I failed to get out truthful information out that would bring our once great Art back together again, I did my part, you have not done yours, there is not any real forward movement, no questions, no real input, just people with there hands out waiting for free information. Yes, we get “likes” but that is it, no real support. One guy would always gave a like but all of a sudden he switches and says I am the worst thing that happened to San Soo and my info has broken San Soo worse than anything else. We have an over abundance of morons in this Art, most still drinking the “Kool Aid” of the family and the “Flat Earth Society” which has been proven false. I did put out some very successful “learning with Jimmy seminars” but when Kurt closed down his school we lost our place to teach. I tried to get them started again but interest by instructors just was not there, it was not so much I would teach but I would break down everything Jimmy did and how he did them, few seem to have that information. Sad. Most all of you have been locked up in your homes, you have nothing to say, questions to ask, nothing. I look several times a day but no posts, I feel I no longer owe anyone any information and again that is sad. I have offered to teach, critique vids, etc. but large egos don’t usually allow that to happen along with fear of correction. Up to a year ago I could do most all of the San Soo but age and accidents have caught up, I really wanted to do the Basic 45 that everyone has forgotten or changed (Juan, Jack, Frank W., Ah Soo’s), argue if you want but they are wrong in many areas and I can show you why. I tried to get help from some young San Soo guys who could do the jumps but no one was interested. Age, the broken hip, a surprise tooth infection that ate through the sinus floor bone that I am still fighting for many months has really been a problem. Two weeks ago while working in the mountains I fell and think I broke my shoulder but I refuse to to go to the hospital because of the virus, I am so bruised about 1/4th of my body looks like the Sunday funny paper. So I am just sharing why I can’t do a lot these days. Everyone always shows interest in my films but sinse we have only sold one sinse this website has started makes your concerns absolutely crap. I will be 80 in a couple of months and could still go on but I must realize if I could not fix it before I can not fix it now. It is also sad to me that with such a brilliant Art that Jimmy passed on, how few really understand it. The website will stay open until I make a decision.
Ron Gatewood
Let me leave you with this….
Thanks for the effort you have consistently put in to promote, correct, and sustain the art. I often end up in discussion with students who have been watching YouTube and studying San Soo differences that appear. What is the ‘right’ way, is a common question. I fall back on a comment Tim Cartmell. He told me that in China they don’t ask what system you have learned, they ask, ‘How is your kung fu?’ They system is beside the point. And I think the many students that we have all taught took from the art what they could use, or adapted it to what felt best for them. In other words, it became ‘their’ kung fu. The deeper question would be whether or not it works on the street. In my view, the lessons and fighting techniques give us what works on the street; the Chinese already did the research. It is therefore foolish not to learn it the way Jimmy taught it.
Hello Mr. Gatewood,
I hope you are being safe from the coronavirus. I’ve read this post as of 1:30 a.m., I woke up early because many thoughts are going through my mind regarding my work (I’m very blessed to not have to stay inside my place like many other people). No doubt, this pandemic is having an impact on martial art schools/gyms. No doubt, some will closed and it won’t be the fault of the instructors, but the economy, etc. I know we have had our differences about Kung Fu San Soo. I know you don’t think too highly of me. However, I would like to give you some advice that I believe may help you.
If there is one resource that people don’t have enough of in life it would be TIME. You have done a lot for Kung Fu San Soo (no doubt, in my mind you believe in Kung Fu San Soo) in your spare time. Since you are a true believer in Kung Fu San Soo you can look back and conclude that you did everything you could for the Art you love. I commend you for that. You may believe that there is no real forward movement by others, but that is not your fault and you cannot let that bother you (you don’t control what others think, say, or do, just what you think, say, and do…at best you can control everything 3 feet around you).
I commend you for seeking the truth of the art, origins, true facts of Jimmy H. Woo, etc. I must admit I’m glad “a believer in the Art” like yourself called out the bullshit Kung Fu San Soo stories (when I left Kung Fu San Soo I realized the stories about Jimmy H. Woo, the Art’s history, etc. were BS). If this art of Kung Fu San Soo is a “brilliant art” it will survive and thrive. Not because of you, but because of it…the art.
The fighting styles I love like Muay Thai, Sanda, Pradal Serey, Lethwei, BJJ, etc. are going to continue on in the future, not because of one “particular person” taking charge and creating “forward movement”, but because these fighting styles are easy to understand, work, and most important there’s something in them that make people want to carry them on in the future.
You’ve done all you could and if it’s Kung Fu San Soo’s destiny to be carried on the way you think it should in the future then it will happened. If it doesn’t happen, it’s not meant to be and Kung Fu San Soo will go the way wherever it goes.
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