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Jean West

SCHOOL: King's Kung-Fu and T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association

LOCATION: 4333 Ostrom Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90713

STYLE:
5 Animal 5 Family Southern Sil Lum Kung Fu
Yang T'ai Chi Chuan

RANK: Black Sash

Sifu Jean West began her study in the martial arts in 1957 when her parents, who were in the Air Force, relocated to Japan for six years. During that time she was enrolled in Judo classes by her mother and achieved the rank of Brown Belt.

In the early 1970's she began studying Southern Sil Lum 5 Animal 5 Family Kung-Fu at Bates Kung-Fu Studio in Southern California instructed by Professor & Mrs. Bates.

Professor Gilbert Bates was a student of Ark Yuey Wong as well as Dr. Fenia Woo and Mai Lu Chiang. During this time, Jean West participated in numerous demonstrations and exhibitions that were held at the Bates Studios, throughout Southern California.

In the early 1980's Jean West continued her study of 5 Animal 5 Family Style with Sifu Richard Mieir-King of King's Inner Path Kung Fu in Lakewood, CA (www.KingsKungFu.com). (also a student of Professor Gilbert Bates) and has continued her studies with Sifu Mieir-King to this present date, achieving her Black Sash in 1987.

Jean West also received a certificate of recognition from the North American Black Belt Hall of Fame as acknowledgement of her being an Instructor/Sifu on October 2001.

Sifu Jean West not only participates in classes taught by Sifu Richard Mieir-King, but also serves as an assistant instructor. She also participates in demonstrations and tournaments held by Sifu Mieir-King's Kung Fu School and assists in arranging and organizing demonstrations and events in Southern California and with her Sifu's annual tournament. She also helps in teaching extension classes in Catalina and elsewhere.

Sifu Jean West lives and works in Southern California and has other interests that include writing articles, stories, and poetry.

Sifu West feels that Kung-Fu means hard work and so hard work is what you must put into it. If you only give 10 percent, then that is all you can expect back. If you want more from it, you must give more to it. It's all up to you.

According to Sifu Mieir-King,

"Sifu Jean West is an excellent assistant and when I leave the class to her I know that the class and students are in good hands and that they will receive a top notch workout and class!"

Student Spotlight

Robert Rockwell

SCHOOL: King's Kung-Fu and T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association

LOCATION: 4333 Ostrom Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90713

STYLE:
5 Animal 5 Family Southern Sil Lum Kung Fu
Yang T'ai Chi Chuan

RANK: Black Belt

• 1975-1977 was on Judo team for New Mexico State University and also tried karate during this time.

• 1977 - Moved to Catalina (from Las Cruces, New Mexico) and started teaching science. I could find no martial arts on Catalina at that time.

• 1986 - 1999 Studied under Sifu Rick Taylor on and off. There were times (years) when classes were not offered. Eventually earned a black belt. Style was a northern type kung fu.

  When Sifu Rick Taylor wasn't teaching, I tried out Aikido and Hapkido. Never earned a belt or sash in those systems.

• 1999 to present. Have been studying under Sifu Richard Mieir-King. I attend his Saturday classes. I met him at his first Martial Arts Friendship Gathering, Exhibition, and Expo. I found him through his web site (www.KingsKungFu.com).

  What initially caught my eye was his lineage that went back to Ark Wong. After meeting him, I knew this was the place to train. I try to bring back what I learn in the Saturday class to the classes we hold on Catalina.

I feel you are only as good as your last practice.

Martial arts is a continuing journey that should never end. Either you are learning or teaching.

Teaching reinforces your learning.

Sifu Richard Mieir-King noted that Robert Rockwell is a dedicated student that flies, each weekend, from an Island called Catalina to participate in classes, then during the week brings what he has learned back to his fellow students in Catalina that cannot make the journey.

Robert Rockwell and Yoshi Weeks (a fellow student that makes the weekly trek from Catalina along with Bruce Seibert) have worked to keep classes going weekly in Catalina and are models of highly motivated students and are to be commended!

Past Student Spotlights

Bailey Ling

Eric Scrapa