05/17/2026
We are supposed to get better as we age. For his 80th birthday, I have to take a moment to honor one of my greatest teachers. From the most simple concept of self defense that helps me across martial arts (elbow control) to visualizing my breath as a color, to embodying the balance of gentleness and strength, my family’s Wu style Sifu Keith Tong has been a treasure in my life and the lives of countless others.
Sifu Keith is always my first call for health questions over western health practitioners. He’s so many of my friends and family members including my son have benefited from his guidance.
As a fighter, I learned how to defend myself against all weight classes from basic concepts that Keith shares, which built my confidence to earn my way to fighting pros in San Shou under Beijing coach Li Ti Liang.
In the sport of Tai Chi , I have yet to experience a system as holistic as Sifu Keith Tong’s approach to both athleticism and wellness. His differentiation of waist versus hip power has been massively influential in how I train both as an athlete and as a Qigong practitioner. Keith had me on cordyceps 2 weeks before any competition years before it became mainstream to expand lung capacity (with strict guidance to stop taking them after the event).
He’s helped me and so many people that I could write pages and pages worth of gratitude and learnings. All I can say is that he looks amazing for 80 and remains a true role model for me.
Happy 80th Birthday Sifu Keith Tong!
🎂🙏❤️☯️
