Monday, April 29, 2013

Fook Yueng and Bruce Lee / Yueng Chuan Classes in Walla Walla


Fook Yueng Chuan or Quan or Fook Yueng’s Boxing is a rich method of Martial Arts that is effective for overall health/fitness development and is exceptionally functional for self-defense.It is synthesized from over 160 martial art styles and Tien Shan Mountain Chi Kung by Fook Yueng who was an actor in the Red Junk Opera and Kung Fu brother with the late Bruce Lee’s father. The bringing together of the styles was more a matter of that it fit together and after 70 years they become “all same”. Fook Yueng has closed his hands for Kung Fu teaching but has several people are teaching his methods. David Harris (Steve Smith’s Primary teacher of Yueng Quan) his number 1 adopted son, Andy Dale his number 2 adopted son, and Steve Smith his successor/inheritor.  Fook Yueng was like an Uncle to Bruce Lee and was the man who picked him up in Oakland off the ship and took him to Seattle where as a favor to Bruce Lee’s father helped him get his start. (The first thing Bruce Lee did after getting off the ship was to extend his hand to Fook and say, “Chi Sao” an invitation to play/stick hands when he could not get through he asked Fook teach him, Bruce Lee trained with Fook from 1959 through about 1967 or so. Fook showed him the systems and Bruce was an adept student and worked them to a very effective level. One of Bruce’s favorite forms to practice was the Preying Mantis forms. (Much more of this story is up coming in Jesse Glover’s new book) Jesse Glover and I took Fook to the Bruce Lee convention held in Seattle we sat together and I held his hand while he grieved the passing of Bruce Lee and Bruce’s son Brandon Lee, he said, “too soon they died too soon”. He also told me that Bruce Lee had done more for Kung Fu in his few years on earth than had been done in the last 500 years.Fook Yueng taught an occasional Chi Kung workshop for Andy Dale and for those who attended it was a real learning experience. Fook Yueng was a happy joyous person; those who have met him came away saying they have met someone who is full of love and joy.  

Advantages of learning Fook Yueng Chuan:
  • Develops flexibility in the body
  • Stresses adaptability in Body and Feeling so you are able to defend yourself with any part of your body developing effortless power.
  • Anyone can learn Fook Yueng Chuan! Its richness and depth compliment any level or style of martial art. It is organic in the sense that it adapts to the person, adults of any age enjoy results.
  • Improves balance• Reduces stress.
  • Practicing Fook Yueng Chuan develops coordination, balance; speed and sensitivity, so you can respond smoothly even under pressure.
  • Classes are fun, practical, and respectful and help to improve focus and self defense skills. Basic and advanced classes are available and emphasis the principle of why technique works so that we can do that technique and adapt it.
  • Classes include, study of structure and balance, China similar to Jujitsu, Chi Kung, Weapons, and Free Flow. Advanced Classes cover chi sao, da sao, da mak, effortless power and more. 
  • By the way effortless work that looks like magic is the result of understanding the principles and stacking or blending them together so it looks like nothing at all. Sort of like mixing sugar in water still looks like water but tastes like something else entirely.
  • “It’s all for healing” Fook Yueng

For People in Europe Fook Yueng Chuan

For people in Europe and Great Briton looking to learn Fook Yueng Chuan and Non Classical Gung Fu.  I would recommend Pierre Hartman of the Chinese Boxing Association.  He hosted Jesse Glover there for many years and introduced many to Jesse's work over the years.  Pierre has been studying Fook Yueng Chuan with Steve Smith for many years and is the Lead Instructor in Europe in this method.

Pierre is available for seminars in Europe, and the United States.  Pierre is one of the most gifted teachers I have met, it shows in the quality of his students.

Pierre also has  program called Formation that will help people who are interested in teaching Non Classical Kung Fu.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Adam Chan's Ip Man Movie Review


Adam Chan of Pragmatic Martial Arts did a great review of the Blockbuster movie Ip Man. In it he discusses our teacher Grand Master Fook Yueng and his teaching of Bruce Lee. This is not only a good movie review but is an insightful look into the history of Wing Chun.

Tim Wang Opening Infinity Martial Artis in Mukilteo, WA

Tim Wang will be opening his new school Infinity Martial Arts in Mukilteo, WA.  Infinity Martial Arts will be primarily focusing on Fook Yueng Chuan.  Tim is a personal student of Steve Smith Inheritor of Fook Yueng Chuan.

The Grand Opening Ceremony and Seminar.  The Seminar will be taught by Tim Wang and Steve Smith with Guest Instructor demonstrations on Saturday.

Click the above link for further information and to register for the seminar or RSVP for the Demonstration.

For information about classes and events Infinity Martial Arts

Interview Adam Chan did with Steve Smith



For information about Adam Chan's work check out his web page:  Pragmatic Martial Arts