About Us – Kung Fu in Pittsburgh

Master Rothrock began training in 1968 at the age of 15. He has studied with a variety of Kung Fu and Tai Chi masters before finding a home with Grandmaster Leung Shum of the Northern Eagle Claw System.

Master Rothrock opened the first Rothrock’s Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy in Scranton, PA in 1972 at the tender age of 21. He has over 40 years of experience and his teacher, Grandmaster Leung Shum, has over 70 years of Kung Fu and Tai Chi experience. In 1980, Master Rothrock traveled to Hong Kong with Grandmaster Leung Shum. He met the great Grandmaster Ng Wai Nung (Grandmaster Leung Shum’s teacher). Master Rothrock demonstrated numerous routines for Ng Wai Nung, and upon completion, he was awarded a Master’s certification… the only American to receive this honor.

Master Rothrock has completed the entire Eagle Claw system, Wu Tai Chi system, and Yang Tai Chi system under Grandmaster Leung Shum. He is a recognized Master under Grandmaster Shum and the Eagle Claw Federation.

Master Rothrock has published a number of articles and booklets on Kung Fu and Tai Chi that include:

The Beginner’s Guide to Kung Fu
The Secrets of Kung Fu
Kung Fu for Children
A Simplified Guide to Tai Chi
A Master’s Handbook on Eagle Claw Kung Fu
An Instructor’s Teaching Guide
Published over 25 DVD’s

What is Eagle Claw Kung Fu?

The main system or method of Kung Fu that we teach is Northern Eagle Claw (Ying Jow Pai). This is one of the oldest and most comprehensive methods of Kung Fu in the world. The Eagle Claw Kung Fu (Faan Tzi Ying Jow Pai) is an intricate system of locks, takedowns, and pressure point strikes, as well as punches, blocks and an arsenal of kicks.General Ngok Fei, a famous Chinese general during the invasion by the Manchus, leaned the Eagle Claw Kung Fu method from a Shaolin monk named Jow Tong. He adapted and taught these techniques to his troops for hand-to-hand combat that helped his army achieve many battlefield victories. Because of his success, General Ngok Fei became one of the well-known generals throughout China.

The Finest Professional Instructors

Master Rothrock has headed the academy for over 40 years, and along with his staff of expert and Professional Black Belt Instructors, we offer you a unique, safe, and fun classroom experience to meet or exceed your goals. Many martial arts schools come and go or many are part-time clubs that are only open a few days a week. Many instructors do this as a hobby or are not qualified to teach a martial art. Contrary to what most people believe, a black belt does not make you an instructor or teacher. Here at the Academy, you have the assurance that we have a long history of success and have trained thousands of students over the years. We are a full-time professional Academy. Along with Master Rothrock, he has full-time professional instructors and staff dedicated to your overall goals and success.

We are members of:

The National Association of Professional Martial Artists
The Martial Arts Teachers Association
The Martial Arts Industry Association
The Ying Jow Pai Association.

We’ve been voted the Best Martial Arts academy 11 years straight. The reason is because of our excellent classes, exciting lesson plans, and friendly staff and instructors. All the instructors at Rothrock’s Kung Fu must complete a yearlong instructor training course that includes the academic study of the 200-page Instructor Training Book written by Master Rothrock. They also must complete 50 hours of classroom study. All instructors follow the 100-page rotating lesson plan, created by Master Rothrock, to maximize a student’s training experience from the introductory levels of training to the advanced levels of training.

Voted the Best Martial Arts School

2005 – Voted Best Martial Arts School – (readers of the Gateway Star)
2006 – Voted Best Martial Arts School – (readers of the City Paper)
2007 – Voted Best Martial Arts School – (readers of the Tribune Review)
2008 – Voted Best Martial Arts School – (readers of the Tribune Review)
2009 – Voted Best Kung Fu School – (readers of the City Paper)
2009 – Voted Best Martial Arts School – (readers of the Tribune Review)
2010 – Voted One of the Kung Fu & Tai Chi School – (City Paper)
2010 – Voted One of the Best Martial Arts School – (Tribune Total Media)
2011 – Voted One of the Best (Gold) Martial Arts School – (Tribune Review)
2012 – Voted the Best Martial Arts School – (readers of the Tribune Review)
2013 – Voted the Best (Gold) Award – (readers of Trib Total Media)

The Essence of Kung Fu & Tai Chi – Mind & Body in Harmony

The essence of Kung Fu & Tai Chi: improving your life through hard work and setting goals so you can achieve the best that you can be.

Whether you have a child that needs more discipline, better grades in school, listening skills, focus or you want him to become a leader in life, or an Adult that wants to get back into shape, improve muscle tone and flexibility, relieve stress or develop some self-defense skills to protect yourself or your loved ones… we have a course designed just for you.

As the ancients have said, “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is True Power.” Stop in or call and make an appointment to see for yourself why Kung Fu and Tai Chi are different than any other activity that you might have tried. It will change you, or your loved one’s life, for the better.