Embedded Files
SGM Hanshi Ron Carlson
SGM Hanshi Ron Carlson
Hanshi Ron Carlson started training in Martial Arts in 1954. Last year Hanshi celebrated 70 years of learning and teaching Martial Arts, and he is back again this year to bring us another year of wisdom at Rocky Mountain Thunder. Hanshi holds a 10th Dan in his system of Gow-Ren-Lu Kempo and Gung Fu, a 9th Dan in OKO Kajukenbo, a 6th Dan in Sho Kempo, a 5th Dan in Hapkido and 3rd Dan in Jaindochin Jujitsu. SGM Ron Carlson is a senior member of many martial arts organizations, a former firefighter (search and rescue) and marine, and recipient of multiple awards, certifications, and accolades. He is the founder of the Kempo First Foundation and co-founder of Rocky Mountain Thunder.
GM Ray Boyer
GM Ray Boyer
Grandmaster Ray Boyer received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Tai-Tsu Do in 1984 by Sensei Suzuki and a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in 1985 by Sensei Suzuki before he left to go back to Japan permanently. Sensei Ray studied under Sensei Suzuki from 1974 to 1985 until Sensei Suzuki's departure. Sensei Suzuki passed away in Osaka, Japan in July of 1986 at the age of 76.
Ray continued to train with various martial artists in the Denver, Colorado area until he met Kyoshi Gary Hinkle in 1996. Kyoshi Hinkle is the head instructor of the Te-Ashi Jujitsu system in Colorado. At this time Sensei Ray was introduced to the Kempo First Foundation and Hanshi Ron Carlson the founder through Kyoshi Hinkle.
Hanshi Carlson is the founder of the Kempo system Kuo-Jen-Lu. He is 8th generation from Master James Mitose, the founder of the Kempo system brought to Hawaii.
Sensei Ray studied with both Kyoshi Hinkle and Hanshi Carlson.
Learning the disciplines of Bo, Ju-jitsu, Cane, Octagon Control Tactics, Kempo Jitsu and Wing Chun principles from Sifu Bart Mann, 9th generation from Yip Man.
GM Shelley Millspaugh
GM Shelley Millspaugh
GM Shelley Millspaugh has been a personal student of GM Ernesto A. Presas Sr. (RIP) since 1993 learning several different curriculums in Modern Arnis De Mano - Presas Style, Kombatan Arnis - Presas Style, and the 'old style' of the Presas family art.
The style of Kombatan Arnis is a no nonsense Filipino approach to stick and knife fighting.
GM Shelley has schools in Colorado, Kansas City, Florida, Virginia, Ohio and his current location of Wichita, Kansas.
He has also trained in Aikido, Wing Chun, and many different styles of Arnis/Escrima and Pencak Silat/Kuntao.
GM Shelley also practices Kalis Ilustrisimo (KIRO) under the late GM Tony Diego and Coach Arnold Narzo, and also Abaniko Tres Puntas under GM Rene Tongson.
Guru George Morin
Guru George Morin
Guru George Morin was one of the Original 3 disciples of Willem de Thouars back in 1979.
1973 Kajukembo
1975 ShoKenpo
1977 Tae Kwon Do/SoRim KungFu
1979 Kuntao/Silat-during training w/ Uncle Bill and also trained w/ Uncle Wayne Ying Lung Hsing
Kyoshi Jason May
Kyoshi Jason May
Jason May Kyoshi is Kaicho (founder/chief) of the Nan Sho Budo system and director of Southern Pine Institute of Martial Arts. Since stepping on the path of martial arts education in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1985, he has been fortunate to find teachers of various styles to broaden his skill set and enhance his teaching style.
Kyoshi holds advanced rank in multiple systems and continues his studies in Gow Ren Lu Kempo Gung Fu, Progressive Arnis, Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Seiho-ha Iaido, Common Sense Self Defense (C.S.S.D), Inner Wave Pencak Silat and Morin Kun Tao Silat.
He is an active member of the Gow Ren Lu Kempo Gung Fu International Association, Progressive Arnis and Kamishinkai International. In years past, he instructed in officer survival tactics for Kentucky Department of Corrections C.E.R.T members and Greensboro Police Department. Currently, he continues as a guest instructor at seminars around the United States, Spain and Portugal.
Sifu Phil Switzer
Sifu Phil Switzer
Master Sifu Phil Switzer has studied and trained in Wing Chun since 1981. His Sifu was Bart Mann, who trained under Sifu Gerry Gardner (a Duncan Leung disciple). We have carried Yip Man’s lineage through the years. Master Sifu Phil was helping run the Colorado School of Wing Chun when Sifu Bart was killed in a tragic accident in 2006. Sifu Phil took over the operation of the school at that time. He has been a student and an instructor at Rocky Mountain Thunder many times. His favorite quote is "My students are my teachers".
GM Conrad Bui
GM Conrad Bui
Dr. Conrad Bui is known as the "M.A.N." (Martial Arts Nerd). His mission is to spread the love of the martial arts lifestyle.
5th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and American Freestyle Karate
Sifu (Instructor) in Jeet Kune Do
Guru Besar (Head Instructor) Pentjak Silat Serak
Sigung (Grandmaster) in Kuntao Silat de Thouars
Sigung (Grandmaster) in Ying Lung Xing Ba Gua Zhang
Guro (Instructor) in NU Breed Kali
Kru (Instructor) in Muay Thai
2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
1st Degree Black Belt Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido
NRA Certified Instructor
Tiga Tactics Combatives Founder
Sifu Richard Dean
Sifu Richard Dean
Hua Quan Dao, or Chinese Fist Way, is the embodiment of Sifu Eric Ling’s lifetime of study in the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (TCMAs). Principles of structure, mechanics and dynamic flow are the bedrock of Hua Quan Dao. By this, we learn to generate incredible power and speed without pause…one flow.
Hua Quan Dao has been referred to as Jin Dao, or the way of energy. Hua Quan Dao is a continuum of study from Saolim Lohan to Fuzhou Whooping Crane…the bookends of HQD. Maximum power, to softest targets, with sharpest weapons, liberated to deploy as needed with innumerable manifestations. This is what principle based training allows one to cultivate.
Everything is a target and everything is a weapon, at any range. We don’t block bridge, we destroy it…”three gates and your general is mine.” Hua Quan Dao teaches one to hold one’s peace; so in the savagery of study, we cultivate a meek spirit. This is power under control. Thus it is said, “The meek walk away because they can. The weak walk away because they must.”
Professor Bob Austin
Professor Bob Austin
Professor Robert Austin first began his martial arts journey over 50 years ago with his father teaching him basic boxing skills. In the mid 1970’s his father enrolled him in Judo classes at the YMCA in Denver. Always the student, Professor Austin switched from his Judo and started training in Tae Kwon Do and competing in both traditional TKD and American Karate tournaments. He eventually earned his Black Belt and started his first martial arts school in October of 1985. It was at that time; he met his teacher and friend “Soke” Don Philip who introduced him to the art of Kami Shin Ryu Jujitsu. Shortly after that, he dedicated himself to train in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo, Willem de Thouars Kuntao Silat, Gow Ren Lu Kempo / Carlson Method, and various Filipino arts.
Years ago, when teaching a seminar in Portugal, Professor Austin was also introduced to his teacher / mentor Professor James Muro and his “Island Blend”of Chow Hoon Goshin Jitsu. The combinations of all these various arts have become the basis for Professor Austin’s martial arts method he calls International Kenpo Karate Jujitsu (IKKJ).
Renshi Matt Ansari
Renshi Matt Ansari
Renshi Matthew Ansari has been training in several different martial arts styles, including judo, since 1993 and began teaching Shorinji Kempo in 2003. He served in the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry for more than 7 years, including two tours in Afghanistan
Current Rankings:
1st Dan in Shorinji Kempo under Sensei Chester Israel
4th Dan in Shihairyoku Kempo under the founder, Sensei Chester Israel
2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate under Sensei Mark Zachary
1st Dan in Okinawan Kempo
2nd Dan in Shur-Te Bu-jutsu-Kai under Shihan Troy Price
Advanced instructor in Progressive Arnis under Guro Chad Bailey
Lao Shr Brandon Berman
Lao Shr Brandon Berman
Lao Shr Brandon Berman has over 40 years of experience in the study of martial arts and is both a lineage holder and an active teacher within the Ying Lung Hsing system. Ying Lung Hsing, or Image of a Dragon Body, is the culmination of a lifetime of study by Lao Shr Wayne Welsh, encompassing traditional internal Chinese arts such as Bagua Zhang, Tai Chi, Hsing-I, Indonesian martial arts, and a deep understanding of natural body motion and mechanics.
Brandon's martial arts journey began in his childhood in New Mexico, inspired by Bruce Lee's films. He started by dabbling in Judo at the YMCA before earning several belts and breaking a few boards at Kim's Taekwondo.
In 1993, Brandon moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he began studying Traditional Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu under Shifu Howard Solow. This was a pivotal moment, marking the beginning of his serious commitment to martial arts as a daily practice. Over the next decade, he studied with and taught under Shifu Howard Solow.
In 2003, Brandon transitioned to studying internal martial arts with Lao Shr Wayne Welsh, focusing on Bagua Zhang, Hsing-I, and Tai Chi. After the passing of Lao Shr in 2020, Brandon dedicated himself to furthering his knowledge of Tai Chi. In 2021, he underwent intensive, private Tai Chi training with Master Christoff Clarke and subsequently began studying Chen Man Ch'ing Tai Chi with Sifu Greg Phister, making this style the primary focus of his Tai Chi teaching since 2022.
Brandon currently teaches Bagua Zhang, Hsing-I, Tai Chi, and Qigong at various venues, including recreation centers, studios, retirement homes, and his personal home kwoon.
Currently, he continues his studies by attending international Tai Chi retreats, studying Jujutsu with Kyoshi Jason May, Gao style BaGua Zhang and Combat Shuai Chiao with Sifu Chi Hsieh, and Morin Kun Tao Silat with Guru George Morin.
Shihan Ben Aldridge
Shihan Ben Aldridge
Shihan Ben Aldridge started studying Kenpo Karate in 2001 with Kyoshi Robert Koch, and currently holds a 5th Degree Black Belt. He has continuously trained in Kenpo since he started and is currently the owner and operator of the International Black Belt Studio in Alden, NY.
Around 2005, he began training for a with Sifu Christopher Zeth in Jung Hop Kuen Gung Fu. In December of 2021, Shihan started training in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Seiho-ha Iaido with Kyoshi Jason May. In January of 2023, he began training in Progressive Arnis with Guro Chad Bailey and currently holds the rank of Purple Belt and Taga Pagsanay. Shihan Aldridge is working his way through Grand Master Bram Frank’s Instructor Training Program for the Modular Blade Combat and Concepts course.
Lao Shr Eric Navrides
Lao Shr Eric Navrides
Lao Shr Eric Navrides has over 35 years experience in Martial Arts practice. He is currently the senior instructor in charge of training and promotion within Ying Lung Hsing. Ying Lung Hsing, or “Image of Dragon Body” is the culmination of a lifetime of study by Lao Shr Wayne Welsh of Fu Style Baguazhang, Traditional Chinese Martial Arts along with natural body motion and mechanics. Lao Shr Navrides continues to expand his knowledge of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts as a student of Hua Quan Dao under Sifu Richard Dean.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse