SANTA CRUZ — On July 16, 1966, at the age of 16, Ted Mancuso entered his first martial arts school. It was a life-altering event that ignited a passion and professional calling that remains potent 45 years later.

Early on in his career, Mancuso placed competitively among top trophy holders, and, by the early 1970s, he earned the title “head instructor” for one of the largest martial arts franchises on the East Coast. He sparred with well-known martial arts champions such as Joe Lewis, a United States Nationals Grand Champion from 1966-1969.

Mancuso was even once invited to train alongside world-class martial arts innovator and actor Bruce Lee, but Mancuso declined, wary of the corruptive potential of Hollywood fame.

Mancuso, who founded the Academy of Martial Arts in Santa Cruz in 1991, is deeply philosophical about his life choice and continued commitment. The academy still operates today, offering beginning and advanced classes throughout the week.

“Having martial arts as a core laboratory has taught me a lot about life,” he said. “I’ve discovered how far I can go with my ideas. I’ve examined their depth. It’s taught me about kindness, because we all struggle and feel isolated, but we aren’t.”

Steeped in traditional Asian martial practice, his Academy’s core studies include Shaolin Kung Fu, Qigong, Bagua and Tai Chi.

“I love Sifu Mancuso’s amazing knowledge of the art and the history behind it,” wrote a veteran of the Academy,

Rod Oka. “Attending the school has given me a lot of confidence. I like doing things that sustain my good health while learning martial skills. That, plus the nice environment Ted has constructed, keeps me coming back.”

A self-taught scholar who enjoys studying and translating Chinese, Mancuso expounds the virtues of Taoism and makes a hobby of physics and mathematics. His photographic memory has helped him to absorb hundreds of martial techniques, styles and forms during his career.

Mancuso’s school is an adult-only establishment and he handpicks his students through an interview process. Unlike the majority of martial arts schools, Mancuso doesn’t tolerate the fierce competitiveness often encouraged among trainees. He issues no prizes, nor belts for achievement, and believes that a good martial artist cultivates the entire self — body, mind, and spirit.

“Martial arts is a way of life, and not because it’s wonderful and sweet. It is because anything that survives 2,000 years is a way of life,” he explained. “It’s like dancing. There are a lot of dancers in the world, but people who are dedicated to the practice know that it is a way of life — because life dances.”

Students who buy into Mancuso’s teaching say they have noticed the difference it has made in their lives.

“I have learned to apply the Tai Chi and martial practice I have learned from Ted in ways that have improved personal issues, my relationship with my family and my sensitivities and interactions with others,” said Karl Forest of Capitola.

Mancuso’s teaching style isn’t one size fits all. It is personalized to the student.

“He will point out vectors to the scientists, qi to the students who are aware of energy, philosophy to the thinkers, but use simple language for the students who need to keep it straightforward,” said Jean Andrews of Santa Cruz, another of the Academy’s long-time trainees. “He seems to have the perception and the enormous flexibility to find an appropriate way to reach each student.”

“The school has been like a second family to me,” said Chuck Hendel, a computer systems engineer from Felton. “The experience is so positive. I am more at peace in my life and how I deal with people and situations.”

While Mancuso has penned articles on the Shamanic Fist, Lost Track Kung Fu and Five Element Boxing, his most recent book was a collaboration with acupuncturist Narrye Caldwell entitled “Blossoms in the Spring: A Perfect Method of Quigong.” It is available through plumpub.com.

After four decades of teaching, Mancuso is clear in his intent to educate.

“My greatest goal is to make my students aware of what they have,” he said, “not because I want their respect as a good teacher, but because I want them to know what they have so they can pass it on, and it can become part of our culture.”