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Our Teachers
Bob Holland
Victoria Kung Fu
Academy owner, Sifu Bob Holland, is an 8th Degree, White-Sash, Master of Shaolin
Kempo Kung-Fu.
Sifu Bob Holland
has over 25 years of serious training, teaching, exploration, and leadership in
the martial arts that has culminated in his status as a substantial figure in
the martial arts community on Vancouver Island . From his beginnings in western
boxing at age 12, Sifu Bob was attracted to the discipline and perseverance
required by the martial arts to achieve personal excellence. Much of his time in
the arts has been dedicated to the study of Shaolin Kempo Kung-Fu. This form of
Kung-fu combines traditional Kung-Fu with the Kempo techniques introduced to
North America from Okinawa via Hawaii by Ed Parker; a martial arts pioneer in
the United States and a legend in Kempo Karate. In recent years Sifu Bob
Holland, and his teaching methods became a featured portion of the book Me, Chi
& Bruce Lee.
Following a
four-year career as an amateur boxer, and annual invitations to CFL training
camps beginning at age 17, subsequently culminating in competing for a position
with an NFL team, Sifu Bob’s sole focus became training in Shaolin Kung-Fu.
Studying under Master Ed O’Brien, founder of Kung-Fu Canada , combining his
dedication, self-discipline, and superb athleticism, Sifu Bob achieved senior
Black Belt status and became the leading figure at Kung-Fu Canada in Victoria
overseeing curriculum development and instruction. After a decade with the
organization, Sifu Bob left in 1996 to open his own schools in Victoria and the
Westshore. Many students followed him to where they successfully achieved the
rank of Black Belt. Several of these students remain in his school today, having
trained with Sifu Bob for as long as 16 years.
While continuing to
expand his mastery in Shaolin Kung-Fu, Sifu Bob acquired Shaolin Wu-Kung
expertise following ten years of training under Grand Master Shi Yo Hai. At the
same time, Sifu Bob has also become an accomplished teacher of escrima (short
sticks) after 12 years of training under Balintawak escrima Grandmaster Dr. Dom
Lopez. Sifu Bob continues to train with these Grand Masters to this day. In
addition to his comprehensive knowledge of body-mechanics, strength and
flexibility training for the martial arts, Sifu Bob is also well versed the arts
of in Chi-na, jiu-jitsu, and various traditional Shaolin weapons-based systems.
He also has training in the related healing arts of Shiatsu and Moxibustion, and
Chi-kung medical massage.
Sifu Bob’s passion
for teaching and martial arts excellence is rooted in his commitment to the true
philosophy of the martial arts - respect for oneself and others. This attitude
is shared by his wife Tammy and sons Brock and Brandon. Indeed, the Holland
family are role models for the Kung Fu Academy mission, having each trained
diligently as a family on their path to Black Belt. Though humble about his
achievements in the arts, Sifu Bob holds an impressive record as a martial arts
competitor, including tournament-winning performances that have placed him among
the top-three, Kung-Fu martial artists in Western Canada. More importantly, it
is his personal, sincere and good-natured dedication to teaching and learning
coupled with genuine care and regard for the well-being of each individual
student that has resulted in Sifu Bob being an inspiration to children and
families seeking a top quality martial arts education in the Victoria area.
Tammy Holland
As one of the original members of the
school, Tammy has spent 16 years training with her husband Bob in Shaolin Kempo
Kung fu and holds a 3rd degree black belt. Tammy’s 5 years studying
as a massage practitioner have been very beneficial for students, friends and
many others. She specifies in two methods of massage. Chi-Kung Medical Massage
which harmonizes the body's blood circulation, nervous system and energy by
using a wide array of healing techniques. The second is
Swedish relaxation massage which is a type of massage that uses gentle, flowing
strokes and light to moderate pressure to help promote relaxation. These skills
are complimented by Tammy’s natural, open and warming personality. Many of
Tammy’s pleasant traits have become thoroughly refined as a mother of 2 boys,
Brock and Brandon Holland, who have also trained within the school and received
their junior black belts.
Ryan Johnston
Ryan has trained in martial arts for the last 10 years and spends much of each week teaching in the studio. He is in his third year at the University of Victoria where he is enrolled in the Asian Studies program.
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