About Derek Croley
Derek Croley began studying martial arts at the age of 8 and began teaching at the age of 13 as an assistant instructor. He received his first Black Belt at age 15 under Shihan Dave Kovar in Sacramento, California. Kovar now operates some of the largest and most successful schools in the country and is internationally known for his teaching methods.
While still 15, Derek moved to Aiken, South Carolina where he became an Instructor under Grand Master Andy Watford. Grand Master Watford is a 10th Degree Black Belt under Grand Master David German and Grand Master Virgil Kimmey.
After completing a degree in Business Management from Clemson University Master Croley and his wife Brook moved to Jilin City, in the Jilin Provence of Manchurian China. There, he further perfected his skills under Grand Master Shifu Lui Chan Shan. Under Grand Master Lui, Master Croley was the first Westerner ever to learn the art of Taiji Yuan Gong Chan Chuan, and is one of a few people in the world who knows this secret art. With the blessing of Po Rin Fu he is allowed to teach this art openly in America. While in Northeastern China he also earned the title of Shifu (teacher) in Liu Style Tai Chi Chuan as well as Yuan Gong Chan Chuan.
In 2005 he was awarded the title of Master Instructor in the US TAI Martial Arts Association.
Derek now trains and is a Master Instructor under Grand Master George (Guo Ming) Xu in the arts of Xu Shen Chuan. He has been awarded an 8th degree Black Belt under Grand Master Xu and is honored to be an indoor student.
Master Croley has written four books on the Martial Arts (including The Physical Structure of Martial Arts and How to Approach Tai Chi Like a Master), published several articles, and produced several educational videos on a wide variety of topics.
In 2007 he was featured in a series of instructional videos from Lotus Video Productions. Recently, he was highlighted in the silver screen documentary The Why of Tai Chi by filmmaker Bruce Kennedy and choreographed the fights between Peter Pan and Captain Hook in the 2009 Asheville Community Theater production of Peter Pan.
He is currently helping as an advisor on a revised version of “Karate Blows: The Medical Implications” with the original author Grand Master Brian Adams.
In 2008 Master Croley was awarded an honorary PhD in Asian Martial Arts Philosophy from the University of Asian Martial Arts Study via the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. This is an honorary martial arts industry award for contribution to the arts and years of service.
He has also been greatly honored to have been appointed as a Vice President of WACIMA (Worldwide Association of Chinese Internal Martial Arts) by the International President of the organization, Grand Master Xu. In 2010, Derek spent most of December in China training with 9 of the top Internal Martial Arts Grand Masters in the world at the WACIMA China Camp.
Master Croley now resides in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and children. He has numerous Black Belts and Instructor Certifications, he is the Founder and President of The White Oak Martial Arts Center, a founder of the White Oak Institute, President of The White Oak Martial Arts Association, the founding Chairman of the ASTM Martial Arts Safety Standards Committee F08.29 from 2006-2010, the 2008-2009 President of the Asheville West Rotary Club, and a member of the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Martial Arts Education
- 8th Degree Black Belt, indoor student, and Certified Master Instructor inthe Internal Martial Art System Xu Shen Chuan under Grand Master George Xu.
- 6th Degree Black Belt and Certified Master Instructor in TAI Karate/Kenpo/Jujitsu under Grand Master Andy Watford and authenticated by Grand Master “Kenpo” Joe Rebelo and Grand Master Brian Adams.
- 5th Degree Black Belt in TAI Karate/Jujitu under Grand Master Andy Watford and Founding Grand Master David German and authenticated by Grand Master Brian Adams.
- 4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate under Master Kevin Hudson.
- 1st Degree Black Belt under Shihan Dave Kovar.
- Certified Shifu of Liu Style Tai Chi and Yuan Gong Chan Chuan under Grand Master Liu Chan Shan. He is the only westerner to ever learn both of these secret arts.
- Certified Yang Style Tai Chi Instructor under Master Dennis Brown.
- Certified 10 Animal Hsin Yi and Chen Style Tai Chi Instructor under Grand Master Xu.
- Trained extensively under Grand Master Brian Adams in his Integrated Martial Arts System. This is a combination of Kenpo, Escrima, Jujitsu, and White Tiger Kung Fu that relies heavily upon the principles of stick and knife fighting application and dynamics.