Sifu Luke Gelin

Luke Gelin, a Santa Cruz local, started his martial arts training at the Academy of Martial Arts 16 years ago.  He has since trained various styles of Kung Fu, including Long Fists, BaJi, PiQua, BaGua, several flavors of Praying Mantis, and finally focused on Liu He Tang Long (Six Harmony Praying Mantis).  Luke currently trains with his teacher, Master Shih Bor Rong, the sole lineage holder.  He also spent 2 years training at Team Quest, a fight club and training home of UFC notables such as Randy Couture and Matt Linland.  His true love, however, is Praying Mantis Kung Fu.  An honor graduate of Santa Clara University, with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Classical Literature and Language, Sifu Gelin hopes to one day bring his history training to the martial arts.  Luke is also Port Security Specialist in the United States Coast Guard Reserve stationed at PSU 312 at SFO.   The Port Security Units are the special operations of the Coast Guard, and therefore he is well-versed in Law Enforcement tactics as well as MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain).  Once a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician, while trained otherwise, he prefers helping people rather than harming them.  This makes him uniquely suited to provide top notch martial arts instruction to the Santa Cruz Community.

Jenny Roth

Jenny Roth, a Santa Cruz local, grew up in Capitola where she still enjoys an active, healthy lifestyle.  Jenny has over 10 years childcare experience and has specialized in behavior modification. As a mother and an educator, she believes that clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and consistency are key to success in fitness and life.  Jenny is dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages to achieve their fitness goals.  Jenny believes development of integrity and self confidence can be gained through the practice of Kung Fu, exercise and healthy lifestyle.  Jenny also feels strong about her commitment to the Kung Fu family and enjoys the supportive community of individuals striving for personal development. 

Cara Ortiz

Cara Ortiz has been practicing yoga for over six years and became certified to teach in 2007.  She has studied in San Francisco at Its’ Yoga with Larry Schultz, who developed the curriculum with K. Pattabhi Jois.  Cara’s intention is to give people the best experience possible regardless of their advancement. Cara will teach a beginner’s version of the Ashtanga primary series of postures, which focuses on pranayama (breath), drishti (gaze), and bandhas (energy locks).  While this class will be meditative and relaxing, it utilizes many sun salutations to create and sustain heat within the practice.  Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic series of postures that flow one into another to provide a high energy workout with therapeutic effects that align and purify the body.  Each movement is accompanied by breath and designed to de-stress and re-shape the body.  Ashtanga yoga serves as a path to health,  flexibility, strength, and balance through concentration.