"Over the years I have joined various self defense schools, health clubs and gyms. I have never obtained the results that I have with White Birch Kung Fu school of Sterling. Since I joined, I have been very impressed with the teaching skills and vast knowledge of Sifu Colley.
Being an experienced student of the martial arts (Tae Kwon Do), I was looking for something which offered something more than just the kicking / punching and the same routine every time I stepped into class. The supervision and direct attention of Sifu Colley has been very beneficial for my personal results. I have lost weight, toned up and learned a very effective self defense style at the same time.
White Birch Kung Fu school of Sterling has shown me the way to genuine fitness and has put on the path to a long-term healthy lifestyle."
- Jay Mundey
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu & Yang Tai Chi Student
"When I started looking to get into Kung Fu, I wanted a serious school. There are several schools out there who will tell you how wonderful you are doing, give you lots of trophies, and make you think you are the next best martial artist. But I didn't want that. If I was good, so be it. If I was bad, let me know. Make me work harder to improve my skills through effort and practice, so that I know I earned that next belt, and didn't have it just handed to me to make me feel good.
My instructor would need to be a motivator, run a disciplined class, and truly care about the art and history of Kung Fu. The instructor would have to be able to teach me proper techniques, and not just make me do a couple of punches on a bag and send me home. My instrcutor would have to care. So, I researched schools, and narrowed the list down to three in the area that I thought were the best I could find, at least on paper. Only after checking them out would I be able to determine if they had that intangible concern for making sure that Kung Fu is taught the way that Kung Fu should be taught.
After checking out the first school, and not being altogether satisfied, I made my way to the next school on the list: White Birch Kung Fu & Tai Chi. Upon arriving at the school for the first time, I was paying very close attention to Sifu Colley and how he interacted with his students, how motivated they were, and of course, if their belts seemes to match their skill level.
Sifu Colley was everything that I was looking for. He motivates his students, gives each student individual attention in every class, and truly cares that Kung Fu is taught properly. He has pushed me far past where I thought my limits were, and shown me that the only limits that I have in learning Kung Fu are those that I put upon myself.
Because of Sifu Colley, I am now in better shape, have more confidence, feel more powerful, and I know that I have earned my place in his classroom. Furthermore, I am very comfortable in this school, and feel like I am a part of the White Birch Kung Fu & Tai Chi family. The path I am taking at White Birch Kung Fu & Tai Chi has been wonderful, and I look forward with great anticipation to my continued future there. Needless to say, I never made it to that third school."
- Gretchen Krause
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu Student
"Si Fu Colley's obvious depth of knowledge regarding the Kung Fu and Tai Chi martial arts comes through during every class. He teaches the history as well as the technique, making sure I know why this or that movement developed or is necessary. He challenges and expects me to work hard. The result is a satisfying sense of accomplishment: I've never felt like I was being churned through a belt factory. Instead, I know that I've progressed through the ranks because I performed the techniques well, as a result of the training and personal attention given by Si Fu Colley."
- Don Gamble
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu Student
"Studying Tai Chi at White Birch is an experience I will never forget. Ever since my first trial course I have found that Sifu Colley is a wonderful instructor. I find he is very patient and gives much more attention to students than my previous instructor at another school. His attention to detail makes the class very enjoyable.
School location is very convenient. Parking is never an issue. The environment at White Birch is something I easily adapt to. It is also an environment I would easily place my children in. It is a wonderful place to challenge one's self at your own pace, exercise and gain discipline."
- Allyson Wetzel McNeil
Yang Tai Chi Student
"I’ve been fascinated with the northern Shaolin style of Kung Fu and Sifu Colley does an excellent job of carrying on the tradition of Tien Shan Pai. I used to study this art some twenty years ago and since moving to northern VA I have had a hard time finding a Kung Fu school that teaches old school style (disciplined) until I met Sifu Colley. Sifu Colley teaches you the movements as well as the theory and the discipline behind each technique he relays to you. Through continuous practice Kung Fu continues to be a positive force in my life.
I am over 40 now and slowly but surely getting back into shape thanks to White Birch. For this I say thank you to Sifu Colley and the whole Sterling branch of the White Birch Kung Fu school."
- Lance Brantley, CPA
B & C Accounting, LLC
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu & Yang Tai Chi Student
"I have studied several different forms of the martial arts covering more than 25 years, which confirms my belief that the Kung Fu & Tai Chi forms represent the most complete life force development system available to willing practitioners of all ages. My continual practice at the school for 5 years, (though it seems like only 5 months), under the patient guidance of Si Fu Lacy Colley has produced an enormous benefit for me that radiates throughout every aspect of my life. The ground truth about my Tai Chi training in particular is my increased physical strength and stamina, a greater and quickened mental capacity, and a huge measure of fun and pleasure that grows and evolves daily into a more positive and balanced attitude in my affairs of life. Exposure to the training, philosophy and discipline of White Birch Kung Fu & Tai Chi is directly related to my overall physical and mental fitness that translates into a higher quality of my life."
- Joseph Freeman
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu & Yang Tai Chi Student
"When I came to White Birch, I was looking for a hobby that might help me stay in shape and teach me something interesting in the process. What I found was much, much more. I discovered after my very first class that Kung Fu training provides an amazing cardio workout that emphasizes core strengthening, flexibility, and toning. I also found some muscles I didn't even know I had until the soreness set in that next day.
Sifu Colley sets a strenuous pace that pushes each student to their limits, constantly encouraging you to reach for that next level. The classes are conducted in a structured, comfortable environment where you can benefit from the experience of your fellow students as well as the individual instruction of Sifu Colley.
Aside from the physical benefits, learning Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu is simply a lot of fun. Behind every exercise we do, there lies a historical or practical reason. Whether your interests are in self-defense, learning a little about Chinese culture, or simply a fun way to exercise, you will find exactly what you are looking for in Sterling. I look forward to seeing you all in class!"
- Aaron Hanson
Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu Student
"Practicing Bagua and Xingyi with George Wood at Zong Wu Men has been the best martial arts experience of my life. George is a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and capable practitioner of the art he teaches, and it shows. He is deeply committed to making sure his students understand the theory as well as the practice of the arts. The lessons I've learned there extend well beyond the walls of the school and the form of my body. Practicing Bagua has changed my perception of the world!"
- Josh Leeger Gao Ba Gua & Hebei Xingyi Student
"I have been practicing martial arts off and on since I was 16 and finding a good martial arts school with a knowledgable instructor who can transfer his/her knowledge is difficult to find. In my opinion, instructor George Wood does this very well.
He breaks every movement down and shows you the practical applications to the movements that he teaches you as well as the Chinese origins of the movement. He also provides a very informal but respectful atmosphere that encourages questions and development of the martial arts. Overall, I would highly recommend instructor George Wood to anyone willing to learn martial arts."
- Jay Chin Gao Ba Gua Student
