In China, many teachers teach in their homes -- in yards and alleys. They don't have the resources or the money to open a school in the way that we do here in the USA.

I like it that way. After having my own school for a while, it was a relief to shut it down when Nancy and I moved to Tampa in 2007. When we moved back, I decided to keep the number of local students small and practice in the park. It works very well from around March or April through October. Then, the Midwest winter sets in.

We gather at a park (off 23rd Street in Bettendorf, Iowa) three times a week and practice on the stage of an outdoor theater. The photo above shows Rich Coulter and Chris Miller practicing different weapons forms a week ago. When we need a softer surface, we go to the grass.

My students are only required to join the online school.It's only $19.99 a month and they can come to as many practices in person as they want. They also agree to appear in video lessons that I shoot for the online school. It's a win-win situation -- the least expensive martial arts classes in the region, and I'm able to also create content for my website members around the world.

At the same time, I don't have to water down the instruction for a large, diverse group. Students promote when they're ready. There is no financial pressure for me to push them into another expensive promotion so that I can get a fee. The people who train locally and appear in videos get promotions free of charge.

The second photo here is the first one taken with the two black sash students. From left to right -- Chris Miller (black sash), Colin Frye (purple sash), Kim Kruse (brown sash), me, Leander Mohs (white sash), and Rich Coulter (black sash). Not pictured are Jerit and Angie Gendreau. They make a 3-hour round-trip drive at least once a week to study in person.

If you live in the Quad Cities, or if you're ever in these parts and want to stop by for a class, we practice Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:00 and Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Stop by for some fresh air and some good kung-fu.