Jason Deatherage has studied the sword in the Japanese and Chinese traditions for more than 20 years. His inquiries into the deepest principles of swordsmanship combined with his lifelong study of Taoism gave rise to the Piercing Cloud Method and made it the vital and living system that it is. His ongoing inquiries continue to expand and refine the Piercing Cloud Method, and he is constantly and selflessly sharing the results of his work with those around him. It is Jason's experience that one's progress with the sword is visible in all aspects of one's life. Jason's other martial studies include 8 Shadows Fist (Ba Ying Quan), Aikido, Omori Ryu Iaido, Serrada and Balintawak Escrima, and more modern weapons including pistol, carbine and shotgun. Jason is in the process of publishing a series of books on taoism and the art of swordsmanship.
Shifu Neil Ripski is a uniquely talented martial artist who has spent the last 25 years intensively studying and teaching the ancient Ma Family Kung Fu system now known as BaYingQuan, or 8 Shadows Fist. As the sole surviving lineage holder of BaYingQuan, Neil is a world expert on combative Drunken Boxing, and runs a successful full-time residential program for serious students of the art. His hunger for knowledge and learning never ceases, and Neil is a human encyclopedia of the Chinese martial arts.
Kevin Wallbridge has been training since 1985. His areas of expertise are Chinese external martial arts including Northern Shaolin, Zhaquan; Chinese internal martial arts including Taijiquan (Yang and Chen styles), Xingyiquan (Henan and Hebei styles), Baguazhang (Liang, Cheng, Fu, Yin Fu, and Ba Xian styles); Classical Chinese weaponry including straight sword, spear, single edged swords; Qigong including hard and soft martial styles, Daoist meditation and internal alchemy, medical Qigong and Emei sword Qigong.
Kevin has lived and studied in China. He is a co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences school of Chinese medicine. He is a medical anthropologist who is also trained as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. His scientific and medical background combined with his ability to translate ancient Chinese texts means he is able to bring a high degree of practical clarity to the often over-mystified world of Chinese martial arts.
He has trained with several re-known teachers including the late Grandmaster Xu Gongwei, a graduate of the Nanjing Guoshu institute. He has also trained the complete Yang Taijiquan curriculum with Sam Masich. He is a gold medal winning competitor at National and Provincial tournaments and a silver medal winner at the international level (all for Taijiquan and Baguazhang).
Kevin has lived and studied in China. He is a co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences school of Chinese medicine. He is a medical anthropologist who is also trained as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. His scientific and medical background combined with his ability to translate ancient Chinese texts means he is able to bring a high degree of practical clarity to the often over-mystified world of Chinese martial arts.
He has trained with several re-known teachers including the late Grandmaster Xu Gongwei, a graduate of the Nanjing Guoshu institute. He has also trained the complete Yang Taijiquan curriculum with Sam Masich. He is a gold medal winning competitor at National and Provincial tournaments and a silver medal winner at the international level (all for Taijiquan and Baguazhang).