GRAND MASTER SIKES, started his martial arts training at age 9yrs,when his uncle introduced him to Judo and Boxing. Later, his training continued in the military when he joined the Screaming Eagles - 101st Airborne Infantry, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and 3rd Army Engineers. He received Special Forces training in Combat Judo. In the late 1950's Grand Master Sikes began to study the various styles of Okinawan Karate with American instructors, and holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Karate from his teacher Great Grand Master Willem A. Reeders. Under the guidance of Master Durant and Grand Master Reeders, Grand Master Sikes studied Goshen Martial Arts. Simultaneously, Grand Master Sikes studied with Master Willie Wetzel - Indonesian footwork and held the title GURU - (translated means teacher).

In the late 1960's Grand Master Sikes was a champion fighter and referee in the Professional Karate Circuit. In 1972 , he put aside these activities to begin his "TEMPLE" training in the mountains, in Meditation for Spiritual Enlightenment. He was given his rank and title by his teacher Great Grand Master Willem A. Reeders, who, in the early 1960's through the 1980's, was Liu Seong, head of the World Kung Fu Federation through Huc Choi Hau of China (translated means Peoples Republic of China or Chinese People). This rank was certified and witnessed by:

Willem A. Reeders - Indonesia - China - USA
Vice President Tam Kim Sjong - Hong Kong
Chairman Paul Tjan - Toronto Canada
Advisor Sam Wong - Toronto Canada (Grand Master Wong resides in the USA and became Liu Seong of Huc Choi Hau Federation.)

Great Grand Master Reeders, awarded only one person, Grand Master Art Sikes, the rank of MASTER 4TH DEGREE in Chinese Kung Fu through the Liu Seong Kung Fu Federation. This is the highest rank awarded in the USA and has been witnessed by those stated above. These credentials can be verified through the World Kung Fu Federation located in New York State.

In the early 1980's the Great Grand Master Reeders retired from the World Kung Fu Federation, as did Grand Master Sikes.  Grand Master Art Sikes subscribed to and taught a rigorous system of meditation and physiological exercises for the development, self-preservation and channeling of the "Life Force" energy, in order to promote Knowledge of Self. His students speak of him in terms of the Tao or "natural way" of doing things

The African-Asian sciences and Royal Arts that Grand Master Sikes expounded throughout the world, encompassed not only the technical, physical and internal aspects of these sciences, but also the historical and developmental aspects of these arts and sciences as well.

Grand Master Sikes dedicated his life to enriching the lives of others, by unselfishly teaching a true and original art. Sadly Grand Master Sikes passed from this world in July of 2008. His teachings live on through his students and the master instructors of the North American Self Defense Association.