Testimonials

Below are real life testimonials from students of Quan Yin Martial Arts.

 

		I started this art in 1993 and never looked back.  My whole life I always had interests with martial arts, but never really knew much about them other than what I saw in the movies.  When I was a kid, I tried taking Red Dragon Karate and left after about 10 months.  I started taking it because I was picked on a lot when I was a freshmen in high school.  I was 5 foot nothing, overweight, had braces and wore glasses.  I was a prime target.  While I studied Red Dragon, I learned some things and was great while I was there, and did decent in the tournaments even though I didn't win any trophies.  I felt I could protect myself... while I was there in the studio, or at a tournament because there were rules to follow.  However, once I walked out the door, I didn't think I could protect myself if something were to happen.  Most of the stuff we studied at that time was for tournaments.  It had rules, dos and don'ts, what targets got the most points to win the tournament, etc.  I was told that everything I learned was applicable to the street, but those words didn't give me any comfort.  I was always looking for something that would protect me in real life. In 1993, a friend of mine told me about someone he knew that taught what he called, "Chinese Street Fighting".  It intrigued me and I took him up on it.  When I went to the school and met Master Tony Horton for the first time, he didn't have any adult students and only opened his doors a few weeks earlier.  We talked for a while and he showed me a pole form.  After our talk, I decided to give it a try and started the very next day. Since I was his first adult student at this school, I was fortunate enough to get a lot of one on one training.  As I started training, I found that this art had everything I always wanted to find in a martial art.  The philosophy of the art helped me to be more humble and respectful for others.  Practitioners of Kung Fu San Soo are sometimes called "Modern Day Monks".  You learn how to defend yourself from day one and everyone here is family.  Everyone trains together as well as individually and helps each other learn and grow.  I learned how to defend against one person, multiple people, and people with weapons.  The physical training is tedious, however it's great exercise. This art can be very devastating if the situation needs it, however we are taught from day one to only do what is necessary to survive and leave the situation safe.  The level of intensity will depend on the situation you are in.  I look at life differently now after studying this art and believe that I'm a better person for it. -Julius Wright Black Belt 4th Degree
		"I had always considered myself as a fairly healthy person who possessed the ability to protect myself if I had too.  I have also been considerably athletic having participated in sports (football and wrestling) throughout my life. The first day I walked though the doors of Quan Yin Kung Fu – known then as Pasadena Kung Fu San Soo - I was impressed by Master Tony Horton’s approach and demeanor. He was very humble but had a fire in his eye that told you he was confident in his art. I was invited to watch and marveled at the way the school was conducted.  The students all participated in a hand form that was performed in unison and flowed gracefully. Master Horton then presented a lesson after which the students paired up and begin practicing on each other.  I also witnessed students working out in what I viewed as a practical and serious manner defending against punches, kicks, holds, and grabs.  I appreciated the efficiency in which the students targeted vital areas of the body which would render any man helpless. I thanked Master Horton and left the school thinking about what I had just seen.  I wondered if I could learn to move away from an attack and deliver a deadly combination.  I soon returned and was humbled by my lack of coordination and inability to avoid attacks.  I was told by every student to be patient and that it would take time.  Master Horton demonstrated patience as well by taking time to carefully instruct me in each lesson.  After a few weeks I was moving better and feeling more confident in my ability to work out.  The hand forms helped me strengthen my entire body and gave me the foundation to improve my combat readiness. Fast forward to 2003 and I am now a fourth degree black belt who trains regularly and loves the school and art of Kung Fu San Soo and T’ai Chi Ch’uan.  The techniques and lessons are deadly and taught with the intent to maim, cripple, or even kill. Any person - man, woman or child - would benefit tremendously from the confidence gained and improvement in overall health obtained from Master Tony Horton and the Quan Yin Kung Fu School of Monrovia, California." -Ken Hitts Master
More to come...