08/31/2026
Another one of our annual Colorado retreats has come to a close. This year, we were joined by special guests from the USA Seven Star Mantis Style Lee Kam Wing Martial Arts Association, Sifu Brian Bateman and Sifu Derrick Wright, for the 3rd Annual Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu Training Camp 2026.
It was an honor for Boulder Kung Fu Academy to host everyone here in Colorado, bringing together masters and students for the weekend.
I’m especially grateful to my Sifu, Yamel Torres, for making the trip from Chicago with some of my kung fu siblings, and for sharing Soft Agile Claw and the 8 Non-Attacking Points with everyone.
I’m grateful to Sifu Brian Bateman from Rochester, NY, for joining us with some of his students and teaching 2-Man Wooden Dummy and Six Harmony Staff. A special thank you to him as well for presenting our school with a friendship flag.
I’m grateful to Sifu Derrick Wright from Los Angeles for joining us with some of his students and teaching Little Scoop Wheel and the 8 Rigid Methods.
It was also great to have Sifu Tearanie Hoyle from Belleville, IL, a student of Sifu Wright, join us with some of his students for the weekend.
To everyone who traveled from around the country to train with us, thank you. Beyond the hours of kung fu, we were able to hike, share meals, explore Boulder, and spend time together as an extended kung fu family.
And a special thank you to my students, not only for training and participating, but for helping throughout the weekend and making sure everything ran smoothly.
Events like this are a good reminder that kung fu is about more than what happens during class. It’s about preserving the art and continuing to build the relationships and community that keep this tradition connected.
