These letters were written by students of Sifu Martin Kelly, as testimonials for his training methods and the Self-Care Arts curriculum.
May, 2009
ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
It was a Sunday morning, and I was at my annual paintball tournament with old friends and coworkers. We were out there for hours without a time check, so I asked a patron for the time, and he replied 10 to 3. Realizing I had to be to work in 10 minutes and I was an hour away with no phone, I scurried to round up all my gear knowing full well I missed half of it. I jumped in my car and flew out of there, hoping my friends would find the rest of my stuff. So there I was, driving like a bat out of hell, hoping I don't get fired, and I finally make it into Manitou! Where I realize the whole town is filled with construction, detours, and tourists. Never a good combination!
So, I get stuck behind this white Yukon driving 2 miles an hour looking at birds, mountains or whatever tourists do. So, growing more and more frustrated, I do what most Americans do, I start telling my sterring wheel how I feel about the situation! When I came to the sudden realization my window was open and so is his. Just as I noticed this, I see the man driving the Yukon stop, look in his rearview and slam it into park. His door flies open and the man emerges pissed off and ready!
And all I noticed is that his SUV, raised up about 8 inches when he got out, time slowed down and I just think to myself, I don't want to get stuck in my car when he starts throwing blows! So, in a flash, I jump out of my car and realize I am standing toe to toe with a 6 foot 9, 400 pound man. Me weighing in at only 140, I think to myself I might have messed up! I told the man I didn't want to do this and asked him to return to his car, but he was not receptive. So, after a minute or two of verbal confrontation, I realize the man in the car behind me was getting out saying both of them were going to kick my ass, and run right over me! So, about that point, my nerves kicked in, my legs start shaking, and my heart starts beating through my chest!
So there I am, toe to toe with Andre the giant and this other guy closing the gap fast. My back was up against my car, and I think to myself, I have to move my position, so I take a half side step to the left. And as soon as I did, the big guy pushes me with all his might. I fly back, my head bounces off my car, my feet come up off the ground and then reflex, I come down with my full body power and land a perfect fut sao to his windpipe, instantly brining the giant to his knees. At the same time, I see the man from behind me, cocked and coming in for the strike, I instantly switch to my left neutral side stance and bil gie strike to his left eye, once again instantly bringing the man to the ground and resolving the situation.
So, I stepped over the two men, got in my car and went to work! I would recommend Self-Care Arts to anybody who is seeking both mental and physical stimulation or those who want the confidence to protect themselves or loved ones.
C.B. age 28
March, 2009
Tai Chi days are my favorite...and why not? When Tai Chi is such a benefit to those of us who are active seniors and want to stay that way.
Jinn B.
March, 2009
My doctor has been recommending for a number of years that I try Tai Chi. I am in Martin Kelly's Seniors' Tai Chi class, and my doctor is thrilled. He has always said that Tai Chi opens up the lungs and helps strengthen the immune system. It also improves range of motion if you have arthritis. Thank you Martin!
Ruth Edwards
March, 2009
Benefits of the Seniors' Tai Chi class: Martin is very funny and sensitive to the needs of individual participants, so everyone leaves relaxed, feeling good about themselves, and feeling stronger with better balance. Plus they've had several good laughs.
L. Moony
December 19, 2006
Self-Care Arts was the 5th kung fu school I looked at, and now I’ve been with Self-Care Arts for nearly three years. Sifu Kelly is a great instructor, and I truly enjoy learning from him. Sifu Kelly has had no trouble adjusting to my deafness.
I recently attended an Empty Hands and Knife Defense seminar taught by Grandmaster Maier, which I enjoyed. I’d love to see how his blind and wheelchair black belts have learned ninjutsu!
When I think about how much I have to learn, I see a long hall filled with books. That’s how much I have to learn.
I feel very privileged to be under Sifu Kelly’s tutelage. When I found out his Grandmaster also taught Bruce Lee, I felt even more privileged.
M. Dowds
July, 2006
At 46 years of age my body had begun to let me down. After all the training I had done in the military I felt that my body simply wasn’t cooperating.
As a Non-Commissioned officer I was responsible not only for maintaining an extraordinary level of fitness but also teaching my men to do the same. We all worked hard to max the PT test and I regularly scored 300 pts, the highest score possible.
I continued running and weight training over the years but as I approach middle age I feel real changes in the way my body feels and recovers from stress. Tennis elbow in both arms stemming from my work in the HVAC industry had stopped me from doing many of the activities I had enjoyed like weight training and mountain biking. Often I was plagued by plantar fascitis and was forced to wear special insoles in my shoes to keep the pain at bay. Having been acquainted with Tai Chi practice years ago I decided to investigate the teachers here in Colorado Springs in order to find authentic training.
After training at Self-Care Arts under the guidance of Sifu Kelly I began to get positive results. Not only did my pain diminish significantly after only a few months of training, but I was having a real ball doing it! The atmosphere cultivated by Sifu Kelly is one of friendly helpfulness. The senior students are more than ready to help a beginner understand and apply the techniques and forms making learning extremely enjoyable.
In addition to the health benefits of training in Tai Chi I also found something that had been missing in previous martial arts training, that of the spiritual side of the practice. Sifu Kelly shows us the inner journey as well as the outer, encouraging us to look inside ourselves to find the spiritual gifts we all possess. As of this writing I have also begun Sifu Kelly’s “Fighting for Fitness” program and find my level of fitness getting better and better. In many ways I feel healthier than I ever did during my years of grueling Infantry training, and look forward to maintaining an exceptional level of fitness and well-being regardless of aging.
Thanks Sifu Kelly!
Mark S.
Contractor and former US Army Infantry Sergeant
June 11, 1994
This is a letter of appreciation for what Martin Kelly has done for me in the teaching of my ladies self-defense class.
Throughout the years I have enrolled in several karate schools in an effort to become more confident and competent in self-defense. Martin Kelly is the only instructor who taught pure self-defense and a method of self-defense by a woman for women.
The other schools which I have been involved in taught karate and how to defend against certain attacks. You had to be very physically fit, agile and remember which defense tactic to use. I am no longer a 20 year old who is physically fit and quick on my feet. I have no wish to become an expert in karate in order to have enough practice to remember which hold applies to which attack.
Martin Kelly’s teaching methods have given me the confidence that I very definitely can defend myself. His methods are simple. They do take practice, but not nearly the practice and years it takes to master a specific hold against a specific attack and remember how to do it in the right sequence, and of course, maintaining the right tone of conditioning to pull it off.
In my opinion, Martin Kelly’s course is a must for every woman. Most men could benefit as well.
DTW
February 6, 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
I began training in Wing Chun with Martin Kelly in June of 2003. I decided to train in Wing Chun to get a better understanding of martial arts and to enhance my performance. I have been training in Karate since May of 2000 when I was 48 years old. Last year when I started Wing Chun I had decided to begin competing in tournaments and I figured that at my age I could use all the help I could get. I plan to begin competing this summer and I will compete in forms, sparring, and weapons. After more training I would also like to compete in grappling. Wing Chun has helped me to understand body mechanics and redirecting force and also has given me a different approach to the overall principals of martial arts that has helped me in my competition training.
I am 52 years old now and have concerns about staying healthy, fit, and without injury. Self-Care Arts has helped me to understand my limits but has also helped me to increase my fitness level safely while having fun. I plan to continue training in Wing Chun to black sash. I hope to continue in martial arts for the rest of my life. For me, training in martial arts has been fun, active, educational and has given me confidence as well as increasing my endurance. I would recommend training at Self-Care Arts to anyone, regardless of age, as a lifetime endeavor.
SJP