Meet The Instructors
Grand Master Mark Chan Wah
At the age of 8, Grand (Mark) Chan Wah learned the styles of Hung Gar, shorthand Choy Lee Fut and Five Animal Sil Lum in his village in southern China. His Grandfather, Grand Master Wong Cheun Yip, was the local kung fu master of Chil Chung village of the Toisan district, and the local surrounding areas. Grand Master Wong remained as the local authority and resident master until his death at age 86 in 1962.
In the early fifties Sifu Chan escaped from the Toison region of southern China to Hong Kong. It was here that he had the opportunity to study other styles of kung fu. His extensive study included Southern Dragon (Leung Ying Mor Kiew) White Eyebrow (Bok Mei), and Hung Gar. During this period Master Chan had the privilege to study under some great contemporary masters of this century.
Master Chan came to Canada in the mid 1950’s and began teaching in Edmonton’s Chinatown in 1965. During this period Master Chan was the chief instructor of the local cultural association, and as such taught kung fu, lion dance and self-defense to the local Chinatown population. In 1971 he became one of the first masters in Canada, to teach authentic and traditional kung fu to the non-Chinese. It was in 1971 that the Green Dragon Kung Fu Society (Canadian branch) was formed.
Since that time, Master Chan has selflessly, and without reservation, passed on the valued traditions and skills of the masters of the past. Master Chan was also taught the ancient arts of hit medicine and bone setting from Grand Master Wong. Master Chan has passed on the traditional medicine practices of the ancient kung fu practitioners to his most devoted students. Master Chan is knowledgeable in herbal hit medicines, training tonics and palm medicines to enhance training for the serious student of the arts.
Under his tutelage Green Dragon has grown immensely with branch clubs spreading across Canada, the United States and Britain, with the headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta. We teach a variety of martial systems, complete with both open hand and weapons training.
Sifu Dr. Jerry - Master and Head Instructor
Growing up in Edmonton’s inner city, Sifu Pyrozko felt a need be able to defend himself. He began practicing the martial arts in the 1970’s in the White Crane style under Grand Master Frank Lee. He briefly explored Taekwondo and Karate and around 1980 he settled into several years of training in a Vietnamese style of Wing Chun under Master Tuan Nguyen and Sifu Jostein Haugland at Tuans Wing Chun in Edmonton. During this period, he accepted a job with Athabasca University and moved to Athabasca where he started a kung fu school. These were the first seeds of what is now the Green Dragon Kung Fu and Tai Chi Northern Alberta. School. He received a Black Belt from Master Nguyen in 1986 and in 1989 he left for the USA to study Chiropractic. While in school he started a kung fu school on campus. After graduating in 1993 he began chiropractic practice in Stony Plain. He joined Green Dragon Kung Fu in Edmonton and resumed his training with Master Jostein Haugland and Grand Master Mark Chan where he learned from several kung fu styles and earned the black belt from Green Dragon. While with Green Dragon Kung Fu he also attended the Ging Wu school to learn more of the Yip Man style of Wing Chun. In 2017 he moved to Vernon BC and began teaching there. He is now back in Stony Plain, Alberta and is sharing his knowledge at the new location which is now the Green Dragon Kung Fu Headquarters. He has earned 5th level black belt rank and Kung Fu Master designation with Green Dragon Kung Fu and continues as one their loyal students and instructors. In addition to Chiropractic and martial arts he is a certified instructor in Hatha and Yin yoga. You can be sure you will be on a safe and productive journey with Green Dragon Kung Fu in Stony Plain. And there is always more learn,
Sifu Shane Michener - Kung Fu Instructor
Birth date March 9th 1971
Sifu Shane grew up in Hinton, Alberta. His interest in the martial arts was influenced by none other than Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Steven Seagal and his martial arts journey began at the age of 7 when he started training in Karate. Enjoying sports and outdoor activities his hobbies growing up included; base ball, soft ball, skiing, water skiing, camping and dirt biking. In his early 20’s he took up regular sparring with a professional kick boxer as he trained for competitions.
“Once we moved to Spruce Grove, I started training with a local Kung Fu school. I met Sifu Pyrozko when he came in as a guest instructor. I wanted to learn more and began attending classes with him at his private studio. For years I trained with Sifu Gingras & Sifu Pyrozko. I earned my black belt rank in 2010. Sifu Gingras & I started and ran our own Kung Fu school Inner Dragon Kung Fu. After 7 yrs of running the school, the demands of our careers forced us to close the school. I stayed practicing with Green Dragon Kung Fu school and Sifu Pyrozko and Master Jostein Haugland until Sifu Pyrozko moved to Vernon. We all stayed in contact and once Sifu moved back we began practicing again. I am now looking forward to training as a student as well as teaching with this outstanding team.”
Sifu Shane Michener
Sifu Shane’s day job is Auto Mechanic and Heavy-duty Mechanic. He is currently owner and operator of T&A Automotive/Heavy-duty repair shop in Spruce Grove
Sifu James Hotz-Oman - Kung Fu Instructor
James began his martial arts journey over 20 years ago, starting with Karate at a local gym in Stony Plain to learn how to defend himself, improve his strength and coordination. As time progressed, James was drawn to pursuing Kung Fu because he believed the art was more than simply throwing punches and kicks, or doing pushups with a group of people. After searching for a traditional school, a long time friend and mentor recommended Green Dragon Kung Fu to him. James joined Green Dragon in early 2010 and practiced under the direction of Grand Master Mark Chan with dedicated tutelage from Master Jostein Haugland. During this time, James also had the privilege to learn from four other highly skilled Sifus, each with their own specialty. This variety provided James with a broad understanding of the different styles, techniques, and applications found within traditional Kung Fu.
In 2018, James earned the rank of black belt. He is a strong advocate for traditional martial arts, supports community events, and has competed in tournaments winning a gold and silver metal from the Capital City Championships. James is skilled at breaking down difficult or new movements into smaller pieces to help students, explain a concept and demonstrate its application. James is excited to continue his Kung Fu journey as an instructor just down the street from where it all began 20 years ago.
Si-Jie Corinne Daniels - Assistant Kung Fu Instructor
Si Jie Corinne Daniels works as a legal assistant and is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist She has been a competitive runner and has always been serious about fitness training. She began her Kung Fu training in 2017 at our school in Vernon BC. She is a dedicated student and has been an active instructor for our Self Defense courses. She was presented with her Brown sash last year and she continues with her training and is a valuable assistant instructor in our Kung Fu classes.
Si-Hing Craig Daniels - Assistant Kung Fu Instructor
Si Hing Craig Daniels has always been active in health sports and physical fitness. He began training privately in one on one private lesson with Master Pyrozko in 2022. He advanced quickly through steady and serious training and has achieved the Blue Sash rank. He continues his training with us at our new location and assists with our introductory class instruction.