by Valerie White
In these troubled times when there seems to be so much division and strife, it’s more important than ever to know about the beautiful people in our mountain community that are humbly working from their hearts to make the world a better place.
Sifu Sylvia is the manager and one of the teachers at the Lone Wolf Kenpo Academy in Boulder Creek. Sylvia started learning Martial Arts at a time when not many women were taken seriously in the arts. She decided thirteen years ago, when her son Jonathan was seven years old and taking classes, that she wanted to try them. She found herself going six days a week and practicing two to three hours every day. Sylvia became the first black belt at the Kessler DoJo in Boulder Creek. She is now a third degree Black Belt and is continuing her training to become a Grand Master and go as far as she can go.
Sifu Sylvia has been teaching for six years. She loves all her students, and feels a special pride when she sees young girls coming out of their shyness and exuding confidence in their skills. She herself was inspired many years ago when she watched a woman with a Black Belt showing her self- assurance and skills at a tournament. She is now passing on that legacy.
Sylvia believes that the training is not just about martial arts, but about learning life skills as well. Each student is honored for who they are and their choices are listened to. These times have not been easy as students have been taking classes via Zoom. When the Dojo has been open it has been difficult for some students to wear a mask, so those students have chosen the Zoom classes. It challenges both the students and the instructors as everything has to be broken down in ways they have not had to be before. But it has also sharpened their skills. The students have had to give more time, energy and dedication to earn their belts. Sifu is very proud of them. She says the pride in her students and how well they are doing means more to her than the pride in her own skills as they are the demonstration of her teaching.
Lone Wolf Academy goes above and beyond in helping the community. No one who really wants to learn is turned away. There are free classes for less fortunate members of the community, and there are sliding scale rates. Sifu has also given free self defense classes for women, and sometimes kickboxing classes for teenagers. She has sold Mary Kay in the past and donated the money back to the Academy to help pay for the free classes. Sylvia believes that what goes around comes around and as long as the bills are paid, the Academy will be there for anyone who wants to learn. They are one of the lowest charging martial arts practices in the county. Lone Wolf Academy has also had generous people in the community give donations to help families who they don’t want to feel left behind. If you would like to donate you can send to :
Lone Wolf Kenpo
13089 Ca -9
Boulder Creek, Ca 95006
831-703–4372