Two Dragons: The Enduring Legacy of Si Tai Gung Steve Hearring (1949–2007)
- Two Dragons Martial Arts
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Two Dragons: The Enduring Legacy of Si Tai Gung Steve Hearring (1949–2007)
By Sipoo Shelene Hearring, Content, La Shanda Huston
In the world of martial arts, there are practitioners, and there are legends. Si Tai Gung Steve Hearring was both—and so much more. He wasn’t just a martial artist; he was a master teacher, a gentle warrior, a humble leader, and an unwavering example of how martial arts can transform lives.
Born in 1949, Steve Hearring began his martial arts journey in 1964 with Shotokan Karate. A few years later, a search in the Yellow Pages led him to a Pasadena studio offering “Chinese Kickboxing.” Intrigued, he walked in—and met the legendary Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker, Sr. That fateful encounter ignited a lifelong devotion to Chinese Kenpo, making Steve one of the first African Americans to be personally trained and taught the complete Kenpo system by Mr. Parker himself.
Steve earned his black belt in 1972 and lived by one of his favorite mantras: “Extensive study, constant practice” (Confucius). He was the embodiment of a “practicing martial artist.” Whether it was early mornings in the park or late-night sessions in any studio that welcomed him, Steve’s passion for training was insatiable. He often reflected on the golden era of the '60s and '70s when martial arts communities across California trained together like family, unbound by studio walls or county lines.
The Spirit of a Teacher
In Kenpo, the title “Sifu” means father-teacher, a guide of the spirit. Si Tai Gung Hearring lived this role with grace and intention. He was soft-spoken yet powerful in presence, always encouraging rather than criticizing. “Let’s do it again,” he would never say -“you got it wrong.” And he did it with you, whether that meant repeating a movement ten times or a hundred.
Steve’s joy for teaching was contagious. He inspired students to adopt his love for the art, and his teachings resonated with black belts across the nation—Bob White, Larry Tatum, Frank Trejo and many more learned from the depth of his insight. He proudly passed down his original black belt—given by Brian Strain—to his student Frank Trejo, honoring the tradition of lineage and legacy.
A Life in Service
Steve wasn't just a martial artist in the Kwoon/studio. He was a protector and community leader. He managed Mr. Parker’s Pasadena studio in the late '70s, assisted with the Santa Monica location, and worked as a personal bodyguard for Ed Parker and celebrities such as Elvis Presley and Billy Idol.
Outside the spotlight, he served the community with equal dedication. Through programs with Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL) and Pasadena Unified School District, Steve mentored countless youth—many of whom rose through the ranks under his guidance. One unforgettable story was of a student who arrived in a wheelchair, unable to stand. With faith, patience, and training, that student earned his yellow belt and walked again—on his own—with only a cane.
In 1995, Steve & his wife, Shelene, founded Two Dragons Martial Arts Studio in Pasadena, CA., where he formalized his own comprehensive system: Chaun Shu—a fusion of Chinese Kenpo, Northern Silum and Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan. His curriculum was rich in tradition yet accessible to the modern student, from children to adults, from beginners to black belts.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Honor
In 1997, Steve was selected to serve as one of the personal bodyguards for His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a visit to California. Due to spiritual guidelines, armed guards were restricted in proximity to the Dalai Lama, so only trusted, unarmed martial artists were permitted close. Steve was chosen to walk beside him, protect him, and—most uniquely—spend personal time with him. Steve received a gift and blessing from the Dalai Lama himself—a moment he cherished as one of the greatest honors of his life.
The Final Journey
On June 6, 2007, Steve left our physical world to finish his spiritual journey after more than four decades of lifting others through martial arts. His students, colleagues, and friends—from all corners of the world—remembered him with reverence:
“True Kenpo Royalty. A Martial Arts Icon. A gentle master. A fierce competitor. He moved like a martial arts ballerina. He never raised his voice. He taught with a smile. He made everyone feel important.”
The tributes poured in with heartfelt words: “Incredible martial artist—an even better person.” “His courage and strength stood tall.” “He left footprints in all of our hearts.”
Legacy in Motion
Today, his legacy is carried on by his wife, Sipoo Shelene Hearring, who established the Steve Hearring Legacy Foundation to preserve his teachings, spirit, and community values. The heartbeat of his martial legacy continues through his children—Sifu Sarah Hearring and Sifu Solomon Hearring, both Black Belts, Champion Martial Artists and masterful instructors in their own right. Together, they lead Two Dragons Martial Arts in Altadena, CA, where they teach Chinese Kenpo, Tai Chi Chuan, and Chuan Fa Kung Fu with the same grace, discipline, and compassion their father embodied.
In life, there are two kinds of people: takers and givers. Takers eat well, but givers sleep well. Sleep well, Si Tai Gung Steve Hearring. Your name, your spirit, your smile, and your legacy will forever be spoken.
For more about the Steve Hearring Legacy Foundation or to connect with Two Dragons Martial Arts, please reach out to us directly.
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