Sifu Jonathon Gettleman

Jonathan Gettleman is a counselor, student of the way and a practitioner of Wu Chi Chuan Fa.  Currently a level 9 practitioner.

His practice is influenced by his study of several martial arts and professions.  

Northern Style Shaolin Kung Fu, Tong Bei Quan (White Gibbon Fist), Tai Chi Quan (Yang Style forms and push hands), and Wu Chi Quan Fa. 

Jonathan is also a surfer, an adventurer, and a human rights and criminal defense attorney.  

These practices all inform the basis from which Jonathan perceives and teaches. 

While Jonathan has extensive knowledge of the basic techniques of Wu Chi Chuan Fa, every class is intended to reflect the concept of Mu Hsin (Beginner's Mind). 

"We all have habitual practices and experiences from which we typically perceive.  Part of the learning process in Wu Chi Chuan Fa will be to witness through movement, interaction and silence the benefits and limitations of maintaining this limited self identity as the contoller of all sensory imput.  We will all bow in before class, unify our intentions and set forth with open minds and hearts to develop ourselves up to and beyond our perceived limitations.  The challenge is a timeless one requiring the utmost sincerity and attention and vigilence.  For the same reason, this path of self discovery is also most rewarding."

                                                                               -Jonathon Gettleman 2008

LOCATION:

Grant Park in Santa Cruz, California.  Grant Park is just east of the intersection of Ocean Street and Plymouth Ave on Grant Street.  between 6am and 7 am on the weekdays and 8:30am and 9:30am on Saturday. 

Contact for exact directions and practice times:

Jonathan Gettleman - j_gettleman@hotmail.com or via phone at 831-325-1247.

Our Sigung (師公) "Master Teacher"

¨      34 years experience – Wu Chi Chuan-fa – including training in South East Asia Fighting in Underground Burmese and Thai Fights as a way to improve his study of the defense oriented Buddhist and Taoist influenced form of Kung fu, predating but similar to Shaolin Chuan –fa also known as Chinese Kempo.  This Art has recently been adapted from a classical warrior’s cultural perspective to a more modern global culture by the last three Senior Instructors.  Historically taught to and practiced by those who intended to make long and arduous journeys by foot.  Most often these journeys were inspired pilgrimages.  The only weapon of this style is the walking stick.

¨      Also during the study of his primary Art he has had interest in all other Martial practices and has intensely investigated many of them.  Some of these include the following:

¨      Tai Chi Chuan, Ba qua & Hsing I, Shaolin Chuan-fa , American Kenpo, Kajukembo, Hwrang Do, Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Aiki-Jitsu, Goshin-Jitsu, Ju-jitsu, Karate-Do, Zen Do Kai, Ninjitsu, Muy-Thai or "Kickboxing" Trained and fought in South East Asia

v  He has PhD is in Philosophy and a Doctor of Science Human Movement both of which are a great compliment to the practice.

¨      The study of health and fitness are encouraged.  He took up lifting weights as a complimentary practice and in 1989 and placed 1^st in the North Carolina State Power lifting Championships.

¨      He is also a certified Personal/Fitness trainer, Lifestyle Coach, Meditation teacher, Author(Moral Character), Nutritional Reseacher/Consultant, and Instinctive Wilderness Guide and a Professor of Exercise Science at private College.

¨      Seminar Teaching Experience:

¨      X – Group/Private classes/training since 1984

¨      1 – For instructors only, northern NY, on blind sparring development.

¨      1 – General multiple attacker situations.

¨      2 – Board breaking as a method of focus development.

¨      1 – Martial  Arts and the development of intuitive awareness.

¨      12 – Women’s Self-Defense UofA rape crisis center

¨      13 – 3 month intensives, A Martial Art intro/overview.

¨      21– As a guest speaker on food quality and selection

¨      200+ -- Successful Nutritional consultations

¨      19 – Expeditions, extended living in the wild (without modern domestic contrivance) since 1987

¨      43-- lectures and  workshops on functional meditation

¨      On going classes in Kung Fu since 1984 and College Exercise Science

¨     Personal bias - Formal Certifications & Degrees should be held under strict scrutiny, on the grounds that these do not necessarily indicate competence.  Though it is possible to find competence, mediocrity has dominated the Martial Arts as a result of the pursuit of commercial success.  Our Sigung's qualifications are demonstrable any time and any place because he carries them with him, in him, as him.  His standards are high but not unreasonable.  If you train with him, expect to pursue the highest expression of excelence and quality.  Reaching toward your potential with every breath!

A kung fu school dedicated to developing your true prowess, through mental, physical and spiritual training? 

We have no religiuos affiliations.  We will niether denying nor affirm any one belief system but rather we will guide you to your own understanding.