We appreciate feedback from our students.  If you would like to submit a testimonial, you can do so here.

Chris has integrated and generously shares a vast amount of healing and martial arts material of exceptional quality.  His ability to effectively teach subtle skills and information that is difficult to express in words is truly remarkable.  His sincerity, integrity, intelligence, and sense of humor make studying with him an expansive and joyful experience.

Renee Schuetter, R.N., M.Ed.

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Chris Matsuo is an amazing martial artist and healer. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with him both as a student and patient. Chris is a phenomenal teacher and helps those who are interested in sincerely exploring martial arts and healing. He is a treasure in the internal martial arts community.

Celina Taganas-Duffy, President, Tagline Communications
(Profiled in Inside Kung Fu)

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Sifu Chris and Sifu Ray have been a tremendous source of inspiration for me. Their teaching styles complement each other so that in Sifu Chris you get the deep and esoteric meanings behind the forms and in Sifu Ray you get the practical applications.  Being a member of the Dragon Gate Sanctuary has allowed me to hone my physical and mental capacities but more than that, Sifu Chris and Sifu Ray have taught me to apply the healing and spiritual aspects of the martial arts to my life as a researcher, writer, and academic.

Marcus Lam, PhD Candidate, UCLA School of Public Affairs, Department of Social Welfare

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Sensei Ray Carbullido was the first martial art instructor that I found in Hawaii, purely by good fortune.  I have trained with him for almost four years and have never had a teacher with such an open and generous heart.  His insight into the techniques and applications of our martial art systems is without compare.  I recommend him and his teachings to any martial artist of any caliber, as he has so much to offer both beginners and experienced experts.

Matthew Chamberlain, Master’s Degree Student, Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Sensei Ray has a special ability to not only teach and expound upon the principles of the various arts he is knowledgeable in, but to instill in his students an unquenchable thirst to become not only the best artist they can be, but also the best person they can be.  Indeed his dedication to his students and his selflessness is summed up best when he says the ultimate goal for his students is for them to surpass him in skill and knowledge.  Sensei Ray’s personal drive to perfection through his training and his selfless drive to help others is contagious and has influenced who I fundamentally am as a person.  He is not one to spoon feed you, instead he insists that giving his students the skills to continue to train effectively without him is more important.  I know for one that I am forever indebted to him because of his tireless and selfless dedication to his students, of which I proud to say I am one.

Eric Stennett, Recent Graduate in Finance and International Business

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I have known Matsuo Sensei and Carbullido Sensei for all of my adult life, and I can say whole heartedly that I am a better martial artist and person because I have been their student, and recipient of their healing practices. I first went to Matsuo Sensei for help at 19 years old. I had a doctor tell my family that I was “failing to thrive”. I had no desire to eat, could not sleep, became extremely pale, my hair began to fall out, had severe migraines, had severe abdomen pains, dropped out of school, and had no desire to socialize with friends and family. I had previously trained in the marital arts since the age of 3, and was also a successful competitor in the national and international forms and kumite competition circuit. My health ailments began after I was assaulted by multiple male attackers. The symptoms worsened when I found out that I had to face 3 of the men in court. Before I came to Matsuo Sensei, I threw all of my martial arts weapons and trophies into the ocean and wanted nothing more to do with martial arts. I felt that my previous training gave me a false sense of security and could not advocate other women using those techniques in a life threatening situation. Matsuo Sensei did for me what 3 doctors and two psychologists could not do. I believe he was successful because he recognized that the body was holding on to the physical and emotional trauma when those concepts were not in the realm of diagnostics of my Western doctors. After Matsuo Sensei’s treatment, the physical symptoms went away and I gained a renewed emotional strength. He also taught me meditative techniques so that I could successfully “stay centered” when facing the attackers in court. During the treatment, I was both humbled and in awe by the humanity, empathy, warmth and knowledge of Eastern medicine which Matsuo Sensei displayed. Through his wisdom and guidance, I became a stronger woman, and grew as a student of martial arts in a situation that I initially allowed to devastate my life. Matsuo Sensei has since successfully treated and cured myself, my family and my friends in a variety of conditions including temporomandibular disorder, back injuries, arthritis, endometriosis, vascular problems, and even successfully treating an accidental consumption of poison. You will not find a healthcare practitioner, or teacher of the martial arts, that can enable wellness and an understanding of self the way Matsuo Sensei does.

Likewise, Carbullido Sensei has taught me that the principals and techniques which I learn in the dojo can be applied to every aspect of my life. Being a student of Ray Carbullido has made me a better student, employee, supervisor, daughter, sister, friend, and wife. Carbullido Sensei is extremely patient when teaching and amazingly detailed of his explanation of combative techniques. Carbullido Sensei is a shining example of human kindness and generosity. He is so humble that he refers to his students as his friends, while guiding and openly sharing his knowledge with all of his students in a very nurturing and fatherly way. His vivacious laughter resonates through the room and its obvious that he not only loves training in his art, but he has a love and passion for sharing his art and watching his students grow. His mastery of the martial arts is obvious as soon as you see him apply techniques or demonstrate the art of Yamabushi Ryu Shugendo.  Carbullido Sensei’s mastery of the shamanic arts and the flow of energy has helped me overcome several injuries using techniques that I can only describe as astounding.  Training under Carbullido Sensei has taught me that my success as a martial artist is not measured by the color of a belt, a rank, trophy, or medal; but in the practice of training and living with sincerity. I believe that the techniques from the Dragon Gate lineage will enable balance and synchronization in the midst of all obstacles and hardships that we may face in life. I now push for all of my female friends and relatives to come train under Matsuo Sensei and Carbullido Sensei at Dragon Gate Sanctuary.

Ronda Hayashi-Simpliciao, Child Welfare Group Facilitator and Mediator

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Learning and training with Chris will take you to a new level. Period. The amount of details you learn, you just can’t find in a book. In fact, some things you’ll learn, many other instructors don’t know and aren’t even aware they exist. Some say he is the source of a lost, secret art. I have learned a lot from Chris, and I have also practiced and learned with him in martial arts and healing. I’ve known him for over 10 years. You’ve seen guys like this in those Chinese movies, now meet the one in real life.

Keoki, Programmer/Analyst

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Chris is an amazing teacher. Each lesson is full of forms and techniques that utilize every part of the body. Watching him demonstrate them is such a treat… Especially when he makes it look so graceful and effortless. Sincerity is the key. And you can definitely sense that as he transmits the knowledge to each of his students.

Johnny B.

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I had a terrible pain in my shoulder and was told by a chiropractor that I had a torn rotator cup. He treated me with chiropractic and reiki with no relief. I then went to an orthopedist who told me I had a slipped disc. He gave me prescriptions and sent me to physical therapy. The pain never went away. One of Chris’ students works near me and suggested I try chi kung. I felt that I had tried everything else so I might as well try this too. I didn’t have any belief or disbelief in the practice, I just wanted the pain to be gone.  Since then, the pain is gone, as well as many other physical and psychological ailments. I had no idea that Chris could heal the energy between me and mother giving me a relationship with her that I have never experienced before. Chris also helped me with my panic attacks, miscellaneous body ailments, and my emotional well-being. Healing without narcotics. What a concept!  I continue to see Chris periodically and often recommend him to others. Most people find it hard to believe that someone can heal with energy. I don’t need to understand how or why it works, I just know that it works.

Tina Lau

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Sifu Christopher Lee Matsuo is one of those few instructors that teach the essence of the art. He teaches those principles that elevate the martial aspect into an art and explains why forms are designed the way they are. I have all of his videos and each one has added something important to my understanding of martial arts in general.

Adam Robinson

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Sifu seems genuinely rewarded by sharing his knowledge and skill. I have never experienced such a martially loving bridge to spiritual teachings. His kung fu is literally spiritual kung fu – physical illustrations of Taoist principles. Its so tangible I feel that I can reach it. Sifu can breakdown and explain the seemingly unexplainable. He nourishes my intellect so that it will leave and let me enjoy the training.

L.G.

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Sifu Matsuo style of teaching is so awesome! The material and drills are fun and everything is so simple yet extremely hard at the same time. I love how Sifu incorporates every facet of each exercise, like the internal benefit as well as the external. He is very thorough.

Michelle