4 Kung-fu

Our Approach to Wing Chun Training

I had been practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu for approximately 25 years when I began my study of Tai Chi in 1995 with Master Henry Look, student of the famous Master Kuo Lien Ying. In 1996 Master Look also began teaching me the style of Hsing I he had been taught by Master Han Hsing Han.

In October of 1996 I met Grandmaster David Chin when he stopped by to visit Master Look at his school. Master Chin was Master Look’s senior of many years under Master Kuo. After a while Master Look had to leave for an appointment and he left us to learn what we could from Grandmaster Chin.

My first realization in listening to Grandmaster Chin was that I did not know what it was that I did not know. As Grandmaster Chin generously described the application of the principles behind Tai chi and Hsing I’s explosive power delivery and unified body movement, I struggled to understand. I could see I had more work to do in order to realize the deeper aspects of understanding internal power.

In 1998 I asked Master Look for his permission to discontinue mypractice with himn and to study with Grandmaster Chin in order to further my understanding of internal power and the combat applications of Kuo Lien Ying’s Yang Style Tai Chi. Master Look graciously gave his permission and I have been practicing Grandmaster Chin’s Tai Chi and Kung Fu since that time.

In recent years, under the guidance of Grandmaster Chin, I have discontinued my practice of Wing Chun and my practice is focused on three arts I am continuing to learn from Grandmaster Chin. I practice the Five Element Hands of Hsing I that Master Chin learned from Kuo Lien Ying, Yang Style Tai Chi that Master Chin also learned from Kuo Lien Ying and this is combined with Sien Tien Wu Chi Chi Gung that Master Chin learned from Loui Jing Yun, and Tibetan Hop Gar Kung Fu that Master Chin learned from the famous Grandmaster Harry Ing. This practice has provided many rewards, not the least of which is greatly increased energy, relaxation, stamina and a much stronger immune system. Since adding Chi Gung to my practice 10 years ago, I have not had a single cold, case of the flu or any other illness.

Our approach to practice over the last few years is a balance of practice between the explosive power of Hop Gar, Hsing I and Tai Chi with the relaxed and meditative practices of Tai Chi and Chi Gung. The Tai Chi students who are interested in the combative applications of Tai Chi stay for the Kung Fu class where we practice these applications along with the Hsing I and Hop Gar. I encourage my Kung Fu students, as much as their schedule will allow, to get involved in Tai Chi and Chi Gung to become more relaxed and loose for creating whip-like speed in their movements. The Tai Chi and Chi Gung provide the slower method allowing time for the body and mind to relax and become aware of the inner aspects of movement.