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Learn World Class Self-Defense
Sifu Armando Sainz provides private self-defense instruction in his Innovative Wing Chun martial arts training system in Franklin, NC in Macon County which is in the western North Carolina area. Armando also teaches martial arts in Jacksonville, FL. This website is designed to give you information about Sifu Armando Sainz, his private lessons, in-depth martial arts programs, short-term self-defense program.
Innovative Wing Chun is an up-to-date reality based self-defense system that will enable you to add more layers of protection than ever before, while you learn substantial skills much quicker than in any traditional martial art or group setting. Armando has successfully produced many high level practitioners and more importantly, survivors of real life violent conflicts.
The Innovative Wing Chun system seamlessly assimilates western, Renaissance period Bare-Knuckle Pugilism knowledge, ancient Tai Chi Chuan principals, concept based Counter-Grappling, compatible Modern Weapons and Real Scenario Self-Defense into an optimized Wing Chun Kung Fu system. These special skills are not only an equalizer in a self-defense situation, but a maximizer even if the attacker himself is highly skilled. This is where ancient martial arts knowledge and modern self-defense insight come together.
Self-Defense and Martial Arts Merged
Until now there has been a gap between what is known as martial arts and self-defense. The two are not the same and have never occupied one system completely. Furthermore, there are limitations within the martial arts world generally due to traditional thinking and sport influence which lack realism, and simultaneously there is a tangible insufficiency of high level skill in the self-defense world.
The fact is most people today get caught up in training methods that only really apply in a competition or a controlled environment. This has very little to do with protecting yourself and your family against a violent criminal assault.
Using a big picture, self-defense scenario mentality and extensive knowledge and experience, Sifu Armando Sainz has seamlessly merged the highest caliber martial art system with the best components of real life self-defense. Armando incorporates no sport, tradition or ceremony. Only what is most logical and functional for fighting and self-preservation is taught without losing any of the refined finesse found in the Wing Chun system. He has also designed a personalized private lesson training program to effeciently teach his system. Armando Sainz has not only redefined what martial arts should be, but also the world of self-defense making this the most sophisticatedly advanced system to date.
Benefits
Top Quality -
Members receive access to personalized, private self-defense consultation and instruction. Those who receive this upscale training surpass and easily outdo the abilities of those who participate in other martial arts or self-defense schools. This can be achieved in a much shorter time span with an adeptness only obtained by the one on one training Armando Sainz provides. His Innovative Wing Chun system has been tested time and again over the years in every possible scenario, position and situation. Innovation was and is the key to growth in its development coupled with thousands upon thousands of hours of polishing and refinement. You will not find a better, more well rounded, efficient self-defense system nor a better medium for instruction.
Higher Return on Investment -
Sure, other martial arts are probably less expensive to learn up front, but what do you get for your investment of time and money? Consider the fact that 99% of the martial arts systems out there are sport and tradition oriented to varying degrees. This means their techniques only work in a controlled environment and can be a fatal inadequacy in a real life situation. Over time you will end up spending more money for something that will never actually work when you need it most. Innovative Wing Chun is 0% sport or traditon and 100% geared to work for you on the street. What value do you place on knowing that you can truly handle yourself in any given situation?
A Premier Self-Defense System -
Knowing that you possess skills that put you in an elite category of martial artist is undoubtedly one of life's genuine delights. The Innovative Wing Chun system and the way it is taught is by far the most outstanding offer in the high level self-defense world. Every student is given a custom lesson each time they come with as much valuable information and skill transferred from teacher to student as humanly possible. If you are looking for the utmost quality and return for your diligent effort to learn then look no further.
A Better Experience -
Yes, a better learning experience is a vital part of how Innovative Wing Chun is taught. The student-teacher relationship is non-traditional in that it is relaxed and easygoing yet serious because of the life saving content of each lesson. All lessons are carefully crafted in an edifying environment to be in-depth and meaningful to each student. Armando Sainz' knowledge of self-defense is second to none and he will guide you through every step from your first enquiry to every personalized lesson and beyond. This kind of learning experience builds a confidence and trust that money can't buy and skill that is PRICELESS.
Lesson Format
All lessons are by appointment and membership is for men only. Lessons are private (one on one); two hours per lesson minimum and can be scheduled any day, seven days a week with an eight hour a month minimum. Sifu Armando teaches all lessons and uses a very effective training method to maximize the transfer of skill and knowledge from teacher to student. His students achieve high level results in a very short time; faster than anywhere else. More importantly, they achieve more complete fighting skills than can be learned anywhere else.
Because of the beneficial importance of this information this training is exclusively for those who are serious and desire well planned, personalized training in a private lesson setting. Armando will only accept the most dedicated men, with a good attitude and sincere desire to learn. We don't train you to become a confident leader. We train confident leaders real world self-defense.
About Innovative Wing Chun
Innovative Wing Chun is Armando Sainz' complete martial arts system with a detailed curriculum that combines the best in private, personal self-defense training with the high level skill of advanced Wing Chun Kung Fu. Every aspect of self-protection is taught whether standing, on the ground, one opponent or multiple, armed or unarmed. Everything that Ip Man taught is in this system. None of the excellent Wing Chun attributes have been lost. In fact, they have been enhanced and taken to their highest levels by careful study and incorporating Western thought.
The bottom line is you will be able to do what any good Wing Chun practitioner can do, but they will not be able to do all that you can do.
This system teaches students to effectively adapt to different situations and be proficient in all fighting ranges including close-quarters, mid-range and long-range combat. You will learn to successfully nullify any attacker with minimal effort within seconds.
What is Innovative Wing Chun?
A fighting system for today has to work against any attacker, no matter if the fight is standing up or goes to the ground; armed or unarmed. Armando's innovative system does just that through the influence of scientific, bare-knuckle boxing along with tested Tai Chi influenced Wing Chun concepts, producing sensitized, yet extraordinarily powerful, accurate energy. This system has also been polished off by keeping reality based self-defense thinking at the forefront and adapting a completely compatible anti-grappling and weapons method of which most Wing Chun practitioners possess little if any knowledge.
There are many Wing Chun practitioners today who believe that their system is complete in that it is fully ready for street self-defense. They tend to believe this because Wing Chun is so effective at close range ending most fights within seconds. However, their lack of aptitude against grapplers and armed assailants reflects a problematic actuality. When taken out of their "comfort zone" they lose their skillful edge. Although the system's concepts hold the keys to fully expanding Wing Chun, most practice it with little or no regard to working real world scenarios. They never dream of breaking with tradition or exceeding the methods of their teachers.
Innovative Wing Chun is the updated form of the Wing Chun Kung Fu system. It is not traditional in that it is not limited by the unwritten laws of men who have long since lost sight of what really works on the street. It picks up seamlessly where Wing Chun is deficient; or better said where some teachers are deficient, without discarding any of its concepts, unlocking its most powerful attributes.
In general, Wing Chun Kung Fu is known as one of the most effective martial arts in the world. It differs from many of today's popular systems, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Kung Fu. These systems block first and then attack. Wing Chun emphasizes self-defense, focusing on methods that allow a block and an attack in the same movement. The system is based on human biomechanics rather than animal movements, using primarily straight line, fast, direct strikes and sophisticated simultaneous blocking and striking techniques, redirecting the force of an opponent rather than attempting to meet a possibly greater force directly. The way the system produces efficient fighters in a relatively short amount of time is by sticking to several core concepts and by paying strict attention to positioning. Much training time is spent cultivating sensitivity or contact reflexes. The student practices guarding various zones about the body and deals with whatever happens to be contacted or touched in that zone. This allows for a minimum of technique with a maximum of application, and for the use of an automatic or subconscious response.
Armando has enhanced Wing Chun by unlocking its concepts and expanding the Wing Chun system, answering modern, realistic scenarios. Other Wing Chun people sometimes call themselves comprehensive but in fact many of them lack understanding of the diverse circumstances within real fighting in the 21st century rendering them ineffective when taken outside of their traditional training norm. Innovative Wing Chun is fully developed and most of all it functions in all fighting situations and fighting ranges; standing or on the ground. It is a scientific method designed to work effectively for the individual practitioner without any need for preconceived maneuvers in any given self-defense scenario. This unabridged martial art is a diversified and streamlined self-defense that works in the real world.
Our Programs
Each one of these programs are carefully crafted concept based systems. The Innovative Wing Chun program contains all Sifu Armando's programs in one fully expanded system. The others are aspects of the one system that can be taught separately as effective facet systems of self-defense. The idea is to take the average man and give him above average skills.
Whether you are interested in our programs for personal well being and self-defense or for more sophisticated self-protection in your occupation; our programs will fit your developmental needs and your busy schedule.
Origins and Development
There is a generally accepted legend about a Shaolin nun named Ng Mui, a master of Kung Fu that developed a system effective against men and her friendship with Yim Wing Chun whom she named her kung fu after. There is also a more believable account with some historic documentation of a man named Leung Jan, his Tai Chi roots and his development of Wing Chun by his encounters with European bare-knuckle fighters.
Whatever the true origin, the Wing Chun system has been developed by some very intelligent individuals who took great care in making Wing Chun a highly efficient kung fu and China's martial arts treasure. As techniques were passed along, the now traditional weapons of the system were incorporated into Wing Chun Kung Fu as well. During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, (another name for their horrific communist dictatorship), Wing Chun, like other martial arts, was banned in China and survived only through the persistence of practitioners like Ip Man. The veil of secrecy around the art was finally broken in 1949, when Grandmaster Ip Man brought the style out of communist China into Hong Kong and eventually to the rest of the world.
Leung Sheung had heard about Wing Chun since he was quite young, and in 1949, found out that one of its most famous teachers, Ip Man was currently in Hong Kong. Leung Sheung promptly introduced Lok Yiu and Tsui Sheung-Tin to Ip Man, and the three of them became the first batch of Wing Chun students in Hong Kong. From 1949 until 1978, Leung Sheung remained Ip Man's most senior student. He trained under Ip intensively and taught Wing Chun until his passing in 1978. Among Leung Sheung's more well known students are Kenneth Chung, Leung Ting, Jack Ling, Siu Wong, and others. Armando Sainz' lineage descends from Kenneth Chung who best retained Leung Sheung's methods and most importantly, his unique energy.
Armando's lineage is distinctive in many ways and extraordinary because each master in the line is a senior student of the previous teacher. More than that, however, Wing Chun's development went into high gear when insightful individuals like Karl Godwin began an innovative expansion of this great martial art. Long Bridge Boxing, an advanced form of bare-knuckle boxing, came to our line through the study of the roots of the world's martial arts. In particular those of Western fighting arts; their development and finally, their compatibility with Wing Chun. Also, an extreme close quarters aspect to the system was developed thereby creating a method that is equally secure in kicking range, boxing range and at very close range. As a result, Sifu Armando has spent much time developing, refining and teaching his western influenced, cutting-edge Wing Chun.
Armando took what he learned and further developed it by studying the internal aspects of Wing Chun via Chen Tai Chi Chuan. He spent two years training with Master Frank Paolillo and studying the essence of Chen Tai Chi; which is realized in its distinctive silk reeling-spiraling power. Armando's Tai Chi insights coupled with scientific principles, allowed him to reinforce his martial art and to address the grappling issue by developing a complete anti-grappling curriculum using geometry and human biomechanics. This is NOT adding grappling to Wing Chun, rather Armando has unlocked what was already present within the concepts of the system that others didn't see. It is a completely compatible method that has shown itself to be exceptionally effective. This superior method allows you to be able to deal with any person quickly and move on to the next attacker with ease in an almost effortless manner.
Armando also adapted practical concept based weapons to his curriculum. He developed a weapons system that is in tune with the sum and substance of his martial art. This system allows the practitioner to disarm assailants, and use their weapons against them. Also this method pits weapons against each other so that in the trained hands of the practitioner, the self-defense scenario is handled quickly. The bottom line is that Innovative Wing Chun is an unabridged, up to date martial art that enables the practitioner to be at the ready.
Wing Chun, Wing Tsun or Ving Tsun?
Wing Chun is sometimes referred to as Wing Tsun, Ving Tsun, Wing Tjun,Wing Chun, Wing Chung,
Wing Chun Kung Fu, Wing Chun Boxing, or even Wing Chun Kuen (fighting or fist) among other
names. The reason for these differences is because Chinese characters are pictograms and do not translate precisely into Western letters and words. In all cases however, the pronunciation in English is Wing Chun so that is how we like to spell it. Wing Chun is a Kung Fu system because the
foundational principals mainly stem from China. Kung Fu roughly means "time and effort" and originally referred to any skill painstakingly developed. Kung Fu has become synonymous with all Chinese martial arts.
The name Wing Chun literally means "Eternal or Beautiful Springtime". The name's meaning implies freshness, creativity, innovation, modern or contemporary. Although most of the practitioners of the system learn it as a traditional or classical system today, the original idea was to have constant development and innovation keeping the system up to date and effective in the modern world. The name of the system however, is not nearly as important as practicing an effective and comprehensive form of self-defense that will function in real life conflicts across the board.
Ip Man Biography
Born Ip Gai Man in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, Ip Man first began learning Wing Chun in 1906 under the tutelage of Chan Wah Shun; pupil of renowned Wing Chun master Leung Jan. Due to old age, Chan soon passed away and Ip Man continued his training under Chan's pupil Ng Chung Sok.
At the age of sixteen, Ip Man attended St. Stephen's College in Hong Kong. It was in Hong Kong that he met Leung Bik, the son of former master Chan Wah Shun's sifu, Leung Jan. When Ip Man first met Leung Bik, he did not know who Leung Bik was and arrogantly demonstrated his kung fu. When Leung Bik was less than impressed, Ip Man was unhappy and challenged Leung Bik to a fight. Ip Man was shocked when he was easily defeated. Discouraged, Ip Man stormed out only to return the next day when a classmate told him who Leung Bik was. Ip Man trained under Leung Bik for the next five to six years and acquired a complete mastery of Wing Chun.
Ip Man returned to Foshan at the age of 24. While there he did not formally open a school to teach Wing Chun. Instead he became a police officer and taught several subordinates, friends and relatives. His connections with kung fu practitioners and occasional fights in the city made him a well known figure in Foshan.
When Foshan fell to the Japanese during the War, Ip Man remained faithful to his country and refused to join the Japanese militia. Instead, he started teaching Wing Chun in his good friend Chow Ching Yuen's cotton mill factory. The movie "Ip Man" focuses on this chapter in his life from his claim to fame in Foshan to his resistance against the Japanese occupation.
After the War in 1949, Ip Man returned to Hong Kong. He opened his first martial arts school teaching the system of Wing Chun. Some of his more famous pupils during this time include Leung Sheung who was Ip Man's most senior and skilled student, Tsiu Sheung Tin, Lok Yu and Wong Sheong Leung. Nonetheless, Bruce Lee is perhaps the most well known disciple who trained under Ip Man. Bruce Lee did not actually train directly with Ip Man. At Ip Man's request, Bruce trained under two of what Ip Man considered outer court students from 1954 to 1957.
One of Ip Man's unique training methods was to encourage students to take on challenge matches. He believed that such friendly challenges could better help his pupils hone their martial arts skills. It was through these public displays of what was known as "hand talk" that Ip Man's school and Wing Chun grew in popularity.
Through the years Ip Man became instrumental in advancing Wing Chun as a self-defense system. In addition, some of Ip Man's pupils established schools overseas, enabling Wing Chun to flourish in other parts of the world. Today Wing Chun has over four million practitioners. Ip Man is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Ip Man's fame has become so vast that three full length biopic films have hit the big screen starting with "Ip Man" which premiered in 2008. After this "Ip Man 2" came out in April 2009 with a prequel called "The Legend is Born: Ip Man" released soon after. There is now talk of producing "Ip Man 3" because of the huge popularity of the movies. There is no question that Ip Man, the man, has made a tremendous impact on the world of martial arts.
Smart Lion Defense
Accelerated Self-Defense System - 12 Week Program
This is Sifu Armando Sainz' fast-track program for both men and women, merging only the Most Lethal Techniques and Tactics. This is combat tested and way too brutal for law enforcement to use. It consists of the following 12 modules. Each will take 2 hours and are taught in a private lessons setting:
1) Essential Self-Defense - The Entire Body as a Weapon
2) Advanced Strikes - Primary Targets
3) Understanding the Three Fighters
5) Understanding the Three Ranges
6) Dealing With Punchers and Kickers
7) Countering Ground Fighters Easily
8) Escape Any Hold - Escaping With Your Life!
9) Weapons Defense - Stick, Knife and Gun
10) Weapons Offense - Disarm and Attack
11) Lethal Concepts - Knowledge is Power
12) Finishing Methods - Stop the Attacker!
Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Western pugilism or bare-knuckle boxing is an almost forgotten, yet punishingly brutal street self-defense system. The practice of bare-knuckle boxing dates back to ancient times and was unparalleled during the Renaissance where fencing science and human biomechanics were meticulously applied to hand-to-hand self-defense. It was once considered one of the most effective empty hand systems in the Western world.
Punches and kicks are delivered with devastating, bone breaking power. It is the original form of boxing, a.k.a. old school boxing, more closely related to ancient combat systems. Armando has taken this scientific bare-knuckle boxing; fortified it with a conceptual baseline and coupled it with modern scenario thinking. The result is a formidable Western martial art method that few Asian martial arts can rival.
This aspect of Innovative Wing Chun can be taught separately as an effective self-defense system. You can also read more about this program on Sifu Armando's Bare-Knuckle Boxing site.
Counter-Grappling
Counter-Grappling is the complete solution for dealing with any grappling situation. It is the perfect equivalent counterpart answer for the Wing Chun practitioner or anyone wanting to powerfully and effectively counter a grappler or wrestler no matter his style.
Counter-Grappling is an authoritative, concept based, structurally well-built method that allows you to counteract all grappling attempts. It naturally sustains the fluid effortlessness that is present in the stand up Wing Chun approach, but now is applied on the ground.
You will be able to counter and negate grappling maneuvers while using the grappler's strength and tactics against him.
SKG Concepts®
SKG Concepts is Stick, Knife and Gun self-defense. Private students have the opportunity to train with different types of weapons. The ones Sifu Armando concentrates on are stick, knife and gun because they represent a blunt instrument, an edged weapon and a firearm. These three embody all weapons one might encounter on the street.
Students are taught how to defend themselves against armed assailants using weapons or empty hands. SKG Concepts is unique in that it is a systematic method of weapon self-defense that has been proven time and again.
No matter the weapon Sifu Armando's system employs special concepts that enable the practitioner to disarm the attacker within three moves. This means the fight is over within seconds. Practical scenario conscious street self-defense is a major part of this program and all our programs. SKG Concepts can be taught by itself as a self-defense system.
Workshops / Seminars
Sifu Armando is available for workshops at your location. Whether you are a Wing Chun, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Bare-Knuckle Boxing, Grappling, Jiu Jitsu, Bodyguard or Law Enforcement Group looking to improve your hand to hand, stand up, ground fighting or weapons, Sifu Armado can improve your fighting ability immensely and bring greater value to your program. The workshops are practical, tactical, internal, external, positional, and situational seminars geared for any private citizens, professionals, military members and martial artists. No experience needed. Every skill level can be accommodated.
The goal is to have every person who attends achieving a higher level of confidence because they have learned skills they can instinctively trust. All aspects of self-protection are covered. Weapons such as sticks, knife and gun are taught thoroughly until each person is proficiently at ease with the weapon. Sifu Armando's method is hands on and very effective. You are guaranteed to learn lifesaving skills.
Sifu Armando Sainz - Master Instructor, Personal Security Consultant
Sifu Armando Sainz specializes in private, personal consultation and training. His martial system and training methods lend themselves perfectly to complete customization and personalization for the individual practitioner. He is renowned for his expertise in martial arts and for his effective training methods with a career of over 30 years.
Armando was nominated by the Florida Black Belt Hall of Fame as "2005 Sifu of the Year", "2006 Master Instructor of the Year" and "2011 Hall of Fame Silver Life Award" for 30 plus years in martial arts presented by the International Independent Martial Artists Association.
He has had the privilege of training all kinds of people including many patriotic Military Personnel and Civilian Law Enforcement including Military Police, State and Local Police, U.S. Marshals and FBI as well as many friends and students from around the world. Armando has improved the lives of countless people and is known for his warm, approachable personality.
Qualifications
Armando Sainz is a professional martial artist and master instructor. He started martial arts in 1979 and earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan karate and Hapkido self-defense under his earliest instructor, Master Robert E. Beaudoin (Seventh Dan). Master Beaudoin earned his black belt under Jae Chul Shin, along with Chuck Norris, while in Korea in 1962-63.
Armando began teaching regularly for Mr. Beaudoin around 1982 when he earned his black belt. He attended and trained in several of the seminars and workshops hosted by Mr. Beaudoin with teachers like Hyun Chul Hwang, Kun Tao Grandmaster Joe Rossi and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. As time went by Armando studied several martial arts including Bare-Knuckle Boxing, Modern Boxing, Kodenkan Ju-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Dim Mak, Chin-Na, Iron Palm, Tae Kwon Do, Kick Boxing and Filipino knife and stick fighting. He has also trained with firearms on a regular basis and is licensed.
Armando's Wing Chun training began in 1995 where he was predominantly a private student for 12 solid years of training. Armando was officially certified a full instructor (Sifu) of Wing Chun in 1999 and was the first of his primary teacher's students to complete the entire Wing Chun curriculum. Armando is the most skilled student among his peers to this day. Armando also trained frequently through the years with legendary Wing Chun master, Karl Godwin and hosted several seminars for him. Karl is arguably the best Wing Chun master of his time and was known for touting Wing Chun's compatibility with bare-knuckle boxing early in his career. Armando has been immensely influenced by Karl's spearhead approach and early groundbreaking work in Bare-Knuckle Boxing / Wing Chun development. In addition, Armando has traveled periodically to San Francisco to train with Kenneth Chung, Ben Der and Jack Ling during Ken's yearly five day seminars. Armando's Wing Chun lineage goes back directly to celebrated Grandmaster Ip Man.
Armando was also a private student of Sifu Frank J. Paolillo and trained in Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, Chen Pao Choi (Cannon Fist), silk reeling-spiraling power Chi Kung (Chan Ssu Chin), Dragon Ba Gua Zhang, Tao Style and the classic Shantung weapons of China. Sifu Paolillo was instrumental in Armando's martial arts development. Paolillo always encouraged him to make whatever he learned his own and to never be limited by men's traditions. Sifu Paolillo was a senior student of world famous Grandmaster Poi Chan, and also trained under Internal Martial Arts Masters; Kay Chi Leung, Li En Jiu, Zhang Xia Xin, and Hing Lun Kwan.
A Word From Armando
"I Believe In The God-Given, Inalienable Right to Self-Defense! Policemen are nobody's personal bodyguards. Their jobs are to find and arrest people who have committed crimes already, not to prevent crimes from happening in the first place. Clearly, the responsibility for victim-prevention lies with you.
I've accomplished thousands of hours of full contact, bare-knuckle training fights and been in over a dozen real fights in my life, some of which were bona fide life threatening conflicts. Because of my skills and the grace of God I came out of them unscathed. I encourage you to learn how to defend yourself. That means gun, knife, stick and hand-to-hand self-defense. Learn how to defend yourself as soon as possible. The world isn't getting any friendlier."
- Sifu Armando Sainz
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Terms & Conditions: Our programs are tailored for adults due to the nature of reality based self-defense. Only ADULTS ages 18 and older may apply for membership.
Sifu Armando Sainz
Innovative Wing Chun
Franklin, NC
Jacksonville, FL
828-216-2927
STOP: If you are looking for CHEAP martial arts we respectfully ask that you call someone else. This is a top of the line, uniquely effective system and not to be confused with what they offer at ANY local martial arts school or online promotion.
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Testimonials
"I give my highest recommendation for Armando himself, for his skill level, patience, instruction abilities, high character, and his innovative system. I've been training with him for only a few months and I already trust him implicitly. Because I travel extensively and am generally very busy with work, I personally couldnt justify a different type of training other than the private, one-on-one instruction in his system. Who wants to spend 5 times as long to only obtain a fraction of the skill? I dont see any cost savings or value in another approach." - Lindon Hayes, Founder and Managing Member, National Technology Integrator
"I have been training with Sifu Armando Sainz for several months now and have learned much more about Wing Chun and true self defense than all of my previous years of training combined. I attribute this progress to Sifu Armando's vast knowledge, experience, patience, and practical approach to teaching his martial art form. Sifu Armando's concept based style of fighting completely removes the aspect of sport, which is so popular today, and prepares the student for real-world scenarios and application. He is the teacher that every student hopes to find and every fighter aspires to become." - Eric Marcotte, U.S. Marshals
"Incredible! ... Real world self-defense is an understatement in describing Innovative Wing Chun with Armando Sainz. Armando has taken classic Wing Chun Kung Fu combined with other fighting techniques and created a self-defense system that is potent, powerful and truly practical. I was blown away by what I learned from Armando as one of his newest students taking private lessons with him. After my first meeting with Armando I knew I had found my system of Kung Fu and my teacher. Armando has a sharp mind, years of experience, wisdom, a standard for excellence, and a take-no-prisoners attitude. His passion is tangible and contagious and he really wants his students to live with confidence while being well equipped as Wing Chun practitioners who can kick butt in real world situations. Armando's method of teaching allows his principles and concepts to be understood easily both in theory and in practice while allowing students to become incredibly effective in defending against any real world assault. Bad guys beware! Armando's approach to Wing Chun Kung Fu is second to none. I have a new found self-confidence and peace of mind." - Thomas Pierce, Sr. Information Technology Architect
"I have taken Sifu Armando's system for many years and have acquired skills that take most a lifetime to attain. My self-defense skills and abilities would not be possible without the one-on-one instruction of Sifu Armando Sainz. He teaches the system as it is, in a full comprehensive way that makes it possible for each individual to learn to their greatest potential. His teaching method and fighting skill are superb." - Robert Nunes, Senior Student, Security Consultant and Amateur MMA Fighter
"I have just begun my training with Sifu Armando and it was immediately clear to me from our first meeting that this was a teacher with whom I could put my trust to help me to learn to protect myself and more importantly, my family. I came to my introductory lesson not sure what to expect and walked away with an entirely new thought process on what I wanted to learn and what self defense really means. Sifu Armando is obviously a very intelligent and gifted martial artist but he is also very patient and understanding and has an uncanny ability to explain the concepts of his system in a way that are easy to understand and are easily absorbed. I have no doubt that in the coming months and years the time that I spend with him will not only increase my self defense capability exponentially, but it will also give me the confidence and peace of mind I have been searching for. I tried to find it in the other martial arts and quickly became disinterested due to the obvious sport aspect and lack of use in a real altercation. I highly recommend this teacher and this system if you truly want to learn to defend yourself." - Joseph Selph, Owner, J&M Construction
"Armando's anti-grappling system is a very effective, concept based method that grew out of his Wing Chun knowledge and has been tested over and over and shown to be extremely potent. It allows you to be able to get back on your feet quickly so you dont have to fight in a grapplers area of expertise. This is the best I've ever seen." - Sifu Kevin Reid, Wing Chun Master and Musician
"Armando is very personable, honest and an excellent instructor. Armando will give you every opportunity to learn, will remodel his program around your requirements and always gave me far more than I ever paid for. All he wants is for his students to be successful, and you will without a doubt get far more from your relationship and instruction than you paid for. Working with this man has been an experience of a lifetime and had it not been for a move across country I would still be working with him." - Gavin Slabbert, VoIP Network Engineer
"I have been with Armando for 2 years now, after 3 years in the Leung Ting Wing Tsun system. I can safely say I learned more in 6 sessions (2 a month, 4 hours each) than in three years of a more "traditional" system. I was exposed to the wooden dummy my second month, whereas in the prior system, no exposure would be given until you were a higher level practitioner. In addition, I have learned basic stick techniques, defense against sticks, knives, and guns. It is all practical knowledge, with no gimmicks. This is truly the real deal." - Bob Desai, M.D. and Instructor
"I have been in several physical confrontations growing up. It was just a part of life from where I came from. Being more of a bookworm and not a street kid, I looked for the most efficient way to get out of scuffles unharmed. I came to a realization that I am getting older and can not rely on my physical strength forever. I came across Sifu Armando Sainz and visited him. It was there that I understood that this is where I will learn self-defense. His manner of teaching is more of a coaching method. He technically breaks everything down in manageable bites. I have learned Wing Chun, many self defense techniques and concepts in the past 7 years and will continue to travel this path for many more. Training with Sifu Armando you WILL learn the ability to defend yourself and your loved ones." - Tim Faughn, Wing Chun Black Sash
"Armando is a great practitioner of Wing Chun and martial arts in general, a real natural! Armando began his training in martial arts in 1979 (I was one year old!). He has extensive martial arts experience... Sifu Armando has a reputation of excellence and he has produced many great students. " - Sifu Jesse Moon, Wing Chun Expert
"Armando Sainz was the first to complete the full curriculum under me years ago. He has gone on to be in the forefront of the Wing Chun movement by having one of the longest running public schools, being in the public eye with his outstanding web site, and his writings which can be found on the internet. Also, Armando has developed a specific 'anti-grappling system', unique to his abilities." - Sifu Bill Graves, Wing Chun Expert
"I just started lessons with Sifu Armando Sainz without having any previous self-defense instruction. He is very helpful and has a passion for teaching. Everything he has shown me has been "intellectually justifiable". It makes total sense! I am extremely excited about taking these lessons and wish that I could take more. At the end of every lesson I can not wait for the next one to show up." - Sean Morgan, Musician and Teacher
"My experience learning Innovative Wing Chun with Sifu Armando Sainz has been very exciting and enlightening. His approach is efficient, intuitive, logical and based on what is practical. This system is taught in a personalized environment and customized to meet and exceed the needs of any individual seeking to study self-defense. I look forward to continuing my training with Sifu Armando." - Al Hamilton, Computers
"En mi opinión, tuve la suerte de conocer este inovador sistema de Wing Chun, por lo que estoy muy contento. Mi experiencia con el Sifu Armando fue increíblemente beneficiante en el desarrollo y aplicacion de este arte marcial. En pocas lecciones pude entender y poner en practica este efectivo sistema el cual se aplica perfectamente a cualquier situacion en la vida cotidiana. Defensa contra atacante con armas, o mas de un contrincante o contra juijitsu / MMA u otro, este sistema se adapta y demuestra como terminar con el conflicto mas rapido y seguro. Sifu Armando tiene un método de enseñanza muy efectivo, sin importar tu nivel se adecua a tus necesidades para desarrollar un entendimiento y la aplicacacion del sistema." - Oscar Vargas, Professional Pilot and Flight Instructor
"I have always been afraid of what might happen in a real world life threatening situation; that is until I met Sifu Armando. He taught me more than I ever imagined self-defense training would be. I believe with all my heart that Sifu Armando is the very teacher I was looking for. His training has given me the confidence and courage that I thought only was found in the military. Boy was I wrong! This is the martial art system I have been looking for since I got out of high school. I really encourage anyone who is looking for real world self-defense to not just take my word or Armando's other student's word, but to find out for yourself. This way you will experience for yourself what I'm talking about." - Jacob Willoughby, Musician and Cook
"Armando Sainz is one of the finest persons I've known. We met at the Tao Institute some years ago where he came to seek internal instruction to further his training in the martial art of Wing Chun. At the time he was already an accomplished practitioner and my recommendation was to teach him "no touch" energy via mind to mind transmission, thus increasing his mind / body sensitivity. He received this transmission successfully and I highly recommend him as a teacher in his respective art." - Master F. J. Paolillo, Tao Institute Asheville, NC
"Armando was a diligent and conscientious learner of the martial arts. He maintained regular and disciplined practice for over five years and responsibly complied with all requirements for promotion to Black Belt. Amando was an excellent example of professionalism and humility as part of the art of Tang Soo Do and our Academy of Karate." - Master Robert E. Beaodoin, 7th Degree Black Belt
"Sifu Armando has refined the art of Kung Fu into an effective self preservation system for today's "real" world. His concepts and teachings allow a practitioner to be confident and a winner at every challenge that daily living can offer. In just a short time I have personally learned techniques that are far superior to any other system that I have encountered. I look forward to many more of his teachings and the privilege of carrying on the legacy!" - Michael Mangaroo, Guitar Instructor and Kung Fu Expert
"Armando is simply the best at what he does." - Brent "Deadly" Smedley - Drummer, "Iced Earth"
