WELCOME to the exciting world of Chinese martial arts. I would personally like to thank you for your courtesy and the trust and confidence you've placed in us. If you have any questions regarding your course, lessons, or training, please don't hesitate to ask.

Promotions for each level are based on the number of lessons and the number of months you’ve trained and the completion of the required material. Regular attendance is very important. We want to keep you on a steady schedule.

As you know, to make progress and achieve the result requires a consistent schedule. Our job is to keep you on that schedule. Our computer system tracks your classes and scheduling. If you can't make your scheduled lesson, please call, text, or email the academy to reschedule.

This New Student Information Kit will provide you with more information about the academy. We encourage you to read through the entire information kit before your first lesson. For more information and Training Charts we suggest you pick up the Beginner's Training Booklet.

We also provide specials every month on training merchandise. Along with using your Loyalty Card, you can save on all your Kung Fu and Tai Chi merchandise.

Please feel free to invite your friends or relatives to the academy to try a few lessons. We can provide you with a Free Instructional DVD that you can also pass along to your friends or co-workers. Or if you have some friends that might be interested and provide their names and emails to the right, we will give you 50 additional bonus points on your gift card for every name and email.

Watch the Orientation Video Below

I always had an interest in martial arts from the time I started grade school. There were always your typical bullies growing up that would pick on you, take your lunch money, and threaten you with physical harm. I was a small skinny kid and tried to avoid them at all costs… even to the point of walking home from school following different routes.

Then one day, I was watching the Olympics and saw a Judo match on the old black and white TV. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about it. I rode my bike to the local W.T. Grant store (the Walmart of that time) and went to the book section. I found a book by Bruce Tegner on Judo, bought it, and hurried home to study the moves.

In my room, I opened the book and began to try to mimic the pictures. The techniques made sense, but I had no idea if I was doing the moves right without a partner. What I learned was leverage and using your opponent's aggressive nature against them. Though the biggest thing I learned was, you cannot learn from a book.

When I was 15, a karate school opened in Allentown, PA. I and several of my friends decided to go and check it out. It was somewhat scary because we did not know what to expect. It helped, though, because we did know someone at the school. We all took our first trial class together, and I fell in love with the martial arts.

Later, I was introduced to a master of martial arts. At that time, it was a big deal because there were only about three masters in the entire state of PA. It was scary, and his classes were tough.

Now here was the fantastic thing, I still never knew anything about Kung Fu or Tai Chi. One day during a training session with the master, he introduced us to a few Kung Fu techniques. We used these for self-defense, and he stated that this was the origin of all martial arts. I was blown away how easily these techniques could handle attackers, and Kung Fu used the same principles that I learned studying that Judo book: use the opponent's force against them.

One day the master comes to me and says, "You're driving me to Pittsburgh because I want to me Grandmaster Pai and train with him. What? A Grandmaster of Kung Fu." Now don't forget all I knew were a few Kung Fu techniques. I never saw the full breadth of techniques involved with Kung Fu.

Yes! We met Grandmaster Pai of White Dragon Kung Fu in Pittsburgh, and after he broke some blocks of ice and I was astounded. I heard about this type of power and never saw it. From that moment on, I started learning Kung Fu, and it became my passion for learning everything that I could.

At that time, Bruce Lee came out with his movie, Enter the Dragon. We were asked to do a demonstration at the outdoor drive-in. When the movie started, I was blown away by the quick techniques that showed the power and effectiveness of Kung Fu. It was not people battling it out for 30 minutes.

Later, Jackie Chan's movies became popular. He concentrated on some specific Kung Fu styles and the ancient masters and their methods of teaching. Of course, he was always the student trying to learn from a tough master. The movies always started with strengthening his body and improving his flexibility before he could learn whatever style the film used. Snake in the Eagle's Shadow was the first one I ever saw in Chinatown, New York. I went to the first showing on the first day it came out. I thought I would be early, but when I got to the theater, the line was 4 New York City blocks long. If you get a chance, check it out.

A few years later, I started hearing rumors about another Chinese martial art called Tai Chi. Everyone was telling me that this was the Grand Ultimate of martial arts. I eventually learned that Tai Chi means Grand Ultimate.

Still going to college and working, I was busy. Moravian College, where I was going, started a self-defense program for the women at the college. They preferred Judo, so that's what I was teaching. That created a passion within me to start teaching martial arts.

In 1972, I opened a Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy in Scranton, PA. It was tough in the beginning, with little money, in a strange town, and no friends. I slept in the school on a wooden floor. I had to take cold water showers because I didn't have a water heater. It was rough, but I had a dream, and I loved the students that I taught.

Eventually, my instructors moved away or just stopped teaching. I had to search for a new instructor. I wanted a system or style that fit my belief that I developed in grade school… use the opponent's force against them.

I trained with several instructors in slightly various styles, including Master Colvin Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Praying Mantis in Washington D.C., Grandmaster Willy Lin (Yang Tai Chi), and White Crane in Chinatown, New York.

In 1974, I opened my second school in Wilkes Barre, PA. The Wilkes Barre school was on the third floor and was an old ballet school. It was perfect, and that's where I started my Demo/Competition team that became unbeatable ion the East coast.

One day I was at Henry Cho's tournament at the Madison Square Garden in New York. He had a small Kung Fu competition division (usually in a hallway because they didn't like Kung Fu). One of the competitors did a fantastic routine of Eagle Claw Kung Fu that I never saw before. I found out who his teacher was and where in New York City.

I called a few days later and made an appointment to visit. The following weekend I drove the two and one-half hours to New York. When I arrived, I was greeted with a display of Kung Fu that I always saw in the popular Kung Fu movies at that time. Students were doing routines, 2-person fighting sets, a variety of weapons, and even the traditional Lion Dance in the corner.

Grandmaster Shum came over and sat down next to me. I had my duffel bag, and I was ready to start. He looked at me and said, "You like what you see." I said, "Yes! It's fantastic." He replied, "Okay, you come back next week." Wow! I drove two and one-half hours for 5 minutes.

The following week I drove to New York again. I had my duffel bag and money. I had no idea what I was going to pay, but I did not care. I arrived and sat in a chair and started watching. A few minutes later, Grandmaster Shum sat down next to me. He said, "So you come back." I just nodded. He continued, "Okay, five hundred dollars." I was expecting that. Don't forget this is 1975. I was ready, though. Like I said, I was prepared. I took out the cash from my pocket and handed it over (no credit cards back then for Kung Fu classes). After I gave him the money, he said, "Okay, you come back next week."

From that time on, I would drive the 2 ½ hours every weekend to New York City to train with Grandmaster Shum. After moving to Pittsburgh, I would fly to New York and spend four 8-hour days of training. The amazing thing was that group classes didn't start until five o'clock, so I got personal instruction in the finer points of Kung Fu and Tai Chi from Grandmaster Shum for five to six hours before anyone even came to the school.

I Receive my Master's Promotion

In 1980, I had the honor of traveling to Hong Kong with Grandmaster Shum, to meet his teacher, the Great Grandmaster Ng Wai Nung. He took me to the school where he trained. It was on the roof of a four-story building. There were several students there working out. The Great Grandmaster asked me to perform several routines and other tests of strength and endurance.

When I was finished, he asked me to come back the next day. He awarded me my Master's Certification. Unlike most certificates on paper, this one was a handmade cloth scroll.

In 1986, I moved to Pittsburgh and opened my third school. Eventually, I opened schools in Wexford and West Mifflin. I've also helped some of my other Black Belts open schools, the latest being in Butler.

Need to Reschedule a Lesson?

• We keep everyone on a daily schedule, so it's important to let us know if you cannot make it in for your lesson.
• Email us at students@rothrockskungfu.com
• Send us a Text to: (412) 259-3791
• Don't forget to include your name and when you're going to be back for your next lesson.

​Class Etiquette

WEAR A PROPER UNIFORM AT ALL TIMES
Always wear a clean uniform to class. If you do not have the proper uniform, you will not be allowed to take a class. If you do not understand what a proper uniform is, please see an associate who can explain some of the different uniform options.

​DO YOUR KUNG FU GREETING BEFORE ENTERING AND LEAVING THE CLASSROOM
This shows respect for the art you study and controls one’s ego. It lets one accept new ideas and techniques that will be taught during the training session.

​DO YOUR KUNG FU GREETING TO ALL INSTRUCTORS AND FELLOW STUDENTS
This shows respect to the person teaching you and to your fellow training brothers and sisters.

DO NOT TALK IN CLASS
Talking wastes energy and breaks your concentration. Remember that when you are in class you are in a state of concentration and should maintain this through the entire class.

DO NOT CHEW GUM OR EAT CANDY IN CLASS
While practicing breathing it might get lodged in the windpipe.

VALUABLES & JEWELRY
Please remove all jewelry and place valuables in a special container located by the training room. This prevents you from losing your belongings and also promotes classroom safety. Wearing jewelry during a class can cut or hurt your training brother or sister, as well as damage your jewelry.

SHOW RESPECT TO ALL OTHER STUDENTS
Remember that no matter your training level, we are all on the same circle, just at different points. Keep an open mind. You never know from whom you might learn.

DO NOT ACT BELLICOSE
No matter how long you train there will always be someone better than you and something more for you to learn. Never assume there is no room for improvement just because you developed a little skill.

Proper Uniform

Accepted Uniform Specifications:

UNIFORM TOP
This is the top that came with your original uniform or you can purchase an upgraded frog button top.

ROTHROCK'S KUNG FU TRAINING T-SHIRT
These are the T-Shirts with the academy logo on the front and back. Shirts without the logo are not allowed.

PROPER TRAINING SHOES
We offer two different types of training shoes. One is for Kung Fu and the other is for Tai Chi. Both shoes are designed for safety and to maximize your training. Street shoes or other athletic shoes are not allowed on the training floor.

KUNG FU SASH
For Kung Fu students, we have a required sash for your level to be worn. These sashes denote the level of achievement, but also support the lower back. They should be worn tightly around the waist. If you are wearing a T-Shirt, please tuck the shirt into your pants before tying your sash.

Started training in 1994 under Master Rothrock in Pittsburgh. He’s been teaching and managing the Pittsburgh Academy for over 22 years  

Sifu Level

Started his training with Master Rothrock in 1975 in Wilkes Barre, PA. He’s been training and teaching for 41 years. He is currently Master Rothrock’s oldest training student. He’s a disciple of Master Rothrock and runs the Wilkes Barre academy.  

Sifu Level

Started his training under Master Rothrock in 1980. He’s been teaching and operating the Scranton/Duryea area studio for 36 years. He’s Master Rothrock’s second oldest training student and is a disciple.  

Sifu Level

5th Level Black – Studied various styles of martial arts before finding a home at Rothrock’s Kung Fu in 2003. He manages the Wexford studio.  

5th Level Black

5th Level Black – Began his training with Master Rothrock in 2000. After earning his first Black sash, he decided that he wanted to help pass on what he’d learned. He manages the West Mifflin academy.  

5th Level Black

2nd Level Black – Began his training with Master Rothrock in 2010. After earning his first Black sash, he decided that he wanted to help pass on what he’d learned. He now owns Rothrock’s Kung Fu & Tai Chi in Butler.  

2nd Level Black

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