Master Mayo has used Gongfu for real life survival including the interests of bodyguard clients. With 22 years experience as a bodyguard, Mayo has protected Patti Labelle, Earth Wind and Fire, Steve Harvey, Jamie Foxx, and was Usher’s first bodyguard.

Gongfu (Kung-fu/Gungfu) instructors are scarce. Credible Gongfu instructors are rare. Fortunately for Cleveland, Ohio, there is Master Greg Mayo of Royal Liu Siong Gongfu, one of the world’s most credible Gongfu instructors.

Master Mayo’s martial lineage stems from Chinese Royalty through Grandmaster Liu Siong. Mayo’s instruction comes through Moorish American, Grandmaster Arthur Sikes, whose awarding of the 4th degree master’s red sash was witnessed by Grandmaster Willem Reeders, Tam Kim Sjong, Paul Tjan, and Grandmaster Sam Wong, representing Gongfu interests in Indonesia, China, USA, Hong Kong, and Canada.

Master Mayo has used Gongfu for real life survival including the interests of bodyguard clients. With 22 years experience as a bodyguard, Mayo has protected Patti Labelle, Earth Wind and Fire, Steve Harvey, Jamie Foxx, and was Usher’s first bodyguard.

Mayo has been training for 46 years and has had a school in Cleveland since 1971.

Mayo began in martial arts with Karate, Tae kwon do and Judo. He became involved with Gongfu when Grandmaster Sikes convinced him that he had much to learn.

Mayo’s Gongfu teaches the physics of combat. For example, an opponent’s motion or body positioning may be seen as circular, triangular, or square and one shape or motion may be utilized to defeat another. To the uninitiated, the intentions of Mayo’s movements, though deadly, are not simple to grasp, as they are not large movements or easy to see. His movements conceal deadly threats at every changing turn or shift of an elbow, wrist, or even a finger. Such an approach to combat involves not being the aggressor, but the aggressed. Mayo’s Gongfu teaches that it is the energy, the force, of the opponent, that causes the opponent’s own destruction.

Master Mayo stresses the importance of believing in a higher power. “Gongfu training is physical, mental, spiritual, and a blessing that prepares one for life. My Gongfu deals with meditation and prayer,” says Master Mayo, who prays for guidance as a teacher and encourages others to “Have an open mind and heart and to venture out and find things.” Master Mayo is practical, his training stresses the importance of top physical discipline and fitness not just in order to face danger with violence, but also in order to run away, if need be, because, as he says, “A battle can be decided with common sense, as opposed to hands and feet.”

“I can see the martial arts in African statues. The true art form comes from Africa and developed in China and India,” says Mayo. Depictions of some of the same martial techniques still utilized today may be seen on walls of Egyptian pyramids. China’s first Emperor, Tai Zu, of the Xi Dynasty was a Gongfu master and a man with very dark skin, a wide nose, thick lips, and kinky hair, as was Da Moor, the founder of what became known as Shaolin Gongfu.

Mayo has students nationwide and a body of Master and expert instructors, such as Grandmaster Reginald McKissick, Masters Abe Sullivan, Don Wallace, and Adrian Watson. Third degree instructors Paul Styles, Marty Wade, Tyrone Riddly, Ron Foster, Joe Golden, Mike B., and Ted Archibold, who support the art’s growth and development.

Offering also reflexology, Tai Chi, and acupuncture, Master Mayo’s school, Northern Wind, located at 8311 Superior, is well equipped, has the atmosphere of authenticity and feels welcoming. “We train anyone who comes through the door,” says Master Mayo.