----Shifu Carlos Aguilar started his martial arts training in 1971 at the age of fourteen. Shifu Aguilar and his younger brother Shifu Giovanni competed in the men's divisions at the age of sixteen when size and weight was not a factor, sparring gear was not yet invented, and the big guys didn't want to get beaten by the little 100 lbs. kids. Although pulling or controlling techniques in sparring were not working too well, the two young brothers with their little secrets took their share of lumps and bruises, and they continued to win in sparring earning them the name "Twin Tigers."
----In the eighties Shifu Aguilar assisted in organizing and judging martial arts competition in the Mid-South. Students of the New Orleans Kung Fu Academy dominated by winning the divisions that they entered in competition that was dominated by Karate and Tae Kwon Do. In the late eighties, tournaments for Chinese Martial Arts started to sprout on a National Level. The New Orleans Kung Fu Academy has been there competing and assisting in judging.
----In 1989, Shifu Aguilar upon reading the Pa Kua Journal saw an ad of Master Y.W. Chang's and that he was living in New Orleans. First meeting Master Chang, Shifu Aguilar asked if he would teach Pa Kua. Being reserve Master Chang explained that he would first have to study Tai Chi. So, they agreed for him to pick up Master Chang at his house and go to the park to train. Halfway through the first Tai Chi class Master Chang observing Shifu Aguilar's movements agreed to teach Pa Kua and Hsing-I to him. Later Master Chang told him who his teacher was and that Ms. Pat McGowan (aka Ann Carruthers) and he were translating his teachers' books upon his wishes. Along with his classmates, Shifu Aguilar helped with what he could with the book. Master Chang and Shifu Aguilar became very good friends attending Chinese Association meetings along with demonstrations at special events and tournaments. Master Chang preferred to be called Colonel by everyone he met with the exception of Shifu Aguilar because of the admiration they had for each other (teacher/student). Shifu Aguilar could see Master Chang's excitement for his mission to spread Chen Pan Ling's Martial Arts all over the world, and he offered Master Chang space to teach at his school with nothing in return but friendship. Master Chang was a very giving person. He gave everyone what he thought they needed and deserved whether it was direction or support. When Chen Pan Ling 's Tai Chi book was finally finished and Master Chang received the first shipment, he called Shifu Aguilar to come to his house because he had something to show him. Once entering, Master Chang ran to the office like a young kid on Christmas morning and brought out the first copy of the book showing him the cover. Then with a finger between some pages, Master Chang opened it and said, "And this is what I give to you, I give you this title. You deserve this." Shifu Aguilar was stunned, and he could not believe that Master Chang considered him his senior student. Master Chang explained that everywhere he had been in the world he only taught Tai Chi to students and that Shifu Aguilar was the only one that he taught Chen Pan Ling's Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Pa Kua. This made Shifu Aguilar his only senior student.
---- Master Y.W. Chang passed away 2002. His family, students, and friends will miss him. ALWAYS.
---- In 2005, Shifu Aguilar promoted his first New Orleans Traditional Kung Fu Tournament dedicated to Grandmaster Y. W. Chang. With the help from Grandmaster Johnny Lee, Master Nick Scrima, and other friends, the event was a great success.