Name: Dr. Read Wall
Rank: wu duan (5th degree black sash)
Title: Shifu (Father Teacher)
Location: Saint Joseph, MO
Credentials:
Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rockhurst University and B.A. Business Management - cum laude, Missouri Baptist University.
Nearly 40 years in martial arts. Teaches XingYi, BaGua, and TaiJi. Some basic training in BJJ and Kickboxing.
Taught and spoken both nationally and internationally as well as trained young believers to maturity using mentorship method.
Served as Assistant Youth Director, Sunday School teacher, and Deacon.
Founding instructor of the Christian Tang Shou Tao Association (CTSTA), a fellowship designed to facilitate christian fellowship within the larger TST family of Xing Yi.
Background: "I am a Texas Born, homeschooled, Southern Baptist, Born again believing Missionary Preachers Kid and Proud of it!"
That is how I used to describe myself. I was born in Fort Worth, Texas while my father was in seminary to be a pastor. In December of 1990 my father moved my family to Pana, IL to be a missionary pastor where we lived and served for 10 years.
My martial arts journey began when I was 5 years old and first saw martial arts being demonstrated. I knew right away I wanted to do that but my family could not afford to enroll me, so I began self study... at 5. I had my brothers get books from the library and I learned how to do all the basic stances and strikes. I sparred anyone who would spar with me. When I was 18 I finally had the oportunity to begin formal training, it was an amazing oportunity and the relationships I formed there were lifelong.
My life has had its fair share of troubles but the important thing is to recognize that God has never left me and is with me throughout all my trials, ever constant, ever reliable, empowering me to do His
good work and to use the talents and the skill sets He has gifted me with for His glory.
Name: Richard Cameron
Rank: yi duan (1st degree black sash)
Title: Laoshi (Assistant Instructor)
Location: Saint Joseph, MO
Credentials:
Assistant Instructor KWAMA Children Classes.
TCHI Board Certified Instructor of Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention.
Bachelor's Degree in Construction Engineering Technology.
US Army Veteran
Blue belt in BJJ
Background:
In February 2018, my niece started training Hapkido at Yus Academy. She inspired me to follow through with an old aspiration I had from when I was child. I had always wanted to learn some form of martial arts, but my mother could not afford the tuition. I had a fascination with martial arts, ninja stars, Kung Fu Magazine and anything martial arts related I could get my hands on. Over the time of growing up to this point in my life, I had accepted Christ after being led astray by the World and its vices and made a full recovery back to a sober and thoughtful life of service. In August of 2018 I began training with the KWAMA. Kung Fu has challenged my humility and given me honor, not as much as love and kindness to myself, but as we might show to others as Christ would for us. Learning Kung Fu has helped me to focus my fighting skills I learned from life and the numerous experiences in violent confrontations, into a controlled and channeled manner. Given the opportunity to teach at KWAMA has challenged and expanded my understanding of Xing Yi, life and other styles of martial arts as a whole.