ABOUT SIFU HERB PATUS
I am truly thankful and feel fully blessed for my lineage, for in
each rung in the ladder of my linage lies a true champion. They have
handed down to me a great art that I may take with me throughout life,
and that I may also share with others.
I believe that all men have a deep natural desire for peace and
strive for it in their own way. In my search for total peace, Kenpo
Karate has filled a large void. I can not help but to feel that no
matter what happens, ultimately everything will be alright in the end.
This gives me a special peace on this Earth. Because of my faith in
God, when it is my time to leave Earth, I will be with him in heaven
forever.
"Temper gets most people in trouble
and pride keeps us
there."
Like most of us I do not like hurting people, but if I
have to fight in order to defend myself or a loved one from harm, then
I am able. As a small child of 8 years old, I would watch Bruce Lee
play the roll of "Kato" in the television series, "The
Green Hornet." I would watch in complete and total amazement
as he effortlessly moved as magic in motion with fighting techniques
that were incredibly awesome. I told myself at that time that as soon
as I was old enough and able, I would study a chinese art and train
until I became an accomplished Black Belt.
When the time was right, I began my research as to exactly what art
I would study. I knew a lot of people that were involved in the
arts, and searched further for more. I asked people from a great
variety of martial art styles and every one of them directed me to the
Kenpo system.
"Never are we more like God than when we forgive."
On May 16, 1973, I began training at a great Kenpo school. I
trained about 4 hours a day and 6 days a week for several years.
I loved Kenpo.It was at the Kenpo school that I met up with an ex-
professional boxer who was tough as nails. He gave me a new
perspective on the use of hands on the inside of an opponent. I
shall always thank Tommy Cook for that insight.
Tommy and I roomed together for about two years while training long
and hard daily. Tommy was as good at martial arts as he was at
boxing.It took three years for me to obtain a Kenpo brown belt.
I stayed at the rank of brown for approximately 5 years. All of
this time I was training daily in Kenpo, boxing, weight training, and
surfing every chance I got.
It took nearly eight years to the day to finally achieve my
childhood dream. On May 18, 1981 I recieved my Black Belt in
chinese Kenpo karate. I managed several schools for my
instructor, Mr. Orned, "Chicken" Gabriel, and finally ended
up owning a few schools of my own.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide
is the gate,
and broad is teh way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way, which
leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it."
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