Lee's Chinese Martial Arts Federation
(816)353-7770
Testimonials
How better to share our student's
testimonials then to hear it from their own mouths.
Please watch the YouTube video below, and hear how
Teacher Lee has changed
people's lives.
Also, please click on the
students name to read their testimonials. The
following testimonials are of
REAL students that have made
REAL changes in their
lives using our methods at Lee's Chinese Martial Arts
Federation. YOU CAN TOO! Click here
to find out how.
Chris Scott, 1/6/10
Read how Chris learned the real purpose
of Kung Fu from Teacher Lee.
Ninja19,
10/06/2009
Ninja 19 learned there is more to Kung Fu
than what's shown in the movies.
Angelus23,
9/13/2009
This student found new hope and
confidence.
Nyhcfamily,
9/02/2009
This student found recovery.
AFREAKINMINJA on
08/23/2009
Learned about responsibility.
Runner4
on 08/05/2009
Likes the self defense aspect of Teacher
Lee's training.
ntj316 on
08/04/2009
Likes the fitness training from Teacher
Lee.
ampearson18 on
07/25/2009
Loves the Christian aspect of Teacher
Lee.
Eman84 on
07/13/2009
Lost over 9" from his belt using Teacher
Lee's training.
jasongouty on
05/19/2009
Found Christ working with Teacher Lee.
SilkySal
on 05/05/2009
A health scare brought this student to
Teacher Lee.
way2kalmon
04/28/2009
Has been training with Teacher Lee for 9
years!
dabigbludragon on
04/20/2009
Found confidence dealing with peers.
Elisha Hain, Yellow
Belt, 7-01
HOW MARTIAL ARTS CAN IMPROVE MY TOTAL
SELF
Robert Copeland,
Yellow Belt, 2001
HOW I HAVE USED MARTIAL ARTS TO IMPROVE MY TOTAL SELF
Chris
Scott—1/6/10
I joined Teacher Lee in 2009. I had come to see what the
school was like two years previous to that and had
decided then that I was not ready yet. In February of
2009, I joined them once again to start training for a
better me. The lifestyle they offer is different than
other lifestyles you come across in the world of martial
arts. When spiritual uplifting was one, I didn’t know
what to think, long health was next and I thought to
myself, this isn’t kung fu.”
All the kung fu I have ever seen
involved beating people up and that’s it. With Teacher
Lee, you learn about your life through his training. You
learn self-preservation, how to take care of yourself,
how to be out in the world and not fall into chaos.
After Teacher Lee said all of that, he showed me his
kung fu and his skill is not measured by years of
practice and teaching, but by his self awareness,
control and his ability not hurt people. I have learned
a lot from others also, not just Teacher… like Sky,
Austin, & Chris Church. I could go on and on. There are
too many to name. I will not stray from this path. It
has helped me to be a better person, a parent, and all
around better individual.
-
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Living
the Life
Posted by Ninja19 on 10/06/2009 My interest in martial
arts started at a young age, when I saw my first Jet Li
movie. The way he fought astounded me, and I wanted to
be just like him. I bugged my parents about letting me
do kung fu and I promised them I would be dedicated to
the art, just like I had been dedicated to ballet,
cheerleading, and basketball. They finally relented and
looked for a place that could handle the whirl wind of
energy that was me. My father searched and searched
until he found a place that met all of his criteria.
When I walked into Lee’s Chinese Martial Arts Federation
I was eager to learn flying scissor kicks and leg
sweeps. Soon, I found out that martial arts was about
more than kicking people, and fancy defenses. It’s about
being and staying healthy, organizing your life, and
having a healthy fear of God. It’s a powerful thing
knowing you can truly hurt a person with the self
defense you learn there, but being able to defend
yourself, not hurt your opponents, smile, and talk about
God while you’re fighting is another thing entirely. To
do martial arts you have to want to make yourself better
and stand firm with that goal. I will warn you, it’s not
easy sticking with the lifestyle and maintaining your
health. In the end, all the work you’ve done will help
you improve your life and inspire your family and
friends to get off the couch and get into action. At
Lee’s Chinese Martial Arts Federation I have grown as a
person and a martial artist. We fight to protect
ourselves, and help the ones we love. I was able to get
my father to train with me after I got my black belt in
the kid’s class. Now, we both have our black belts in
the adult class and are working towards our first
degree. I have seen the changes LCMA has gone through
and I can honestly say that it has been for the better.
We focus on morality and fighting for God. Our teacher
always says he doesn’t need money he needs blessings. If
you come here, be prepared to hear about God and the
bible because God is good and Jesus is great. We are
able to fight with bare fists and not hurt anyone
because we are fighting for God. I would recommend LCMA
to anyone and everyone who wants to better themselves,
their life, and their loved ones. It will be that goal
that will keep you on the horse and keep you dedicated
to the art when you least want to do it. Not everyone
can do kung fu and honestly commit to making themselves
better, it’s hard and it takes a lot of work but it is
well worth it in the end. I started doing kung fu when I
was nine years old because of Jet Li; I’ve stuck with it
because it’s important to be a woman who knows how to
protect herself. Kung Fu is more than self defense and
the ability to be able to blow a candle out from a foot
away with only your energy. It’s about what you do with
the skill you learn, and the lifestyle you learn to help
keep your temple running efficiently. I have become self
aware, confident, and prepared for any situation. I know
I can fight back in dangerous and scary circumstances.
Wing Chun has enriched my life as a woman and I have no
doubt that whatever comes my way I’ll be able to conquer
it because my teacher and God have helped me prepare.
They’ve given me the tools to succeed; now I have to
believe in their power. I’ve used the skills I have
learned at LCMA in my day to day life to become more
focused and a calmer individual. If you’re looking for a
place that will give you the skills you need to defend
yourself, then this is the place for you. If you’re
looking for a place where you can just get power then
this is not the place. That place my father found eight
years ago has become my safe haven today equipping me
with the abilities I’ll need in the future. Leandra -
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A Full
Turn Around
Posted by angelus23 on 09/13/2009 Teacher Lee is truly running an academy on
everything a person needs to make themselves better.
This is also a place of healing. I came in just wanting
to improve my fighting skills not even realizing my
overall self needed to be restored. I haven't even been
apart of the LCMA life style for a year and my physical
well being has improved tremendously. I was a mere 143
lbs. at 6'5" when I began. Now I am 6'6" and 175 lbs.
and it came on me in muscle mass. My mentality about
everything has changed. I am no longer quick to fight
and be destructive. I only desire to better myself and
others that I come in contact with. I would only fight
with someone now if I were physically provoked first and
even then would I reframe from causing unnecessary pain.
My spirit was broken and I hadn't even realized it until
I decided I wanted to train there. I have a new hope and
confidence and my leadership skills are beginning to
come out of me. As far as emotions go, I was truly a
train wreck. I was so far under that I was numb. I felt
little to nothing for other people and myself. Nothing
was painful for me and there was never any good news in
spite of it being all around me. I was anti social and
gave a mean glare to any who got to close or was to
friendly. But that is all behind me now and I've been
able to become well acquainted with others. With my full
turn around and healing that I've experienced and what
I've witnessed: People losing and gaining weight (which
ever was/is necessary), people have stopped smoking and
drinking, people have found God, and many other things
have taken place. All in all, this is the best place
anyone can be. Less back to list
A way
to heal
Posted by nyhcfamily on 09/02/2009 I have not been training at LCMA for very long and
already it has fiercely impacted my life. I experienced
a horrific home invasion and brutal sexual assault which
led me on the path to Lee. I came in seeking self
defense skills and instead am uncovering a new way of
life. One that is profoundly healthier for body, mind,
and spirit, and is leading me fast down the road to
recovery. I am learning, not only how to defend myself,
but how to live. This school, this teacher, and all of
my fellow students are truly precious gifts that have
helped to lift me up in a time of turmoil, and turn on
light where there was only dark. -back
to list
LCMA
Posted by AFREAKINMINJA on 08/23/2009
I've been at LCMA for 4 years. I've learned many things,
including leadership, patients, and self discipline. Mr.
Lee doesn't sell you your skills, he teaches you real
fighting skills. I've enjoyed the time that I've spent
at LCMA, and what I've gotten out of it is worth it.
Most importantly Mr. Lee doesn't make it about himself,
he concerns himself with his students and God. I've seen
a lot of people come and go, but he doesn't hold any
grudges against them. He will put his blood on the floor
before he allows any of his students to be hurt. As your
skills grow, so does your responsibility. Each time you
become a higher belt you gain responsibility for the
younger ones. It isn't about learning how to fight and
leaving, it's about learning how to protect others, and
take care of those who aren't as strong as you.
-
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Kung Fu
Posted by runner4 on 08/05/2009
This is a great place to learn martial arts. You will
learn actual self defense. After a few years of training
nobody will be able to lay a hand on you in a fight. The
people there are very supportive and eager to help you
further your skills. -
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Not just
self defense
Posted by ntj316 on 08/04/2009
Lee's Chinese Martial Arts has provided me with a great
opportunity for growth both physically and spiritually.
My family has always been fitness oriented and LCMA
provides me additional focus for my lifestyle. This is
the one place where I can get the support and
encouragement needed to succeed. The martial arts
training is real not choreographed fighting like other
schools; it's Practical and Real self defense.
-
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Kung
Fu Lifestyle
Posted by ampearson18 on 07/25/2009 Before anything else, you
should know that Lee's Chinese Martial Arts Federation,
especially the philosophy of teaching and the results
that are produced in the students who attend is/are
derived from the Bible and a proper understanding and
relationship with Jesus Christ. If you cannot accept
Jesus, it will be very difficult for you to understand
the school. However, Master Lee welcomes all with open
arms, as do his students, and is constantly willing to
talk to anyone who comes through the door about Jesus
Christ (and we've all got issues!), so don't feel like
you have to "get it all right" before you come through
the door. None of us have! LCMA is an entirely
Christ-focused, self-defense oriented kung fu school
which emphasizes moral, mental and physical discipline.
We fight each other every day, bare-fisted on a concrete
floor without hurting each other by the grace of Christ
and because we strive to avoid getting hit and avoid
hitting others. Jesus Christ has used LCMA to truly
change my life in the short 4 months that I have been
attending. The disciplines from the training and the
moral lessons learned from Master Lee and his students
have significantly changed my perspective of the purpose
of my life, the necessity of nutrition and taking care
of my body, the necessity of balance, and many others.
As Master Lee says, it is truly impossible to accurately
describe what goes on in the school. You just have to
see it for yourself! I could hardly believe my eyes when
I saw one another student (not even a black belt) defend
himself against two attackers without getting hit and
without hurting either of his attackers! -This training
is designed for real-life combat and it's no joke! It
takes a lot of hard work but its worth the effort! As
always, I thank Jesus Christ for dying to pay for my
sins and raising to life to demonstrate that he is God.
I hope this review has been helpful to you! -
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The
Beginning of Change
Posted by Eman84 on 07/13/2009
Emmanuel L. Johnson Testimonial 5/2009 Before Kung Fu, I
was at 325 lbs. with a 52” pants size. Now, only 4
months later, I am holding at 310 lbs. and I’m at a
pants size of 46! I have lost 9 ¾ “ off my waistline. I
have also become much stronger and fit. Kung Fu has also
helped my sleeping disorder. I went from sleeping only
3-4 hours per night to about 7 hours a night! Kung Fu
and Chi Kung have helped to change me. I thank God for
it and for this school. Emmanuel L. Johnson -
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Posted
by jasongouty on 05/19/2009
Before I came to this school, I didn't have any
admiration for my Father in Heaven. Now because of the
discipline and the environment that the school has, I
give God all the credit I can. And my life could never
be more centered or grounded in Christ than it is now.
Sifu Jason - back
to list
Posted
by SilkySal on 05/05/2009
I met Master Lee about a year and a half ago. I went in
to check out the school. I had just moved from
California and my family and were getting re-established
to a whole new life. I was sitting in my office one day
and I decided to look up the local Martial Arts
establishments on line. I found Master Lees web page and
began to read. When I read about all of the requirements
needed for a LIFESTYLE change, I knew that this place
was for me. I was able to take the 2 free classes
offered but because of unforeseen circumstances, I could
not continue however, in those 2 classes Master Lee
spoke about eating right and living the lifestyle. He
also spoke about daily exercises and getting a routine
down i.e. (crunch club!) Anyway It has been a year and
half since but I never forgot what Master Lee spoke
about and I tried to adopt that kind of a lifestyle.
Well I didn't do so well and a few months ago I was
diagnosed with border line Diabetes. My doctor told me
its not too late to fix it before it fixes me! I spoke
to my wife who is very supportive of my quest to live a
healthier lifestyle, agreed that I should return to
Master Lee and begin my journey to healing and
understanding. I started mid March of 2009 and I am
going on 8 weeks of Kung Fu training. I am a rather
large individual and I think a lot of it stems from my
culture and who I am but I can still lose a few pounds
so having said that, I have already lost about 3 inches
off of my waist. I have made a lot of changes in the
types of foods that are prepared and consumed at home.
My family and I love to eat out and we have also made
requests that our food be prepared in accordance with
our lifestyle change. (Most restaurants will accommodate
if you just ask...... imagine that!!) When I am not in
class my wife and I are working out at the local Gym.
Master Lee is teaching me how to heal my self and each
time I go to class, I am blessed to be able to have the
understanding needed to apply these changes into my
life. I am a very religious person and I know that
without the help of my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus
Christ, I cannot do what I do. Master Lee preaches good
morality and reminding us that each step we take in life
needs to be taken with Jesus Christ leading the way! In
this short time I have been in training I have felt and
I have seen a dramatic change in my life. Master Lee
always says that he is not the one that is making a
change in his students lives, he says its the Lord that
is making the changes he comes to heal just as we all
do! Well I believe Master Lee is truly inspired and
those who support living a healthy lifestyle coupled
with the training of an ancient style of Kung Fu along
with Master Lees conviction of the Lord Jesus Christ
will see their lives change in a way that they would
have never imagined. Master Lee teaches fighting without
fighting and he will take on anyone who walks through
the door in slow motion with one hand! of course no one
ever gets hurt and Master Lee will preach to his
opponent as he is getting his point across in slow
motion! Aside from learning how to eat right and losing
the weight, my kung fu skills have grown in abundance
which has given me confidence beyond measure that allows
me to do and experience other facets of life that I
normally would never even think of doing. LCMA is the
real deal! - back
to list
The Best School in KC!
Posted by way2kalm on 04/28/2009 Lee's Chinese Martial Arts is, without question, the
best martial arts school in the midwest. The program is
set up so that students properly learn true kung fu
techniques. It's crazy, I've been training here for 9
years and I have seen the so-called tough man fighters
come and go. Master Lee fights everyone who walks
through the door with one hand and beats ALL of his
opponents in slow motion...without hitting any of them.
I know it sounds crazy, but it's true! Master Lee is a
true believer in Jesus and knows exactly what his
purpose is and he does like no one else. He will preach
to his opponents as he fights them. The instruction here
is truly amazing. Master Lee will show students how to
fight well and how to live well. The only true
competition a person will ever have in ones self and
that's whats focused on. Students learn how to eat well
and exercise on a daily basis. And many students have
lost weight and improved their health. With daily
crunches and push ups students drastically improve
muscle strength and function. Students will also be
spiritually impacted. Master Lee has filled the
environment with the spirit of Jesus. Most people say,
"Jesus and fighting?!!" Yes! Students learn how to fight
in a non-violent manner using the spirit of Christ. In
other words, we fight, well, without hitting our
opponent...violently. He has proven that you can improve
your fighting skill without beating up your opponent and
injuring them. Truly a Martial Art from Jesus! If you
are looking for a school where you can learn how to
fight in a safe, encouraging, and Christian environment,
come to Lee's Chinese Martial Arts.
- back to list
Posted by dabigbludragon on 04/20/2009 Upon request to write a annual review. Call it a
testimony. I have prayed to be sent to a real martial
arts school. I'm a Mormon. I know of prayer and Gods
influence when He answers. I believe God affects all
areas of my life. Since elementary school I have had a
sore issue is confidence and peers. I have been to many
schools in the kc area to visit and see what they
taught. Mostly what i saw was chit chat about what they
taught and watched them teach. Master Lee will fight
anyone who comes through his door or introduce them to
the school then demonstrate his skills and teachings.
Every time. No calling the cops or relying on his
students to chased me out. No yelling at me cause I
disrespected him by asking to spar him. There is no
appointment set for a week later. no legal release forms
to sign. Do you really think you will have time to reach
for that piece of paper when you get jumped and and
beaten on the street. I didn't: both times! Do you
really think a cell phone will save you; or a sword,
stick or something big and clumsy that cant be taken
into a high security area? All you'll have is a brain
and 2 feet and 2 hands and no time to respond. Military
training is great for 2 to 4 years while your on the
line. then time takes its tolls and lifestyle causes it
distress. All that fast food and TV watching and no
cardio will cause you to have a heart attack at 50. I
studied American Karate in Grandview in the 90's under
Mr.. Kelly. My impression of martial arts schools since
that time has been low. Yes they teach kicks, blocks,
and wrestling. Do they really incorporate enough self
defense in all of their drills and cardio? Nope. I went
to a title boxing school. They spent an hour doing
cardio. push ups, sits ups, punching bag routines with
hits and kicks. The students were dropping to the floor
at the end of class from exhaustion. Do you think any of
those cardio classes could honestly stop a blow or a
kick when they wear gloves and pads punching a bag
that's soft by design? Master Lee's has us conditioning
our fist, arms, legs, and feet with only shoes on. we
learn forms that ensure muscle memory and routines that
ensure endurance. He Preaches of Christ, Health, and
Control after seeing destruction for 30 years as a
result of Lack of Christ, Health and Control. Walk away
from the world and Live in a true life of Martial Arts!
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Von Huber
on 3-31-09
I have been training under Master Lee for almost 12
years. I have seen him fight everyone who comes through
his door with one hand—in slow motion while talking to
an audience. I’ve seen much larger opponents try to take
his head off, and he handles everyone with very little
effort. I’ve seen people with major health problems
overcome and extend their quality of lives. I’ve seen
people who have major problems interacting with other
people become more comfortable and even nurturing. Kung
Fu is a tool that the Good Lord has used to expose my
“hidden sins” and ego problems. I honestly didn’t
understand the fullness of my limitations until I
started training Kung Fu. I have learned that Mastery
means that one knows nothing. By approaching every
situation with a mental realization that Christ does
exist and through him, positive changes can be made, I
have seen so many improvements in my life over the past
decade that this mere review cannot contain the full
picture. I have much further to go on my journey and
haven’t even touched the surface of the wisdom Master
Lee has collected. The Bible is esteemed as God’s Word
at Lee McField’s Kung Fu Academy. Although I am a sinner
and my life has many areas left to change and improve—as
long as the Lord allows me to have breath, the hope I
get from reading my Bible and then practicing the
principles will carry me through to accomplish His
purpose. The level of fitness that this lifestyle
produces has made aging much less threatening! If Master
Lee can have a 6-pack (abs) and guns (biceps) at 50,
then what is stopping me in my 40’s? May God continue to
bless the mission of Lee’s Chinese Martial Arts
Federation.
Von Huber - back
to list
Jeffrey Molina
If I could put more stars on I would put a thousand this
school is the real deal. No chest pads gloves or
anything if you get in a fight your not going to have
any of that. Once you go through that it feels that your
at home everybody consoles you in the nicest way
possible. It teaches you morality. That god should
always be first. This place is the best Kung Fu In
AMERICA
God's Gift to us -
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Posted
by Kidsblack on 01/15/2009
I have seen this and I know that this man Master Lee is
God's gift to us. I have been here for 8 years and
recently got into the adult class; seeing all the adults
and him fighting has been an inspiration. To see people
fighting as real, but smile afterwards. How can this
be??? Can this be real--to not fight just for practice,
or just for fun, but to fight just to improve you
skills, Not to fight to hurt one another but to fight
for each other and to learn from mistakes. That is the
kind of place I am talking about. You have to love God
in this place if you do not you will leave the place
loving God. There have been moments where Master Lee
seems sooooooo amazing then he shows us how to do that.
I know that all of you who are reading this will say no
way and others will get in their car and hightail it to
63rd street and to those people God blessings to you
Some get tired of hearing God, Jesus, Holy Spirit over
and Over again if you're one of those people I am
warning you you will hear what he has to say and be
tired of it but he is amazing he fights with one hand
and beats people in slow motion while, while teaching
and once again while teaching them, he beats them in
slow motion even if they try to beat him and kill him he
still does not fight and hit back. Once again been here
for 8 I repeat 8 years now and still not and never will
be tired of haring the name Jesus... Jesus saved his
life, yes, he did one day July 15, 2004 Master Lee says
it every single time he walks thought the door.
Everything in there is based on teaching and if you're
don't remember something or you're not on the horse (
Doing crunches every day 100 a day Master Lee asks each
and every one of us who walk through the door are you on
the horse? The horse is a bucking and a kicking bronco
it will do everything to get you off. and once you fall
off it's a hard fall and real hard to get up. So if you
come in a tip from one who knows a wise one does them at
least a day before you come in but don't delay your
coming in just for that just do you crunches.) Again,
God's gift don't let God's gift go to waste. Use it like
you would use anything else vital. Master Lee will help
you find God if you have not already. As you finish
reading this take this name with you Jesus... Come to
Lees' Chinese Martial Arts Federation today Come today
and think about, Pray to, ask of, and learn about Jesus,
God Bless you all. -
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Mike
Young on 1/2009
Lee McField’s Kung Fu Academy Review
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that
this is the place where I belonged. Master Lee is
amazing! He knows so many different ways for you to heal
yourself. He’s like a chiropractor & a doctor all in
one. He has many different stretch routines. I haven’t
asked him one question that he couldn’t help me with. I
never thought I could learn self-defense & study the
Bible at the same time, but they go perfect together! I
get to practice kung fu all week and have Bible Study on
Friday’s—which helps me to stay humble, moral, calm,
patient.
- back to
list
12/01/2008
My family has been a part of the LCMA family for over 8
years. My son trained in the kids program nearly 8 years
before achieving his kid's level black belt. What a
great achievement! The kid's class is great in
curriculum not introducing fighting to the kids but
teaching them movements, skills and self control that
will be used later in their kung fu life. My son has
learned so much regarding life lessons, teaching, self
control, living a healthy lifestyle and the power he
contains internally through his training and from the
help of Christ. I have been able through the years to
examine several other schools which only concentrate on
fighting at the kid's level which in my eyes should not
be a part of a young child's life. Many other things are
celebrated in the kids class such as outstanding
achievements and grades where the kids wear stars on
their chest to celebrate these accomplishments. They are
also recognized in front of the kung fu family during
class. The next chapter, we are now members of the adult
class nearly to our yellow belts. Although belts are
used for grading in martial arts, at LCMA the true
desire is not to be hit and not striking or provoking
the opponent. Master Lee has set a goal for 30 days of
not getting hit, which has become our main focus. It is
important to continue to grow in belt ranking as gaining
these skills (belt levels) will allow us through prayer
to achieve the 30 day goal. I enjoy getting a zero, not
getting hit for a minute in the line, but yet not being
satisfied, not celebrating but instead studying the
1-minute sessions of things I can do better. During many
sessions we are asked how many times did you get hit and
are never asked how many times did you hit. Although I
might have touched the opponent 25 times only getting
touched once, I didn't meet the goal. Studying fighting
to understand how, why and where the touch came from is
a great challenge that my son and I truly enjoy. The
third chapter is beginning with my wife and daughter
beginning in the women's/kid's class today and we are
all very excited. I hope they enjoy it as much as my son
and I have. I truly contribute the kung fu lifestyle
with my health. I cannot tell you the last time I was
sick and felt as good as I do today. I train daily, eat
healthy and continue to grow closer with Christ through
reading the bible and Christian fellowship that I desire
to do daily. Thank you Master Lee, Sifu Von and all the
great students and instructors of LCMA -
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12/16/2008
After the first class I knew this was the school for me.
A no-nonsense instructor teaching a no-nonsense style of
self defense. The first thing I noticed was the sparring
regimen consisted of one student using standard street
fighting and the other using Kung Fu to defend the
attack while using no pads or gloves. The results were
obvious right away when a young man of eleven years was
matched against me during my first visit. A white belt
wieghing no more than seventy pounds was able to not
only defend against my attack but efficiently shut me
down and, when finished with the demonstration, had the
ability to explain to me how he did it. I have been
training in Lee McFields Acadamy for sixteen weeks now
and have found mental and physical stamina I did not
know I had in me. Master Lee instills a lifstyle of
kindness and understanding towards others that coincides
with a style of Kung Fu that allows you to effectively
stop your opponent without being destructive. I did not
believe that fighting and spirituality had anything to
do with one another when I began my journey in Kung Fu.
I know now that one is not complete without the other
and in Lee McFields school you will learn to use them
hand in hand. You will not be able to buy your way to a
belt in this school and the work will only become more
demanding each day. Your responsibilities towards
yourself and the other students will grow with each belt
you earn and so will the relationships you build in
class. I have already received more from this school
than I ever imagined and now my seven year old daughter
is taking the journey with me, only adding to the
excitement of what's to come. -
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12/22/2008
Every time I go to class, I learn something new. There
is a wealth of knowledge to obtain because we train both
Internal and External. My instructor is always available
to answer my questions and is devoted to each
individual's progress. Higher ranked students also offer
positive encouragement and are available to assist me at
any time. If you want to learn how to jump high in the
air or do some Hollywood Van Damme kicks, join a
gymnastics class or Tae Kwon Do. In our school we are
taught skills that can be applied to real world
situations. Fighting practice does not involve helmets
or gloves, it is real hand to hand combat. We learn to
control our speed and power so that younger or less
experienced fighters should not be intimidated. Another
key factor at our school, you do not buy a higher
rank-you earn it. I have earned my white sash and am
currently working on my second level of yellow. The LCMA
standard for yellow sash is to block all hand attacks.
One way for me to achieve this is from exposure of
different fighting techniques of people that come to our
door. So I invite you to come visit me, my name is
Trevor and I may be conditioning my arms on the Muk Yan
Jong, practicing my form, sparring, or listening to the
wise advice of my sifu Master Lee. -
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Gerald Smith on 12/23/2008
Lee's Martial Arts Federation is the best school that
I've ever attended. There are real world applications
using the techniques learned in class. Too often, kung
fu schools teach beautiful forms but theor student have
no idea how to use them for fighting. This is not the
case with Lee's Martial Arts. When you train here you
acquire confidence in your fighting ability because of
the high standards. In addidtion, there is a pervasive
morality that informs students when and where they must
act. We seek to leave our egos behind and we do not
engage in tournaments. Instead, students here focus
their energy on perfecting their skills instead of
trying to destroy others. Gerald Smith
- back to list
Skyler Lillard on 11-21-08
I’ve trained martial arts on and off for 13 years and
have been alive for 22 years. I’ve yet to see anything
as effective as Wing Chun Fut—or as uplifting…in a world
that's accustomed to being “preached to” instead of
being “touched with” the word of the Holy Bible. Master
Lee leads by example in a way that clearly shows how
only the hand of God can shield him and the spirit of
Christ fulfill him! How can a man 50 years old say he
has not been hit in 30 years? I HAVEN'T HIT NOR SEEN ANY
ONE HIT HIM IN 9 1/2 MONTHS! GOD IS GREAT AND JESUS IS
GOOD!!!!!!! This is a phrase continuously heard where I
train… a place where Master Lee fights at least 1 random
person off of the street EVERY WEEK—First with 1 hand,
Second 2 hands—slow motion. Yet, I've never seen him
strike a person. He holds Bible study on Friday’s and
shows how he fights with the Spirit of Christ. The best
way to describe him is "Fearless" (watch the movie). I
came to him a broken man. Every belt I achieve allows me
to feel calmer and stronger—not just physically, but
spiritually and mentally. We fight! It’s true—we fight
without pads or gloves—just bare-knuckles and
concrete—and no one gets hurt! Master Lee shows us that
true Mastery begins with mastering yourself: Being
proper not only in your Kung Fu but in your life!
2009—The world won't be able to touch our Black Belts!
Attention: Young people, Old people, Healthy people, &
Sick people who love Jesus and don't mind touching hands
with who ever—seeing everyone as your brother or sister
under God’s eyes and seeking only to be proper instead
of harmful or even provoking…… Lees Chinese Martial Arts
is for you! And a word to all those other instructors
who are "selling self defense" but are scared and
incapable of defending themselves that dare speak badly
of Master Lee and of his Kung Fu: He doesn't leave the
school, but his students do go on field trips… so if
you’re reading this just know that we’ll be at a dojo or
kwoon near you soon—maybe even yours—to touch hands and
pump Jesus! In the end, we won't hurt you, but you'll
see our logic. NUMBERS 14:9 -
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Roland Ramsundar on 1/24/2008
My name is Roland Ramsundar, and I have been going to
school at Lees Chinese Martial Arts since August 2006. I
came into the school weighing 225 pounds, much of it
fat. You see, I'm a programmer, so I don't have a very
physical job. I've always admired martial artists and
wanted to take kung fu since I was young, but I never
had the opportunity or money. When I visited the school
for the first time, I felt like I was home. Everyone was
very positive and friendly. Master Lee allowed me to
spar with him and try to get a strike on him. I tried
hard, but never came close. I chose to learn here
because the school is very much about learning and
having disciplined, moral students. Master Lee uses the
Bible and talks about morality before every class,
stressing that we have a responsibility to God not to
hurt any of his children. He demonstrates that with his
students. No matter how hard we attack, he does not get
hit and does not hurt us. That kind of control takes
mastery of oneself. This is the goal: to fight without
getting touched or hurting anyone.
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Adam
Henry on 11/29/2008
I was brought to Lee's Chinese Martial Arts Federation
in Raytown, MO, out of desire to study a martial art to
protect myself and loved ones from violence. What I have
learned has exceeded my expectations--this desire to
protect has now evolved into a philosophy by which to
live my life. Moral responsibility headlines every
class. Many aspects of our training do not end simply by
leaving the building or taking off a belt. For me, this
includes becoming a Giver and teacher in all aspects of
life. I certainly see positive results at work and home
in my interactions with friends or strangers alike. The
classroom has an atmosphere conducive of learning where
everyone is a teacher and student, at once. No one is
judged by the size of their trophies or bling, as there
are none. The skills taught are realistic (no breaking
inanimate objects with your face). Everyone is very
friendly and welcoming like family; there are no
grudges. Diet and lifestyle are emphasized more than
kicking or punching. The encouragement I get to stay on
the crunch/pushup regiment has helped me lose several
inches off my waist while gaining muscle mass. I have
also begun to pay more attention to what/when I eat, and
because of this feel more healthy than I ever have.
While I may convey this school to be a health club, it
is certainly no vacation. It takes hard work and
dedication. The defensive skills I have learned are
practical and effective, but most importantly for me I
no longer fear I must hurt my attacker to defend myself.
By nature I am a very gentle person, and this school of
fighting definitely promotes no harm. Here I am, 15
months into my training, consistently impressed with the
results I experience. I have begun a journey I will
continue for the rest of my life. Regardless of your
background or opinions about martial arts in general, I
encourage you to stop in and derive your own
conclusions. Adam Henry
-
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11/05/2008
I have been blessed since the first day I walked into
Lee's Chinese Martial Arts. The first thing that comes
to mind when I think about that place is "family".
Everyone I've had the pleasure to meet has been so
encouraging and respectful. It doesn't matter if you've
been training there for 1 week or 10 years...they work
with you on your level to help you develop and grow your
skills. The most important aspect is that Master Lee is
a rock solid Christian. When I go there and hear God's
word it inspires me. For anyone wanting to try martial
arts that is built on a Christian foundation, I
recommend Lee's Chinese Martial Arts is the perfect
place!!!! - back
to list
10/25/2008
This school is the best I've seen, and even if I don't
go there I do go to where my master was train and it was
at this school. I have been to some of the events and
man even a white belt people can beat you. all in all
this school teaches real self protection. and the
healthy life style is unbelievable I've seen people lose
more weight here then going to the gym and work out
videos alone. and well Master lee is the best role model
I've seen. and man, the people there can fight you and
beat you without throwing you to the ground and you
don't get hurt either. and the mortally at this school
is unbelieving everyone is so nice. This school must
make God's smile.
-
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10/24/2008
At nearly 52 years old I have spent a life-time involved
in many aspects of physical fitness. So I can tell you I
am not a kid who is impressed by the" latest fad". I
have pumped iron in hard-core body building/ power
lifting gyms where over inflated egos as well as
performance enhancing drugs were the "norm". Where being
a good person with a strong mind & body got lost in
trying to look good. I have attended seminars with top
body-builders including Arnold. I have also trained in a
number of martial arts schools over the years, have been
to seminars & have seen it all -good & bad. I have
sparred with every one from Green Berets to small
children. I have seen some people who were pretty good
at fighting, that I realize now really did not possess
very good self defense skills- they were just
aggressive. I have seen big promoters who talked a good
game but did not portray the discipline that they
claimed I would gain from training with them. I have
known Master Lee for a number of years & have been
blessed to train under his direction for about 9 years.
He not only talks the talk-he walks the walk. Master Lee
leads by example & he sincerely tries to help students
gain the most from their training from the newest person
just starting out to the "old head" like myself. His
skill is the best I have ever seen. His enthusiasm,
sincerity & concern for his students & his desire to
help each be their best shows in all he does. I am
personally turned off by the braggarts with foul-mouths,
who cover their bodies with tattoos, & go fight in"a
cage" for a bunch of drunken spectators. True victory is
not beating some one up. it is attacking your own
weaknesses. & overcoming them. Traditionally martial
artist were men & women of honor & character with strong
ethics & morals who trained in combat to defend
themselves & those around them. But in our anything
goes, money worshiping society , morality never gets
mentioned. How sad that it is! Lee's Chinese Martial
Arts is a place where I have brought my children without
fear of them being exposed to a "rough crowd". It is a
place where I can practice real life self-defense skills
without getting hurt & not being able to go to work on
Monday morning. It is a place where I can fight
opponents without anyone getting hurt but all learning
from the experience. It is a place where I can sit at a
table & discuss the Bible & morality with my sparring
partners & we can get just as excited about a scripture
that can help us avoid pain in our life as we do about a
self-defense technique that projects our body. I have
been around the block. If you are young or not so young
Lee's Chinese Martial Arts can help you improve your
health, defend yourself & develop self-control that will
take you far.
-
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10/24/2008
I looked for a while before I found this school. Most
schools are all about the sport of martial arts not the
actual study of fighting. I don't knock the sport as a
sport, but I was looking for actual self defense and
sport fighting isn't the same as real fighting. When I
came into this school I was offered a chance to test
Master Lee's skills and he defended me without hurting
me and continued telling me about the school without me
ever feeling I had a chance of touching him. Aside from
his skills as a fighter, he is always on top of his
classes and produces great instructors that maintain a
calm atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and the
actual education practice is the clear focus. If you
wish to learn real life self defense I have not seen
anything that can compare. -
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10/13/2008
Amazing, amazing, amazing! This is the best school I
have seen. What Master Lee has to say about a lot of
Martial Arts schools having instructors that have bigger
waists than actual skill in fighting is so common these
days. I would highly recommend just coming in one day,
just to see what he has to offer. No blood/brutality
necessary. ^_^
- back to list
10/24/2008
First class operation. They promote physical and moral
values. Good Christian people. -
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Chris Portwood on August
16, 2003
Before I began training martial arts I had a severe limp
due to a rare joint disease and I was constantly in
great pain. In fact my limp was normally the first thing
that people would notice about me when they met me. As a
result, outside of people that knew me from pool
tournaments and pool league, new acquaintances knew me
first as the guy with the limp and then, maybe, Chris.
The pain could get severely debilitating. For example,
one time at work I was prepping the kitchen. I was in
pain but nothing too extreme when someone bumped into
me. When they did, pain shot up my leg so severe it
knocked me off my feet. I had to be helped out of the
kitchen and was sat down for a while to regain the use
of my leg. Also before I found kung fu I played a lot of
pool! In fact my affinity towards pool drove me to work
in the bars in which I frequented. Pool in its self was
not bad activity, but all pool is played in drinking
establishments, and because of that, I started drinking
(when in Rome…). The purpose for my drinking was purely
for entertainment, but it was nice that a few beers
would quell the pain in my hip. I would often get off
work, go directly to the bar and grab a pitcher and my
pool cue. The bar environment eventually put me into a
state of a total disorganization. In an effort to find
and activity that would reduce the pain in my hip, and
keep me away form the bars, I looked to martial arts.
What I got was far more than I had expected. I found
that I could use martial arts to improve many areas in
my life. Now I have all but eliminated alcohol from my
life and have removed myself from the bar environment
almost entirely. I have also practically eliminated my
limp. This has been a great and unexpected benefit from
my training. Because of this I have less hip pains and
back problems. Also, even after months of rarely
limping, it is still weird to me not to have to explain
my limp to every new person I meet. New people now view
me differently than they ever did before. Unfortunately
the world has a strong prejudice against the handicap,
and it is nice not to be seen as that guy with the limp
any more. Although martial arts has not eliminated my
daily pain, my training has lessened it. I am now
experiencing very few day in which I am completely
debilitated by my condition. Another area of my life I
found that my training could improve is my future. My
family has a strong history of arthritis and sinus
problems. Through living the lifestyle encouraged by
LCMA, I hope to delay (and/or) eliminate these
unfortunate genetic traits. Finally my training has
benefited me in that I now live in an environment free
of cigarette smoke and shady acquaintances. I now live a
life where my friends have more of a positive influence
on me and keep me away from negative activities. This
means I have had to rebuild a lot of my social
structure, but I now see this is essential to move
forward with my life. Most importantly I will use my
training as a tool to ensure that I will never fall off
the path from which I have begun. Sincerely,
Chris Portwood -
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The
Benefits of Crane Chi-Kung and Loi-Kung
By Purnie Johnson-Fisher
It doesn’t take much thought to tell you why I decided
to join the Crane Chi-Kung and Loi-Kung classes. Being a
care-giver for my husband, Monte—who has been paralyzed
by two strokes—my 46 year old body takes a beating. I am
employed full time to make ends meet. I got news from a
recent physical that I may have cancer. My son, Jason,
invited me to his Martial Arts class to take two trial
breathing classes: Loi-Kung and Crane Chi Kung. In my
mind, I was thinking, “Okay, anything for my child.”
During my tryouts of the class, final medical results of
my tests proved I was cancer free. Now I have to say
that after taking a couple of classes, I felt energized.
After a few more, my body felt renewed and my body pain
was gone! What pain, you may ask? Shoulder and back pain
from lifting and pulling my husband up in his hospital
bed and wheelchair. Hip pain so bad I couldn’t get out
of bed without falling to my knees first—neck pain from
staring at a computer screen all day and evenings.
Caring for my husband is a twenty-four hour a day labor
of love. I have been feeling like an 89 year old person.
Any task wore me out to exhaustion. Even taking my
shower was a chore and my mind was always trying to work
things out in what little sleep I got.
I made up my mind that if I could
feel this good mentally, and feel better than I did when
I was in my twenties, then the Loi-Kung and Crane
Chi-Kung classes were for me! I sleep so well at night.
Even though I get up every 2 ½ hours to provide care for
my husband, I have no problems falling back to sleep. I
have learned how to relax and not allow things to move
me to the extreme. My attitude has improved to the
positive in every area of my life. I care about me now
and I don’t feel guilty about taking time out to improve
my health for the better. In the Loi-Kung and Crane
Chi-Kung class, I’ve learned the importance of breathing
and stretching and strengthening. Also, I’ve really
improved on my eating habits and learned to be dedicated
in taking what I’ve learned in class and practicing at
home.
I believe that the Lord answered
my prayer of putting people in my children’s path that
know him. In doing so, it led me to a place that has not
only helped me, but has helped my husband. I can see
improvements in my husband’s breathing. Oh, yes! I do my
Loi-Kung with my husband. I haven’t learned the Crane
Chi-Kung well enough to do at home yet. You see, my
husband is on a nebulizer which allows him to inhale
medication. He was a smoker since his teenage years and
has had to use the machine four times a day. As of
today, he uses it only once a day and this is the first
year since 1999 that he did not get pneumonia! It’s not
a bother to us that people think we must be kidding. We
just know how we feel and are happier that we both are
seeing differences in our physical bodies. My husband
and I have a slogan…..if one hurts, so does the other.
It’s nice that now we both feel good together instead!
I want to thank my son, Jason, for
encouraging me to try the classes out and Master Lee for
passing on such a wonderful thing to my husband and I.
Jane
Wheeler
I started taking Kung Fu at the end of last September
(2001). I saw a flyer at the land I thought it would be
interesting to try. The timing of this class coming into
my life seemed like divine intervention. Like everyone
else, I was feeling so tense after the tragedies of
9/11/01. This seemed so empowering and life-affirming.
After only a few classes, there was some “hard to
describe aspect” to it. It seemed important that I be
there.
Well, it’s been a year now and
what a ride it’s been. The most important thing I’ve
gotten from taking Kung Fu is an inner resolve that I
never thought I had. Ms. Von, my sifu, had us make a
list of unhealthy things we do in our lives. At the top
of my list was smoking. I have wanted to quit for years,
but…just had a hard time taking that first step. Last
May, I took the plunge and finally broke that nasty
habit.
When you make a lifestyle change,
I believe you need to use every tool at your disposal to
be successful. Kung Fu was one of the strongest tools I
had. The Kung Fu Lifestyle and smoking just had no place
for each other. Kung Fu teaches you self mastery. When
you smoke, you give your power away to the cigarettes.
Your power literally goes up in smoke. One of the first
Black Belt Codes I learned was that “a Black Belt
Student knows that her words and actions represent who
she is.” I no longer wanted to be represented by
smoking. It is a weakness in character. It was an action
that I didn’t want to represent who I am. I could either
train in Kung Fu or I could smoke. The choice was easy,
but the execution was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Smoking is insidious in how it
gets into every aspect of your life. Wake up in the
morning—get your coffee and smoke. Get in your car and
drive somewhere—smoke. Feeling bored—smoke. Feeling
lonely—smoke. Eat anything—smoke. Watch TV—smoke.
Feeling stressed—smoke. Make love—smoke. It’s like a
period after a sentence. It follows almost every action
you can think of…….so I substituted: Wake up in the
morning—get your coffee and stretch out. Get in your car
and drive somewhere and repeat your Black Belt Codes.
Feeling bored—lift weights. Feeling lonely—pick up the
phone. Eat anything—go for a walk. Watch TV—knit or
crochet’. Feeling stressed—breathe, meditate, and
practice Sil lim tau. You get the picture. I also used
the Nicotine chewing gum which really helped.
Visualization also is a great tool! I had a lot of
conversations with my Dad. He died in June of 2000. If I
felt an urge to stop in at the 7-11 for a pack, I’d talk
it over with Dad. He was very supportive. The breathing
exercises of Chi Kung are wonderful to help you feel
centered and grounded. Who wants to cloud up an energy
field that you just filled with white light? I sure
didn’t. See what I mean about using every tool at your
disposal?
Make no mistakes about it, you at
war with yourself. The best part of me wanted to
win…..so did the evil little gremlin that lives in us
all—the little voice that says “just one more won’t hurt
you.”……that whines “it’s too hard.”….that wants to be
bad and take the path of least resistance. You need to
arm your “better” self with everything you can think of
to win. Your “best” self needs to become a warrior. Kung
Fu teaches you how to. Sometimes I’d visualize a
cigarette coming up to me & I’d see myself turn
sideways, point my fingers at it and say in a strong,
clear, loud voice, “I don’t want any trouble!” You have
to visualize yourself kicking the habit literally and
snuffing out the cigarette. You are in a war for your
soul, the essence of who you are. Kung Fu can help you
become that warrior.
It’s been 6 months since my last
smoke. Here are still times when the gremlin says “a
smoke would sure be nice”………but my “best” self is louder
& stronger. I have to think that a smoke would change
nothing. Then I take a deep breath and go on. I always
have my daily routine of Kung F and my class every
Sunday. Von, my sifu, is so supportive. What a role
model! I think she was more excited than I was when I
told her I had quit smoking. Kung Fu can help you become
empowered, self-confident, and disciplined. At 47 years
old, I thought this is who I am. Kung Fu can help you
become whoever you want to be. It can let your “best”
self be heard & honored. It can put you on the road to
success. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Oh, it is so
worth it.
Alton Hanson -
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Master Lee's Student
Instructor of the MonthDalton Hanson on 7/11/02
How I Quit Smoking
This is my second time attempting to quit smoking. The
first time was two years ago. I was in LCMA and became a
singer in a band. Those two reasons were enough to help
me quit smoking cold turkey. The band broke up and there
were other stressful things happening at that time. So,
I had a cigarette. One turned into two, and two turned
into three. Before long, I was smoking the same amount I
was before I quit. I was smoking a pack and a half and
up to two packs a day. Due to personal reasons, I quit
Kung Fu for about a year. One of the reasons I came back
to Kung Fu was that I wanted to quit smoking and Kung Fu
would be less expensive to be in LCMA than to smoke.
That was not the only reason I came back, but I thought
it would give me the reason I needed to quit. It wasn’t
that way. I stopped buying them but there were more than
enough people to help feed my addiction. The way I was
able to quit this time was in steps.
Week One: I stopped smoking in my
house and in my vehicle.
Week Two: I stopped smoking in other people’s vehicles.
Week Three: I didn’t smoke one hour after I woke up, one
hour after work, or one hour before I went to bed.
Week Four: I didn’t smoke at band practice. Being around
chain smokers was hard for me.
Week Five: I totally stopped smoking.
One month and three weeks later I have not had one, a
half, or even a drag of a cigarette! -
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Fred
Wise
I've been asked 'How have you managed to "live" the
Kung-Fu lifestyle?" What's been my motivation and
key to consistency? especially in a family environment
with a low regard for fitness and that thrives on 'good
food' (e.g. You know: the kind of foods that taste good,
but aren't necessarily good for you).
In a lot of cases, some people are
faced with a life-altering event or crisis that becomes
the turning point and motivation for them. For me, part
of my motivation has come from seeing some of my own
family members in
just that type of predicament. Some with seriously
life-threatening heath issues (e.g. cancer, high blood
pressure, ulcers, diabetes, etc.); many of which were
potentially preventable. I do believe that 'We are what
we
eat': fatty foods produce soft, fatty bodies; healthy
foods result in strong, healthy bodies. So I'm partially
motivated by my family experiences and the desire to
avoid having similar health issues later on in my life.
I believe, as Master Lee has told us, that we must learn
how to fight the battle at our tables and other parts of
our lives to fully learn how to live the Kung-Fu
lifestyle. I also believe? like others ? that the body
is a temple, and that taking care of your 'temple'
is one important way of honoring and showing your
appreciation to God.
My other motivation centers around
my own personal challenges and goals. I've been told by
close family members, "You're not going to make it,
leaving good food and red meat." (I've been made to feel
like I am the
person with the problem ? ever been there? But I am
"making it"). My life at times is very stressful
balancing work, family, in-laws & church with
little-to-no time for exercise. And there have been days
where I'd have
rather hit the couch than the weights. But I make the
time. Master Lee has told us that we should strive not
to be the 'best', but the best that we, individually,
can be. Despite your obstacles ? whatever they are,
you're greatest challenges are within yourself. I am
committed to being
the best person that I can be ? which has sometimes
meant, standing out or alone. But, I have learned that
birds fly in flocks; eagles can fly or soar alone. And I
see myself as a strong eagle. It is true that your
(mental) attitude, (or the positive mental conditioning
& discipline which has come through the Kung-Fu
Lifestyle for me), helps determine the altitude of your
Kung-Fu skills and personal life? whether your
outlook, confidence, fitness, emotional state in times
of pressure or crisis, etc. For me now, I can regularly
scale 4 flights of stairs at work without losing my
breath. I've also lost an inch off my waist, and no
longer have shoulder pain that used to plague me at the
end
of every day. I am actually thinking more clearly about
work/life issues and have begun transferring the Kung-Fu
lifestyle to other parts of my everyday life, such as my
prayer life and business interests. But the real
key, to my progress, has been increasing my training
discipline through developing a regular routine, tying
my training into
other day-to-day activities; setting both big
(long-term) AND small goals; and rewarding myself when I
achieve them. For example I earn my long, hot
shower every morning ? and my crunches or other training
are the regular drill or sprint that I go through to
earn it. So, the goal is to complete my crunches today;
I do them right next to the shower; sometimes I'll even
start running the water, and splash my face; and when
finished, I know
I've earned it & enjoy it all the more. But you have to
do what works for you. Training is like a series of
sprints that make up a life-long marathon. I train,
evaluate & celebrate every day -- focusing continually
on my mental state, physical form and personal
improvement (in terms of time
to complete or number of crunches). And over time, for
me ~6 weeks, it became second nature. The key, I
believe, is that you grow and move forward by winning
the race against yourself every day.
- back to list
Tarik Hopkins on September 2002
White belt
I never grew up with a positive role model. It was
always, “Do what I say and not as I do”. I’ve always
been around drugs because of my father. The first time I
saw death was at five years old. I saw a man get shot in
this mouth. As the years went on, I always did the
opposite of what was good. My father couldn’t read and
my mother was always too busy. The streets became home
and I stayed in trouble. I graduated from high school
when I was sixteen and thought I knew everything. I
decided to join the United States Army. While in the
service, life wasn’t any better. I headed into trouble
again but got out before I could be prosecuted. As I was
getting out of the service, the doctors found scarring
on my lungs. That was when I started having health
problems. I lived in Texas until it got too bad. The VA
Medical Center would not see me in Texas, so I had to
move back to Kansas City, MO. I stayed in the hospital
for a month and was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. It’s
been bad, worse and was said to be terminal at one
point. I was placed on the lung transplant list. Because
of my family, I had to change my attitude and actions.
When I walked into LCMA, it felt
like home and it made me feel like I belonged. I’ve
always believed in God, but thought He was punishing me
for my past. I’ve always been a fighter (boxing,
capoeira, street fighting). Watching the LCMA students
gave me an impression that fighting does not have to be
brutal. Training kung fu has calmed me down and gaining
this power has made me humble. LCMA has also introduced
me to Chi Kung. Chi Kung has enabled me to eliminate
large amounts of pain medication and has strengthened my
weak lungs. My fight is now controlled and not as wild.
I’ve always been skinny other than a brief moment of
weighting over 230 lbs. I am currently picking up
healthy muscle and not fat. I would like to get to 220
lbs. of muscle with a 40-inch chest. I would like to
become a great Sifu while maintaining Master Lee’s
standards. I would like to also become more of an
internal fighter. When a person is continuously sick to
the point that they cannot move or breathe and are
always in pain; they tend to want to blame everything
and everyone but themselves, therefore they never move
forward. Now that I have been introduced to the Black
Belt Codes, I no longer feel sorry for myself and have
something to relate to. Being a part of LCMA makes me
laugh at the fact that my sickness is terminal. Terminal
is now…terminated!
- back to list
Tim Bradley
Blue belt & 3 yrs of training
About 12 years ago when I was 26, I started having
problems with rapid heartbeat. I was a heavy smoker at
the time and was overweight. The attacks were completely
random, and usually happened when I was working at my
desk. When the attacks happened they would go away on
their own after about 30 seconds. But they were quite
alarming and caused me to be physically drained. I went
to the doctor and after many difficult tests, I was told
I had a benign growth on the wall of my heart. And that
this growth was causing the wrong impulses to be sent,
which brought on the Arrhythmia. My doctor told me that
I would not need surgery, but would have to take
medication for the rest of my life to control this
condition. I accepted this and was actually relieved to
know that it would not require surgery to correct.
I eventually adjusted to the
medication and completely quit smoking, although my
doctor at the time never recommended anything more than
cutting down. Being diagnosed with this problem caused
other problems to surface such as panic disorder. I
developed unnatural fears that something bad was going
to happen such as having a heart attack, passing out,
and other such phobias. Sometimes the panic attacks
could become quite severe and debilitating. In time I
learned to manage the panic attacks with diversion
therapy and other mind tricks that I learned. Eventually
I was able to manage a somewhat normal life, and I got
down to a healthy weight. But I was always accepting
that this was what I would have to do, take medication
everyday, pay higher insurance premiums, and be
embarrassed when I would have to talk about it.
But I started training kung fu
about 3 years ago and since then things have changed
dramatically. I started to develop a confidence in mind
and body that I never had before. Through the training
and conditioning of kung fu I gradually learned to trust
that my heart was is in good shape. And although
anything can happen to anyone (even the most conditioned
athletes) at anytime, I was certainly in far better
condition now at 38 than I was back when I was 26.
Through the use of the black belt codes and principles
we learn in kung fu, I have worked to train my mind to
become calmer and to attack those areas in my life that
need improvement. I have improved my eating habits by
removing the beef and pork from my diet, which can
contribute to heart disease and high Cholesterol. I have
used the principles to remove stress from home and work
life. And probably most important, was the confidence I
gained from Kung Fu training allowed me to talk with my
new Doctor about getting off the heart medication. After
reviewing my medical history and charts he agreed to try
taking me off the medication and see what happens. I
have now been off the heart medication for several
months and the rapid heartbeat condition has not
returned. It is really a wonderful feeling, and I thank
God that I am now free from having to rely on
medication.
I know I owe this good fortune to
the Lord and my kung fu training. And my teacher
consistently reminding me that more important than
fighting, is to attack those things in your life that
need improvement. As he says “What good is it to be a
great martial arts fighter, if you cannot fight and
overcome those things that are attacking you from the
inside.” -
back to list
Blue Belt – Lee’s Chinese Martial Arts Federation
What A Black Belt Means To Me
By Jason Emile Johnson
A black belt means change to me. I have had many bad
habits that I have nurtured and developed as a child.
These habits had progressed into fears, insecurities,
poor understandings, limitations, and a lot of times
yielded bad situations. When we are young we do what we
know and then when we know better we do better. Being a
black belt and seeking the path of a black belt means
that you seek to know better so you can do better. The
black belt codes have helped me to overcome many
adversities by making the right decision at the right
time. I have a friend that told me that I had an answer
for every situation. She has never seen me go to
extremes of emotion even in the face of great personal
distress. My friend though that this level of control
over what I say, do, think, and respond to situations
could not possibly be healthy. I related to her of times
when my emotions changed like the wind. I wore my every
thought and emotion on my face and in my body language.
When adversity would enter my life it would all but
destroy me. I could be kind to someone one moment and
then cruel in just the next breath. This time was less
than 5 years ago. And, it was not until I learned a
better way of living, through kung fu, that I finally
did better.
A black belt means fighting to me. Not the type of fight
you do with your fists or your feet. It is the type of
fight you do with yourself. It is a battle against
complacency. We allow ourselves to die slowly by not
doing those things that are going to gain us strength in
our lives. You have to learn to fight to be organized in
your life and your thoughts. You have to fight to not
rest or settle for less than you can achieve. You have
to fight to get up in the morning and eat and exercise
and drink water, instead of hitting the snooze button
for 45 minutes each morning. You have to fight each day
to do those things that are truly meaningful to you:
caring and raising your children to be good, productive
adults; showing those you care about that you honor and
respect them by giving them your time; caring about
yourself and your loved ones enough to take care of
yourself so you will have more time with them; living
your life as an example to others.
A black belt means being a role model. What is odd is
just how easy this one can initially seem. How hard can
it be to just live righteously and be someone that your
children and friends can look up to? When thinking of
the enormity of the responsibility that being a role
model can be, you can feel quite small in comparison to
the task at hand. While taking the black belt journey I
have learned to look at this task on the smaller scale.
I look at the weaknesses in myself, and I eliminate them
systematically. Where there is chaos I seek balance,
where there is discord I seek harmony, where there is
indecision I seek understanding. To be a good role model
you have to know yourself and be accepting. Sometimes
when we look at ourselves we overlook the dark areas.
The truth is sometimes dark and cruel. But, when we face
those dark areas and bring them to the light we begin to
see how much stronger we are. Role models cannot hide.
And as a role model the truths inside you must not hide
either. People learn from your adversities. Speak of how
you overcame the dark truths within yourself and be not
ashamed of where you came from. For as a black belt you
can empower people to do good within themselves by
sharing whom you are, who you were and who you hope to
be, especially for those who hope to follow your path. A
black belt seeks balance and this balance gives him
strength. -
back to list
Shandalla Rigby, Green Belt
In 1999, on New Year's Eve, I met a man named Mike. We
were at a party celebrating the new millennium. I knew
that day that the new year would not only start a new
century, but a new beginning. Hopefully it would start
with this new interest of mine--Mike. I was really
excited! If only I knew what a new beginning would
constitute and exactly how hard it would be...I probably
would have wept for the challenges ahead of me. I had no
idea just how much my life would change, but always in
good ways.
My relationship with Mike would
move very quickly. We met, fell in love and moved in
together, thus the cycle had started and the challenges
began. Shortly after we moved in together, February, I
found out Mike's New Year's resolution was to quit
chewing tobacco. Wow! Thank goodness, but that began a
new process in me. What about my bad habits? He's
quitting chewing tobacco and drinking. Is there
something I need to improve? These are the things that
went through my head, but I figured if all I did was
smoke, I wasn't doing too bad, right? Eventually Mike
would start smoking to counter his nicotine cravings.
One bit of chew was like smoking 10 cigarettes. Since
Mike started smoking I thought I was good for awhile as
we both had bad habits we'll work on later.
As we moved through our
relationship, things from my past started haunting
me...mistakes I had made, family issues, etc. I realized
that I was angry about the life I had and I became very
emotional and somewhat depressed. Since I was so upset
all of the time, it caused me to take an even closer
look at myself? What was wrong with me? What did I do to
end up here, why do I feel so lost and alone? I have a
very supportive boyfriend who is willing to stay up late
and listen to me. He takes very good care of me. I
didn't understand. I had so much anger and so many
questions. I just wanted to feel better. I just didn't
know how.
In the midst of one of our talks,
I noticed that Mike had put on al little weight. How on
Earth did I miss that? Then I took a better look at
myself and I realized that I had gained weight also. My
legs were bigger, my clothes were tighter, etc. That
really bothered me. I began to think of ways to solve
these problems. I hate gyms, so I started to think of
all the things that I wanted to do in life. Finally I
piped up with, "What do you think of trying martial
arts?" He was a little surprised, but said he would
check into it. I also thought of dancing or an aerobics
class, but it was not such a good idea. Plus, I liked
the empowerment of martial arts. This was early April or
late March. I thought nothing more of it.
In early June, I was sitting at
home and Mike called me and asked what we had planned
for the evening. I said nothing except dinner. Then he
started telling me about this school for Kung Fu he
found on the internet. Now it was my turn to be shocked.
I was really surprised he had actually done what he
said. He always did. I just hadn't seen this much before
him. I had also forgotten the conversation. He said that
the first two classes were free and if I didn't like it
we had lost nothing. I really had no idea what Kung Fu
looked like because it wasn't /isn't a popular style. I
was a little disappointed, but I decided I could argue
my points later. At least it would look like I tried.
The only thing that intrigued me was Mike explained a
lot of movies used the style. Other than that, I didn't
care.
When we arrived at LCMA, I was
surprised at how simple the school looked. The mixture
of people in the class also surprised me. There were all
sizes, shapes and races. We were promptly greeted,
introduced to Master Lee McField and given our
introduction class, which we were later tested over. We
got a perfect score! I was so proud. I started thinking,
I could do this, and I have a natural ability for it. We
came to our second class and signed up immediately for
two classes a week. When we signed up, we were asked why
we chose Chinese Kung Fu. I started thinking about how I
had always wanted to feel the power that women show when
they do martial art. I wanted to lose weight because I
didn't look like a princess, and I also wanted to feel
like I could take care of myself if a challenge came
upon me. When Von showed me her "before" and "after"
pictures and said she used to have cellulite but now
didn't: I was sold. I was so thrilled with my newest
beginning. I was already feeling 100% better. Mike's and
my problems seemed to work themselves out. I had been
inventing problems because I felt powerless in all my
changes. Life had been and would continue to be an
emotional roller coaster. I found solace in my training.
It was and is my power over life. I was for once at ease
and truly happy, which was truly strange. The newness is
what was keeping me going. I had no idea just how much
my life would truly change.
In July, I had a new challenge and
blessing. I got a job working evenings. It was good
because money had been so tight that we were shuffling
bills to pay for Kung Fu, but it was bad because I
didn't know where I was going to fit time in for
training. I ended up getting Saturdays off, which
allowed me to train. The down side was that I had to
condense two days of training into one. I usually didn't
get to sleep until 4 A.M. This made training difficult
because I had to be up at 8:30 A.M. to get to class on
time, it was exhausting. I did pull through. Eventually
my schedule changed to days and we moved our training to
the week again. I believe we started taking three
classes. I had such a drive to be successful at
something I pushed myself through. Challenges over come.
During my new job, I decided I
needed to quit smoking. I was about White Belt level and
I was tired of losing my breath every time I would spar
with someone or do anything extremely active. It was
late July early August, so it was about one month into
my new Kung Fu lifestyle. It was the hardest thing in my
life. I was a new 21-year-old; I had been smoking since
I was 14. Most of my family smoked and it was my #1
coping system. What would I do without it? I would be
crazy. i have already changed my diet, isn't that
enough? I kept trying to come up with excuses. I did
feel better because now Mike and I were eating
right...Yes, those non-existent bad habits were coming
to surface. I knew I would feel better if I quit smoking
and hey, it was either nicotine or caffeine. It was time
to change something else. I chose nicotine.
The withdrawals were horrible. I
tried to cut back, but it didn't work. Then I tried to
quit, that didn't work either. Finally, I got so angry
that something smaller than a twig had control over my
lifestyle that I decided nothing was going to hold me
back. I just needed to see results and know I was
accomplishing something. I was lucky because I had a
huge support group that started with Mike. I had heard
that for every year that you have a bad habit, you need
two weeks to quit. I had smoked for 7 years, so it was
going to take me 14 weeks to be psychologically in
control of a habit that had controlled me for so long. I
could do that, right? Ninety-eight days without
smoking...I could go that long...maybe. I was afraid of
what would happen, with justifiable reason.
To help visualize 98 days, I had
Mike make ma a chart similar to the ones elementary
students use in kindergarten for attendance and good
days. On one side of the chart there was week number
1,2, etc. On the other side there were day numbers, day
7, day14, etc. At the top it said, "Shandalla's No
Smoking Chart." It had 100 days of no smoking on it. For
everyday I didn't smoke I got a sticker. For every week
I didn't smoke, I got a reward that built the more weeks
I didn't smoke...1 week without for a shopping spree of
$25.00, 2 weeks...$60.00, etc I also didn't have to do
dishes for the rest of the year. We didn't have a
dishwasher. If I smoked I had to do the dishes for 2
days for every cigarette I smoked. It was the best thing
I could have done. To see progress helps create
progress. It was such a good idea, but to look at a
chart with 100 little squares on it was quite
overwhelming. What if I couldn't do it?
At the end of my first week I had
7 stickers, Yeah ME! I also realized just how supportive
my Kung Fu group was. Mike, Master Lee, and Von always
touched base at the end of the week to see how I was
doing. When Von found out that I had not smoked for one
full week, she made it a point to announce it to the
whole class, (all 4 or 5 of us back then). Master Lee
gave one of his good speeches about taking challenges on
and constantly improving your self and stopped the
classs to have everyone give me a round of applause.
Four or five students may not sound like a lot to some,
but when you have four or five students get excited
because you haven't smoked for 1 week, it suddenly
becomes a big deal. You start off with thoughts like,
"It was only one week," and "I still have 13 to go," but
then you realize it's been about six years since you
haven't smoked for a week. It was big; I had taken my
first giant step toward improving my life. To see
progress, helps create progress. Now I had 2 types of
visuals. The journey had only begun.
It's now been 1 year, but I
remember it like it was yesterday. I was well into my
White Belt by the time I finished my chart and still
willing to push forward. It was only the beginning, yet
such a big step. Once that was completed, I could take
on the the world. That will forever be one of my biggest
turning points in my life.
Since that point in my life, I
have been empowered to conquer and change anything in
this world I want. I have learned to cope with things
even better than I could imagine. I use our Black Belt
Codes for the wisdom they provide--not only about Kung
Fu, but also in my daily life. I have had problems
keeping a job. Sometimes because employers don't like
how much time I want for training, other times because I
was willing to make the sacrifice because I wasn't happy
and wouldn't have grown as a person. I have had many
other challenges this year, but I have been successful.
I have moved 2 going on three
times this year. I have found out who really takes me
seriously. I have been told several times that I needed
to quit Kung Fu because it was too stressful or because
it wasn't helping or the money would be better. I stood
tall and my eyes have been opened. I quit biting my
nails after 21 years. I am 22 now and my current battle
is caffeine. I have a very fulfilling relationship, I am
enrolled in college and an instructor who attends and
teaches Kung Fu altogether about 5 days a week. I am an
empowered woman who plans to empower other women. My
anger towards past relationships and my negativity
towards my family has all been smelted and released. You
may think, what does a 22 year old have for experience
to base these off of. I would tell you, "Never
underestimate a person's past challenges for you may
find you have less to be angry about than you think." I
will tell you as a 22-year-old, remember all this stared
at 20. I have seen more than my fair share. I will only
tell you this--not for pity, but for motivation......
My father was an abusive
alcoholic. My mother divorced him when I was 3 and
raised 4 of us on her own. We were very poor because my
father didn't pay enough child support for 3 children:
one was from a previous marriage. She was uneducated and
still very young in the ways of life. My family and I
were in 2 homeless shelters for battered and abused
children. I attended 14 different schools, each one
better than the last as my mother started to get her
career together, but it wasn't even until I was 15 that
she graduated from college. I was the first to graduate
from High School in 5 generations of my family. I have
seen my share. I don't regret any of it because it was
those paths that made me who I am now and those paths
that lead me to be the enthusiastic, self-sufficient
person I am today. I am now empowered and plan to go
much further. I owe my strengths now to Kung Fu and
everything my teachers, students, and fellow classmates
have taught me. I have beaten all the odds and I am now
truly blessed.
- back to list
Michael Green, Yellow Belt
It seems to me unlike the most of the world my black
belt journey and my life journey does not begin with
hardship. I grew up in the suburbs with two loving
parents who are both after approximately 30 years of
marriage are still on their first one. My dad held a
good job that he has been at the whole time and my mom
is also employed and collage educated. In school I was a
middle class young man who was popular and good in
sports. I was a Boy Scout and even though I never
reached Eagle Scout I was in for over 17 years and
continue the tradition to this day as a leader. I never
experienced hardship really. Life has always been good
to me.
My challenges started the summer
after I turned 17. I was down at Boy Scout camp with all
of the younger scouts for a weekend. We were having fun
enjoying the woods and repelling. I was ready to repel
down a cliff that I had already done 10 or 20 times that
day. I eased myself out talking and enjoying the time I
was having. I was about ready to make my first leap when
a rock that I had been standing on broke off and fell. I
lost my balance and fell with it. 65 feet straight down,
take the time to think about it for a minute. 65 feet is
equivalent to a five and a half story building. That’s a
long ways down when there is nothing to catch you.
People who repel call 20 feet the kill zone because once
you are past that your chances of dieing from a fall go
up dramatically I tripled the distance. This moment in
time will be etched into my memory forever. Most people
say that your life passes before your eyes or that it
happens so fast you don’t have time to think. Let me
tell you that you have time to think and realize what is
happening. To me it took hours to hit and was the
scariest moment in my life.
The impact ripped and tore most of
the major muscles from my body. My joints to my legs and
hips were put under a great amount of trauma. The whole
ordeal left me paralyzed and unable to move any part of
my body except my left arm and head. I won’t go into the
months that I spent in bed. Lets just say I have a new
understanding of the little things in life.
A seventeen-year-old body is a
wondrous machine with the amazing power to heal itself
and bounce back. After only three months I was on my
feet again. Now I wasn’t running any races but I could
hobble to the bathroom by myself again. I still couldn’t
wear shoes though because the weight of a sandal or
tennis shoe would cause my muscles to cramp up and I
would fall over. Eventually my body healed completely
and to everyone’s amazement I was up and playing sports
again. At the time I thought I had very little side
affect to this little accident and pushed it to the back
of my mind.
Fast-forward a couple of years to
about the time I turned twenty-one. I discovered the
wide world of alcohol. The bar and club scene is a
magical, amazing kingdom with colorful people and
wonderful sites. I was well on my way to becoming the
ruler of this magical kingdom and its people. I could
walk into any of the clubs in our area and most of the
people there would know my name, from the bouncers who
guarded the entrance and checked ids to the purveyors of
the fine drinks that I drank, I knew everyone. I would
stay late at the clubs and go to breakfast with the
owners. Then at about four or five in the morning I
would finally turn into a pumpkin and stumble home. More
often then not very intoxicated. Only to wake up at
seven to go to work and start a new day, this day would
be much the same as the last.
Living on about two or threes
hours of sleep a day makes life a little more surreal. I
was the world’s first voluntary insomniac. I could go
for days literally with out any sleep what so ever. I
was one of the night people and it showed in everything
I did. I floated through life like a small leaf on the
wind. No one cared or even bothered telling me what I
was doing was wrong and hurtful to myself. Why would
they though? I held a good job, and I was one of the
privileged people that could actually have this kind of
experience. Most people cannot do this. If the alcohol
does not get them the sleep deprivation will. O and how
the alcohol flowed. It was like water out of a tap. I
could drink it like almost no other. I knew how to order
and how to drink. I could put away hundreds of dollars
of drinks a night. It was fun and my friends and I ruled
the night.
Things started to change about
three years ago. The mornings were getting harder and
harder to face. I felt and looked real bad. The years of
parties and drinking were catching up to me. I didn’t
stop however I just kept right on going. Thinking I
could still drink and play all night. The alternative
was not faceable. Finally I decided one New Years Eve to
make a resolution to stop drinking and playing all
night. I could do it no problem, how hard can it be to
quit drinking? So I stopped. The next weekend I started
again thinking that I didn’t really want to quit and I
would later.
Another year went by and this time
I was going to do it. What I didn’t know then was this
new lady I met on New Years Eve would help me and most
likely save me from myself. Her name was Shandalla. I
quit drinking and started to spend more time with her. I
alienated my friends at the time, which helped me stop
the parties. I was focused at the time. I was trying to
make a budding relationship grow into something special
for the first time in a long time. I started venturing
out in the daylight again.
Moving from one of the
nightwalkers to the daylight brought a whole new realm
of problems to my mind. How do you interact with the
world sober? I used to be able to have what I thought
was very intellectual conversations, now I couldn’t
summon enough thought to barely make it through the day.
It was a hard road to travel. I am glad I did though. It
brought a wonderful woman into my life that decided to
stay and help me through the bad times I was having. We
both noticed that I was getting a little “chunky” around
the waist. She had suggested martial arts for some
exercise and a way to spend some more quality time
together. I was all for it. I had always loved the old
Kung Fu movies and thought it would be great to know how
to do. I looked and shopped around until I finally found
Lee’s Chinese Martial Arts.
Shandalla and I decided to drop by
and check this school out. I was amazed at the
friendliness of everyone in the school. The joy we felt
in being there, made us go ahead and sign up. I was
expecting the usual double speak about contracts for my
next three children’s lifetimes but much to my surprise
that was not the case. It seems that this school is not
in the business of multiple contracts over extended
periods of time. They are in the business of people.
They choose to devote the time to the people that train
there and let the students pay for the training on a per
month basis. This really appealed to me financially and
emotionally. Our training had begun and I opened a new
era in my life.
Training Kung Fu I thought was
going to be an easy task at first. I came into it with
all of the preconceived notions of your average American
male. These were crushed the first time I had the
privilege to enjoy standing in our horse stance for 162
moves of our form done at an agonizingly slow pace. This
changed my whole outlook on Kung Fu quickly and forced
me to slow down and look at myself and why I was
training. Was I training for the self-empowerment that
comes from a martial art? Was I training for the
exercise that comes from the physical activity? Or was
it something else entirely? The answers to these
questions I am still looking for and these change from
day to day.
My training although more
intensive then our other students is the same road they
walk. I realize that the journey that I am on is not a
quick race; it is not even a straight and narrow path to
where I belong but a wandering meandering path that I
incorporate into my life. My favorite author once wrote,
“Not all who wander are lost.” I think this is apropos
for me. For my journey that I am taking to fix the small
things in my life, to make it better is one of discovery
and to discover something you cannot have the tunnel
vision that comes from a predefined path but must wander
and find out what lies along that path. Life is meant to
be experienced that is why they call it living.
Some days the stress from life can
be overbearing. This is where my hardship on my Kung Fu
journey comes from. I am in a high stress job where
deadlines can interfere with my training. I also found
out that my accident coupled with my drinking and
partying had profound effect on my body that are still
cropping up after almost two years of intensive
training. I am lucky that Kung Fu found me before I went
back to my old ways. I find peace and solace in my
teaching of the other students that takes away the
stress of the day. I find it is not so painful to do
things that used to be hard for me as my body recovers
from the damage that I had caused it. This is the first
year since my tumble off of a cliff face that I have not
woke up in the morning in pain. It used to be when the
weather changed drastically my body would be in horrible
pain and keep me bed ridden for a few days. Now with the
lifestyle that I have adopted from kung fu I no longer
have this problem. My stomach that used to be forty
inches of beer gut is now a slim thirty-three inches and
starting to show signs that there is a different kind of
six-pack in it now
I will wrap up my little story
with a poem but remember this is my Kung Fu journey, it
is not one filled with much hardship but more of a final
peace of the mind, body and spirit of a person.
The Road Goes
Ever On And On
The Road goes ever
on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet,
And whither then? I cannot say.
The Road goes ever
on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.
Still round the
corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate.
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.
Darrell Ward, Yellow Belt , 2001
Several years ago I lost my fiancée, my son and most of
my money in the same year. Instead of dealing with what
was obviously the problem, I chose to be petty and let
outside forces, such as my circumstances, lead to fear
and anger. Furthermore, I let myself stray from the
Lord.
I decided that I needed something
in my life that I could do for myself to boost my
self-esteem and remove the sense of failure and despair
that seemed constant.
This is where kung fu has come in.
Through my training, I am finding the person I was
before I let the sense of loss and failure overwhelm me.
I’ve found an added benefit. By my son seeing me train
and exercising discipline, I notice he has more
confidence in himself. Without knowing it, I was using a
black belt code and using my discipline to rebuild my
personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus,
whom I love more than life or anything in it. And last,
Master Lee is always talking about role models. Well I
didn’t think at 34 I would need a role model, but I
train under one of the best I’ve ever met. This is what
my training is doing for me and I am thankful to the
Lord.
- back to list
WHAT A
BLACK BELT MEANS TO ME
Kris Wood, Blue Belt, 2001
A black belt means hard work, persistence, and
achievement of goals. A black belt is a symbol of rank
and honor. On my way to blue belt I have learned that
persistence is the key to achieving in this long,
never-ending path. I can’t say it enough to the lower
ranks…”You just have to stick with it and over time
you’ll never believe what you can accomplish.” The
journey toward black belt means changes in all parts of
my life…from the way I eat, care for my body, approach
goals I’m trying to accomplish, communicating with
others, and my all around way of thinking. A black belt
means being spiritually grounded, being a part of what
is right, and distancing myself from what I know is
wrong. A black belt means doing what is right, even if
that means standing alone. A black belt means taking
care of my body and always working on building a
positive image of myself. I know I am still very, very
far from the lifestyle I want to achieve, but I am also
very far from the lifestyle I’ve tried to shed through
my journey, and know now there will never be any looking
back. I can only continue to try to live life in a
positive manner and continue to try to achieve the goals
I want to accomplish. I know that a black belt is only
the beginning of moving toward a lifestyle that will
take the rest of my days to achieve. I hope one day to
be able to be a black belt and help others achieve what
has been such a positive aspect of my life, and hope to
be able to help them achieve the benefits from this
wonderful way of life. Most of all to me what a black
belt means can be defined in two words, my dream!
Kris wood - back
to list
Don Ring
Master Lee:
Good evening Sir! I am writing to say thank you. As I
have gotten older (30 this month), I did not believe I
could ever have another role model at this point in my
life outside the business world. I was wrong! You are
certainly a role model to me and everyone you interact
with. I watch the instructors and fellow students
interact with one another and with me. I am completely
impressed with each and every person at LCMA. They have
definitely grasped the Kung Fu Lifestyle. I have always
been tightly wound, temperamental and every other
adjective that is associated with someone who needs
balance in their life. My coworkers, friends and family
alike, comment on how I have changed over the last few
months. I have become more balanced in my emotions,
daily routines, eating habits, and exercise. I owe it
all to you and LCMA. I have a long ways to go but I look
forward to the journey with confidence. ! Thank you for
your inspiration before, during, and after each class.
Don Ring, First Stripe/White -
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HOW I USE
KUNG FU TO IMPROVE MY TOTAL SELF
Terrance Brownlow Dindy , Yellow Belt on 1/02
Our God Almighty is a progress-oriented God. As a child
of His, exhorted through His word to extol what He
extols and despise what He despises, I have come to long
and to strive for progress in all aspects of my life and
the lives of others. The very idea of regression, even
stagnation is repulsive to me. Among virtues conducive
to progress are discipline, perseverance, and
organization. Adversaries of progress include apathy and
disorganization. In my ten months of training kung fu,
I’ve realized that it is virtually impossible to improve
my skill level without an organized training regiment
and total dedication to the art. I have a great desire
to improve; therefore, I’ve learned to become more
organized and dedicated. Foremost, among the areas in my
life in which I hunger to progress is my spirituality. I
certainly believe that I can use the discipline and
organizational skills I’ve become accustomed to while
training kung fu, to motivate me to greater discipline
and organization in my spiritual life. One thing I’ve
found is that the positive attributes in each aspect of
my life tend to infiltrate other portions of my life,
and thus, I’m grateful for the opportunity to train kung
fu and will use it as a catalyst to swifter progress in
all areas of my being.
Terrence Brownlow Dindy
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HOW
MARTIAL ARTS CAN IMPROVE MY TOTAL SELF
Elisha Hain, Yellow Belt, 7-01
In just nine months, Kung Fu has already given me a
priceless beginning to a whole new lifestyle and a
better self.
Kung Fu has improved me
physically. I am eating better, exercising more,
learning more about my body’s limitations as well as
potential. I have learned how to defend myself and have
become aware of my own physical strength and speed.
Kung Fu has improved me mentally
and spiritually. I have learned through our black belt
codes to make peace with those lingering feelings of
anger, pain, resentment and sadness left behind from my
life’s past experiences. I am learning balance, control
and confidence in everything I say, do or feel. I have
learned that I have the ability to become a very happy
and peaceful person without depending on another person
to get me there.
If Kung Fu can bring all of this
to me in just nine months; I am not only excited, but
assured, that with the help of Kung Fu and the
incredible people here at LCMA, I will become the good
person and positive roll model that I have prayed to God
to help me become. -
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HOW I HAVE USED MARTIAL ARTS TO IMPROVE MY TOTAL SELF
Robert Copeland, Yellow Belt, 2001
I have used martial arts to improve myself in mind,
body, and spirit. Martial Arts has kept my mind quick
and sharp. Learning to defend a strike simultaneously,
at times, requires a great deal of concentration. The
reflexes needed require intuition and fast thinking. The
body is a temple not a gymnasium. While abstaining from
drugs, alcohol and tobacco has not been difficult;
removing all fast food from my diet has been a
tremendous battle that I fight daily. I have been
encouraged to drink a gallon of water a day. Sometimes I
do well, other times not so much. By doing these things
I am much healthier; which in turn means that I sleep
better and I can train more efficiently. An improved
mind a body naturally leads to an improved spirit. I
believe that having a healthy mind and body pleases God,
and pleasing God is all I care to do. Maintaining a
healthy and Godly spirit is my greatest and only true
goal. For me Martial arts are a part of the path towards
that goal. The Scriptures has this to say, “Know ye not
that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in
you, whom ye have of God, and you are not your own? For
you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God with
your body and in your spirit which are God’s” I
Corinthians 6:19,20. -
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