Kung Fu San Soo is the most complete and systematic art that I have seen in all my martial arts experience.  The use of intersecting triangles and circles give it a very strong base.  It's practical use of the body allows this art to be powerfully used and adapted by anyone. 

I began studying San Soo in August of 1985 under Master Carl Lorenzen at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Ca.  Carl Lorenzen transcribed the five Kung Fu San Soo instructor’s manuals that are used by Kung Fu San Soo as the standard for the perpetuation of this art.  These books include many forms as well as offensive and defensive combative techniques.

 From the first day I entered the world of San Soo, I was fascinated by how practical and effective the fighting techniques seemed to be compared to other arts I had seen.  As my studies continued, I learned how the motions in the forms were directly related to the patterns in the fighting techniques.  It was apparent to me that these moves were not just put together randomly.  Rather a well thought out system of motion designed by monks over hundreds of years, who seemed to have an excellent understanding of physiology.  From the day I began to study San Soo until now, I believe that there is no reason to look to any other art to complete it or add anything lacking.  If you look closely enough, San Soo has It's own way of dealing with any situation.

Carl invited me to train in his garage.  I also continued to study with Carl at Saddleback College until early 1996 when he retired from the Orange County Sheriff's Department. I have continued to study with Carl over the years in a more private setting.

One thing that I have discovered is that you never stop being a student.   From white belt all the way through master.  San Soo can be an endless, life long journey with ever changing combinations of moves.  One can grow from the 4 to 6 move lesson sequences to a blending of moves together based on principle of motion.       

This gives you freedom to use the art according to your situation at hand. 

I began instructing classes at my home in 1990 as a brown belt.  I found that I was challenged to learn more details about each lesson as I taught them to others.  I was also an assistant instructor under Carl Lorenzen at Saddleback College from 1990-1996.  At Carl's retirement in 1996, Scott Pemberton took over Carl's class at the college.  I assisted Scott's classes on Tuesday nights at Saddleback College from 1996 until 2004.  I also instructed sessions on Thursday nights in a private setting studying San Soo with a smaller group of students.

In May of 1992 I was awarded the level of Black belt.  In May of 2003 I was awarded the level of Master by Carl L. Lorenzen.

I instructed classes at Faith Community Church in Irvine, Ca. from January 2005 until August of 2008.  During that time we began to film and document on video the art of Kung Fu San Soo in a systematic approach.  This project began with the desire to present and to preserve the art as I have received it.  I plan to continue this project until all the written material I possess within the art has been documented.

I am presently instructing classes in South Orange County, Ca.  The classes consist of fewer students.  This gives me an opportunity to provide personalized instruction with more attention given toward each student.  Beginning and advanced classes are available.

If you have any questions,

contact me by email: mcolby@realkungfusansoo.com

or by phone: (949)215-4921