Bio - Sifu Ben Galeana

Sifu Ben Galeana began his journey in Shaolin Kenpo way back in the 1980s. Training with Sibok Maria Warwick, Ben made it to purple belt prior to Sibok Maria retiring from teaching for medical reasons.

Forward to 1992, and Ben found that Aberdeen Kenpo Karate had re-opened a school on Market Street in Aberdeen, Washington.

Remembering little of what he had learned over 15 years before, Ben began his training anew, but with the muscle memory rapidly returning, Ben progressed quickly through the system. He trained at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate to the rank of Green~Brown Belt.

When Pacific Shaolin Kenpo opened their doors in 1993, Ben wanted to be closer to his initial instructor, Maria Warwick. He was the only previous student of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate who stated his intentions in person to Mike Skinner Sr. This gesture was one of honor and respect to where Mike Skinner Sr. had taken him to that point.

Ben received his Black Belt from the International Shaolin Kenpo Association while training at Pacific Shaolin Kenpo.

After receiving his Black Belt, Ben taught for a time in Hoquiam, Washington. As fortune would have it, Ben's school in Hoquiam was within a building owned by Al Carter, a previous student of both Mike Skinner Sr. and Mike Skinner Jr. who had taken him to the rank of 2nd Degree Brown Belt while he trained at Aberdeen Kenpo Karate until their closure in 2001.

This would prove to be beneficial for both Ben Galeana and Al Carter as Al was able to receive his Black Belt from Ben in 2005.

Sifu Ben Galeana continues training to this day with Sibok Clay Micheau, Sifu Mike Skinner Jr., and Mr. Bob Alexander. Sifu Ben currently holds a 4th Degree Black Belt from the International Shaolin Kenpo Association.