Whit's Teachers

My first instructor has also been the one who has made the most impact on my life and martial arts.  Sifu Wallace P. Cupp began his martial arts career in Boston in the early seventies.  Although he began with Tae Kwon Do, Sifu Cupp witnessed a single practice session run by Master Chan Pui of the Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis style of Kung Fu, and that changed everything.  He knew that he had to learn from this bona fide master, and was soon accepted as a private student.  In 1981, after years of arduous training under Master Chan's watchful eye, he received his teaching certificate and headed for Texas.

In his time, Sifu Cupp has traveled to the famous and historic Shaolin Temple in China, and has studied under several Chinese masters in advanced studies of Praying Mantis Kung Fu as well as Chen and Yang style Tai Chi Chuan.  He has been an honored judge at the United States National Chinese Martial Arts Competition many times, and is known for his expertise in classical Chinese weaponry, including three-sectional-staff, whip chain, and kwan do.  His demonstrations of 'iron palm' usually bring down the house.

In addition to the Jut Sow (wrestling hands) Praying Mantis techniques, he also is quite accomplished in the skills of tam tui (seeking kicks) kicking, long-fist fighting, and Shaolin Kenpo.  And let me tell you, when he grabs you, you stay grabbed until he's finished with you!

I must say that I would not be the man that I am today if it were not for Sifu Cupp, and I am truly honored that he has spent such time and effort in teaching me over the years.

Sifu Pablo Zamora started his training in Okinawan karate at the age of eight. By the age of thirteen, he received his Black Belt and in only two years he received his 4th degree Black Belt.

In his search for knowledge and a further challenge, he went to Columbus, Ohio to train under the highly respected Shaolin Kung Fu Master, Master Wu. In the tradition of classical Kung Fu training, it took several years for Zamora to receive his instructor's credentials.

His quest did not end there.  Zamora had learned of a great master from China that taught advanced practitioners in a temple modeled after the ancient ones in China. This replica, the Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple in Orlando, Florida was built by none other than Grandmaster Chan Pui, a famous Kung Fu Master known worldwide. Zamora went to the temple and after many rigorous tests was accepted by Chan as an advanced live-in student. After ten years in Wah Lum Kung Fu, Zamora has himself become a well known master of this rare form of Kung Fu in the United States and Mexico.

 In 1987, Zamora was chosen to represent the United States and travel to China to train under the Shaolin Masters in the actual Shaolin Temple. This was a great and rare honor to be included in the first group of non-Chinese to train in the temple.

Sifu Zamora is probably the most energetic and positive person I have ever come in contact with.  He is constantly striving to improve himself and his school so that he can give his students his very best, and I greatly admire his personal motivation.  If you ever catch him sitting still, take a picture, quick!  You might not get another opportunity.
 
 

Master Arthur D'Agostino is a scary man.  Please understand, I mean this as a high compliment!  He's not a mean fellow at all, and in fact, he is usually very relaxed and happy.  However, once he starts to move or to demonstrate a technique, most folks pale just a bit.  His eyes burn with a focused intensity as he moves, and he shows you just how much farther you have to go in your own training.  His command of the art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu is awesome to behold, and his formidable strength is a force to be reckoned with.  His movements are fluid, fast, and accurate, and like I said, he's scary.  As one of the most skilled instructors of Taiji and Taoist internal arts in the country, he brings over thirty years of experience to his clear and in-depth discourse on the subjects of, cultivating Qi, Taiji Form structure and mechanics, Taoist philosophy & the martial nature of Taiji, push hands and Chinese martial arts. With his deep understanding of Taiji & other Taoist disciplines of personal growth, he serves to bridge the gap between the mystery of these disciplines and their integration in our everyday lives.  What a guy!

He's always been an inspiration to me and every time I've worked with him, I've learned a ton.

Here's some more info on his program, and here's the link to his website:         http://www.taijidaoguan.org/

Taijiquan fa Masters Program

Taiji Chuan fa masters program is a dynamic approach to teaching martial arts. In the tradition of martial arts excellence, it is a combination of the philosophy and techniques of many of the most noted Chinese Martial arts styles. It is the embodiment of martial art knowledge that has been passed down over millenniums.  Rich in practical training, Taiji Quan fa is excellent for self-defense and personal mastery. The training in Taiji Quan Fa Consists of solo and partner exercises & forms, Internal energy development (Qigong), and weapons training as well as a in-depth knowledge of philosophy and meditation.

Taijiquan Fa is the collaboration of two of the worlds most noted teachers, Master Li En Jiu of Shandong China and Master Art D’Agostino of Tampa FL.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In addition to his kung fu studies, Mr. Escher has also received his certification in Combat Escrima, both in Single Stick and Double Stick techniques, and he continually impresses me with his talents.  He recently competed in a tournament in Rockport, Tx, and got first place in several categories, including sparring and advanced handforms.  Way to go,Larry!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tim is awesome.  His knowledge of JKD concepts and grappling are second to none, and he continually turns out champion fighters like Yves Edwards.  I'll slap a picture of him up here when I get one.