I am (or used to be) a student of Sifu Brian Edwards who runs several wing chun schools in North Carolina. I left NC in a whirlwind and I am now in Japan. I am looking for Brian's e-mail address. If anyone knows it please e-mail me his address at willadams@netexecutive.com Thanks

Will Adams

Si-Gung Duncan Leung,to your family and to all your students in your school.I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays.
P.S.: My Sifu Joe Musse and Raul Zapata send their blessings and their best wishes in these holidays.

God Bless,

Angel E. Mercado

Hi all, I just received sifu Leung's videos in the mail two days ago. Let me say that I am impressed in the timeliness of delivery. I was expecting the videos in January, but they were at my door within a week of ordering.

Secondly, the content of just the first tape is fantastic! I haven't made it all the way through and I'm sure I could go back and discover more gems of teaching in just the part I've watched. I can't wait to watch the rest!

For anyone out there, these tapes are a smart buy whether you currently train with sifu Leung or not.

regards and thanks to sifu Leung,
Keith Sader

Keith Sader

I recently visited the Wing Chun school run by a Sifu named Tony Massengil. I had seen his picture with Sifu's Leung and Lee on the New York Wing Chun School web site. I asked Massengil about the photo and he explained that he had trained with Sifu Leung back in the late 70's and early 80's. He spoke very highly of Sifu Leung and Lee. I know that Massengil is no longer with Sifu Leung, and now represents Yip Ching's Wing Chun, but my question to Sifu Leung is, Was Massengil any good when he trained under Leung? He stated that he was a Black Belt in some form of Martial Art prior to training with Sifu Leung, so was he a good fighter?

Thanks,
Frank

Frank

hi everybody.. I have a question or acutally a favor to ask thoes who may know some informaiton on where can i get or find picture photos on the net of the muk yan jong 116 movements or photos.. i had run by it one time on some wing chun or pvc muk yan jong page but just lost the url it was a file download for the graphic or photo muk yan jong form .. if anybody knows please email me at tokyogecko@yahoo.com

best regards

nic b

nic b

Duncan Leung Leung Shiu Hung (Virginia, USA)
Allan Lee, Lee Chee Kong (New York City)
Joseph Musse (NY, New York)
Angel E. Mercado NYC
Ramon Diaz (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)
Joseph Musse II
Victor Morales II
Willie Arroyo (NY, New York)
Raul Zapata (NY, New York)
Steven Leung (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Donald Kim
Jerry Gardner (Salt Lake City, UT)
Bart Mann (Denver, CO)
Dan Grenemeyer
Kip Murphy
Phil Switzer
Brian Edwards
Steve Faulkner
Rohy Batliwala (Switzerland)
Christoph Hauch (Germany)

Marilyn

Hi, I'm looking for a good instructor around Kansas City.

Thanks.

Keith Sader

How long does it take an individual with above average athleticism and a pretty good brain for reasoning to complete wing chun's three forms?

December 4, 2000

Sifu Duncan,

I cannot thank you enough for coming to Doc Savage's Wing Chun School in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and giving your valuable time and energy to help us. I am a better person and martial artist as a result of your instruction and advice.

Eighteen years have passed since I saw you as your student in Virginia Beach, VA however, it seemed as though it was “yesterday” when you arrived.

Sifu Doc Savage and I frequently relate your character and supreme skill to his students but nothing we have said could reflect the impact your presence has had. As Si Dai William stated to you, "it is nice to finally meet someone I feel I've known for 5 years".

With highest respect, thank you for coming. Furthermore, please know how grateful and fortunate we are that you made the decision to teach many years ago. I shudder to think of the knowledge that would have been lost from you and Si Gung Yip Man had you decided not to pass it on.

I am very much looking forward to your next visit and my future visit to VA.


Sincerely and on behalf of the Doc Savage Wing Chun School,

Stan M. Warden, Esq., M.S., P.G.


P.S. Please thank Si Mo for coming and let her know my wife Leigh-Ann thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and the conversations they shared.

Stan M. Warden

Sifu Duncan,
Many thanks for being here this past weekend. The seminar was a great success and everyone is grateful for the one-on-one training you gave so openly.
Your knowledge and experience in Wing Chun knows no bounds. Thanks also to Si-Mo for her help.
The Wing Chun Pai of Ft Walton Beach is looking forward to your next visit.

Your friend and student
Doc Savage

Doc Savage

Sigung, I have a question. All the pictures of you in front of the wooden man seem to have the same wooden man that Dave Meadows now has. Is this true? Do my eyes decieve me? All this stuff about Meadows is interesting but I am looking at the hard evidence trying to make my own opinion.
Did you pass on the woodenman to him or is that a different one?

AM INTERESTED IN STUDYING WING CHUN. IF ANYONE IS TRAINING IN OR NEAR WISCONSIN SHOOT ME AN EMAIL. OR IF YOU A LITTLE FARTHER AWAY, PERHAPS WE CAN VISIT YOUR SCHOOL AND SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OR MAKE SOME KIND OF ARRANGEMENTS. THANKS

BRAD

I would like to express my appreciation to my SiBok Duncan Leung and his students for a very exciting seminar here in NYC. Thanks for spending the time explaining everything in detail to us all. We all learned alot that weekend. I'm still getting calls from alot of people who are curious about the next one. On behalf of my Sifu Allan Lee and the rest of the students here at the New York Wing Chun School...Happy Thanksgiving to SiFu Duncan Leung and everyone at the Virginia Beach school!:)

Peter Koo

If there is anyone out there intrested in learning the whole Wing Chun system with all the secrets included then contact sifu Gary Lam in Monterey Park CA…626-288-8422.

You will find his system to be the most honest and direct approach to Wing Chun. And not to forget effective…

best
Howard

Howard

Wait a minute people and let us think clearly about what we are talking about. We are talking about a DEADLY Martial Art. That means there are secrets that people would KILL for. If Duncan WAS taught the secrets of Wing Chun from the old man do you think he would tell us who he gave them to? Because that would mean there is a branch of WC that could beat everyone elses WC. We need not worry about who the one is - Duncan said himself he has not taught the whole thing to anyone (Maybe it is better that way) and/or (How do we know that Duncan knows the whole thing)
I dont understand what some people are trying to start here,GRANTed it is interesting to discuss who we think knows what but IF we think we know somehthing then WE know it and it need not be voiced (Who cares what OTHER people think, when you know - you know.)
Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards men and remember .... don't start none - won't be none!

-But it is ok to laugh at Chuckie poo

CRAZY PANDA

Thanksgiving Observation:

My observations involve having sporadically viewed the contents of this message board and others similar to it, most especially the one at "http:/vingtsun.com.hk/" mentioned once before by someone in the "guest book" portion of this site. There, like here, a group of like-minded people has gotten together to discuss Wing Chun. Sometimes techniques and principles pertinent within Wing Chun are discussed, sometimes persons and personalities pertinent within Wing Chun are discussed. Sometimes personalities AND principles are intentionally and harmfully hashed together in ways that serve nothing and no one at all. That is kinda par for the course in things human -- quite probably one of the very most significant reasons that Wing Chun still exists for us to learn. Here, Sigung Leung keeps everyone pretty straight and occasionally moderates odd, rude stuff, and offers the most expert advice and answers the deeper questions that students have -- which is great. I just had an experience and an observation inspired by the other site I listed that I felt might be reasonable to mention around this time of year (in the US, anyway). So 'here goes............

Well, on this other forum a certain phenomenon was occurring, whereby an (apparent) individual writing under a pseudonym (possibly more than one, possibly answering their own posts themselves with other posts by other pseudonyms -- same guy, though) began to get some attention from other, more fair- and open-minded legitimate posters and students that began to question this guy's "raison d'etre" on the forum; since his language and intent seemed to be to cause dissention and contention for its own sake -- and these students began to question if not perhaps what seemed to be the work of several posters was in fact the work of just this one guy. I didn't spend a whole lot of time trying to sort this out too much, since the other students appeared to have the situation pretty well figured out. At the end of a long and tedious single "thread" of discussion that I DID read (called "Wing Chun Fighting?" on http:/vingtsun.com.hk/) was a brief rebuttal to this person in question by a reasonable-but-irritated-sounding person who wrote by the simple name of "Observer" in lucid regards to the individual by the pseudonym "Tan Sau Tom" (the "perpetrator").

I was somewhat fired up by osmosis and was inspired to write the following there, which I have copied here. (If you wish to taste the flavor I did before I wrote what I have humbly submitted here, you need only take about ten or so minutes at the other site to do so).


More-or-less in direct response to "Observer" and to the situation I was seeing I posted the following:

I believe you ("Observer") are quite definitely on to something here. (That something being the "armchair warrior" sort of syndrome "Observer" quite rightly mentioned in regards to T.S.T. -- who today is just the whipping boy "du jour" for this type of behavior. T.S.T. is simply an indicator of an unpleasant trend in the growing pains of this type of "fast-as-light, anonymous-as-God" media the internet has made possible as it matures, not the devil himself or anything) .

Also I believe that "Tan Sau Tom" doth truly protest too, too, much.

I see it like this, okay? If a person: (a) has to work for a living; (b) works for a living to have an ACTUAL LIFE; (c) includes in their hard-working, actual life the training/practice/study of Wing Chun; and (d) now enjoys and appreciates "Wing Chun People" and their time, their thoughts and their company like family --- then to me it follows that such a person is not at all likely to have the TIME (nor the ENERGY!) to spend in countless hours watching, waiting, monitoring, "hovering about in", and otherwise stirring up contentiousness for its own sake within "discussion forums" such as this one with the prodigious stamina, prolific spew, and vituperous spleen that this "Tan Sau Tom" character seems to have gloriously demonstrated here on this site (http:/www.vingtsun.com.hk/). He (She? They?) has penned comments and opinions on idiosyncratically -- nay, schizophrenically -- dissimilar topics in a laboriously contrived bulk of "work" that must now number into literally hundreds of entries (I have not had TIME to count and verify this empirically, because I work, have a life, actually DO Wing Chun, etc., etc.).

Who in the world has TIME to know it all, let alone talk about it all?? --- a person who lives on a computer all day and all night and who never really sees daily living as most of us know it (and have to know it, else we starve), thats who. C'mon!!

To me the "Concept" of a discussion forum in which the technical details, the history, the mythos and lore, and the spirit of our art can be spread in truth and valued in honor among our brothers and sisters in Wing Chun is an exciting and remarkable idea! It also seems a potential blessing of vast magnitude: for in truth, in no other era of Western or Eastern civilization has the possibility to reach as many people with as much good counsel and as much good cheer as quickly and ably as we can at leisure ever occurred before. My feelings regarding blessings involve senses of responsibility and gratitude -- and I am happy to report that, by and large, my siblings in Wing Chun tend to frequently show evidence of those same feelings, often in response to much the same things, in much the same way as I do.

Because of this, I DO see these forums often used in the spirit for which I perceive they were designed -- to inquire, to inspire, to illuminate, and to educate. It simply pains me when the occasional "bad apple" makes me and others hanging on this tree feel "rotten by association" -- thats all. It really is a "small, small world" we live in, and I will freely admit that my personal world -- the one I live in day by day -- is very, very small compared even to that. I don't know too many people. I know far, far fewer that participate in the practice/learning/teaching of our art. Those I know, I like. Those I don't know -- I don't know, and will not presume to venture an opinion except to assume that they cannot possibly be too terribly different from those I do know, and that I'd probably like them, too. From what I can see in my little daily world is that Wing Chun people are decent, regular, hard-working people who have somehow got really lucky finding a healthy, useful and artistic way to expand their lives, and that they're usually pretty grateful for the opportunity and the experiences it has brought them.

For the responsibility part, all I can do is all I can do, y'know? In my daily doings I fail alot. I have high hopes, and I burden myself frequently with more responsibility than I can seem to make myself live up to. Alot of people do. Thats whats called "being human, but wanting to be better" -- and some of that kind of desire has led many of us to like Wing Chun and the people involved in it. The more I stick around the less time I have for the artifacts of my ego to indulge in gossip, melodrama, and grandiosity; falseness of witness, courage, and speech. I'm still really, really human; but my time for these sorts of things is just sorta used up alot more than it used to be -- and you know what? I like it that way. I'm not a betting man, but I'd probably lay a pretty big bet that the reason why so few sifus (with the possible exception of Sigung Leung) and really advanced students of Wing Chun have much to say on internet discussion boards is that their time is better spent already -- teaching and learning what they really enjoy now with the other people they have come to enjoy sharing it with. It leaves little time to "defend the pai" from "bad apples" that will probably just fall off the tree and rot on their own, given time. Thats what Wing Chun people seem to do the most of -- give time.

Well I 'spose I've "taken" enough of all of yours, but I didn't feel I could leave anything above unsaid -- so I appreciate your patience. The internet may truly end up being a remarkable way to educate and encourage the world in a new way in a new century, but until then, we've still got real people in the flesh that seem to do a pretty good job the old-fashioned way -- face-to-face. I've got to got to bed, and then get back to work. I have much to be thankful for. And I work pretty hard for it all. Thanks.

See Y'all. Happy Thanksgiving.

A very younger Kung Fu brother.

A Very Younger Kung Fu Brother

My Sibok Raul Zapata and I would like to thank you for the opportunity to have been able to express ourselves in front of you and others that we have continue to practice what you have given to my Sifu Joe Musse back in the 1970's.This seminar was one of the BEST that I have ever attended.I owe you the gratitude for the information that you have given to my Sifu.My Sibok who has been my training partner for the last twenty years and with the guidance of my Sifu we have continue to expand on our wing chun training.I like others are appreciative of the information and experience that you have imparted with us in the seminar.Again thank you for being so open with your knowledge and wisdom,and I hope that in the future their would be more seminars like this one.
Thank you SiGung Duncan Leung and God Bless.

Angel E. Mercado

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Sifu Duncan Leung and his students for holding what is by far the most rewarding seminar I have ever attended.

Sifu Leung enabled us with techniques and drills to gain confidence in dealing with a variety of real life fighting scenarios. What was even more important is that he effectively passed on his ideas on how to translate these techniques into a "no technique", flowing, fighting experience, and gave us enough knowledge to continue our training with these ideas in mind.

Sifu Leung expresses his ideas articulately and efficiently, encouraging his students to question until they have the understanding they need and are able to make the technique work for them.

On behalf of all of us in the New York school, thank you Sibak.

Simeon

Simeon Fishman

I am new to this message board. I would like to know if someone can provide information regarding a traditional Wing Chun Acadamey in the city of New York. My study of wing Chun gung fu began in the city of Los Angeles in 1990. Unfortunately, I was unable to continue due to personal issues. I'd like to continue again however I do not wish to simply attend an organization that I find in the local newspaper. Perhaps, someone will read this and be able to help me with my situation. I thank you in advance.

asoto

A pagina esta muito boa mas não tem fotos do seminario do sifu no brasil porque????


estamos aqui lutando para que não morra a melhor arte marcial do mundo!!!!

Rodrigo Venceslau

Hi everyone,

Great news for the Wing Chun family!

Sifu Duncan Leung's Wing Chun seminar will be held on Nov 11th and 12th at the Mayo Academy of Martial arts located in Woodhaven, Queens.

The address is:

Mayo Academy of Martial Arts
87-08 Woodhaven Blvd.
Woodhaven NY 11421

Contact: Mr. Peter Koo 917-554-7778

You can still register before [Thursday Nov 8th]. We cannot guarantee to honor walk-in participants.

I ask you to look into your heart and ask yourself if you have the confidence and ability to use the Wing Chun techniques that you have learned in a real situation when you're facing a much bigger and faster opponent. Don’t cheat yourself. This seminar will give you the opportunity to see what is missing in your understanding. You are invited to come and try it for yourself.

Sifu Duncan Leung will show all participants what is REALLY behind the techniques you've all learned before. The most IMPORTANT thing you will experience is how to gain the confidence to use Wing Chun as it was designed to be used.

When I learned from the late Grandmaster Yip Man, he told me not to believe what he taught me. He said, "Use your common sense and experience to find out for yourself." This is the most important thing that we learn from martial arts. So I say to you, don't let what people say convince you. Believe what you see and what you experience. Use your common sense to research and learn what Wing Chun really is.

I sincerely believe your outlook on martial arts will change after this seminar.

Sincerely,

Sifu Allan Lee
wingchunschoolNYC@yahoo.com

Sifu Allan Lee

i am a slightly disabled person who is in a situation where i need to know how to defend myself despite of my hanicap.
i can walk but my balance is not good,and my legs are very weak, i have good uppper body strength and good hand speed. is wing chun a good choice in this situaion, i mean to fight with little lower body movement, if not what style should i consider.

pwrlogic

I am stuck in a x word puzzle clue
Chinese womans outfit ? a ? fu( 5 letter word)
Can someone please help/ Thank you

Dear Grant,

I am the one who has the authority to set the record straight. First of all, it is not your judgment to decide who is my best student as I have not yet acknowledged who is best. Secondly, a traditional photo is not proof that I have passed on "everything" to "one" disciple. Whatever and however David Meadows chooses to interpret it it is his own saying. If you know Chinese tradition, you should rightfully address me as "Sigung" instead of "Duncan Leung" as you so disrespectfully do now.


How a SiFu chooses his disciples is not based on their knowledge of learning but on their obedience and loyalty. Once the SiFu takes a disciple, he is committed to teach all but, as you are aware, a "falling out" has taken place. How can a SiFu continue to pass on his knowledge to a disciple who is no longer loyal?


I must also address the fact that although I do not teach the system full time, I never consider any student to be "casual."


Grant, your offensive message raises a number of general issues that can be clarified with simple answers:

1) The master of a SiFu should be addressed rightfully as Sigung;

2) I have never taught the entire Wing Chun system to any student, as yet;

3) The "traditional" disciple photo is a myth: photography was not even invented when people began becoming disciples;

4) There is no "one" student. Many students are often better than each other in different ways, and the system is tailored to their capacity;

5) Only I am the judge of what and when to teach my students; teaching is an art unto itself. Virtuosos attain ability through artful - not premature - teaching and, of course, hard work.

Finally, truth can have many sources, often distorted by interpretation. Check your sources, check other sources and see what makes sense. I tell my students the same thing about Wing Chun. If you have a question for me, ask it to me directly, I am not far away.

SiFu Leung

SiFu Leung

NOTICE: Because some of the messages are being truncated and the space on the messageboard is being used up we have deleted the messages from 1998 and 1999 and after the links have been sorted out we will POST them on SiFu Leung's main website accessible through the homepage as a messageboard history. Hopefully this will be available in a week or two.

Administration

What does a wing tsun practitioner do with a tough grappler who is willing to take the the first couple blows in order to get to your legs?

Blanton

Please take a moment to check out the website for the Wing Chun School in NYC, a branch of the Yip Man Martial Arts Association.

The url is: http://www.geocities.com/wingChunSchoolNYC

I can't believe I hear these Americans go on about what Chinese culture and tradition is. I am a gweilo born in Hong Kong and I have lived here all my life. I do not understand the culture completely after 30 years. How could you?
I only came to this site because I have my first Ving Tsun classs on Thursday and wanted to find out a little more. I find most of the behaviour to be incredibly childish. Sort of reminds me of Karate Kid and those big bad bullies. I think that you should be ashamed of your behaviour.

Nick

i am neither a student of sifu leung nor sifu meadows. i hear many people on this board speak of honor and respect. however, what strikes me as evident and sad is that given the obvious bad blood that exists between the 2, there should be a meeting. was there ever one? if not, then the battle will not cease. as a disciple/student of sifu leung, if sifu meadows has a problem, the onus really falls on him to address it. that to me would be the honorable thing to do. if it's a misunderstanding or a difference of opinion, then at least the student/teacher relationship can be nullified in an agreeable manner. i'm sure i'll be flamed for this but somewhere between the 2 extremes lies the truth. just my honest opinion.

It looks like we have a bunch of Wing Chun fighters. Everyone saying my dad is bigger than your dad. There are many varients of Wing Chun. Some have "our understanding" and others don't. No one can be forced to understand. All the pictures, certificates, and titles have decorative value. They are meaningful for some, but not others. I didn't grow up in China so I can't explain Chinese culture. We can argue about technique and achieve nothing. If I tell you about it you call me a liar. If I demonstrate gently you can deny that the technique works. If I come in and nail you then you will sue me. There is nothing to argue about. The only one way to know what works is in the fight. Personally I wouldn't want injure someone just for being uninformed. Let all grow up and realize that Wing Chun is a family. We can get together and laugh about Chuck Norris.

J.D. Jones

Wing Chun website, with pictures, links, etc.
http://homestead.juno.com/gorsau/wingchun.html

To: All users of this board

There have been some very disparaging replys to messages on this board. We wish to inform all users that this board should be used to field questions about Wing Chun especially technical questions in regard to the style. We would like everyone to know that there is no place for name calling and offensive language in connection with SiFu Leung's site. If someone has a complaint about someone they should get in touch with the webmaster and we will try to connect you with those you have a grip with. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT NO LONGER WILL PEOPLE BE ALLOWED TO USE PROFANITY (EVEN MASKED) AND DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT OTHERS ON THIS BOARD. IF IT IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IT WILL BE REMOVED IN THE FUTURE. i HAVE BEEN CALLED IN TO MODERATE THIS BOARD UNTIL SIFU LEUNG RETURNS FROM SEMINARS AND WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU "GENTLEMEN" MODERATE YOURSELVES.

Board Moderator

Let me tell you now no one got any certificates, Wong Shun Leung stayed with the
old man for 12 years and never received a piece of paper, just a nod of approval
when he wanted to open a formal school. As for the criticism of Mr Leung not
having an certificate, it is not an issue, NO ONE that learnt under Yip Man got
any paper. I look at the whole issue like this, if some one who is going out to
open a school that is now qualified or unskilled, will soon get found out, Mr
Leung has been teaching for 20 years, I guess and over that period would have a
loyal following, you guys know the truth. Another motto is let the buyer beware,
I always judge a school by their students, and not by the guy up front, if the
students look good then so does the Instructor.

John Smith

John Smith

From: chan, josephine
To: woodenman108@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 10:48 AM
Subject: Request Sifu Leung to produce a Chi Sau video tape(s).



-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/
Dear Sifu Leung:

On behalf of many Wing Chun people, I am respectfully writing this letter to request that you can produce a video tape on Chi Sau and its applications. I and many Wing Chun enthusiasts purchased and saw all 5 of your video tapes.

We learned and enjoyed many fighting drills and techniques. However, we would like to learn more Chi Sau techniques. (We understand Chi Sau isn't everything in WC, especially in actual street combats.)


Since we know you have one of the best Chi Sau techniques today, why not make a tape(s) to benefit the current and future WC generation?


Regards,

Tom Chan
Princeton, NJ

Administration

I have been reading the disrespectful messages about my SiFu Dave Meadows. I wish to set the reacord straight. SiFu Dave Meadows was and still is the best student that Duncan Leung ever taught, and the only one to whom he has or ever will teach the whole Wing Chun system. SiFu Meadows has shown me the traditional disciple photo with Duncan Leung in which they both are in traditional Chinese clothing. This photo is what is used traditionally as proof that a student is the "ONE" that a SiFu has chosen to pass everything on to. SiFu Meadows has taught us that each SiFu will choose "ONE" student to whom he will deliver all of his knowledge. SiFu Meadows was that "ONE" to whom Duncan Leung passed everything. By Chinese tradition, there will not be another. Everyone else is just a casual student. I don't know what reason Duncan Leung has for not admitting this fact, except that he is afraid that it will effect his business. I do understand that there was a "falling out" between Duncan Leung and my SiFu, this may also be the reason for him not stating the truth about Dave Meadows. But the fact is this, SiFu Dave Meadows is the best source of knowledge in the area on Wing Chun, and he doesn't hold out on his students like SiFu Leung now does.

Grant

After re-reading my post, I think I came off as being disrespectful to Sifu Leung. I wish to appologize for that. I didn't mean to come off in that way. I have heard many good things about Sifu Leung, and understand that he is a very good fighter and teacher. I am a JKD practicioner, not a Wing Chun man. However, most of us in JKD do have an interest in Wing Chun, as this is the foundation of our system. The thing that bothers me is how Wing Chun people will point the finger at Bruce Lee, and put him down because he didn't complete the system, but established himself as an instructor. They claim that he was a trader to Wing Chun because he created his own system. However, many of these same Wing Chun "Sifu" are in the same boat. They didn't complete the system, but establish themselves as teachers. At least Bruce Lee was honest enough to say "This is MY martial art" and didn't sell it as something that it was not. If Sifu Leung is as good as everyone say's, and I have no reason to doubt that he is, then just be honest and say that he represents his own ideas, and not represent himself as a "Sifu" of Yip Man's Wing Chun. From what I understand his talent and knowledge don't need the support of this kind of misleading marketing.

Bill Marr

Bill Marr

Sifu Leung,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your response to my question. It is good to have a place to post questions, and get informed answers. But, I must admit that your answer just caused more questions. You say that You have never certified, or granted the title of Sifu to any of your students. You state further that you, yourself were never granted the title of Sifu from your teacher Yip Man. So, by what authority do you, or your students begin teaching. Is there no STANDARD. And if not, how does a student determine who is qualified to offer training in the complete Wing Chun system. It seems that there are many out in the world teaching, but no way to be sure of what they have to offer. I was at one time a student of the late Kenpo teacher, Ed Parker. I only trained with him for a very short time prior to his death. When he passed, I began training with a different Kenpo instructor who taught a different method of Kenpo. I would be wrong to open a kenpo school, and sell myself as a Kenpo Instructor teaching Ed Parker's Kenpo. I am not, nor was I ever certified by Mr. Parker. To advertise myself as a "student of Ed Parker" as a way of promoting my Kenpo classes would be wrong. Not because it is a lie, but it would certinly be missleading. Your claim to fame is as a disciple of a famous Kung Fu instructor. Many people train with you, and follow you due to who you trained with. But Yip Man never authorized you as an instructor of his Kung Fu method. Now your students follow that same path and set themselves up as "SIFU'S" but have not been authorized by you to do so. How can this be good for Wing Chun? In your post on the "Rise and Fall of Wing Chun" you speak on many thing's, but nothing you mention is as hurtful to a martial art than unqualified people setting themselves up as teachers before they have learned the complete system, and qualified as instructors.

Bill Marr

WE ARE POSTING AN INTERESTING QUESTION RAISED IN THE GUESTBOOD AND REPOSTED HERE WITH THE PERMISSION OF MICHAEL.


Sent from Mail Form posted at: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Mezzanine/4821/Tell_Sifu.html

(name) Michael
(e-mail) moomoo@primus.com.au
(comments)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sifu Duncan Leung,
i posted this question on a Ving Tsun forum and got no reply, i was wondering if you could help answer this:

Can anybody please explain to me why in some versions of wing chun, such as the one i study, the wrist is on the center line in the bong sau. Yet in other systems of wing chun the fingertips are on the centre line???
And i have also noticed that in another variation of wing chun, the tan sau has the elbow on the centre line (i think this is wong shun leung linage..but not certin) I know that wong shung leung changed some techniques from his fighting experience...What are the benifits of both these alternate postions?? In the system that i am studying, i have been taught to have the elbow not on the centre line..so as the opponent cannot punch over your tan sau. but if the elbow is on centre (in tan sau) then how can this stop a punch from getting over the top???
-thanx in advance
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THIS IS THE RESPONSE THAT SIFU LEUNG RECEIVED AND HIS ANSWER.

Thank you for answering my question, please go ahead and post this on your forum.

Regards
-Michael
-----Original Message-----
From: WCKF [mailto:woodenman108@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, 13 October 2000 8:56 AM
To: moomoo@primus.com.au
Subject: Centerline


Dear Michael,

I appreciate your letter to me and I will attempt to answer your quesions.

The bon sao, fok sao, jum sao, tan sao, wu sao (just guarding hand) etc., all this the wrist should be on the centerline; however, on bon sao and fok sao the fingers should be relaxed and on the bon sao the fingers should be relaxed but pointing forward. Regarding the tan sao what position your elbow should be on - should it be on the center line or not - this all depends. Please understand that in the first form, Sil Nim Tao, we have 3 tan saos and the first form is broken down into three sections, the first section is very slow, second section is fast the third section is relaxed. For the first tan sao you do it very slow, when you are doing the tan sao and coming back with the wu sao and going forward with the fok sao, that tan sao, yes, definitely the elbow should be on the centerline, your training yourself to get the elbow in to guard yourself to push it forward but tense and the second tan sao is go forward up, the third tan sao is from the bon sao and snap all the way down - so it all depends on which one you are talking about but definitely when you are doing chi sao the elbow is definitely not on the centerline because you were quite right, as you stated, when your tan sao is all the way in the centerline you have no way to guard yourself, that is, guard the other sides fok sao; however, on the other hand your elbow should not be all the way outside either otherwise when you are losing your angle, your position, you cannot generate power from it if your elbow is too far out. As far as Wong Shun Leung lineage taught, whether their elbow stay on the centerline, I am not quite sure , I don't believe Wong Shun Leung taught that. Maybe the one you see who learned from him, get the misunderstanding. Somehow that could happen.

I think this information could be of some help to people. If you agree with me would you be willing for us to post your letter on the messageboard and my reply? We would not do this unless you agreed. Good luck to you and again I appreciate your questions.

SiFu Duncan Leung

Administration Letter posted with Permission

IS THAT YOUR ANSWERS FOR BILL MARR AND ZEB? IF YOU CAN CALL THEM ANSWERS. WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY? WHY DID YOU DROP THE SIFU OFF OF DAVID MEADOWS NAME? YOU REFERRED TO HIM AS A SIFU WHEN YOU FIRST ADDRESSED MY QUESTIONS.

A FAMILY BREAKS UP WHEN ITS FATHER DOES NOT LEAD PROPERLY NOT WHEN IT IS QUESTIONED. WHAY ARE THE PICTURES DIFFERENT?

SINCE NO ONE IS A SIFU AND THERE ARE NO CERTIFICATIONS AND HOW DO WE KNOW ANYONE, INCLUDING YOURSELF REALLY IS A SIFU ( TEACHER OF WING CHUN). SO WHAT IS THE AUTHENTICATING AUTHORITY? DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE WITH YIP MAN?

AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION I AM NOT IN NORFOLK.

ZEB

To Bill Marr, I apologize not to answer your email earlier as I was out of the country and here is your answer.

First, you should understand in Chinese the name SiFu, the title SiFu, by general terms means teacher or master of what you can do. For example, in Chinese, we refer to the cook as SiFu or the one who is teaching you driving. So, the person who is teaching you driving lessons, we call him SiFu. That means he is the teacher and he is in control of what you are doing. That is the title addressing him. In kung fu you call the person who teaches you SiFu. You call the other teacher in the class SiFu So and So (that is you use his name after the title SiFu). You do not call him just SiFu, you call him SiFu and add his name to it. In the very old days in China a SiFu had his own school when he taught and someday if the student wanted to open up a school he had to get permission from his SiFu or if he didn't he had to face the consequence that his own SiFu might come to his school to close them down or shut them down and they would be hurt and if you didn't listen to him he would beat the hell out of you or take your school apart. During my time in Hong Kong it was a different story. We were under British Law and they were very strict over gang fights and it didn't happen that way any more as far as I knew. If a SiFu's own student opened up a school without permission there wasn't much you could do about it. If you went to challenge them or shut them down all they had to do was call the police. What can you do about it? Nothing you can do about it. When I was with the old man, I didn't know too many people because I only stick with him for a few months in his formal school and then I start training to private instruction and I didn't meet a lot of people and I didn't associate with those people. I didn't have a chance then to associate with them. As far as I know, as far as I can remember, he never granted anyone the title of SiFu or he never granted the permission to open up a school. Since first of all he was making his living teaching kung fu and he had a hard time during those days just to survive and he is not happy about people opening up schools next to him and take his bread and money (his livelihood) away and there was nothing he could do about it. You have to understand the situation then. I personally never thought about someday that I would open up a school or that someday I was going to teach someone, I just was crazy about learning it, that would be it. And he knew that I'm not going to be challenging him by taking his money away (livelihood away) or taking his students away, I was too young then anyway. We came from a good family and he knew we would never be a threat to him. Regarding the people who did open up schools, Yip Man was the kind of person who did not like trouble and I am sure he had enough trouble of his own just to survive and there was nothing he could do about it he had to just admit it and not say anything about it and just have to take it. That's all I remember, that's all I know. As I said, I never personally got the old man to grant me a SiFu title. When I left in October of 1959 Yip Man had never given certificates to any of his students, yet some of them opened schools. Certificates weren't known in those days and as far as I know it only started about the time of his death with the commercialization of Wing Chun. Nowadays anyone able to teach the others has his own followers and his students will call him a SiFu by title and he automatically is known as a SiFu, as I am. At least, whoever learns from him should call him a SiFu anyway. That's the fact. I personally never grant anybody as a SiFu, not that I am afraid that he wants to take my business away because I am not relying on the teaching to make a living. I teach as a matter of fact. I don't suppose it is necessary and as far as I know the people that I taught they have their own school and each individual has their good things on it and most of them are good and I have no doubt about that. Some of them every now and then they come back to refresh what they learned and also continue to learn some more just to keep it up. Well, my English is not very good and I hope I did answer your questions. If you have any more questions at all I am more than happy to answer to you as much as I know. Please feel free to contact me any time that you want.

SiFu Leung

I have answered your letters of July and August 15th. I refer you back to those answers. So I will repeat myself here with some added information for your edification.

I am glad that you enjoyed learning under Dave Meadows and you think I should bring Meadows to New York City to teach. This is a free world, this is America. I cannot tell Meadows what to do, nor can I tell anyone what to do. It's up to Meadows to do what ever he wants to do. Allen is not my student nor my representative in New York and his school in New York is not mine. Allen learned from Lok Yiu originally and then later Yip Man taught him. In fact Yip Man had his school in Allen's house and that is where he learned from him. I met Allen in 1974 in New York City and since he already knew Wing Chun he assisted me in my school to teach a large class. He did continue his training under me for a period of time. So he did learn from me but he is not actually my student formally. So you were in New York and watched Allen teach a class one time and you are all ready to jump to conclusions. Maybe he was just teaching the beginners. How would you know? How can you criticize one's ability? It is not for you to judge how good Allen or anybody is before you know his or their whole teaching method. Obviously, you have a very narrow mind. I don't know what Meadows has been teaching you. There are a lot of good fighters in the world, you should have an open mind and absorb what you are seeing instead of criticizing before you know the whole story. People who learn from me can tell you that I always tell my students don't believe what I say until you see if I can help you to be able to apply what you have learned. I suggest from now on you should put your mind together and train and work hard and concentrate on what you are learning instead of putting your nose somewhere else and being nosey on who does what. Wing Chun today, the whole family, is breaking apart because of comments like yours. You have a narrow mind and especially you do not have the respect for people and that is one thing you have to really learn, to respect. If you are learning from Meadows he is in Norfolk and it is obvious that you are very close to me and you are welcome to visit me any time at all you don't like what I said. A'right?

SiFu Leung

I am still awaiting an answer to the following post. Please help me to understand the answer to this question, as it is a very confusing.

subject.Sifu
Wednesday, 30-Aug-00 00:06:33

Message:
206.246.194.59 writes:
By what standard does a student begin to use the title Sifu? I have seen several messages on this message board of instructors who list themselves under Sifu Leung who call themselves Sifu, But I saw one response from Sifu Leung that states that he has never certified anyone as a Sifu. So by what authority can a student begin calling himself Sifu? I have seen names such as Sifu's Musse, Meadows. Gardner, Lee, Edwards, Lo, etc. How many of these have actually been certified by Sifu Leung as having completed their training in the entire Wing Chun system?


Bill Marr

Bill Marr

I am dismayed and disappointed. Everyone has something to say except the person who should be saying it.

Why is that? There is a saying. When you are right you can afford to be quiet, when you are wrong you can't afford to be loud. Sometimes inaction and lack of words speak louder than action and words.

Must we pay for a seminar to get answers, which, if true, in itself answers many questions.

Questions are pushed further and further from the top, no answers and no way to tell what the answers wopuld be.

I do know that a leader leads by example and loyalty and honesty equals character and intregity.

I will look for answers to the many questions posted on this site.

ZEB

In response to Bill Marr’s question on “Who is a Sifu” Wednesday, 02-Aug-00 15:42:52 and David Neal's question “instructors” Saturday, 05-Feb-00 04:11:45:

All the disciples and students of Sifu David Meadows would like to express our gratitude to Sigung Leung Shiu Hung (Duncan) for professionally teaching Sifu Meadows the Wing Chun style, both publicly and privately from May 10, 1976 through June 01, 1980.
Furthermore, the current Senior Instructors under Sifu Meadows would like to express that in order for Sifu Meadows to fulfill his obligation as a disciple and student, he not only had to be the best friend of Sigung Leung, but also his constant companion. Consequently, Sigung Leung treated the Meadows family as though they were members of his own during the time frame mentioned above, and it was under these conditions is where Sifu Meadows learned the Wing Chun style and the Chinese culture from Sigung Leung. To this day, we (with some of us being former students of Sigung Leung who trained along with Sifu Meadows as a classmate during the above mentioned time frame) want to witness that Sifu Meadows still has the utmost respect for the Wing Chun style, Chinese culture and community. Sifu Meadows is well known in the martial art community for his Wing Chun knowledge, skill, talent and because of this the Chinese community has given him the name “Pon Eau” (friend). We can personally attest to eyewitness accounts at the Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy, Inc., 1738 E. Little Creek Rd., Norfolk, Va. USA. that Sifu Meadows defended “with his valuable life”, the names of Wing Chun Pai and Sigung Leung against challenges initiated by outsiders. It is to be understood that there are affidavits and police reports on file that show-undisputed record of these incidents. We can also give eyewitness accounts that, against his wishes, Sifu Meadows was “put to the test” many times, he undoubtedly possesses actual combat experience, can explain the techniques with real life experience, and his skill level is one that required no more than 1 strike in the confrontations witnessed. Sifu Meadows possess undisputed evidence that he is a qualified instructor and more importantly a Sifu of the Wing Chun Style taught to him by Sigung Leung. For example, in the acknowledgements of the book “The Law Enforcement Manual of Self Defense Vol. 1 copy righted in 1978, clearly depicts Sifu Meadows as one of four copy right partners with Sigung Leung and two others. Also in the acknowledgements of the same book, Sigung Leung acknowledges Sifu Meadows in this respect”…apart from my own efforts, the largest contributuion made to this book has been done by my assistant instructor David. W. Meadows Sr.”
Sifu Meadows was also Vice President of the Wing Chun Kung Fu School Inc. from May 1, 1976 through June 01, 1980 with Sigung Leung as President. In the brochure for this school first located at 463-B S. LynnHaven Rd. Va. Beach, Va. and then at 222 S. great Neck Rd. Va. beach, Va., there are 2 photographs that show Sigung Leung and Sifu Meadows, in full Chinese dress, side by side and Sigung Leung is declared as the Chief Instructor and Sifu Meadows is declared as Instructor.
There are many other forms of proof but most importantly is Sifu Meadows disciple picture that shows Sigung Leung sitting in front of the wooden training dummy (back dropped with the Bot Jum Do (eight slashing broadswords)/Luk Dim Boon Kwun (six and a half-point striking pole) and Sifu Meadows standing to his right side. Sifu Meadow’s left hand is placed upon Sigung Leung’s right shoulder. This picture clearly proves that Sifu Meadows obtained his certification under Sigung Leung (As said, one picture speaks one thousand words) and this type of certification by the above described picture can be proven by a Chinese Martial Art Historian.

Bill Marr and David Neal, the disciples and students mean no harm nor disrespect to Sigung Leung by posting this message. You both have inquired about other individuals besides Sifu Meadows, and we feel that only Sigung Leung can speak/answer for the others.

Yours in Wing Chun,
Disciples and Students 2000

Disciples and Students 2000

Dear Sigung,

On your opening page you have said that there is much conflict within the Wing Chun family. I agree. The martial arts business in the United States is an unregulated industry. Any joker may claim to have a 5th degree black belt, invent
the name of a school, open the doors, and begin training students. You or I may spend tons of time and money to learn nothing of value.
There are those that teach sports techniques as if they would work in a real fight. If you want sports, tournaments, competition, trophies,
and frolicking games that's fine. Just don't
expect your technique to work against a real fighter. Do you want to play games or fight? There are no rules on the street. Don't buy a lie from a sports teacher. Take care in selecting a style, a school, and a teacher.

In the Wing Chun Kung Fu community there is, likewise, a problem. Yes, some attempt at forming a sports version. Mostly the problem is that the style is often watered down and debased. Every element in the forms (empty hand, double knives, long pole, or wooden man) applies in the fight.
Your Sifu should know and be able to explain. Chi Sau is not merely a drill. It is the essence of Wing Chun. Chi Sau contains the fight. The point is that I can hit you but you can't hit me.

I don't claim that my way is the best way or the only way. There are many excellent schools and styles around. I believe that I'm training under an excellent and honest Sifu. I am a Disciple of
Wing Chun under Sifu David W. Meadows, Sr. His Sifu was Shiu Hung Leung (Duncan). His Sifu was the last recognized Grandmaster of Wing Chun, the late Yip Man.

That said, it's very important that we all work together to preserve the purity of the Wing Chun style. It would be tragic to see the art die. What are your recommendations, as professional leader of the style, on how we may keep the style "real" and pull the Wing Chun family together?

Sincerely - J.D. Jones

J.D. Jones

Dear Wing Chun Practicioners,
Good News!
Please take a few moments to review this proposed seminar. I will post more information as it becomes available.
For your convenience please find updated information at: http://www.egroups.com/group/WingChunKungFuSchool
You may also send inquiries to:
WingChunSchoolNYC@yahoo.com
Sifu Lee Che Kong
Autumn 2000 Wing Chun Seminar Featuring Sifu Duncan Leung
Date: November 11th & 12th 2000 from 11am to 5 pm
Location: Flushing, New York. Details to follow.
Registration methods:
§ e-mail: WingChunSchoolNYC@yahoo.com
§ Phone: 718-544-9065 – Message
§ Phone: 917-554-7778 – Peter Koo
Admission: $200 for both days, $120 deposit in advance
Group rates and other discounts available – Please contact Mr. Peter Koo
Payment methods: Cash, Money Order or Credit Card.
*If the registration does not meet a minimum requirement, the seminar is subject to cancellation and all registrants will receive a 100% refund.
Sifu Lee Che Kong (Allan Lee) and the Wing Chun Kung Fu School of New York, a branch of the Yip Man Wing Chun Martial Arts Association, has the distinct honor of hosting Sifu Duncan Leung in the first of a series of seminars to promote the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Sifu Lee extends an invitation to the Wing Chun and Martial Arts community to join in this rare occasion where Sifu Leung, a private disciple of the late Grandmaster Yip Man, will share his training and personal knowledge as taught to him by the Grandmaster. Sifu Leung will set the stage for future explorations in Wing Chun Kung Fu by first introducing its fundamental concepts, principles, and training methods.
Topics
· Basic Premise of studying Wing Chun. This will be your introduction to the most fundamental problems that are to be solved by practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu. A good understanding of this premise sets the stage for the development of a practical combat system.
· Centerline Theory. Sifu Leung will demonstrate the practical application of this concept to attack, defend against and setting up your adversary.
· First Form (Sil Nim Tau). Sifu Leung will explain the importance of this form, as well as the practical reasons why the hand movements must be done the way he explains it.

· Chi Sau. You will learn why these sensitivity drills are an important complimentary training method to sharpen your coverage and fighting skills.
· Horse Stance, Shifting and Footwork. You will learn the importance of the horse stance. You will understand how to train your horse to gain power and mobility. You will gain insight into the many purposes of shifting and see the various types of footwork available in the Wing Chun method.
· Wing Chun Punching Power – You will learn the many facets of a Wing Chun punch including the theory and mechanics behind this method of punching. This will include the concept of coverage and training methods.
· Basic Drills and Sparring Techniques. These drills tie all that has been taught together. Sifu Leung will show you methods of training to enable you to quickly gain the skill, confidence and feeling necessary to handle yourself in combat.
Come and experience the Real Wing Chun Kung Fu of the late Grandmaster Yip Man's private disciple. This hands-on, intensive 2-day session is not to be missed! I am positive Sifu Leung will address all your Wing Chun questions.
Respectfully,
Sifu Lee Che Kong
The New York Wing Chun Kung Fu School
The Wing Chun Kung Fu School is a branch of the Yip Man Wing Chun Martial Arts Association. The school is temporarily located in the facilities of the OZ gym in Ozone Park Queens. Sifu Lee Che Kong, the chief instructor, is looking forward to moving his Wing Chun Kung Fu School to the heart of the multi-cultural community of Flushing, Queens.
For information about the school, please contact Mr. Peter Koo 917-554-7778.
Sifu Duncan Leung
(Source: http://members.tripod.com/~Wing_Chun/hpageie.html)
Sifu Duncan Leung is a disciple of the Wing Chun Grandmaster Yip Man, and a former classmate of Bruce Lee. He has been teaching Wing Chun in the United States for more than twenty years. This included teaching the United States FBI, the Navy Seals, and various Police Institutions. Sifu Leung currently teaches at his school in Virginia Beach, VA. His unique training methods provide the students with a proper understanding and instruction in the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. His training methods also allow his students to gain better fighting skills through the use of Wing Chun in real fighting situations.
For information about the Wing Chun Kung Fu school in Virginia Beach, call 757-486-8999.
Sifu Allan Lee
In 1967, Sifu Lee began learning Wing Chun from Sifu Lok Yiu, the second disciple of the late Grandmaster Yip Man. In time Sifu Lee became an assistant instructor for Sifu Lok Yiu’s schools. As a result of his good character, talent and dedication to the Wing Chun style, Grandmaster Yip Man chose Sifu Lee as a private student. This great honor allowed Sifu Lee to train intensively and complete the Wing Chun curriculum under the expert tutelage of Grandmaster Yip Man.
After leaving Hong Kong and arriving in New York City in 1974, Sifu Lee had the great fortune and honor of meeting Sifu Duncan Leung, another private disciple of the late Grandmaster Yip Man. Sifu Leung furthered Sifu Lee’s knowledge of the art and together they ran a Wing Chun Kung Fu school in New York City. Sifu Lee has always maintained the utmost respect for, and an open approach to other martial arts and artists.
In 1978 Sifu Lee was appointed Chairman and Director of the Yip Man Wing Chun Martial Arts Association, United States Chapter by Sifu Yip Chun, the elder son of Grandmaster Yip Man. In addition to his passion for Wing Chun and martial arts, Sifu Lee is a highly skilled practitioner of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine specializing in physical injury (Dit-Da).

Sifu Lee Che Kong

By what standard does a student begin to use the title Sifu? I have seen several messages on this message board of instructors who list themselves under Sifu Leung who call themselves Sifu, But I saw one response from Sifu Leung that states that he has never certified anyone as a Sifu. So by what authority can a student begin calling himself Sifu? I have seen names such as Sifu's Musse, Meadows. Gardner, Lee, Edwards, Lo, etc. How many of these have actually been certified by Sifu Leung as having completed their training in the entire Wing Chun system?

Bill Marr

A.
Dear Brad,

To understand what a disciple is about is sometimes hard to understand. As a student one pays money to the teacher for his lessons. A disciple is different. Disciple goes back a long way in very old days. In Chinese we say (spelling - I am not sure of)Tin,Day,Guaun,Chun,Si. Tin is the god in the sky, Day is the god in the earth, Guaun is the emperor, Chun is the parents and Si is the SiFu or teacher (a disciple's teacher).

If your parents tell you to do something and the emperor forbids it then you cannot do it. If the SiFu tells you to do something and the parents forbid it then it cannot be done. So, there are levels to obedience. However, if there is nothing around as say you are in charge of something or you loose your parents then the SiFu represents them. A SiFu is like a father substitute for the Disciple and the Disciple is like a son to the SiFu. It is a binding relationship for life. The SiFu is bound to teach everything he knows and is NOT limited to martial arts. The disciple is like a child minding his parents. It has nothing to do with money. During the ceremony of becoming a disciple it is customary to offer something but it can be $1 or one million or something else. The point is what is offered is whatever is felt is necessary. Never is a SiFu to request and amount for a disciple. This is only tradition, culture.

For me personally, I do not want any more obligations now; therefore, am not interested in taking on any more disciples. Maybe if someone were very worthy I would consider it. When I offer an instructor course for $15,000.00 I am willing to make one an instructor with my full backing and help him develop a school and become a qualified teacher. This is much different than becoming a disciple. I am NOT offering to make anyone a disciple for any money. Sometimes a disciple may not be the best in Wing Chun, it just means that I care for him and am bound and committed to him for a lifetime as I would be to my own son even if his interest was to develop elsewhere.

Thank you for writing.

SiFu Leung


SiFu Leung

A10SLNYC@Juno.com

Has Sifu Leung decided to quit answering questions posted on the Message Board. I have had a question posted since Aug. 2nd in regards to the title Sifu. Please let me know something.

Thank You

Bill Marr

Dear Duncan;

Thank you for you response, although I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my message I do not think you answered some of my questions. Most notably, why not move Sifu Meadows to NYC to run a school for you. Although he has declined to do so in the past, for personal reasons you may be aware of, I believe he may be willing to do so if he knew he had your support.

Also I was wondering about the disciple answer you gave to an inquiry some time ago. You exlapined, in pertinent part, that making someone a dicsiple was an "emotional" decision. Yet I see pictures of disciples on your website and all the poses are different. For example, Sifu Meadows is the only one of your discilpes I have ever seen a picture of you with, wherein, he is standing and you are seated, he is to your right with his left hand on your right shoulder with both of you dressed in traditional chinese dress and with the traditional Wing Chun background? I have seen pictures of others, like Sifu Jerry Gardner with you but in many different poses never one like Sifu Meadows. Recently Sifu Garderner's picture was not in traditional dress or with a wing chun background and you are dressed in street clothes? Why is that? and why are these pictures so different?

ZEB

Hello Sir,

I am curious about your 2 month training program. What kind of material would be covered in this program?

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Brian K.

Brian K.

By what standard does a student begin to use the title Sifu? I have seen several messages on this message board of instructors who list themselves under Sifu Leung who call themselves Sifu, But I saw one response from Sifu Leung that states that he has never certified anyone as a Sifu. So by what authority can a student begin calling himself Sifu? I have seen names such as Sifu's Muss, Meadows. Gardner, Lee, Edwards, Lo, etc. How many of these have actually been certified by Sifu Leung as having completed their training in the entire Wing Chun system?

Bill Marr

Hello,

I was just wondering about what peoples thoughts about the Wing Chun lineage. In the few past articles of "Inside Kung Fu" The Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Museum has found what to believe is the true history of Wing Chun. It explains how Yim Wing Chun was a Myth and a cover up strory put together by the Red Boat Opera Company and the Shaolin Temple. The article is very interesting. You must keep an open mind when reading it.

Psiomicron

VT

Dear Duncan:
I went to visit your school in NYC. Everyone was very friendly and I enjoyed the visit.
I studied Wing Chun many years ago and I have been looking for a Wing Chun school in NYC for several years but have been unable to find a school that teaches Wing Chun the way I learned from Sifu David Meadows through you in Norfolk, Va.
I studied with Sifu Meadows in Norfolk, for two years. Since you were his Sifu, I know you know who he is, because you put him in the family tree and he has a picture of you and him with his hand on your shoulder.
I found Sifu Meadows to be one of the best teachers I have ever had. I also now realize that the Wing Chun you taught Sifu Meadows and that he taught me is RADICALLY different from any Wing Chun I have seen anywhere else or in NYC.
So, when I went to your school in NYC I was very disappointed to find the Wing Chun, although close to what Sifu Meadows taught, was not the same. In NYC your beginning students were training with seond form techniques, the form was done with subtle differences, etc. The way Sifu meadows trained his students, his knowledge and technical ability seemed far superiod to what I saw in NYC. I am not saying that I am a Sifu, but I can observe the differences and I hope the school was not simply tring to hide their actual technique from me, which I would see no reason to do.
I am sure the Sifu in NYC, Alan Lee, is a competent practioner, but how could two Sifu's yopu trained be so different in ability? Even though Sifu Alan Lee did not not begin his Wing Chun training with you, because he is your representative in NYC, I assume you trained him.
I have asked Sifu Meadows to move to NYC to teach Wing Chun but he has declined.
I grew up in NYC and know that if Sifu Meadows were at a school in NYC the school would flourish and have many, many students.
I have seen your school in NYC and met some of your students from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I would respectfully request and submit that you move Sifu Meadows to NYC to run one of your schools.
You know the high quality of his skill in Wing Chun and I have witnessed his ability to run a business.
Why not bring him to NYC?

Zeb

Sifu Leung,
I ordered your five tapes & I could not have been more satisfied. I was very impressed with the format, content & application aspects.
Thanks for making so much valuable information available to everyone.

Mitch

Mitch

There is an interesting message further below on this board and I am publishing my answer here for better reading.

Q.
Just to say that this site is by far the best Wing Chun site that I have wandered about. However, I do have questions concerning disciples, students, or perhaps new students coming in. I understand you have honored former students with becoming disciples, but do you still allow current students to become disciples or perhaps a new student who is dedicated will you allow him or her to become a disciple? Or do you have to pay that extravagant fee of $15,000 in order to become a student of higher merit. How bout, if I was a student with years of experience behind me under your instruction would I become a disciple even if I didn't have $15,000 or would I be out of luck? Just wondering because I have taken different martial arts and the sifu or master have offered the opportunity to become an instructor or disciple due to my devotion of the art. Does that apply to you now?



A.
Dear Brad,

To understand what a disciple is about is sometimes hard to understand. As a student one pays money to the teacher for his lessons. A disciple is different. Disciple goes back a long way in very old days. In Chinese we say (spelling - I am not sure of)Tin,Day,Guaun,Chun,Si. Tin is the god in the sky, Day is the god in the earth, Guaun is the emperor, Chun is the parents and Si is the SiFu or teacher (a disciple's teacher).

If your parents tell you to do something and the emperor forbids it then you cannot do it. If the SiFu tells you to do something and the parents forbid it then it cannot be done. So, there are levels to obedience. However, if there is nothing around as say you are in charge of something or you loose your parents then the SiFu represents them. A SiFu is like a father substitute for the Disciple and the Disciple is like a son to the SiFu. It is a binding relationship for life. The SiFu is bound to teach everything he knows and is NOT limited to martial arts. The disciple is like a child minding his parents. It has nothing to do with money. During the ceremony of becoming a disciple it is customary to offer something but it can be $1 or one million or something else. The point is what is offered is whatever is felt is necessary. Never is a SiFu to request and amount for a disciple. This is only tradition, culture.

For me personally, I do not want any more obligations now; therefore, am not interested in taking on any more disciples. Maybe if someone were very worthy I would consider it. When I offer an instructor course for $15,000.00 I am willing to make one an instructor with my full backing and help him develop a school and become a qualified teacher. This is much different than becoming a disciple. I am NOT offering to make anyone a disciple for any money. Sometimes a disciple may not be the best in Wing Chun, it just means that I care for him and am bound and committed to him for a lifetime as I would be to my own son even if his interest was to develop elsewhere.

Thank you for writing.

SiFu Leung

SiFu Leung

I received a message thru the form submission and think it is interesting enough to post it here:

(name) Marc Williams
(e-mail) Marcfive!@excite.com
(comments)
Greeting and Saluatation Sifu. I am writing to you concerning
iformation between the diffrence between Honk kong wing chun
and mainland china wing chun.It was expalined to me that Main
land wing chun, streses more stance turning and attacking your
opponedt more at a 45 degree angle than Honk kong is that
true to your knowledge. My sifu says that wing chun was designed
to attack and destroy your opponents structure is that true?
and the meaning for each of the form, he says Siu nim tao
means litte idea or how to make ideas from simple thought.
and chum kui means not seeking the bridge as it is described by others
but to destroy your opponents structure/ balance. is that true to your
knowledge. and that the bart cham dao was designed to deal with attacks
from eight diffrenct kinds of weapons. I would be very gratefull for any
comments
that you can share with me i would like to be a sifu and i need all the
knowledge

Dear Mr. Marc Williams

As the generations come and go the information changes from one
generation to another because people interpret information a little
differently each time. Then even though Wing Chun originated with one person now after generations there are many different ways of Wing Chun we couldn't even recognize. I personally know of three different styles of Wing Chun in mainland China which are different
than I learned. I cannot say who is right and who is wrong, I was just
taught differently. My SiFu, Yip Man, was the one who brought Wing Chun to
Hong Kong. He had taught everyone the same, but we all interpreted it
differently.
To answer your questions, you should think logically. If someone
rushes at me and he is bigger and stronger than me then I will certainly be
thinking about getting out of the way by changing my centerline and try to
get at a 45 degree angle to him. If I am very much the bigger person and
stronger I will crash straight into him without worrying about 45
degrees, just to distroy his balance. It depends only on the situation and
how the other side comes at you. It has nothing to do with who is teaching
you. It is the basic experience in fighting.
The meaning of Siu Nim Tao and Chum Kui is correct but is only part of it.
However, Bart Cham Dao is designed to deal with eight directions to deal
with all kind of weapons not eight weapons. I am encouraged that there are
serious students like you that want to learn more. There are no limitations
for knowledge.

SiFu Leung

SiFu Leung

Does anyone know of a WT school in or near Salamanca, Spain? Any help would be appreciated.

Ted Angell

Ted Angell

Just to say that this site is by far the best Wing Chun site that I have wandered about. However, I do have questions concerning disciples, students, or perhaps new students coming in. I understand you have honored former students with becoming disciples, but do you still allow current students to become disciples or perhaps a new student who is dedicated will you allow him or her to become a disciple? Or do you have to pay that extravagant fee of $15,000 in order to become a student of higher merit. How bout, if I was a student with years of experience behind me under your instruction would I become a disciple even if I didn't have $15,000 or would I be out of luck? Just wondering because I have taken different martial arts and the sifu or master have offered the opportunity to become an instructor or disciple due to my devotion of the art. Does that apply to you now?

Brad

ATTENTION WING CHUN PRACTITIONERS !!!
Sifu Duncan Leung will be conducting a One Day
Wing Chun Seminar in New York City, NY.
Following are the details:
Date: Sunday, July 16, 2000
Time: 10am-3pm
Place: West 16th Street, New York City, NY
Price: $85.00 (Check/Cash by July 10th)
$95.00 (Cash Only after July 10th)
Don't miss out on this historical event !!!
Contact me via e-mail at wcsem600@aol.com
today to confirm your attendance...

Giovanni

Congratulation by your home page... i am glad, thankfull, by the promotional cd you sent me... Therefore, I don't write just to say "thanks"... I shall buy the 5 tapes set in pal-m that custs Us$229,oo plus $15 ....but i have no credit cards... i would like to know if there's other way to buy this tapes....

I am wainting an answer...
Renato Nadier email:-rnadier@ig.com.br
adress :- av. Princesa Leopoldina 238 1101 B
Cep 40 150 080 Salvador Bahia Brazil

Renato Nadier

Sifu Leung,
I am a new student of Wing Chun from Iowa City Iowa. I have been taking Wing Chun for roughly a year now, and I am in Virginia for the summer. My Sifu is Kip Murphy, who trained under Bart Mann, who trained under Jerry Gardner, one of your students from a while ago. I was wondering if you allowed visits from students of your lineage to the Virginia Beach School? I don't know when I will be able to come up, but I wondered if you could answer this question. Thank you for your time.

Matt

Matt Dobbertin

i wanna get started in some sort of martial art
what should i take, is whin chun good ??
any schools in the ottawa ontarion candada area??????

colin

Hi Sifu,
I really enjoyed your 5 tape. Its awsome and a clear demonstration of the form with applications. Thanks for putting it out.
I do have a question though.Why are there so many reputable Sifus who trained under Yip Man such as Leung Ting, William Cheung, Augustine Fong through Ho Kam Ming and have all learned the form from Yip Man yet the form look different through all th instructors. Granted alot of the moves are the same but rearranged. Why not just teach it the way Yip Man taught it.
Thanks again for the tape and I hope you put the Tripodial and the Weapons Tape out. I will be the first to buy it
Thanks
John

John C

For New York residents: SiFu Leung recommends interested students to check out the new Wing Chun School in Richmond Hills Queens NY. Please contact Mr. Pasram for information and applications. Lessons are 5 nights a week from 8:30 to 10:30. Let the webmaster know at this site if you have trouble getting in touch, we can provide more information.

Marcus Pasram

Does anyone know the location of any Wing Chun schools in the Detroit - Pontiac - Flint, Michigan area?

Thanks,
Wanalah

Wanalah@aol.com

I live in New Orleans Louisiana and have been trying to find a Wing Chun school. so far I have had no success.I would appreciate any info. on a school or teacher in my area. Please e-mail any information you may have. thank you elliot

Elliot walsey

Fong's Wing Chun Gung Fu Federation, Ottawa
&
The Ho Kam Ming Ving Tsun Association
Present a Seminar with
Grand Master, Ho Kam Ming

Grand Master Ho Kam Ming is a long time disciple of the late Grand Master Yip Man and Sifu to Wing Chun Master, Augustine Fong.
Grand Master Ho Kam Ming will be sharing his 40+ year's experience in the Wing Chun system and will be answering in depth, questions regarding all areas of training.
Ho Kam Ming is a goldmine of knowledge. For the serious practitioner wanting to improve their knowledge and learn more about Wing Chun, this is a not to be missed seminar.
Grand Master Ho=s lecture will include showing you how to develop your fighting skills from Chi Sau, as well as fighting techniques, concepts, timing and theory. Learn to perfect proper structure through forms practice as well as how to break down the forms into practical application.
Question and answer sessions will follow each topic. This will be an annual event.

Location: Momentum Athletics, 858 Bank St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Ottawa is Canada's capital city and is situated four hours drive from Toronto and two hours from Montreal.

Schedule: Saturday, June 17th. 12:00- 5:00
Sunday, June 18th. 12:00-5:00
One hour lunch break both days 2:00-3:00 PM
Banquet: Saturday, 7:45 PM. Dubarry Chinese Buffet, 33 Selkirk St, Vanier (Eastview Shopping Centre). Please specify whether you will be attending the banquet and if you will be bringing a guest.
Price $ 20.00.

Fee: $135:00 Canadian for both days ($95.00 U.S.).
$80.00 for one day ($55.00 U.S.), payable by certified cheque, cash, out of town reservations may be arranged via Visa or Mastercard.
A late registration charge of $15.00 for both days will be added after June 12th. $10.00 for one day.
Accommodations: there are many hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, a hostel, as well as the Y.M.C.A. in Ottawa. If you are from out of and need accommodations, please contact me regarding your requirements.
I may also be able to put a few people up for free.

For more information contact Patrick Gordon by phone, email or write to:
1075 Bank Street,
Ottawa, Ont.,
K1S-3W9, Canada.

Phone: (613)-236-4467

E-mail: p.gordon@cyberus.ca

Web Address: http://www.cyberus.ca/~p.gordon/WingChunOttawa.htm

Please reserve yourself a spot as soon as possible, limited space available.

I have been looking for a good Wing Chun school in the Washington D.C. or PG County portion of MD area. If anyone can give me any information
I would appritiate it.

Donovan Gillison

Attention All New York Area Wing Chun Practitioners:
I have the rare opportunity of hosting a Sifu Duncan Leung Wing Chun Seminar in New York City scheduled for sometime in June 2000. For this to occur, I need to guarantee a certain number of participants. If you are willing and able to attend, please e-mail me at WCSEM600@AOL.COM as soon as possible. Exact details will be determined based on the outcome of this survey.
Demonstrate your willingness to continue learning and developing in this truly combative and effective art by not missing out on this historical event.
Respond today...

DURING THE EARLY FIFTIES in Hong Kong the Chinese martial arts were very popular to the young people and the working class. There were all kinds of styles available such as Hung Gar, White Crane, Dragon Style and Choy Lai Fut, but Wing Chun no one had heard of. A young man from Foshan, China, Yip Man, was there in those days. He learned the style in China and later on furthered his training from Leung Bik. He began his teaching in the Restaurant Association. Later on he had his own little school in his house in the resettlement area with 100-150 sq. ft. of space. Years went by and he had taught quite a few good students; therefore, the style was becoming known to the public. At that time different styles challenged each other privately and often. Early students from Yip Man like Lok Yiu and Wong Sheung Leung were the most active and did very well in all the fights. The Kowloon Motor Bus Company main service station was located only a few blocks from Yip Man’s school and the workers were first to join the school after the restaurant workers. Then the school kids from nearby St. Frances Xavier started to join including Bruce Lee and Hawkins Cheung. The economy was very bad at that time. Refugees from China entered Hong Kong by the hundreds daily and finding a job for everyone was hard. Wages were low and the hours were long. This made it very hard to find time for students to train. The early students like Leung Sheung, Lok Yiu and Wong Sheung Leung opened their own schools and some like Tsui Sheung Tin began to teach privately.

In 1957 another early student of Yip Man’s, William Cheung, immigrated to Australia. On the way there an incident occurred when he locked himself in the sailor’s cabin and fought more than 10 sailors. This got into all the newspapers and so Wing Chun was even known in Australia then. About a year later, Bruce Lee left for the United States. Americans were exposed to his ability in the martial arts with the start of the television series Green Hornet. He began to teach the Wing Chun style to the celebrities and other famous people in California. Later on he went back to Hong Kong and made several movies that shocked the world. People from all over the world were beginning to hear about Chinese Kung Fu, especially a styled called Wing Chun. After Bruce passed away, a student of Leung Sheung by the name of Leung Ting taught a student named Gainsburg in Germany and brought Wing Chun to Germany. Then Victor Kan brought Wing Chun to England. Yip Man’s nephew, Lo Man Kam, brought the art to Switzerland and to Taiwan, his home country. Wing Chun was becoming the most popular martial art in the world. At about this time when Wing Chun peaked in popularity, Grand Master Yip Man passed away.

Prior to his death in 1972, Yip Man had stopped teaching but was consulted about Wing Chun. He had a hard life in the early years in Hong Kong but in his old age some rich students like Dung Sing and Chan Jee Chu, police detectives of The Hong Kong Royal Police, began to support him. He was considered the head of the Wing Chun family and had a few good years before his death. Unfortunately, he did not name a successor to carry on the leadership of Wing Chun. It is possible that he had not found anyone he liked, may never have found anyone who was worthy, or he was just not concerned with the issue at that late stage of his life. Whatever the reasons Grand Master Yip Man was truly the last Grand Master of the style. After his death and as time passed family members began to realize that they were on their own.

Wing Chun today is a very big family with schools all over the world. Any successful organization needs a leader to unite everyone and to help everyone work together. For a variety of reasons, those heirs and students of Yip Man who would be most qualified to unite and lead us have either been unwilling or unable to do so.

Now, 27 years after Yip Man’s death the Wing Chun family is drifting further and further apart. Without leadership, some begin to teach in their own way and some criticize others who do not agree with their way of teaching. Some even develop theories which Yip Man never taught. There are also those who claim that they are the only "true" teachers of Wing Chun. They suggest that the only legitimate teachers of Wing Chun are those whom they have tested and found qualified. Unfortunately, such claims detract from the credibility of the entire movement and will serve only to divide the Wing Chun family. Wing Chun is a style of martial art we are talking about, an art of fighting. One has to learn and train with it for a long period of time. One has to use it in fighting to gain the applied experience. This is very serious; it can lead to life and death. It is not something you pay me money for and I xerox a copy for you. It is not that simple. Anyone who learned, trained, and fought with it for a long period of time should have understood some truths of the art. How can anyone discredit all others experiences and call himself the only true artist in the world and try to lead others with such an attitude?

The basics of Wing Chun are exhibited in the forms that Yip Man left us, but principles and theories were verbally instructed by him. Each one may interpret the ideas a little differently. I am sure Yip Man would be happy to know if we, who learned from him, would carry on the benefits he gave us. If we could have a good leadership to unite everyone together, to exchange and to accept each other’s experience and ideas with open minds then Wing Chun could thrive. Everyone would benefit in the knowledge. Without this strong bonding and support among Wing Chun members the principle and theories Yip Man left us will be diminished from generation to generation and one day no one will recognize the style. Then Wing Chun will be just a name in the history of Martial Arts.

SiFu Duncan Leung

SiFu Duncan Leung

If anyone wants to train some wing chun in the northern virginia area, please reply to my email.

Mark

Dear Sifu Leung

I practiced some wing chun I'm at the chum kiu level. Which volumes (video)Do you think will be good for me,I want to buy the 4 volumes but right now I want to begin with one.So which volume will be the best I look for combat applications and drills

Thank you
Steeve

Steeve

Dear Sifu leung

First your web sites is very interesting and good. I very like your method and expression of wing chun you have the efficiency,directness and simplicity but most you have the how to do,real application and training . your student have find a diamond I'm sure they know that:)

Ok after vi