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I started training in Jimmy H. Woo San Soo at Cypress College at the age of 5 years old under Master Larry S. Dusatko and have been hooked ever since. I began teaching early on from helping other new students and assisting my instructor. Once old enough I begin teaching on my own at local gyms, recreation centers,parks even sub leased a jazzercise school, until being offered to teach Kung-fu for Kids at Cypress College. It was a big dream of mine since childhood.
A few years later I was asked to teach the Adult classes. I've always loved this art, though I've studied other arts and systems (mainly to be well versed) Jimmy H. Woo Kung-fu San Soo is my first love. I want to be the best I can be for myself and my students. That's why I've continued my education in the art. I've traveled and trained with some of Grandmaster Woo's top student masters. I knew there was more to the Art of San Soo than I had received. Depending on when someone started with Grandmaster Woo decides greatly the type of instruction they had gotten. for instance in the late 1950's to the late 1960's He taught an older, more aggressive version with larger windmills, flowing, interconnected combination techniques with guards, covers, evasion, simultaneous attacks/defenses and power! This is referred in San Soo circles as the "Old Style" There are a few different reasons/ideas why Jimmy H. Woo stopped teach this more combat orientated and effective style. His gears shifted to a more leverage based version known as the "new style" I tend to say latter way of teaching. There are some great leverages, throws and take downs, the strikes are less power orientated but fast. Sadly it seems a few key points are missing. Like covers. However, without it you won't be as well rounded or develop an extremely high level of skill or a solid foundation in San Soo. My opinion is that students should first learn Old Style, then they can move on to the variety and high level moves of the latter stuff. It is unfortunate that Gm Jimmy H.Woo stopped teaching Old style. However one of his earliest students who carried on Woo's Old style legacy on through the mid 1970's. Frank Woolsey was his name. He began to train with Jimmy Woo in those late 1950's and learned the old original style. Jimmy and Frank developed a friendship that turned into a business partnership. Jimmy put up the money and opened a second studio in Downy where he placed Frank as the instructor. It was to be the first in a long line of franchised San Soo schools with a standardized way of teaching laid out by Jimmy Woo. sometime down the line the two gentleman had a falling out. Jimmy changed his way of teaching and Frank opened a few more studio's following that lesson plan laid out by Jimmy Woo. Allowing students to still get that older piece of the San Soo puzzle. After Frank closed all his schools in the mid 1070's, many of Franks student instructors and students went to Jimmy Woo's school in El Monte. so they could continue their education and receive higher ranks and deeper depths of knowledge and skill. Many of these Frank Woolsey students make up some of GM Woo's best student masters. Bill Hulsey and Ted Sias (both of whom I also trained with) Ron Van Browning, Al Rubin, Ben Brant, Denis Kirby just to name a few.The list goes on. The best in this art all were well trained in the old style first either directly by Jimmy Woo or indirectly by Frank Woolsey or one of their student instructors Like myself. I'm honored to have learned all that I have and from those great masters that I did. so I offer a great big Salute to them all. This is the legacy I carry on. Old Style, Latter style later, All real complete Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung Ga Kung-fu San Soo. At Cypress College. I earned my first master degree in 2004 by master Larry Dusatko (known as 1 of only 15 Advanced masters who received the comprehensive advanced training under Grandmaster Woo) In which he also trained me. Master Dusatko said I was the first 2nd gen. he was aware of to receive and complete the comprehensive advanced training in 2005, my second master degree by master Bill Hulsey (know for preserving The Old style of San Soo) in 2015, and my third and last master degree from master Carl Lorenzen (known as the author of the 5 main Black Belt books with Lo Sifu Jimmy H. Woo) in 2017. I've over 33 years of training and experience with more than 20 years officially teaching. I've taught people ranging from 4-94 years of age, all fitness levels and some with special needs. This art fits you. I personally invite you to come out, sign up, try out my classes and see for yourself how fun, exciting and great Kung-fu San Soo is. I bet you will fall in love and make this your life long endeavor When I started this journey I never expected it was going to lead me down the paths it has. I am truly blessed and grateful to have learnt this. I would really love to share it with you and your friends and family as well. A Big Kung-fu Salute to you! - Sifu Jason D. Kalar |
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Some of Sifu Jason's Instructors & Friends in San Soo
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1st Generation San Soo Master Carl Lorenzen
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1st Generation San Soo Master Bill Hulsey
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1st Generation San Soo Master Xavier Ries
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