Three Treasures Kung Fu and Lion Dance
ABOUT US
Our sister organization, Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society (TTCAS), was founded in 2009 and we originally only taught Kung Fu, Lion Dance, and Chinese Chess. As it grew over the years, the Kung Fu values and ethics remained the cornerstone of our philosophy and teaching but the Kung Fu training itself became secondary. Sifu Frank is still the Executive Director of TTCAS but spun the Kung Fu department off into its own organization. This was done to ensure the Kung Fu training gets enough attention and stays with Sifu if and when the day comes when he retires from TTCAS.
For more information about the great things TTCAS does in the community, please click here.
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO
Loosely translated, Kung Fu means "hard work over time." Arguably, Kung Fu is one of the most complex human fighting systems ever created and it will take a lot of hard work...over time. One technique can be used for many situations and that same technique can be altered to reflect the different animal styles, different body types, and situations. For these reasons, it will take a long time to achieve a Black Sash so, instead, we encourage you to train for the love, the history, and application of the training. Chasing belts and material things leave you feeling hollow once you achieve them. Time will fly by fast as it always does and soon enough you will be a Black Sash but in the meantime enjoy the many positives changes you will feel on the inside while building up your outside. You may be making new friendships that will last a lifetime and discover who you really are. So enjoy the journey, be patient with us and with yourself, and most importantly, train hard.
We are called Three Treasures because it is a daily reminder to build up our three treasures of mind, body, and spirit, not just the body. To be called a true martial artist, you must have the spiritual development to accompany the physical development be able to overcome human hardships and resist temptations. Often, we are our worst enemies and our thoughts sabotage our success and that is where the spiritual strength is most helpful. Below is a small list of things we do that you should consider before joining us. Sifu Frank will always respect your rights, religion, and way of life but you are expected to be the same with our rights, religion, and way of life. You are not expected or asked to convert your views or religion but you are expected to be in harmony with us. Your tuition payment does not give you any rights or decision making powers.
Our Way of Life That You Should Think About Before Joining:
You are judged on the content of your heart and intentions as much as the physical movements
We bow to pictures of ancestors to show respect
We light incense
We bow to Guan Gong (God of Kung Fu and business)
New students are not allowed to be distractions. Talk less and train more.
Defer and show respect to older students and instructors (or older family members)
No training at another school without Sifu's permission
Your tuition payment means nothing other than helping pay the bills
You are expected to help clean up; help at our events; and represent yourself well
Customer is not always right
THE DESIRED GOAL
For those who don't know us, our expectations may seem harsh especially if you are not familiar with martial arts. But the reality is we are very loving, generous, and loyal. That's how Sifu Frank has always treated his students and staff. However, the problems we have experienced are due to lack of awareness and mindfulness.
One important Kung Fu adage is "learn to be a student before you become a master" and it is as relevant today as it was a long time ago. Doing the above things teaches patience, teaches humility, teaches accountability, and teaches persistence. They reduce tendency to be arrogant (you will lose quite often in training) ; reduce tendency to feel entitled (expect nothing in return for helping others and work hard for everything) ; and reduces anxieties. Ultimately, traditional Kung Fu training helps heighten your strengths while giving you tools to work on your weaknesses. This creates harmony in your space. Life is full of suffering and we must learn how to handle it or it will consume us for the worse. Everything you need is already inside of you and only a clear mind can unlock them.
THE TRAINING
Kung Fu, inherently, has two main aspects: performing arts (forms) and combat. Beginners focus mainly on striking and kicking as their foundation along with how to fall and roll properly. This is known as First Gate training. We emphasize proper form to reduce chance for injury and to be on the right path to develop power and explosiveness. As students advance, they learn higher level striking and kicking and are introduced to Second Gate material such as joint locking, clinching, basic throws and take downs. Second Gate is an important skill in a fight because you can elect to go back to striking and kicking or transition to Third Gate which is the ground fighting. Kung Fu has some ground fighting but it is not as developed because it wasn't a need during battlefield days. But we have adopted Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as our Third Gate training and we learn through Professor Michael Cusi's family of schools at Stronghold, North Park, and Aftermath BJJ. To be clear, we are not qualified to BJJ classes unless Professor Cusi appoves his staff to come lead the classes.
We will be offering Yang Tai Chi in the fall on behalf of the Yang Family under Grandmaster Yang Jun. Tai Chi was originally taught as a martial art and we have adopted this stance as well. However, the health aspects are also emphasized and complemented by Qi Gong training. Together, they form a great source of rejuvenation and healing.
As our student, you automatically have the opportunity to join our Dragon and Lion Dance team. Joining this team is the best way you can show your school spirit; bond with other students; and help promote our good name. Lion Dance is a fantastic form of exercise and muscle development. It's also a ton of fun!
THE THREE TREASURES WAY and PRE-REGISTRATION
If you are familiar with Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society and respect the contribution we have made to society, then it's fairly certain you will also fit in well with Three Treasures Kung Fu and Lion Dance. However, if you are new to either organization, it is best to start a conversation and go from there. If after reading all of this, you feel you would be a good fit here, we encourage you to send us an email to introduce yourself. We will reach out as soon as we can to start that conversation with you to see how we can be good for each other. You can reach us at ttcaskf@gmail.com
Our sister organization, Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society (TTCAS), was founded in 2009 and we originally only taught Kung Fu, Lion Dance, and Chinese Chess. As it grew over the years, the Kung Fu values and ethics remained the cornerstone of our philosophy and teaching but the Kung Fu training itself became secondary. Sifu Frank is still the Executive Director of TTCAS but spun the Kung Fu department off into its own organization. This was done to ensure the Kung Fu training gets enough attention and stays with Sifu if and when the day comes when he retires from TTCAS.
For more information about the great things TTCAS does in the community, please click here.
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO
Loosely translated, Kung Fu means "hard work over time." Arguably, Kung Fu is one of the most complex human fighting systems ever created and it will take a lot of hard work...over time. One technique can be used for many situations and that same technique can be altered to reflect the different animal styles, different body types, and situations. For these reasons, it will take a long time to achieve a Black Sash so, instead, we encourage you to train for the love, the history, and application of the training. Chasing belts and material things leave you feeling hollow once you achieve them. Time will fly by fast as it always does and soon enough you will be a Black Sash but in the meantime enjoy the many positives changes you will feel on the inside while building up your outside. You may be making new friendships that will last a lifetime and discover who you really are. So enjoy the journey, be patient with us and with yourself, and most importantly, train hard.
We are called Three Treasures because it is a daily reminder to build up our three treasures of mind, body, and spirit, not just the body. To be called a true martial artist, you must have the spiritual development to accompany the physical development be able to overcome human hardships and resist temptations. Often, we are our worst enemies and our thoughts sabotage our success and that is where the spiritual strength is most helpful. Below is a small list of things we do that you should consider before joining us. Sifu Frank will always respect your rights, religion, and way of life but you are expected to be the same with our rights, religion, and way of life. You are not expected or asked to convert your views or religion but you are expected to be in harmony with us. Your tuition payment does not give you any rights or decision making powers.
Our Way of Life That You Should Think About Before Joining:
You are judged on the content of your heart and intentions as much as the physical movements
We bow to pictures of ancestors to show respect
We light incense
We bow to Guan Gong (God of Kung Fu and business)
New students are not allowed to be distractions. Talk less and train more.
Defer and show respect to older students and instructors (or older family members)
No training at another school without Sifu's permission
Your tuition payment means nothing other than helping pay the bills
You are expected to help clean up; help at our events; and represent yourself well
Customer is not always right
THE DESIRED GOAL
For those who don't know us, our expectations may seem harsh especially if you are not familiar with martial arts. But the reality is we are very loving, generous, and loyal. That's how Sifu Frank has always treated his students and staff. However, the problems we have experienced are due to lack of awareness and mindfulness.
One important Kung Fu adage is "learn to be a student before you become a master" and it is as relevant today as it was a long time ago. Doing the above things teaches patience, teaches humility, teaches accountability, and teaches persistence. They reduce tendency to be arrogant (you will lose quite often in training) ; reduce tendency to feel entitled (expect nothing in return for helping others and work hard for everything) ; and reduces anxieties. Ultimately, traditional Kung Fu training helps heighten your strengths while giving you tools to work on your weaknesses. This creates harmony in your space. Life is full of suffering and we must learn how to handle it or it will consume us for the worse. Everything you need is already inside of you and only a clear mind can unlock them.
THE TRAINING
Kung Fu, inherently, has two main aspects: performing arts (forms) and combat. Beginners focus mainly on striking and kicking as their foundation along with how to fall and roll properly. This is known as First Gate training. We emphasize proper form to reduce chance for injury and to be on the right path to develop power and explosiveness. As students advance, they learn higher level striking and kicking and are introduced to Second Gate material such as joint locking, clinching, basic throws and take downs. Second Gate is an important skill in a fight because you can elect to go back to striking and kicking or transition to Third Gate which is the ground fighting. Kung Fu has some ground fighting but it is not as developed because it wasn't a need during battlefield days. But we have adopted Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as our Third Gate training and we learn through Professor Michael Cusi's family of schools at Stronghold, North Park, and Aftermath BJJ. To be clear, we are not qualified to BJJ classes unless Professor Cusi appoves his staff to come lead the classes.
We will be offering Yang Tai Chi in the fall on behalf of the Yang Family under Grandmaster Yang Jun. Tai Chi was originally taught as a martial art and we have adopted this stance as well. However, the health aspects are also emphasized and complemented by Qi Gong training. Together, they form a great source of rejuvenation and healing.
As our student, you automatically have the opportunity to join our Dragon and Lion Dance team. Joining this team is the best way you can show your school spirit; bond with other students; and help promote our good name. Lion Dance is a fantastic form of exercise and muscle development. It's also a ton of fun!
THE THREE TREASURES WAY and PRE-REGISTRATION
If you are familiar with Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society and respect the contribution we have made to society, then it's fairly certain you will also fit in well with Three Treasures Kung Fu and Lion Dance. However, if you are new to either organization, it is best to start a conversation and go from there. If after reading all of this, you feel you would be a good fit here, we encourage you to send us an email to introduce yourself. We will reach out as soon as we can to start that conversation with you to see how we can be good for each other. You can reach us at ttcaskf@gmail.com
