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SiFu Whit McClendon Yin-Yang

SiFu Whit McClendon My Path Through the Martial Arts (2004)

22 years ago, I begged and pleaded with my Mom to take me to a local martial arts academy, and my head was filled with visions of being an honorable Shaolin monk, flailing about with ancient weapons, and dealing death to the vile enemy with every blow. I had a vague idea at that tender age of 12 that there was far more to learning martial arts than just jumping around, but I knew that I had to start somewhere. It just so happened that the only school in town was run by Sifu Wallace Cupp, an accomplished instructor of the Wah Lum Pai Tam Tui
Northern Praying Mantis system of Kung Fu. I enrolled immediately and began the most arduous training I had ever imagined. I recall having to sit down at least three times during the class so that I could catch my breath, and the class was less than an hour long. It was tough, but I loved it! A few years later, I tested under the watchful eye of my teacher's teacher, Grandmaster Chan Pui, and passed my first rank test. Talk about nervous!

Years went by and I continued studying with Sifu Cupp until he relocated to Lake Jackson and then to Houston, leaving one of his senior students in charge of the school. I continued learning from that instructor, who eventually became a fully accredited Sifu himself, Sifu Robert Roy. While our differing ideas on martial arts would eventually lead us in our separate directions, Sifu Roy was one of the hardest working folks I've ever met.

I practiced on my own for a time before relocating Sifu Cupp again in the early '90s, and have learned from him ever since. In September of 1994, I signed on as an instructor at Sifu's school in Houston, American Martial Arts Academy. While learning and teaching there, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with such esteemed instructors as Master Arthur D'Agostino, Master Li En Jiu, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, Sifu Pablo Zamora, Sensei Bryan Neal, and Sifu Raymond Fogg.

Near the end of 1999, I decided to leave the Academy and pursue further studies in grappling under Tim Mousel and Sensei Paul Thomas, escrima and Chin Na under Instructor Larry

 SiFu Whit McClendon
Escher, Kodokan Judo under Karl Geis and Bob Rae, and western sword combat under John Clements of the Association of Renaissance Martial Artists (ARMA). I've also continued to explore the mantis kung fu, shaolin kenpo, and kickboxing that I have already learned.

Now, the time has come for me to start passing on my knowledge to others. I feel so honored to be able to do so, and to share myself, my experience, and my philosophy with my students.

Jade Mountain Martial Arts

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