Somerset Kung Fu and Tai Chi

08/25/2026

08/07/2026

September is going to be a big month for Shaolin-Do in Lexington!

Grandmaster Sin Thé will be teaching Entwining Hands Praying Mantis Fist, a 37-posture form divided into four sections. Developed in China’s Shantung Province, this form teaches the Praying Mantis system’s famous entwining and wrist-trapping techniques.

The seminar will be available both online and in person.

🥋 Sunday, September 13
2:00–6:00 PM EDT
Online seminar via Zoom

🥋 Friday, September 18
6:30 PM — Lower Rank Test
7:00 PM — Black Belt Test
Sin Thé Karate School

🏆 Saturday, September 19
9:00 AM — Fall Gathering & Tournament
Lexington Ice Center

🥋 Sunday, September 20
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
In-person seminar with Grandmaster Sin Thé

Registration forms and additional information are available at:

www.sinthe.com/events

07/01/2026

One year ago today, I decided my midlife crisis was going to look a little different.

After 41 years of training and teaching a striking art, I walked into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym and started over as a white belt.

Not because I needed a “new” art, or needed to add anything.
Not because I was done with Shaolin-Do. I am Shaolin-Do for life.
But because I wanted a challenge.

I'll be honest — I was also just miffed. Miffed at all the online noise, people arguing this art versus that art, like centuries of training, instruction, and honing doesn't count for anything. That night I read a quote that said, "The mats don't lie," and that got stuck in my craw.

At 51 years old — now 52 — I’ve been rolling with guys in their early 20s, getting smashed, learning, laughing, surviving, and having an absolute blast.

And here’s what I’ve found: my Shaolin-Do hasn’t been replaced. It has been tested. Tried. Tempered. And it’s still coming out strong.

Jiu-Jitsu has challenged my body, sharpened my mind, humbled me, and made me a better teacher. Starting over as a white belt after decades of teaching is not easy, but it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.

One year apart.
One year older.
One year better.

Aging is for idiots.

And I’m just getting started. 🥋

Thank you Coach Dustin, Charlie, Scott and Mike for beating the snot out of me every week.

06/22/2026

Throwback. My niece Shayla performing the third bird kata.

05/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2445834582506298

05/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15oTsDkbQrB/