Gus Gates Kung Fu and Fitness

Sifu Gates in one of the finest martial arts instructors I’ve ever met. He’s infinitely patient and creates a fun atmosphere while studying a serious martial art. Safety and discipline are upheld but are perfectly integrated with a casual, welcoming atmosphere. His senior students couldn’t be nicer people. He answered every question I ever had and encouraged me as a student to question things and explore ideas so I could truly experience kung fu. He’s great with kids… great with adults… just plain great. There’s no question as to why he’s a Black Belt Hall of Fame instructor and an important member of our commmunity.

My entire family has been going to Sifu Gus for years now. If you want to learn the most real martial art, learn to actually defend yourself (as opposed to compete for trophies), and probably most importantly join a true family, this is the place for you. You never feel «stupid» in this environment. You always feel encouraged and supported and damn, do you LEARN a lot, laugh a lot and get a great workout on top of it all. 5 honest stars.

I signed up for the summer program and found it quite enjoyable. My previous martial arts experience is limited, so my frame of reference is that of a novice. Sifu Gates is a warm and caring personality, obviously passionate about what he is teaching. He has several black sashes that he has taught personally that also lead the group sessions.
The classes were always a great workout for me. The philosophy seems consistent with typical martial arts teachings, respect for the master, respect for the setting, respect for fellow students, respect for the teaching. There is an emphasis on «village style training» which I am not sure that I experienced very much in my summer. There is also an emphasis on using functional kung fu, rather than just what looks pretty. You are not there to win competitions, you are there to learn to protect yourself.
Would be 5 stars if I had gotten a better sense of personal community within the group. My «uniform» shirt took very long to arrive and I never really figured out if I was a white sash, pre-​white sash, what I needed to do to get to the next sash, etc. I was never issued a sash, perhaps that was because I had just signed up for the summer session. I did not renew after summer due to competing family priorities and did not feel that I could devote the time to do justice to the craft I was learning.

The real deal. Authentic VILLAGE STYLE Kung Fu with a great SiFu who is actually there teaching the majority of the time. Village has a great community of students, and a large number of black belts who are always around to help (as well as show the proof of the system!) They start you on weapons early and use practical, effective training.
Village had two disciplines (for adults), one for the more hard-​core fighting-​centric approach, though both equally teach great Kung Fu. As well as a kids’ program.
Great discipline. Great Self Defense and/​or Combat Training. Great workout. Incorporates Qi Gong meditation.