About
The Sinking Moon School of Kung Fu is a community-based organization dedicated to the advancement of individuals through the martial arts. Formally established in 2016, we are connected to a lineage of schools dating back to the earliest known records of martial arts in China.
We teach Wu Chi style Kung Fu, which has roots in Goju Karate and Southern Shaolin Kung Fu. Our style is influenced by Aikido, Ninjitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and Kickboxing. Students of the Sinking Moon School of Kung Fu learn a number of Kung Fu animal styles, including Snake, Crane, Leopard, Tiger, Dragon, and Phoenix variants, as well as practical self-defense techniques.
I love teaching Kung Fu because it gives students the opportunity to learn an ancient martial art but also allows for fellowship and personal development.
I've taught Kung Fu for over 20 years now, and hold a 4th level Black Belt in Wu Chi Kung Fu.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Typically, the first step is to come to one of our regularly scheduled classes to see if our classes are what you're looking for, and to meet our current students and instructors. If interested in joining, you will fill out a membership application and have a short interview with our head instructor, Lao Shi Scott Johnson. After approval from our head instructor, and once payment has been received, you will be given the startup package, which includes your uniform, and are welcome to attend all regular classes.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have post-secondary teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at major public universities.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Yes, our classes are $85/month. There are discounts available if you pay within the first week of the month, or you have multiple family members attending.
How did you get started teaching?
I was recruited during high school by two of my instructors, Sifu Ryan Carden, and Sifu Judd Breitwieser. After I started training, the general path that one follows as one gains experience in the martial arts is to teach what you know to students that are less experienced in the martial arts that you are. I found that teaching was an incredibly satisfying and rewarding endeavor, so I have continued it through to today.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students as young as 3 and as old as 82. I've found that there is no student for whom Kung Fu is not a good fit. It adapts to your body type, your likes and dislikes, and your physical abilities.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
It depends on whether you're looking for a competitive sport or a self-defense methodology, an art for relaxation and contemplative meditation, or a mixture of all. Kung Fu is a good mixture of all three, although we tend to be heavy on the self-defense and art sides. We tend to not compete directly in tournaments or sports competitions, so someone looking for this might want to look elsewhere. That said, there is a lot of friendly internal competition within our school.
The biggest thing I've found about students who aren't a good fit for a given school is they haven't adequately answered this question and instead been blinded by the features of a given school, rather than digging deep and determining if it fits their needs.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Why are you joining a martial art?
What do you want to get out of classes?
Are you willing to work hard to the point of exhaustion, several times per week, for several years to achieve your goals?
What are your individual strengths and weaknesses when taking on a new hobby?