Master Jack Skutnik

Heir Master Jack Skutnik is the CEO of General Affairs for ACMAF-American Chinese Martial Art Federation.

Jack Skutnik began studying and training in martial arts at age 12. He was drawn to the martial arts by his fascination with amazing feats and demos he had seen on tv, movies etc. He started his training in Chito Ryu and then studied and attained a Master level in Taekwondo (6th Dan). He opened a martial arts school in 1985 and trained many students and Instructors.

He has instructed Women’s self defense seminars, taught police, corrections officers etc. He has also trained many tournament champions, was named Instructor of year and received various awards for his many achievements in the community. Jack was known as a community man for his involvement with others including hosting tournaments, seminars, demonstrations, fundraisers, board breaking events, and kick-a-thons. He is also known as Karate Jack (a nickname given to him by friends and colleagues and it has stuck with him). As fate had it, in 1990 Master Jack's friend and classmate from high school Shifu Dean Economos, who had a Eight Step Preying Mantis school in Buffalo was in the area and introduced Master Jack Skutnik to Eight Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu. He was impressed with Shifu Deans demonstration of Shyun System of Eight Step Preying Mantis kung fu techniques and started training with Shifu Dean immediately by going to Buffalo, and hosting seminars in NJ.

Then not long after being introduced to Grandmaster James Shyun- Shyun Kwong Long 荀廣龍 -4th generation inheritor of Eight Step Preying Mantis), was accepted into the system as a Shifu, then along with small group of dedicated Shifu’s continued to study and train each year with Grandmaster James Shyun in Buffalo, San Francisco (Noriega Street School), South Dakota, Texas, Florida, NJ etc. When studying in the 90s into the 2000s with Grandmaster James Shyun, training camps went to the wee hours of the morning. The group of Shifu’ s attending were like family-learning from Grandmaster as he developed the Shifu and Masters standardized curriculum levels for the future of the Shyun system of Eight Step Preying Kung Fu. The Shyun system is a complete system of martials arts for the mind and body.

After becoming a Master, Jack was chosen to become a Disciple Master. When he became a Disciple-Master Jack Skutnik was given the disciple name Shyun Di Hu 荀地虎 (Earth Tiger) along with Master Kevin Loftus given the disciple name of Shyun Di Long 荀地龍 (Earth Dragon) as they were honored in special ceremony with Grandmaster James Shyun-Shyun Kwong Long 荀廣龍 South Dakota (2000). After over 35 years of studying and training in Shyun System of Eight Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu, studying and passing Abimoxi tests (fundamentals, diagnosis, herbals, herbal formulas , acupuncture), writing a book (Ba Zhang- 8 palms) Master Jack has been promoted to 7th Duan and recognized as a Heir Master. He is now ACMAF CEO of General Affairs. He has served as head of the ACMAF testing committee, International Representative, is the NJ representative and United States Representative. He continues to teach and spread his knowledge with students, Shifu’s and Masters at seminars, ACMAF Shifu camps (continued education for Instructors), and train in Shyun System of Eight Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu, Shyun Style Tai Chi, Qigong, Abimoxi (martial healing) and has dedicated his life to Shyun System of Eight Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu.