How to Join

If you are interested in becoming a member of EBM Kung Fu Oakland, please take the time to read this page.

EBM Kung Fu Academy was founded in 1993. The Oakland class started on Monday, November 2, 1998 and is an ongoing class. The curriculum of EBM Kung Fu consists of the traditional training of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Hsing I, Chi Kung and Tai Chi, and the more modern kung fu training system of San Shou Kick Boxing. The traditional training builds the proper foundation in body mechanics and movement skills. The San Shou training builds realistic self defense ability, strength, endurance and confidence. The combination of the traditional arts with the contemporary applications makes for a very complete and versatile system.

EBM Kung Fu does not have belt rankings or many of the formalisms of martial arts, but the training is rigorous and challenging. We ask that the first time you come to EBM that you observe a class to get a general sense of the training. Since consistency is the key to success in martial arts, we want people to know what they are getting into before making any commitments. We only want people who are serious and sincere in their interest in learning martial arts.

We have no enrollment contracts. Contact us if you have any questions on tuition and enrollment.

The EBM Kung Fu Academy's Oakland school is located at 6300 Shattuck Avenue, just south of the Berkeley border. We practice in the gymnasium where Sifu Wong Jack Man formerly taught, which is located in the back of the Shattuck United Methodist Church building, on the corner of Shattuck Avenue and 63rd Street. The entrance is on 63rd Street, upstairs. Click here for maps and directions

Teachers

	Brent Hamby, Head Instructor Brent Hamby is the head instructor of EBM Kung Fu and the founder of the Oakland San Shou Team. Brent has beening training in martial arts for most of his life. Brent's teachers were Sifu Wong Jack Man (Hsing I, Tai Chi, Northern Shaolin Kung Fu), Sifu Kwan Sai Hung (Kung Fu, Chi Kung, Meditation), Cesar & Ralph Gracie (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Floyd Winter (Greco-Roman & Russian Sambo Wrestling). Brent also has a 2nd Degree Black Belt in full contact Karate under Charles Gordon. As a San Shou fighter in the 80 kilo class, Brent holds several titles including the 1999 USAWKF National Champion. Brent has served as the Coach of the US San Shou Team for the last two World Championships (Macau China 2003, Hanoi Vietnam 2005) and has coached 6 National San Shou Champions. Read more...
	Adam Caldwell, Assistant Instructor Adam has been training at EBM since the start of the Oakland class in 1998. Before that Adam had an extensive background in Karate and Brazialian Jiu Jitsu. Adam is an expert in San Shou and often teaches the San Shou sparring class. As a San Shou competitor, Adam holds several titles including the 2000 National Championship Gold Medal and the 2002 Cung Le Born to Fight II San Shou Super Fight Champion. Adam also studied Tai Chi with Wong Jack Man and is an avid practitioner of Astanga Yoga.
	Brian Madigan, Assistant Instructor Brian Madigan has been a student at EBM for over 15 years. Brian is an expert in San Shou, Northen Shaolin and Tai Chi. As a San Shou fighter in the 85-90 kilo class, Brian holds several titles including 2002 USAWKF National Champion and 2004 Pan-Am San Shou Champion. Brian has also competed in professional San Shou in China and has served as a US San Shou Team member. Brian is also a strength and conditioning trainer at UC Berkeley.
	Russ Middleton, Assistant Instructor Russ Middleton has been a student at EBM for over 15 years. Russ is an expert in San Shou, Hsing I and Northern Shaolin. Russ began his training at EBM with Northern Shaolin under David Tircuit, then became the first San Shou competitor under Brent Hamby on the Oakland San Shou Team in 1998. As a San Shou fighter in the 80 kilo class, Russ holds several titles including 2002 USAWKF National Champion and has competed in professional San Shou in China and has served as a US San Shou Team member. Russ is one of the very few non-Chinese fighters to win a pro San Shou fight in China.

Schedule

Monday	Wednesday	Friday	Sunday
Strength Training 7:30 - 8:30 PM taught by: Brian Madigan This class will shift focus from flexibility training to strength training. This class will start out with stretching and warmups and then transition into strength training, covering all aspects of strength building, especially as it pertains to martial arts and fighting. Kettle bell training will be an integrated part of the strength program. This class is practiced on the mats.	Tai Chi Training 7:30 - 8:30 PM taught by: Brent Hamby This class teaches the Yang Style Tai Chi long form. The class begins with Chi Kung and meditation, then proceeds into traditional Tai Chi drills, followed by Tai Chi form instruction.	Northern Shaolin Kung Fu & Tai Chi 6:30 - 7:30 PM taught by: Brent Hamby This class consists of Northern Shaolin group training focusing on the stance techniques of Northern Shaolin. Northern Shaolin training emphasizes extension in striking, with deep stances and dynamic kicking methods. The northern styles develop flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, grace and agility. The theory of northern style is that power is developed through the rigorous training of the extended postures.	San Shou Sparring Drills 2:30 - 3:00 PM taught by: Brent Hamby This class will cover all aspects of San Shou fighting, from striking offensive and defensive strategies, kick catching, clinching, and a wide variety of grappling techniques. This is not a conditioning class. It is mainly focused on instruction, technique, correction and drilling.
San Shou Kick Boxing 8:30 - 9:30 PM taught by: Brian Madigan Fundamental techniques and strategies of San Shou fighting. In this class you will drill all aspects of San Shou Kick Boxing. This process involves mastery of the basic boxing and kicking techniques, proper defensive techniques, and various fighting strategies. This class is non-competitive (no sparring) with an emphasis on partner drills.	San Shou Kick Boxing 8:30 - 9:30 PM taught by: Brent Hamby Fundamental techniques and strategies of San Shou fighting. In this class you will drill all aspects of San Shou Kick Boxing. This process involves mastery of the basic boxing and kicking techniques, proper defensive techniques, and various fighting strategies. This class is non-competitive (no sparring) with an emphasis on partner drills.	San Shou Kick Boxing 7:30 - 8:30 PM taught by: Brent Hamby Fundamental techniques and strategies of San Shou fighting. In this class you will drill all aspects of San Shou Kick Boxing. This process involves mastery of the basic boxing and kicking techniques, proper defensive techniques, and various fighting strategies. This class is non-competitive (no sparring) with an emphasis on partner drills.	San Shou Kick Boxing 3:30 - 4:30 PM taught by: Brent Hamby Advanced San Shou Sparring class.

Location

The gymnasium is located in the back of the Church building on the corner of Shattuck Avenue and 63rd Street at the Berkeley / Oakland border. Entrance on 63rd Street, upstairs.

maps & directions

Fees

We ask that the first time you come to EBM that you just observe a class to get a general sense of the training. If you are interested in joining, you can try a class for free with no obligation. Since consistency is the key to success in martial arts, we want people to know what they are getting into before making any commitments. We have no contacts, the tuition is based on a flexible and affordable month to month schedule. Please call or email for more details.

Attire

We do not have formal uniforms or belts. Training is practiced with black gi pants or sweat pants or shorts, flat soled shoes or bare foot, and a T-shirt or tank top. You do not need any other gear of your own, we provide everything. If you are interested in buying Oakland San Shou Team shorts or shirts to train in, we have them for sale at the school. We also make large orders of kickboxing gear on a regular basis. Please inquire.