Friday, 9 October 2009
Monday, 7 September 2009
Robert Yeung R.I.P.
Dear Family Friends of the Hawaii Wing Chun Kung-Fu Association
Robert Yeung passed away Thursday morning 9/3/2009. He founded the Hawaii Wing Chun Kung-Fu Association in 1973. During this year, the seeds of Wing Chun were very new to America and Europe. His love for the system started in the early 1960's when a police officer friend took him to watch Yip Man's class in Hong Kong.
However, by the early 1960's, Yip Man, rarely participated in the public class and a short time later he joined Wong Long Ching's practices. Robert Yeung and Wong Long were the same age and soon became constant sparring partners and best of friends. Today, hundreds of Wing Chun practitioners owe their Wing Chun knowledge to Yeung sifu teachings in Hawaii. We will miss his friendliness and is love for Wing Chun.
Respectfully Yours,
John F. Di Virgilio - Hawaii Wing Chun Kung-Fu Assoc.
OUR THOUGHTS AND CONDOLENSES ARE WITH HIS FAMILY.
Friday, 28 August 2009
Lee Shing - Tribute to the Unknown Master
When Grandmaster Lee Shing passed away in 1991 he was European and U.K President of the Yip Man Martial Arts Association and founder of the International Lee Shing Wing Chun Martial Arts Association. He was also a member of the Hong Kong Kowloon Chinese Medical Association and was a qualified Chinese doctor. These positions are testimony to a lifetime's dedication to Wing Chun and his impact on the development of Wing Chun in Europe has been very significant and yet it is a largely untold story. Outside of the Chinese martial arts community and the top circles of other martial arts styles, few know of his great achievements.
In most books on Wing Chun, Grandmaster Lee Shing receives barely a mention yet, as shall be seen, his contribution was very important. This article is intended as a tribute to the great ability and skill of the Late Grandmaster Lee Shing as a Wing Chun practitioner and teacher. It provides a brief outline of his career and his students and is designed to honour his memory.
Grandmaster Lee Shing was born in 1923 in Hoxan in Southern China. He first studied Gulao (Pien San) Wing Chun at an early age in mainland China under his first teacher Fong Yee Ming, who himself had learnt from Wong Wah Sam who had learnt from Leung Jan. Lee Shing was a keen disciple and was inspired to research the different styles of Wing Chun, He therefore, in his research, went on to study under Fung Sang who was one of the central points of Pien San Wing Chun, having studied under his father Fung Lim and his uncle Koo Siu-Lung (both students of Wong Wah Sam). He then went on to learn from the famous Kung Fu Master Ng Jung So.
After the Second World War, Lee Shing moved to Hong Kong where he met and became friends and eventually the business partner of two Wing Chun experts, Lok Yiu and Jiu Wan. They were two of the four leading practicioners of Wing Chun in Hong Kong who became known in Wing Chun circles as the four 'Kings of Wing Chun'. The other two were Leung Sheung and Tsui Shan Tin. It was not long before an exchange of ideas and comparison of styles took place between Lee Shing, Lok Yiu and Jiu Wan.
While working in their offices, an older gentleman entered wearing the traditional Chinese dress. Lee Shing noticed that the others greeted the man very respectfully, so much so that he was curious to know who he was. Later they all sat to play Mah Jog (a traditional Chinese gambling game). It was then that the stranger was revealed to be none other than Grandmaster Yip Man, the teacher of the 'four kings' of Wing Chun; In-fact Lok Yiu, a former master of another kung fu style, was Grandmaster Yip Man's first student in Hong Kong. Lee Shing was formally introduced by Jiu Wan to Grandmaster Yip Man. At the time Grandmaster Yip Man was teaching Wing Chun in Hong Kong's Restaurant Workers' Union. Lee Shing was fortunate enough to be accepted by Grandmaster Yip Man as a student and received instruction privately from him on a one-to-one basis. He was known only to Grandmaster Yip Man's senior students and later to Grandmaster Yip Man's eldest son Yip Chun.
Over the years, Grandmaster Yip Man taught Lee Shing the complete Wing Chun system. He had mastered the three hand forms, the wooden dummy form, the six-and-a-half point pole form and most importantly of all Grandmaster Yip Man had taught Lee Shing the complete butterfly knife form and its applications. This last form was of particular importance as it represented the highest point of learning in Wing Chun. At the time Grandmaster Yip Man had taught only three people the complete knife form. He was allowed to open up a school on Hong Kong Island in the early 50s - with the opening ceremony being conducted by Grandmaster Yip Man himself. It was at this time that Lee Shing met Yip Chun who had resumed his studies in Wing Chun. The two became firm friends and henceforth when Yip Chun came to England, he would always stay at Lee Shing's home.
Grandmaster Lee Shing with his student Joseph Cheng was a key figure in promoting the art of Wing Chun at this time. He had begun studying under Grandmaster Lee Shing in 1965 and was the first person to teach Wing Chun openly in the U.K., opening the first Wing Chun School in Europe in 1970. In 1976, with Grandmaster Lee Shing's blessing, Joseph Cheng wrote the first book ever published on the hitherto secret techniques of the wooden dummy form of Wing Chun called 'Chong Woo Kwan Wing Chun' - The Art of Simultaneous Defence and Attack'.
Other students of Grandmaster Lee Shing had begun to teach and open schools. Eddie Yeoh has a Wing Chun school run by some of his senior students. He currently runs an actors agency in the U.K. Nigel Fan, (who passed away recently) was the first and only Chinese qualified stuntman in the U.K. also studied under Grandmaster Lee Shing. He had established many Wing Chun instructors and had a Wing Chun school in London.
Grandmaster Lee Shing brought Wing Chun to Europe and was a major influence on the development of Wing Chun in the western world, for many years Grandmaster Lee Shing had a close friendship with Grandmaster Yip Chun, eldest son of Yip Man. There was great mutual respect on both sides. After Grandmaster Yip Chun's arrival in Hong Kong from China they were introduced in the famous Yang's restaurant by Grandmaster Yip Man. Whenever he visited the U.K. Grandmaster Yip Chun would visit Grandmaster Lee Shing and stay in his house as an honoured guest to discuss amongst other things the further promotion of Wing Chun in U.K. and Europe.
When Grandmaster Lee Shing decided to emigrate to Canada, he presented the butterfly knives that he had received from Grandmaster Yip Man to one of his students, Joseph Lee, to continue his association - the International Lee Shing Wing Chun Martial Arts Association. He asked Joseph Lee to look after the organisation in the U.K. in his absence and to take the knives as a symbol of his authority. Sadly Grandmaster Lee Shing passed away in 1991 and since that time Joseph Lee has begun to follow in his Master's footsteps and teach openly the art of Wing Chun.
This article is dedicated to honour the memory of Grandmaster Lee Shing, the Wing Chun Family especially of the Lee Shing lineage. He lives on through the spirit and practise of all of his students and their teachings. It is hoped that his great skill and learning will be better understood. He taught not simply how to be skilful in the art of Wing Chun but how to develop the respect and discipline that is essential for all those who practice martial arts. His place in the history of Wing Chun is secure.
Though he was always one to shun the spotlight, the late Grandmaster Lee Shing should be given full credit for bringing the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun to United Kingdom. Thanks to him, a whole new generation of kung fu instructors have spread the art far and wide. Those who trained under the grandmaster are many and varied. They include Hau Bin Sum, Chan Man Kune, Joseph Cheng, Eddie Yeoh, Samuel Kwok, Simon Lau, Nigel Fan, Austin Goh, Joseph Man, Kenny Chan and
Yip Bo Ching - The Forgotten Disciple
The following information was collected from interviews with Wong Shun Leung (deceased), Choy Shung Tin, Wong Chock (deceased), and Yip Bo Ching's nephew Wong Ping Kwan.- - - - - - -
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Chris Crudelli Seminar - Finally Confirmed
If you don't already know, Chris is famous for many hit TV Series such as
'Mind Body Kick Ass Moves'
'Kick Ass Miracles'
'Kick Ass in a Crisis'
And best selling author of 'The Way of the Warrior', not to mention being one of the most prolific Martial Arts Master in the country.
Chris will be covering close quarter practical elements of ‘JUI FA MEN’ and his Unique ABC Combat System.
This is a great way to meet and train with the man himself in a one off seminar for Warrior Wing Chun.
An opportunity not to be missed.
The seminar is suitable for all levels, Beginners and advanced.
Ticket Price: £40
Places Are Strictly Limited
£20 deposit required to secure Place
Part of the Proceeds go to Priory Park ABC
Contact: Warrior.WingChun@blueyonder.co.uk or 07816 947 841
Or Christina Yi - Email: booking@crudelli.com Mobile: 075 434 15743
Monday, 24 August 2009
Warrior Presents - Chris Crudelli
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
BREAKING NEWS - MAF UK and Martial Games 2010
We have hired the entire site which incorporates 3 main halls & suites totaling 15.000m2There are 2 Hotels onsite and ample parking for our visitors.Please check our website on www.maf-uk.co.uk for further details over the next couple of days.
MAF-UK will be three great days of family fun and entertainment which will incorporate:Exhibitors Hall (The very best in martial arts equipment, billing, enrolling, supplement stores plus much, much more) FREE Workshops in Martial Arts, Self Defence, Anti Bullying, Movie Stunts plus more...
Demonstartions by the TOP Martial Artists
Family Fun Activities (Including Rides and Interactive stands)
Celebrities (Including GOK WAN)
The Martial Games; A new era of tournament in the UK and dubbed as the Olympics for martial artists. (FREESTYLE, TRADITIONAL, CHINESE, FILIPINO, BJJ & GRAPPLING Divisions)
Xth Legion MMA Cage Show on Saturday Night.
Business to Business Suite
The list goes on and on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please contact Kwoklyn to get your school, club or business involvedemail: info@maf-uk.co.uk
http://www.maf-uk.co.uk/
Way of The Warrior By Chris Crudelli
Find out with "The Way of the Warrior", which features every major style of martial art in existence, bringing ancient and modern arts together in one complete work of reference.
This comprehensive, fully illustrated encyclopedia covers a huge range of martial arts, from the ancient and renowned styles of China's Shaolin Temple to the lesser-known styles of Africa's indigenous tribes.
It looks at the history, philosophy, guiding principles, key moves, weaponry, founding members, and famous exponents of individual arts, as well as highlighting unbelievable feats, such as drilling wood with a finger or deflecting swords with the abdomen.
Specially commissioned photo-narrative and first-person features trace the daily training schedules of key exponents, providing human-level insights into ways of life and often complex and mystical disciplines.
PS You will find Warrior Wing Chun on Page 253!!!
Joseph Lee DVD
Drawing on more than twenty years experience, Sifu Joseph Lee reveals the attacking and countering
potential of Wing Chun. Covering basic techniques, Chi Sau, Drills, Locks, Takedowns and legwork,
Sifu Lee shows the principles and application of attacking and countering within every aspect of
Wing Chun.
Sifu Gary Lam European Seminar Dates.....
October 4 – 6th Sweden For further details, contact: www.garylamwingchun.com
October 10 – 11th London, England.
Sifu Gary Lam has spent over 15-years’ to refine his wing chun curriculum, in order for his students to learn wing chun & accumulate the necessary attributes in the shortest time possible. For further details, contact Choi: Email: sifu@chisau.com Tel: 07836 600832.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Well Done Guys!!!!
Wooden Dummy Tips
There is only one way to lose a “fight” against the wooden dummy, and that is to not employ Wing Chun technique while you are using it.
The five basic guidelines for Wing Chun structure are:
Press the hips and knees together
Sink the horse stance
Hold the spine straight
Raise the crown of the head
Draw the elbows inward and forward
The relevance to the dummy form and training:
Do not stare at your own hands.
Do not lean on, or into the dummy.
Do not stand on tiptoe to hit the dummy’s “head” or upper section.
Do not forget your stance, footwork and whole-body unity while striking the dummy.
Following these points will not guarantee that you win every fight. It will guarantee you avoid using incorrect structure and stance while employing Wing Chun Forms and Technique on the Dummy. Although the muk yan jong is just a fancy wooden log, it somehow manages to outsmart some practitioners. Some people “straight blast” their dummies with maximum strength and speed, and the dummy responds by shaking violently, the consequence of this is in the feedback to the practitioner. Because of this, the dummy will offer no lessons in relaxation, alignment or flow—all important points when battling something other than a fancy log.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Robert Downey Jr Knows Wing Chun
He credits it with helping him get over his past addictions and from the clips I have seen of 'Sherlock Holmes' it is used in that film. Second 'Nice One' to Guy Richie (the first being divorcing Madonna!!). Have a look at the interview it is quite interesting.
Reearching the Roots of Wing Chun by Danny Connor
Researching the history of Chinese Kung Fu is very difficult. This is due to a general lack of written records. For every Kung Fu clan, clan history was passed down orally from teacher to disciple. History was thus passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. This process involved some who were poorly educated, or had poor memories. There were also those who were not interested in history, and were half-hearted in passing it down. Much was lost here. Some people borrowed from heroic characters in popular Chinese novels. They invented and exaggerated, and gave an air of myth and mystery to their founding fathers. After several generations, the facts of history will be lost to hearsay and legend. Look at Southern Kung Fu clans. They padded their founders with fable, so all the founders either came from SIU LAM monastery (= SHAO LIN monastery) or Mo Dong. They were all Buddhist monks or nuns, or Taoist priests. So, suddenly, the glamour and hype of martial arts history was forced upon these peaceful places and nice people. It became a joke.
There are legends about Wing Chun Kung Fu clan, retracing the period from Grandmaster Leung Jan. These are legends because there are no comprehensive written records. The general story goes like this: Wing Chun was founded by Yim Wing Chun. She studied under Ng Mui of SIU LAM. This means that Wing Chun originated in Siu Lam monastery. Yim Wing Chun married Leung Bok Chau, and she followed him back to his home town in Siu Hing, Canton. Wing Chun Kung Fu was passed down to Leung Jan through Leung Bok Chau.
There are two different stories here. One says that Leung Bok Chau taught the techniques to Leung Lan Kwai, Wong Wah Bo, Leung Yee Tei and others. Wong Wah Bo and Leung Yee Tei then passed them on to Leung Jan. The other story says that Leung Jan and the others studied together under Leung Bok Chau. These stories about the origin of Wing Chun are consistent with an article by the late Grandmaster Yip Man on the origin of Wing Chun and also with a 1972 article I wrote for the 'Hong Kong Contemporary Martial Arts Circle'. They are also broadly in line with the general story on the origin of Wing Chun.
In 1982, I was in Fatshan, and paid a visit to Pang Nam (Blackface Nam). He can be said to be a very senior member in the Fatshan Wing Chun Kung Fu clan. Pang Nam was a senior in years, rather than in the hierarchy. He was already eighty. Our discussion turned to the origin of Wing Chun , and Pang said, 'Wing Chun was brought to Fatshan from the north by a person called Tan-Sau Ng (Palm-up Arm Ng - a nickname). Yim Wing Chun is only a storybook character.' He sounded very sure. Later, I unexpectedly found some information about Tan-Sau Ng, recorded in old literature on the history of Chinese opera. This information is closely connected to the origin of Wing Chun.
There was a book by one Mak Siu Har - A study on the history of Cantonese Operas (now kept in the Hong Kong City Hall Library). In it there was one paragraph, roughly as follows: Before the reign of Yung Cheng (Manchu emperor, 1723-1736), the development of Cantonese opera was very limited. This was due to defective organization and unclear division of labor. In the years of Yung Cheng, Cheung Ng of Wu Pak, also known as Tan-Sau Ng, brought his skills to Fatshan and organized the Hung Fa Wui Koon ( now the Chinese Artist Association). From there, Cantonese opera made great progress.
The book also records: Besides being very accomplished in Chinese opera, Cheung Ng was especially proficient in the martial arts world.
Another piece of information appears on page 631, Volume three of the book A history of Chinese Opera, by Mang Yiu, first published by Chuen KayLiterature Publishers in 1968
For some reason, Cheung Ng could not stay on in the capital, so he fled and took refuge in Fatshan. This was during the reign of Yung Cheng. This man, nicknamed Tan-Sau Ng, was a character 'unsurpassed in literary and military skills, and excellent in music and drama'. He was especially proficient in the techniques of Siu Lim. After settling down in Fatshan, he passed on his knowledge in traditional opera and martial arts to the Hung Suen (Red Boat) followers, and established the Hung Fa Wui Koon in Fatshan. Today, Cantonese opera groups revere him as Jo-Si (Founding Master), and refer to him as Master Cheung.
From the two passages above we learned: Cheung Ng, also known as Tan-Sau Ng, not only excelled in martial arts, but actually taught the techniques himself. He was called 'Tan-Sau Ng' because of his 'tan sau……..peerless throughout the martial arts world'.
Comparing the legend of Yim Wing Chun with the information on Tan-Sau Ng, I consider the latter more acceptable in our examination of Wing Chun's origins. The reasons are as follows: 1) Cheung Ng brought his skills in Fatshan during the reign of Yung Cheng. This was forty to fifty years before the great fire of Siu Lam during the reign of Kin Lung (1736-1795). It was almost a hundred years before the legend of Yim Wing Chun, which fell within the Ham Fung (1851-1861) and Dao Kwong (1821-1850) years. 2) Tan Sau is a technique unique to Wing Chun. Cheung Ng was famous for his tan sau. He actually taught martial arts in Fatshan Hung Suen (Red Boat). And Fatshan was the breeding ground of Wing Chun. 3) Some years ago, my Kung Fu clansman Pang Kam Fat told me that the Wing Chun stance is best used on boats for stability. Looking further, the various sets of martial arts strokes and practice areas are closely related to practice on narrow boats. 4) Before the skills were handed down to Leung Jan, the people connected, including Leung Lan Kwai, 'Painted Face Kam', Wong Wah Bo and Leung Yee Tei, all belonged to the Hung Suen (Red Boat).
Yet it is still very difficult to verify the origin of Wing Chun with so little material about Cheung Ng. So, before we find more information and proof, we can perhaps make following assumptions: During the reign of Yung Cheng, Wu Pak actor Cheung Ng, also known as Tan-Sau Ng, for some reason fled the capital and went to Fatshan. He organized the Hung Fa Wui Koon at Tai Kay Mei, Fatshan. Apart from teaching traditional operas, he also taught the techniques of martial arts, and was called Master Cheung. The martial arts skills he taught already had the principles and techniques of Wing Chun martial arts. Perhaps they can be called incomplete or inadequately practiced Wing Chun martial arts. A hundred years passed in dissemination (mainly in Hung Suen) and development. Much effort was made by Yim Wing Chun, Leung Bok Chau, Wong Wah Bo, Leung Yee Tei and others. Wing Chun became a complete and mature set of martial arts, which spread and flourished under Leung Jan.
The above assumption eliminates the mythical padding towing Chun, and presents an orderly progress of events. It also provides a trail which can be followed by people interested in the history of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Grading Level 2 and 4
GM Leung Ting Arrested.
葉問愛徒梁挺被捕墮胎費爭執女友報警稱遭毆傷2009年05月07日【本報訊】「習武係用嚟強身健體,我從來唔會打人嘅!」一代宗師葉問入室弟子、武打巨星李小龍師弟、有「詠 春大師」稱譽的梁挺,被指早前在油麻地寓所毆打懷孕女友被捕,事後獲准保釋候查。梁挺承認女友向他表示懷了 其骨肉,索取五萬元作墮胎費,其間雙方發生爭執,女友揚言跳樓及大叫,梁聲稱將她拉回時女友跌倒受傷,之後 她又激動撼頭加重傷勢,梁強調自己無辜。女事主則表示事件交由法律處理,拒絕評論。記者:廖韻思胡恩宏陳達浩現年 62歲的梁挺涉打人事件發生在 3月 30日。消息稱,當晚一名懷有三個月身孕的姓聶女子(約 40歲),在油麻地梁挺家中被人毆打受傷,翌日梁挺離港到西安出席詠春武術推廣活動。當日聶女到東區醫院求 醫,據稱驗出頭骨及腦部受傷,額骨變形,耳鼻溢血,腳部腫痛等。之後,聶女到筲箕灣警署報案,由於案發在油 麻地,事後轉交油麻地警署跟進。至上月 26日,警方邀請梁挺到警署問話,其後准他以 1,000元保釋,本月底返署報到。認識四年一度分手放大圖片「國際詠春拳術總會」創辦人梁挺接受本報查詢時,對惹官非一事直認不諱。他指與姓聶女友在四年前認識,聶女 是失婚女子,兩人曾分手,至半年前復合。梁挺稱, 3月 30日當晚 8時許,他和女友晚飯後返回油麻地住所,聶女表示懷有他骨肉三個月,希望梁給她五萬元到新加坡墮胎。梁稱不 相信其腹中塊肉是他經手,但仍願替她解決問題,不過費用太高,於是寫了一張三萬元支票給她。梁稱,聶女拿了支票後指錢不夠,兩人又起爭執,聶女突然衝近窗門揚言跳樓,並大叫:「梁挺搞大人個肚……」 梁謂他立即用雙手捉住聶女肩膊用力拉回,豈料她即跌倒地上,頭部受傷流血。梁聲稱當時聶女再將自己頭部狂撼 地上,並衝出走廊大叫:「梁挺打人,想踢死我肚裏面個 BB呀!」梁承認見聶女情緒激動,於是將她拉回屋內,為免她再撼頭於是坐在其身上,用手掩嘴免她大叫。梁說,當他放開 聶時,她又用頭撼地,由於見她情緒失控,遂扯住其頭髮拖入浴室,開花灑向她噴水讓她冷靜下來。否認是胎兒經手人此際聶女又發狂頭撼浴缸邊,於是梁警告:「如果你再發癲,我就綁住你困你七日,等我去西安返嚟至放你。」這 時她才靜下來,梁謂其後聶抱住他雙腳哀求:「唔好拋棄我,唔好唔要我呀!」梁挺稱他心軟,便到附近自動櫃員 機提款兩萬元給她,當晚聶在梁家中度宿,梁翌日便離港到西安公幹。梁挺強調沒有毆打女友,「如果我真係打佢 ,一拳就打爆佢個頭,死得啦!」梁挺否認聶女腹中塊肉是他經手,又謂曾叫聶女往驗 DNA做親子鑑定,但聶女不停用手機短訊滋擾他,令他不勝其煩。聶女回應事件時稱,梁挺離港當日( 3月 31日),她因為受傷到東區醫院求診,原本也不想損害梁挺名譽,但醫務人員見她傷勢不輕勸喻報警。她說:「 我只係希望法庭畀番個公道我!」至於有關懷孕和墮胎問題,她都不願作答。放大圖片'
Practicing Kung Fu is for Health and Fitness. It is not for violence' – Says GM Leung Ting, Kung Fu brother to Bruce Lee, in-door student to Yip Man.Leung is accused of violently assaulting is pregnant secret lover. He was arrested and was bailed out for $1,000.00.On 30th March this year, Miss Lip secret lover of Leung told him that she was pregnant. They proceeded to have a heated argument in which Leung wanted Lip to abort the baby for $30,000. Lip disagreed and demanded $50,000. It was at this point that Leung violently assaulted Lip causing fractures to the skull, brain damage, internal bleeding of the ear and heavy bruising of the legs.Leung says that he did have this affair and that there was an argument at the time but says that he never used any sort of violence towards her. He explains that under the stress of the argument she threatened to kill herself by jumping off the balcony and that all her injuries were as a result of falling inside the house.Lip says that she did not want to report this to the police since this would ruin Leung's reputation but doctors could see that the injuries were not self-inflicted and that they should all allow the law to settle it.Leung is presently under investigation.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
The Martial Games
Got to http://www.maf-uk.co.uk/images/The%20MA%20Games/index.html for more info!
Event: Lee Shing Family Seminar
Austin Goh, Joseph Lee and Joseph Man will be teaching the late Grand master Lee Shing’s Wing Chun Version. He was the first man to bring Wing Chun to the Europe. The Seminar will be in London Bridge, Boland House on August 22 Saturday 3.30 to 6 pm. If interested please contact
austingoh@yahoo.com
sifu@JosephLeeWingChun.com
http://www.junmo.co.uk/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3
contact@leeshing.org.uk