Our Instructors

In 2023, his own students also competed and brought home a collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals. In February 2023, he was certified by the Pan American Wushu Federation as a judge in the Shaolin Wing Chun division and is now a highly sought-after judge for national and local circuits, including the USA Wushu Kung Fu Federation.

As a Disciple of his Sifu and of the System, Sifu Griffith has pledged to pass on the Art of Shaolin Wing Chun Kung Fu to the next generations. This ensures the endurance of the Art and that this treasure is never lost. 

Sifu Griffith's life is a testament to the "warrior/philosopher" lifestyle, which he teaches through the Three Treasures of Shaolin: Chan, Health, and Combat. This approach is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom. He connects the Norse concept of the Skald, a well-rounded individual who is a philosopher, poet, and warrior, with the core of his teachings. The principles of the Jómsvíking, an order of vikings during the late Viking Age who were the forerunners of the orders of knights that would develop in the Middle Ages.

The Jómsvíkings were selective in who could join their order and restricted it to men of valor and lived by a Code:

Truth, Honor, Perseverance, Fidelity, Discipline, Self Reliance, Hospitality, Courage, Diligence, 

These principles go hand-in-hand with the Chinese concept of Wude (武德) which is the traditional kung fu ethical code of "morality of mind" and "morality of deed." 

Morality of Mind -- Cultivates inner harmony, including Courage, Endurance, Patience, Perseverance, and Will.

Morality of Deed -- Governs behavior towards others, featuring Humility, Respect, Righteousness, Trust, and Loyalty. 

• Ethical Limitation: Understanding when and how much force to use, emphasizing self-defense rather than unnecessary violence.
• Respect: Acknowledging the teacher, fellow students, and the art itself.
• Humility: Controlling pride to avoid reckless conflict.

A practitioner without Wude is considered dangerous, as martial skill without moral grounding violates the traditional principles of Kung Fu. 

Sifu Griffith teaches the Shaolin Wing Chun concept of "Harmony of Mind, Body and Spirt". This concept stems from "what I think affects how I feel, and how I feel affects what I do." Thoughts. Feelings. Actions. This can be summed up in the phrase "choose how you feel, choose how you deal." 

During his years after high school and time spent traveling the world with the US Navy, Sifu Griffith went on a spiritual journey for the truth. He studied Buddhism, Islam (Sufi), Judaism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and finally Asatru, the old Nordic beliefs of his ancestors. In all of these - and many more- traditions he found a common theme: the innate goodness of nature and humanity. Bad people are taught to be bad, no one is born bad. As he began his Shaolin Wing Chun journey he was again re-introduced to Buddhism, specifically Chan Buddhism which emphasizes realizing the Buddha-nature in everyone. This reinforced his understanding that everyone has the capacity to be good and to cultivate peace for longevity and health. 

Every class begins with meditation, a few moments to clear one's head and prepare the mind for learning.

Harmony of Mind, Body, and Spirit. 

Sifu Griffith's martial arts journey started as a 7th grader in the 1980s, influenced by ninja movies. He began his training in Okinawan Kempo Karate and continued with Guam Kyokushin Karate while serving in the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge, he gained a wide range of experiences, from working in new home construction and as a waiter to being a bouncer at a nightclub and even working a summer in a Southern West Virginia coal mine.

Professionally, he is a surgeon's assistant specializing in Da Vinci surgical robotics and works for a prominent oncology practice in Cincinnati.

 He is married and a proud dachshund dad. He lives in a historic Italianate home built in 1886.