Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Sifu Dr. George Lisjak - Sifu Lisjak's first exposure to martial arts was watching the Green Hornet television series as a child growing up in Buffalo NY. during the late 60's.
Throughout the 70's Sifu Lisjak studied various martial arts including Kenpo Karate at International Self Defense, Hung Gar Kung Fu with Sifu Norm Mandarino under Master Ting Fong Wong, high school Judo and Jeet Kune Do from whatever literature he could get his hands on. Sifu Lisjak then became interested in body building and placed in several regional competitions.
In 1984, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Life University in Atlanta, Georgia as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Post graduate studies in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine led to certification by the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture. During the 80's Sifu Lisjak studied Tae Kwan Do and Kick boxing.
In 1988 Sifu Lisjak began a long term study of Praying Mantis Kung Fu. After reaching black sash level sifu Lisjak was accepted as a formal student of James Sun. Sifu Lisjak opened a school in 1995, was made New York State Representative in 1995, elected head of the Education Department for the American Chinese Martial Arts Federation and given a Generation Disciple Pendent and a Chinese name Xun Di Ser.
Sifu Lisjak became independent from James Sun in 2000 to seek other affiliations and broaden his education in different styles of Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Pachi Chuan, Pakua, Hsing-I, and Tai Chi. The unrivaled beauty in its colorful expression, fluidity, and effectiveness of Northern Praying Mantis has led to a life long dedication.
On November 16th, 2001 Sifu George Lisjak was made a disciple of Master Ilya Profatilov who has genealogy in Taiji Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Master Wang Yuan Qian), Plum Blossom and 6 Harmony Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Master Ma Han Qing), and 8 Step Praying Mantis (Zuo Xian Fu).