June 2026 Newsletter

Hello students!

We have A LOT to go over this month.

We also have a bunch of birthdays for June, so please share some birthday wishes for Jackson, Marshal, Livia, Josh and Li Pin next time you see them! Also happy 2-years anniversary to Hazel, 5-years anniversary to Amy & Adam, 6-YEARS to Li Pin. Thank you all for you hard work & dedication.

Also, please welcome Melanie to the Beginner's Gongfu classes!

Here's our calendar for this month - be sure to double check your class dates:

• Morning Taiji: Taiji 28 (no class on June 29th)

• Evening Taiji: Disciple Li Pin's pick (no class on June 24th)

• Beginner Gongfu: Disciple Li Jie's pick (no class on June 29th)

• Kid's Gongfu: San Cai Jian continued (no class on June 2nd)

• Advanced Gongfu: Sanda on Tuesdays, Lion dancing review on Thursdays (no class on June 2nd)

UTAH ASIAN FEST 2026

Our lion dancing will be opening the Utah Asian Festival festivities, as customary, next Saturday, June 6th. Parking gets crazy, so if you're coming to participate or enjoy the festivities, you'll want to come early. Parking is a pay-lot, so carpool if you can. Our group is asked to be around the performance area at 11:30am (tentative) with performance around noon; Shifu will be coordinating and giving information to all those performing. For those that can, Shifu will be loading lions into cars on Saturday morning before heading out. If you're able to help, let us know.

SCHOOL CELEBRATION NIGHT

Save the date! We will be celebrating our Best of State win (4th win in a row) this year at a school-wide event, inviting all students and extended to immediate parents/siblings, per approval of course. Be prepared as this is a celebration of our 'climb to the top'.... at Impact Ninja Gym in Sandy (10250 State Street, Sandy, UT), the largest ninja playground! We will celebrate on Tuesday night, June 30th, from 6-8pm.

All paying students of the school, whether Taiji, Gongfu, Kids or Beginners, will be covered for this event. Immediate family that want to just spectate are free to watch on the sidelines, but any additional participants, such as parents or siblings, will be $10/person. Light dessert and snacks will be provided at our party room. Wear gym/athletic shoes, grip socks not needed. Final headcount for the event will be needed on June 25th as well as waivers signed online. Shifu will provide the link to those confirming their attendance.   

FULL TIME JUNG HING LION DANCE TEAM

First off, we have a few events coming up this month that need dancers. Please see link to signup.

To strengthen our lion dance performances year round, lion dancing will now become its own dedicated group within the advanced program. Advanced students and lion dancers will warm up together before splitting into their respective focuses.

All gongfu students will still have opportunities to learn and perform lion dance, especially during Chinese New Year season and Utah Asian Fest. However, we are now officially recruiting dedicated lion dance team members and opening applications for students who want to specialize further. Dailo Jake will also be leading lion dance classes in June to teach new routines, and beginner students are welcome to attend alongside the advanced class.

The long term goal is to build specialized junior, senior, and performance teams capable of handling year round performances while allowing gongfu students to stay focused on forms, weapons, fighting, demonstrations, competition, and sash progression without being stretched too thin.

GOLDEN STATE/WORLD WUSHU TOURNAMENT 2026

This year's Golden State tournament (now called World Wushu Open) will be held on September 5-6. If you're interested in competing in person and traveling to San Jose, CA, for the tournament, please let Shifu know ASAP as there are logistics, flights, etc. Other students plan on going as well so you won't be alone. Otherwise, all gongfu students are invited to compete virtually, online. Registration is already open. See the website for all information.

SUMMER TIME UNIFORM POLICY

As usual with every year around this hotter time, students (especially gongfu students) are to train in school tank-top/t-shirts, and full sanda uniform on sanda days, skipping our usual long-sleeve red uniform blouse. Non-school approved, casual t-shirts are not allowed. Please purchase your t-shirt/tank-top off our school store ahead of time as it'll be a hot summer.

UPGRADES TO STUDENT RECOGNITION

Our school recognizes that we have many incredible students at our school, specifically those that have been with us a long time. We're honored that those students have trusted and stayed with us, even from the very beginning of our creation. We'll be implementing more ways to recognize those students, such as public recognitions as well as rewarding them, for their dedication to the school. Stay tuned for more updates!

ATTENDANCE AND COMMITMENT POLICY

As your Shifu, it is my responsibility to hold you accountable to your training, even on the days you do not feel motivated. I am your coach, your support system, and the person pushing you to become your best, especially when training is inconvenient or uncomfortable.

Our classes are intentionally kept small and limited to students who are serious about their training. Our school exists to preserve and continue our lineage through dedicated students, not simply to fill classes. If profit were the priority, we would accept everyone who applied.

In the grand scheme of things, 8 classes per month is not a large amount of training time, which is why every class matters. Because of this, attendance will now be formally tracked.

Life happens, and serious situations will always be considered. Illness, work, school, family emergencies, vacations, and major life events are understandable. However, communication and consistency are expected. Students should make every effort to attend all scheduled classes and notify Shifu ahead of time whenever possible.

Attendance Policy

• Arrive on time and prepared to train • Time-off for vacations is encouraged but please let Shifu know ahead of time

• Missing 2 classes within a month, no warnings: Attendance warning issued and possible temporary ineligibility for testing or promotion

• Missing 3 classes within a month: Additional attendance warning issued and ineligible for testing or promotion for 2 months

• Missing 3 classes for 2 consecutive months: Enrollment review initiated and possible removal from the school at Shifu’s discretion

• Students absent longer than 2 consecutive months must reapply for enrollment unless special circumstances are approved ahead of time

Morning Taiji Classes

• Students must notify Shifu at least 1 hour before class if unable to attend

• If a class is cancelled due to insufficient attendance and proper notice was not given, a $15 missed class fee may be charged

The mindset of a martial artist is built through grit, repetition, discipline, consistency, and years of dedicated practice despite the demands of everyday life. Advancement is earned through commitment to training, not simply by time enrolled.

FOCUS, YOU MUST

I’ve always been the type of person that, if I want to overcome a hurdle, pass a test, earn a certification, or reach a new level in my training, I have to obsess about it. Whether it’s martial arts, work, or personal goals, I lock in completely. That mentality is the embodiment of gongfu, and you’ll see that same work ethic reflected in many of my disciples as well.

Like many of you know, years ago, before the school existed, I taught private lessons to a student who constantly stayed busy doing everything imaginable. Swimming, music, horseback riding, dancing, traveling, gongfu, and more. On paper, they seemed multi skilled. But over time, it became obvious they never became truly great or confident in any one thing because their focus was always divided.

Most Olympic athletes don’t become elite by casually training in ten different hobbies. They become elite through obsession, discipline, repetition, and sacrifice. They train knowing someone else, somewhere, is working harder while they rest.

The reality is we only have so much time and energy in life. Where you direct that energy matters. If your goal is to become stronger, compete, earn rankings, master your body, or leave this school with real skill and confidence, then you must dedicate yourself to your craft.

Treat your training like a science. That butterfly kick you can’t land yet? Then you attempt it 20 times every class. Can’t do the splits? Stretch every chance you get. Look at the kids learning kip ups. Many spend months flopping over and over until one day they suddenly achieve what once felt impossible. Not because they were naturally gifted, but because they stayed focused on that one skill and didn’t quit.

Set goals for yourself this year and commit fully to them. Remove distractions. Stay consistent. Push yourself harder than before.

We honestly have one of the most unique martial arts studios in Utah, filled with tradition, lore, weapons, fighting, culture, and opportunity. I'm biased, but it's the coolest lifestyle. Take advantage of it. Dive deeply into this world of gongfu and leave one day with something meaningful to show for it.

-Shifu

HOUSEKEEPING & POLICY ITEMS

• Students with small lockers - feel free to use the changing room to hang your uniform to prevent them from mold, as well as keep them tidy and wrinkle-free (they wrinkle easily)

• Parents - please share these newsletters with your kids. It's a great way to connect with their training and ensure they're learning the same things the adult classes are learning.

• Friendly reminder - no discussion of politics at the school, please.

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SCHOOL SCHEDULE