About
Our Story
A long time ago in China there was an ancient lineage of Taoist Kung Fu Monks. They passed down their secrets from generation to generation. These secrets were not just the Way of the warrior, but something special, something more. A Way to see the world, to conquer fear, and a recipe to become one’s best self. Some of these secrets are taught today at a unique and special place called the Temple of Kung Fu.
The words Kung Fu mean excellence through hard work and at the Temple of Kung Fu its students, and disciples endure a challenging program that extracts tremendous effort and returns at times the most unlikely and epic of outcomes. Transforming those that dare to meet the challenge into a more evolved, heroic, and enlightened version of themselves. The Temple has been at this great labor for many years, and has not turned away interested students for lack of ability to pay tuition. Instead we fuel their passion and guide them into a journey into the Way and its power.
Our students, inspired the creation of The Way Institute to provide sponsorships for students who are willing to meet the requirements of need and merit. Some of these students will become instructors and become the next generation of leaders at the Temple of Kung Fu.
Meet the Staff
Sifu Richard Baron
Sifu Rich is the founder and instructor of Temple of Kung Fu. Sifu Rich began his martial arts training in 1988 studying many forms of martial arts and has received a number of black belts. In 1997, Sifu Rich began training exclusively at a Taoist retreat in Rainbow, CA with a great and authentic Taoist master from the noblest of Kung Fu lineages. Sifu Rich has been trained in some of the highest levels of Taoist and Shaolin styles of Martial arts as well as Chinese Healing. Between 1997 and 2004, Sifu Rich would spend three months a year living as a Taoist Monk to further his education and understanding of the Way.
Learning over the course of years the arts of Hsing-I Chinese Boxing (Xing Yi Quan, Mind boxing or Mind Heart Chinese Boxing), Splashing Hands Chinese Boxing (Shaolin Zan Shou Quan), Ba Kua (Pa Kua, Bagua Zhang, 8 Trigram Palm Chinese Boxing), Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan (Chen Taijiquan,
Grand Ultimate Fist), Tzu Men-Chuan, (Tsu Men Chuan, Zimen Quan, Zi Men Chuan,Word/Poison Fingers Boxing), Shih-Shui Kung (Xi Sui Gong) Bone Marrow Washing, Chi Gong, Advanced Iron Hand, Hsiao Chiu Tien, special Taoist meditation, Tui Na, Tien Gunn, Push Hands, Advanced Methods of Chi Gong (Qigong) and Nei Gong exercises, Eight Section Brocade, Chinese Psychic Healing, Chinese Weapons, Chi Na, Chinese Herbs, Moxabustion, Street Fighting, Self Defense, and more.
During his time as a Kung Fu student, Sifu Rich attended college and graduate school. While at DePaul University, Sifu Rich founded the DePaul Martial Arts Society teaching constantly. Sifu Rich learned how to train others. In addition to training students in martial arts, Sifu Rich taught students Traditional Chinese Healing techniques, including Tai Chi, Tui Na, and Bone Setting. Sifu Rich continues to learn about these healing techniques as well as western medicine having gone to school for a masters in biomedical science. Sifu Rich also holds a certificate in Health Care Management and is a Certified Medical Assistant.
Sifu Rich is planning clinical and scientific research into the effects of many of the above arts. He is writing books on martial arts, health in Taoism. Sifu Rich has been featured in many newspaper articles, television, and other media and continues to instruct and train. In 1998, Sifu Rich opened the Temple of Kung Fu in Highland Park, Illinois. It was his goal to bring his knowledge of Kung Fu to the area and share the lineage systems he learned over time with others. Sifu Rich plans to continue spreading the knowledge of the Way and its power by teaching martial arts.
Instructor Tom Sus
Tom Sus is a mountain of self discipline and focus. His devotion and faith in the power of Kung Fu is unimpeachable. After training in several other martial arts styles over a number of years, Tom came to Temple of Kung Fu in January, 2011 and has been training and teaching exclusively with Sifu Rich ever since. His mission is to help as many people in the community, of all ages, to better their lives through the practice of Kung Fu.
Tom has worked with a wide variety of students, some with special needs and many who need balance in their lives. Tom has always cared very much for the personal growth of each and every student. The inspiration of his teacher and grand-teachers has made it his purpose to continue these traditions. Tom has trained under Sifu Rich in Splashing Hands, Hsing-I, Hsiao Chiu Tien, Ba Kua, Chen Tai Chi, Iron Hand, Tzu Men Chuan, Qigong, Meditation, Chinese Weapons and other areas of Chinese Kung Fu and Healing. Tom currently lives in Deerfield with his wife and two children.
Temple of Kung Fu
