Ninth generation
Sifu Michael Lee Wang
Sifu Michael Lee Wang (王子成) has been a student of Chinese martial and healing arts for more than thirty years and has taught Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qigong at his studio in Boulder, Colorado since 2007.
His teaching stands within a line of transmission extending through generations.
Michael first began learning Northern Shaolin Seven-Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu from Master Yamel Torres when he moved to Chicago, Illinois. He was intrigued and fascinated by martial arts from an early age and recalls that his paternal grandfather would even attempt to teach him portions of a Tai Chi Chuan straight sword form whenever he came to visit the United States. However, Tai Chi Chuan proved difficult to teach an impatient young boy. Although Michael would explore several different forms of martial arts during his childhood, he was always searching for something more.
It was not until Michael met Master Torres that his life became permanently intertwined with Chinese martial arts. Michael was one of Master Torres’ first students when he was teaching on North Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago. Years later, he was also the first student to be given permission by Master Torres to teach and propagate the art as it was passed down to him by his teacher, Master Raymond Ly (Ming Loy).
Sifu Wang had the honor of learning from Master Ly before his too-soon passing in November 2002. He also had the opportunity to learn from Master Ly’s Kung Fu brother, Lee Kam Wing, when Master Lee visited Chicago from Hong Kong.
Sifu Wang also traveled with Master Torres to Shanghai in order to study and train with associates in China. He has also won various accolades, including gold medals for forms and sparring at the 2004 Great Lakes Kung Fu Championships.
After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, as well as his graduate studies at Northwestern University, Michael felt it would be nice to explore a different part of the country and begin to focus on teaching martial arts.
Sifu Wang continues to study privately with Master Torres.
His martial arts training has also led him to explore various healing modalities, including acupuncture, massage and herbs. They are two sides of the same coin in the Chinese framework for health and wellness. His teachings also have a focus on health and healing, energy management, and inviting more presence into our lives.
Sifu Wang enjoys getting to know each of his students and invites all prospective students to contact him to discuss whether Boulder Kung Fu Academy is a good fit for their individual martial arts training objectives.
Outside the Academy, Sifu Wang is the founder of Mike Wang Coaching. His coaching work grew from decades of studio experience and explores many of the same human processes in a different setting.
Meet the school
Begin with observation.
See how Sifu Wang teaches, experience the character of the room and decide whether the Academy resonates.