Sifu Steven Tarrago I was born in 1964 along with my twin brother. My parents emigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in 1957. Due to their refugee status, I lived my early years in a low-income housing project. At the age of ten in 1974, because of the high crime in the area we lived in, I would come home from school many times victimized by bullies and robbers. My parents became concerned for our safety, the bad influence and peer pressure from street thugs. My parents enrolled us in a Kung Fu class at a local YMAC in Allapattah. I went through three teachers in 3 years: 1974-75 Ed Peterson Gojo Ryu Karate, 1975-76 Kibo (Wing-Chung Kung Fu), 1976-77 Judo In 1978, my parents who were working hard to better themselves, and were able to leave the projects and move into a low-income single family home. At that time, I met my next-door neighbor Acelo Pedroso. Acelo Pedroso was studying Gojo Ryu karate from Master Ruben Font of the Zen Kenpo Do system who was also a Chinese medicine and acupuncture doctor. It was also in 1978 that I met Sensei Benny Colon and Master Moses Colon at the 36th st. gym. I began studying Matsu-Bashi Shorin-Ryu Karate. This was the beginning of what I considered my formal training. My student/teacher relationship matured into a life long friendship. During my first 16 years of Shorin Ryu training, I experimented with other forms of martial arts (1979-85 Chinese Kenpo karate Grand Master Ed Parker, Master Manny Reyes, Master Rey Irrizarry). In 1979 I began actively competing in Greco Roman wrestling. In 1980, while still involved in the practice of karate, I became a member of the amateur boxing federation and participated in the city of Miami police boxing program located in Elizabeth Verecks gym. During this time I was also exposed to Hungar Kung-Fu. I have attended many martial arts seminars and I had the opportunity to meet many great teachers. In 1985 my professional career in law enforcement allowed me to get involved in police defensive tactics. I am currently a certified police instructor and assist my agency as the chief defensive tactics instructor in baton training and survival techniques. In 1989 I met world champion Scott Ashley who is also a Shorin Ryu instructor. A friendship developed which is still true today. While practicing Shorin Ryu and kick boxing in 1991 he introduced me to Master Kenneth Ruiz. I continued my Shorin Ryu studies with him obtaining a second-degree black belt from both he and Master Moses Colon. I have been fortunate and blessed to still have relationship with these gentlemen. During my studies with Master Ruiz, I learned of a secret Chinese system called Kun-Tao. Having been exposed to many martial arts for most of my life, I was able to appreciate the validity of the Kuntao system. In 1995 Master Ruiz introduced me to Master Carl Spitale, one of Grand Master Willem Reader's original students. During this time I had the honor of meeting Uncle Bill's senior student Segun Wayne Welch who is the overseer of the Kun Lun Pai system. Uncle Bill directed Segun Wayne Welch to be my overseer in the Kun Lun Pai family. While gravitating towards the Kun-Tao system, I found myself being exposed to Master Guy L. Savelli. He is a red sash in Hu Chung Kun-Tao and was a student of Grand Master Willem Readers. In my quest for Kuntao, I have had the opportunity to meet Sifu Ed "Tiny" Sealy, Sifu Tony Laughlin, and Sifu Lenny Howy. They have been humbling experiences. In 1997 I also met Kuntao Master Joseph Salomone who is a student of a 4th Dan red sash Arthur Sikes, the senior student of Grand master Willem Readers. I continued my relationship with Bapak Willem de Thouars and eventually he accepted me as a direct disciple. While being my mentor, teacher, and "Uncle" I was able to meet and train with his senior student/teachers and fellow martial arts associates (many martial arts systems). There are so many masters that I cannot fairly list them all, but these Master/teachers are all fine men and great martial artist. I have continued my research and studies in order to continue growing and evolving. I was given the opportunity by good friend and Chinese Gung Fu teacher Sifu Al Agong to meet and train with the Shaolin Monks on their tour of the United States. I have tried very diligently to progress the Art that "Uncle" has shared with me. In 1999 my dear friend Sifu Jose Moratalla and I formed a fellowship of Kuntao practitioners to promote and maintain the Art of Kuntao in the state of Florida. This brotherhood has grown and continues to bring people together for the rewarded of sweating. I was humbled to meet an old time friend of Uncle, Sifu Tom Akers (San Soo Gung Fu) master/student of 42 years, of Sigun Jimmy H. Woo. Our Kuntao family has continued moving in a positive direction. I also had the pleasure of meeting and sharing with Professor Rick Hernandez (free spirit Kuntao). All of these instructors are one family under God. I have continued my research of Kun Tao the Chinese Internal Martial & Healing Arts with the invaluable assistance of Dr. Gordon X and Master George Xu of Shang Hi China. Currently I have been blessed with the following recognition; Certified State of Florida Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor: (Expandable Baton, RIPP restraints, and Police Nunchaku) Certified Guru in Indonesian Silat Certified Sigun in Chinese Kun Tao Certified Ni Dan Black Belt in Matsubashi Shorin Ryu and Zen Recognized by the Worldwide Association for Chinese Internal Martial Arts Former Member of the ABF (Boxing Federation) and KKAL (Karate-Kick Boxing League) Certified Reiki Master Certified Aroma Therapy Practitioner Among the lessons I have learned during my 33 years of experience in the Martial Arts are: I'm still the same person I was in 1974 - A STUDENT OF THE ART. The more I learn, I realize how little I know, but will not be discouraged. I'm comforted by the will to keep learning from the masters and their treasures. I will honor and respect their efforts by sharing my expression of universal principles (the essences) with a pure heart in a positive light. Peace be with you Sifu Steven F. Tarrago