I,
like many others, first became interested in the martial arts
because of the big martial arts boom in the middle 70s. Even
at the age of 18, with the little teaching that I received up
to that point, I learned that Chinese martial arts was a vast
and seemingly endless sea of knowledge. At Northern Illinois
University, I became introduced to the Chinese Kung-Fu Club
of DeKalb.
I
found the class to be very friendly and to have a family-like
atmosphere. The students accepted me immediately even though
I was new. I worked my way through the levels and learned the
physical demands that Kung-Fu has on one's body and mind. I
seemed to progress quickly due to the individualized attention
I received in the class. I soon realized that Kung-Fu was shaping
not only the health of my body, but my moods and attitudes as
well.
Kung-Fu
was having a significant impact on who I was becoming. I had
found myself a teacher who had learned from many masters, including
Grandmaster Chin Ho Yin, a Shaolin monk. I was very fortunate
to study with a second-generation Shaolin monk like Sifu Berry.
Eventually, I reached the upper ranks and had a regular workout
partner. After receiving my black sash, I stayed in class, began
learning the art of teaching Kung-Fu, and continued to absorb
as much information as I could. Some of the main contributors
to my additional knowledge are: Sifu Scott Loxley, Sifu Zeke
Sunleaf and Sifu Neal Daley.
I am now an acknowledged teacher with Sifu Berry in DeKalb.
I have been practicing Kung-Fu with Sifu Arthur Berry since
1990 and have come to realize that I would not be the person
I am today if it were not for my classmates and those that worked
with me. Most of all, I would like to thank Sifu Berry who has
become my second father. My hope is to one day become half the
teacher he is.
