day, and the days to follow are something we have chosen to leave behind at least for now. Maybe one day they'll make for a great movie script. But for today we must continue to follow the principle that got us through it.

ONWARD AND UPWARD!

We were in a bad situation. On the day we left we had just paid our last months rent and royalties (In hindsight I now wonder why) and we were $20 overdrawn. Not a great position to be in while taking on a behemoth such as who we now refer to as “The Dark Side”. When we told many around us we were met with blank stares as if we had just decided to jump off a cliff. We knew we'd sprout wings. They thought we'd drop like rocks. I'll never forget a few of those looks. They looked as if we were dead or soon would be. There had been so many stories of those who had left or tried to leave before us. Stories of terrible things. Whether those stories were made up or true, what they created was real.

At that time Liz and I decided that the only way to make it was to not play into the games. We refused to speak badly of anyone. We would only vent between each other at the end of the day. It seemed that each day there was a new lie being spread about us or a new threat or obstacle. Numerous minions had been enlisted to try to ruin us. They all somehow thought we were a great evil and needed to be crushed. It's amazing the hatred that can be created and spread by one charismatic and well trained individual.

But amidst all of this we did not reply. We did not strike back. We only carried on.

There were many very difficult years. Many obstacles. But here we are, five years later and loving it. Carrying on the teaching of Shou' Shu' the way it was taught to us by Da Shifu. Carrying on an art that was nearly lost.

Da' Shifu used to say “The only way you can lose Shou' Shu' is to train it out”. Many people made that choice to do so. For them, that is their choice and that's ok. But it was not our choice. About two months prior to Da' Shifu's death he sat me down and talked to me. He said many things and I made a few promises to him. I didn't know at the time how challenging it would be to carry out those promises. But nevertheless I did. One of those promises was to never let anyone, including his son, to train out what he had trained into me. I can honestly say I have fulfilled that promise.

Something interesting about rumors is that they can really be so deeply ingrained that people mistake them for truth. There were many rumors started about us. Some not important. Nasty, but not important. But some were and seemed to stick. The one that was important was the belief that we changed to some other art. That we were somehow forbidden from teaching this wonderful art that has existed for thousands of years. That somehow this ancient art was owned by someone. Really something funny when you think about it. Wouldn't it be crazy if you could really do that. If so I'd run out and claim the art of painting. From here on out anyone who teaches painting must pay me a royalty. Oh man, I crack myself up.

But despite how ridiculous it is people believed it. Just about once a week or so I'll run into someone from Shou' Shu' past and the first question they always ask (after a bit of small talk) is “So what art are you teaching?”. One of these days I'm going to say Tae Kwon Do just for laughs. But I don't. I do the same thing every time. I screw up my face like they've just asked the most ridiculous question ever and say “Shou' Shu'”. The funny thing is, it's not an act. I am genuinely amazed at the question every time. Many people from the old days of Shou' Shu' have come here to train. Black belts, brown belts, green belts all hoping to just do the old Shou' Shu'. They all seem absolutely amazed for weeks when it is the same. It takes them awhile to get over that fact. They are always looking for it to be different. Kind of funny from my perspective.

We're referred to as the studio that broke off from the dark side. But I would argue against that. We don't have any connection with the dark side but from what I hear the art has changed dramatically. Doesn't matter much to me, not my problem. But we have not. We're teaching the same thing we always did. So if your going down a path and one person does a 180 and the other keeps going straight, but the person who does the 180 says they are still on the same path, who broke off from whom. Hmmmm.

So anyway, enough of that. Here we are five years from the day we kept going straight. Still teaching Shou' Shu', still having fun at it, still keeping it real. Somewhere up there Da' Shifu is smiling. That we know. That makes us feel really good. And to commemorate that we've had a mural painted. It's sixty feet wide and stands twenty five feet tall at it's peak. It's a picture of Da' shifu, a bit younger, and teaching in his kung fu courtyard. So every night in front of the group, there he is just where he loved to be, leading the group. Da' Shifu we hope you enjoy it, and we're sure you do.

Your Students

Shun Shifu Phil Weaver

Shifu Liz Weaver

Playing around to learn the sight! :)