Instructors

Grandmaster Doo Wai

For six generations, White Tiger Kung Fu has been passed from father to son, ending finally with Grandmaster Doo Wai, who has decided to make the art available to the public. Aside from holding the esteemed title, Grandmaster Doo Wai serves as a technical advisor on martial arts-related feature films and served as the Grand Juror of the San Diego Asian Film Festival. A Chinese historian and scholar, Grandmaster Doo Wai has been on the cover of Inside Kung Fu, Ancient Sets of Kung Fu, and Karate Kung Fu Illustrated.

Shi Gung Tom Rizzo

A martial arts student since the age of six, Tom Rizzo has studied a full range of martial arts including Karate, JuiJitsu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, and Kempo. Tom has been teaching since 1990, and has studied with Grandmaster Doo Wai since 1991. Rizzo, a former federal agent, was a certified defense tactics instructor for the U.S. Department of Justice, teaching federal agents to fight in hand-to-hand combat.

Sifu Dennis Wood

Dennis Wood started his martial arts training with Kempo in 1988. Four years later he began studying Bak Fu Pai under Sifu Tom Rizzo and Grandmaster Doo Wai. He has since been a closed-door disciple of the Grandmaster. Dennis is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served his time as a combat engineer. He is currently the chief instructor of the Westwood school and a lead member of Team White Tiger MMA.

Sean McNeill

Sean is a senior assistant instructor and closed door disciple of Sifu Tom Rizzo. His past martial arts experience includes Tang Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do fighting systems. When not training Bak Fu Pai, Sean works as a building design consultant and has over 20 years of technical rock climbing experience.

Jennifer Caravella - Qigong Instructor

Jennifer Caravella, a San Francisco native, has studied various forms of yoga and meditation for over 15 years. She holds a degree in cultural anthropology and has a life-long background in nutritional healing and herbal medicine. She is a senior disciple in the White Tiger System, and the director of the Bak Fu Pai Qigong Training Program. Her Qigong classes incorporate yogic stretching, Daoist breathing techniques, chi building exercises and meditation.

Jennifer Tanaka - Qigong and Assistant Kids Instructor

After trying many forms of martial arts, Jenn Tanaka has found a home at White Tiger. Jenn Tanaka teaches qigong and assists with the development of the kids program. During the past three years at White Tiger family, she has finished the Qigong Instructor Training Course, Three Star or Iron Wrist, and Iron Palm level one procedures. Jenn Tanaka is passionate about teaching ad sharing knowledge with others at White Tiger and in rock climbing, which she has practiced and instructed for 5 years.