Boulder Kung Fu Academy

Another one of our annual Colorado retreats has come to a close. This year, we were joined by special guests from the USA Seven Star Mantis Style Lee Kam Wing Martial Arts Association, Sifu Brian Bateman and Sifu Derrick Wright, for the 3rd Annual Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu Training Camp 2026.

It was an honor for Boulder Kung Fu Academy to host everyone here in Colorado, bringing together masters and students for the weekend.

I’m especially grateful to my Sifu, Yamel Torres, for making the trip from Chicago with some of my kung fu siblings, and for sharing Soft Agile Claw and the 8 Non-Attacking Points with everyone.

I’m grateful to Sifu Brian Bateman from Rochester, NY, for joining us with some of his students and teaching 2-Man Wooden Dummy and Six Harmony Staff. A special thank you to him as well for presenting our school with a friendship flag.

I’m grateful to Sifu Derrick Wright from Los Angeles for joining us with some of his students and teaching Little Scoop Wheel and the 8 Rigid Methods.

It was also great to have Sifu Tearanie Hoyle from Belleville, IL, a student of Sifu Wright, join us with some of his students for the weekend.

To everyone who traveled from around the country to train with us, thank you. Beyond the hours of kung fu, we were able to hike, share meals, explore Boulder, and spend time together as an extended kung fu family.

And a special thank you to my students, not only for training and participating, but for helping throughout the weekend and making sure everything ran smoothly.

Events like this are a good reminder that kung fu is about more than what happens during class. It’s about preserving the art and continuing to build the relationships and community that keep this tradition connected.

A huge congratulations to Holly for earning her Gold Sash w/ Red Stripe tonight!

A job well done. It’s been great to see the consistency and initiative you’ve brought to your training, and the steady progress you’ve made along the way.

Keep up the great work and dedication to your training!

And thank you to everyone who came out to support and celebrate her this evening.

Remembering my kung fu brother Faarooq today. We shared more than twenty years of history through our kung fu family, and I’m grateful for all the time we had along the way. My condolences to his family and to everyone who is feeling his loss.

I would like to thank my student, Seth Drake, for taking the time to train and participate in the ICMAC 28th Annual International Chinese Martial Arts Championship in Orlando, Florida.

Gold for playing Falling Plum Blossom (梅花路) Form
Gold for playing Eight Diagram Saber (八卦刀) Form
Silver for playing Five Tiger Spear (五虎枪) Form
Silver for Continuous Sparring

It was also wonderful to spend time with my Sifu, Yamel Torres, and the students he brought from Chicago to compete in the tournament. It was especially meaningful to share that time together as part of our extended kung fu family. Congratulations to everyone!

Thanks to everyone who made it out for the BKFA camping trip! It was great spending time together outside of class and enjoying some time by the lake.

Wildlife, fresh air, and time together 🏕️

Two promotions tonight. A big congratulations to:⁣
⁣
- Lucy for earning her Green Sash
- Django for earning his Green Sash

And for being officially accepted into our school (and the Practitioner Program). Keep up the great work and dedication to your training.

And thank you to everyone who showed up to support (and celebrate) them today.

Celebrating two wonderful students as they make their longtime adventure official. It was an honor to share in their beautiful day, and especially meaningful to celebrate alongside other members of our student community. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness, health, and love together. Congrats Darya and Connor!

Boulder Kung Fu Academy was recently featured in VoyageDenver!

I shared a bit about our roots, the lineage behind the practice, and why traditional training still matters in a world that often overlooks depth, patience, and deliberate practice.

Grateful for the chance to tell the story: https://smpl.ro/vd2

Annual Colorado Retreat • Aug 28–30, 2026
Train, connect, and deepen your practice with Sifu Torres, special guests, and the Seven-Star Mantis community. Reserve your space today.

Two promotions tonight! A huge congratulations to:

- Darya for earning her Green Sash w/ 2 Stripes
- Connor for earning his Green Sash w/ 2 Stripes

Keep up the great work and dedication to your training!

And thank you to everyone who showed up to support (and celebrate) Darya and Connor today!