Sipoo Shelene Hearring Bio

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I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, my martial arts journey began at the age of 16, in the summer of 1973 at the University of California, Riverside. Fueled by my desire to protect myself as a single female away from home, I took a taekwondo karate course. After training for about a year and a half and still yearning for the confidence needed to protect myself, I began to look at other styles of martial arts.

In 1976 I was invited to visit the Pasadena studio of the late Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker, and I decided to give myself a birthday gift by signing up for a course. Thus, my Chinese kenpo journey began with the late Si Tai Gung Steve Hearring.
Little did I know at that time that this would become my life’s work. I was blessed to have a Master Teacher who was very skilled, disciplined and respected in the martial arts community. Steve Hearring was a black belt & manager at Mr Parker’s Pasadena studio. He saw my hunger for the art and he fed me. My martial arts training took place in the studio, martial arts seminars & camps, in the parks, in backyards, garages, or any place there was a workout going. In 1980, Steve relocated to Seattle, Washington and invited me to visit. My visit resulted in a new journey as a wife and continuing student. Whether at home or during our travels, I knew there was going to be a daily workout somewhere. I had hit the jackpot! My appetite for learning & studying all aspects of martial arts was insatiable. I also felt blessed and very grateful to have an instructor whose passion for the art exceeded mine. In the mid 80’s our journey with Sijo Marvin Quon began, learning Northern and Southern Chinese kung fu styles. My Silum training included numerous traditional weapons such as broadswords, double-edge swords, cane, iron fan, staff and spears. I also began training in Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. The healing aspects of martial arts had been awakened.

In 1995, Steve & I opened Two Dragons Martial Arts Studio in Pasadena, California. Steve developed Chuan Shu, a system which incorporates Chinese Kenpo, Northern Silum Kung Fu, and Yang style Tai Chi Chuan into a comprehensive curriculum.
In June 2007, Steve left our physical world to finish his spiritual journey. I spent over 30 years training in martial arts with my Sifu, my best friend and husband. It was my years of martial arts training of constant practice and discipline that enabled me to survive one of the hardest tests of my life. I am the legacy of Si Tai Gung Steve Hearring. I proudly carry the torch that he passed on to me. His legacy lives on through all of the many lives that he touched throughout his 40 years of passionate practice and sharing of the martial arts.

For the last 14 years, I have been sole owner and Chief Instructor of Two Dragons Martial Arts Studio in Altadena, California. Life itself, my two amazing young adults (both are champion martial artists), my family, friends, my martial arts family, and the memories & legacy of Steve Hearring, continue to inspire my journey!