Sifu Kisu

Sifu Kisu: Master Manny Rodriguez is my friend and martial brother.

Sifu Kisu: Lisa is the Martial Videographer. She photographed all of our martial consultation sessions, organized thousands of still images into various compilations and was just a really go-getter team member and an amazing person. She is my friend.

Sifu Kisu: Let me make it clear that Avatar is no one person's work, but the result of hundreds of people working together as a team.

Sifu Kisu (referring to Avatar: The Last Airbender): I am proud to say this is the first show for young people I have seen passing along the concepts of honor, duty, loyalty, friendship and harmony.

Sifu Kisu: Recently I was hired by one of my students who works for Nickelodeon to consult on their hit TV show Avatar: the Last Airbender. Through that show I have attempted to promote the higher concepts of Martial Art virtues.

Sifu Kisu: I began to study martial arts at the age of 7 years old. First in Karate as a child, then in Tae Kwon Do during my teens and when I was in military service. I later met my current teacher and have been studying with Master Hui Ho Kwong of the Northern Shaolim (sic) since the late '70's learning in the tradition of the Chinese old school teachings.

Sifu Kisu: After Bryan Konietzko had been in my class for some time, he mentioned to me that he was an animator. My reply was in the realm of "that's nice."

Sifu Kisu: I explain to them that martial arts will give you self-confidence, self-validation, self-worth, and will channel your energy into productive and constructive action.

Sifu Kisu: The martial arts draws many insecure, injured people to it's ranks, but it is a trick.

Sifu Kisu: I am an all or nothing type of guy.

Sifu Kisu: The Water Tribes had to be Tai Chi with its ebbing and flowing of natural energies. Water always runs to the lowest point...Earthbending called out for the practical rooted Hung ga style...Airbending with it's yielding, spinning, and unexpected responses begged for Bagua with a sprinkle of Hsing Yi, also known as mind heart boxing...The Fire Nation, had to use Northern Shaolim with a dash of Northern 7 Star Preying Mantis.

Sifu Kisu: Any monkey can ball up a fist and shove it into someone's face, but how many people will take control of themselves and forge their body in the fire of their will?

Sifu Kisu: Martial arts is a very personal thing for me. "Passionate" would be a poor description of my depth of feeling.

Sifu Kisu: Martial arts is a series of plateaus. You reach a level only to see all of the levels above.

Sifu Kisu: Sometimes when I am giving the staff advice about different moves. I feel like I am actually from the Avatar World telling them.

Sifu Kisu: Chinese Martial Arts embody harmonized teaching and training techniques which serve as either self-defense, healing, psychological revelation, vivifying exercise, or a spiritual path.

Sifu Kisu: I create movements for the various bending styles and other unique movements on the show. Bryan explains the concepts related to a particular piece of business and I come up with a tailored movement.

Sifu Kisu: I never read the scripts, only the action break downs. I am Avatar's biggest fan. I don't want to ruin the surprise of what is coming next.