INSTRUCTORS
Imperial Combat Arts is led by senior instructors responsible for preserving, refining, and transmitting the system in a structured and professional manner.
All instructors train within a unified curriculum emphasizing structural development, conditioning, applied combat mechanics, and responsible progression.
All instructors train within a unified curriculum emphasizing structural development, conditioning, applied combat mechanics, and responsible progression.
MANG TAAN (MAREK AQUILA)
Founder & Head Instructor
Imperial Combat Arts
Mang Taan began formal martial training in 1999 under Grandmaster Long and has taught professionally for over 20 years.
He is the founder of Imperial Combat Arts, where he directs instruction in Imperial Wu Tang Ch’uan and the Imperial Eight Animals system. His approach emphasizes structural integrity, progressive conditioning, and functional combat application under resistance.
Over the past two decades, he has trained more than 700 students and developed instructors and masters within the system. His teaching focuses on producing practitioners capable of applying technique with control, composure, and measurable effectiveness — not performance or theory.
Training under his direction prioritizes:
• Structural alignment under load
• Progressive hand and body conditioning
• Partner resistance and controlled sparring
• Clinch and ground integration
• Weapon-to-empty-hand continuity
• Multi-opponent positioning and tactical awareness
Imperial Combat Arts reflects his commitment to preserving traditional frameworks while training them in a way that holds up under pressure.
Imperial Combat Arts
Mang Taan began formal martial training in 1999 under Grandmaster Long and has taught professionally for over 20 years.
He is the founder of Imperial Combat Arts, where he directs instruction in Imperial Wu Tang Ch’uan and the Imperial Eight Animals system. His approach emphasizes structural integrity, progressive conditioning, and functional combat application under resistance.
Over the past two decades, he has trained more than 700 students and developed instructors and masters within the system. His teaching focuses on producing practitioners capable of applying technique with control, composure, and measurable effectiveness — not performance or theory.
Training under his direction prioritizes:
• Structural alignment under load
• Progressive hand and body conditioning
• Partner resistance and controlled sparring
• Clinch and ground integration
• Weapon-to-empty-hand continuity
• Multi-opponent positioning and tactical awareness
Imperial Combat Arts reflects his commitment to preserving traditional frameworks while training them in a way that holds up under pressure.
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
High Masters
Ang Jian (Matt Catura)
Kang Hu (Tim Juarez)
Cahala (Heather Aquila)
Ang Jian (Matt Catura)
Kang Hu (Tim Juarez)
Cahala (Heather Aquila)
SENIOR INSTRUCTORS
Chi Sifu
Nick Warfield
Richard Craft
Ching Sifu
Tyler Genender
Nick Warfield
Richard Craft
Ching Sifu
Tyler Genender
INSTRUCTORS
Li Sifu
Trevor Polinsky
Graham White
Justin Adams
Trevor Polinsky
Graham White
Justin Adams
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Sifu
Elizabeth Chavez
Ben Cangiano
Maria Denunzio
Ben Dewes
Britt Little
Elizabeth Chavez
Ben Cangiano
Maria Denunzio
Ben Dewes
Britt Little