Question 1

What is the minimum age to start?

Accepted Answer

I recommend starting at age 4, but I meet with all new students for an initial assessment. A free trial class helps determine if they are ready to begin training.

Question 2

What martial arts styles do you teach?

Accepted Answer

I teach Shaolin Kenpo, Kajukenbo, and Modern Arnis (FMA).

Question 3

What kind of practical martial arts/self defense skills will I learn?

Accepted Answer

I teach situational awareness—avoiding danger is the best self-defense. My focus is real-world street self-defense, based on firsthand experience growing up in Richmond, CA.
Training includes:
Quick, effective strikes to vital areas
Joint manipulation to disable opponents
Weapon defense (knives, bottles, objects)
Grappling and ground defense
My goal is to equip students with practical, life-saving skills to end confrontations fast.

Question 4

How long does it take to earn a black belt?

Accepted Answer

I earned my student black belt in six years, training six days a week, including holidays. In my school, I have promoted one black belt in six years. We are not a "black belt factory"—promotion depends on multiple factors, including embodying championship values, being a role model, mastering the curriculum, and demonstrating strong leadership. My son has trained with me for over seven years and is currently a Green Belt.

Question 5

What is your belt ranking system?

Accepted Answer

Student Ranks: White, Yellow (Adv. Yellow), Purple (Adv. Purple), Blue (Adv. Blue), Green (Adv. Green), Brown (Adv. Brown), and Student Black
Instructor Ranks: 1st–2nd Degree Black Belt
Sifu (Teacher) Ranks: 3rd–4th Degree
Si-Bok (Master Instructor) Ranks: 5th–6th Degree
Professor Ranks: 7th–8th Degree
Senior Master Professor: 9th Degree
Grand Master: 10th Degree

Question 6

What are the class rules?

Accepted Answer

The rules and expectations can be found here:

Or CLICK HERE:

Question 7

What is your martial arts history?

Accepted Answer

Martial arts date back over 2,500 years, with unarmed combat introduced in the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC. Nearly 1,000 years later, Shaolin monks, led by Bodhidharma, were introduced to martial arts. In modern times, Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro brought Shaolin Kenpo to the West Coast in the late 1950s. Around the same time, Adriano Emperado and his colleagues introduced Kajukenbo (a blend of Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Kenpo, and Boxing) to the U.S. Both learned martial arts from William K.S. Chow.

Question 8

When did you start martial arts?

Accepted Answer

I began training under Great Grandmaster Lloyd Craft at age 9.

Question 9

Is your school a tournament school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we attend 5–7 tournaments per year and host our own.

Question 10

What is the Mighty Crane Way?

Accepted Answer

It represents Love, Care, and Respect for students and all living spirits. It’s our guiding principle as MCK students.

Question 11

What does your salutation mean?

Accepted Answer

"I come to you in peace. I am not a threat and seek only the good in you—Love, Care, and Respect. I follow the Mighty Crane Way."

Question 12

Do you still learn from your teacher?

Accepted Answer

Yes. My Great Grandmaster, based in Santa Maria, CA, continues to train daily. He recently developed a new Kenpo system incorporating 16 new forms blending Shaolin Kenpo, Kajukenbo, FMA, and Wing Chun.

Question 13

Why is your school called Mighty Crane Kenpo? Is it because the crane is a Shaolin animal?

Accepted Answer

The name honors my late mother, whose spirit animal was the Japanese red-crowned crane. She always told me to be mighty and strong, so I named the school in her memory.

ANSWERED BY PROFESSOR TONY

What is the minimum age to start?

What martial arts styles do you teach?

What kind of practical martial arts/self defense skills will I learn?

How long does it take to earn a black belt?

What is your belt ranking system?

What are the class rules?

What is your martial arts history?

When did you start martial arts?

Is your school a tournament school?

What is the Mighty Crane Way?

What does your salutation mean?

Do you still learn from your teacher?

Why is your school called Mighty Crane Kenpo? Is it because the crane is a Shaolin animal?

If you have a question not found here, please feel to reach out!
CONTACT PAGE

ANSWERED BY PROFESSOR TONY

What is the minimum age to start?

What martial arts styles do you teach?

What kind of practical martial arts/self defense skills will I learn?

How long does it take to earn a black belt?

What is your belt ranking system?

What are the class rules?

What is your martial arts history?

When did you start martial arts?

Is your school a tournament school?

What is the Mighty Crane Way?

What does your salutation mean?

Do you still learn from your teacher?

Why is your school called Mighty Crane Kenpo? Is it because the crane is a Shaolin animal?

If you have a question not found here, please feel to reach out! CONTACT PAGE

If you have a question not found here, please feel to reach out!
CONTACT PAGE