Wing Chun Club Sydney
Wing Chun Club Sydney is run by Sifu Martin Kerrigan, commenced training on 06 March 1989, and Sifu Yeng Lau, commenced training on 10 January 1994. Instructor Bret Pember, who commenced in April 2001, assists with the instruction of the classes. Wing Chun Club is situated on the Northern Beaches at the corner of Oliver Street and Lawrence Street, Freshwater. Classes are held in the Harbord Literary Institute Hall on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:15pm until 7:30pm. It is a small wing chun club catering to all ages from 13 and up. Sifu Martin and Sifu Yeng both did their early training in Wing Chun under Sifu Jim Fung. Grandmaster Fung sadly passed away a few years ago and is greatly missed and respected. In more recent years, Sifu Martin has trained with Sifu Mark Spence of the famous Chi Sau Club . Sifu Mark has trained extensively with Sigung Chu Shong Tin in Hong Kong and his knowledge and skill is well respected. On the 14th of August 2011, Martin and Yeng were accredited by the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association as Sifu Martin Kerrigan and Sifu Lau Yoke Yeng. They were also appointed Permanent Members of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association and granted all rights and privileges of the association. The lineage of training goes directly from Sifu Jim Fung to Sigung Chu Shong Tin to Ip Man. Sigung Chu was one of Ip Man's original four students way back in 1956 and is known as the King of Sil Lim Tao. The Wing Chun taught in Wing Chun Club is directly linked in three generations to Ip Man, who is the Master who brought Wing Chun Kung Fu to Hong Kong and from there to the West. |
 Sigung Chu Shong Tin, Sifu Martin and Sifu Yeng
Wing Chun Kung Fu is a three hundred year old martial art and a very effective self-defence system, beneficial for your health and not difficult to learn. It is suitable for everyone, including people of slight build and also for older individuals and children. Wing Chun does not require you to be big and strong as it does not depend on muscular strength to execute its movements.
It also does not use high kicks or complicated, contorted body movements. In fact, Wing Chun uses your own natural body structures, together with circular motions, focus and thought force to maximize power and efficiency of the offensive and defensive movements. It might be hard for some to comprehend that one does not have to use muscle to counter a stronger opponent's strike. However, with the correct use of body structures, little muscular strength is needed to deflect a strike as it is a fact that relaxed muscle can withstand a very strong force. Due to no wear and tear on your body, and the benefits of doing the forms of Wing Chun, this martial art can be practiced well into old age. Examples of this are Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin and Grandmaster Ip Chun (to name only two very well known masters) who are still practicing and teaching well into their '70s and '80s. Wing Chun training should not take too long before you see the development of power in your punches and kicks. A few months of training will see you develop previously unknown self defence skills. Wing Chun has only three empty hand forms.
Muk Yan Chong (Wooden Dummy) form is another tool which is excellent for training your techniques, positioning, range and forward force. The wooden dummy is indispensable when you do not have a live partner to train with. Chi sau (Sticking Hands) is a famous Wing Chun exercise practiced with a partner with both participants having their arms touching in the chi sau positions while rolling the arms in a relaxed, focused state. The point of sticking to your partner's wrists is so you will be able to feel their intention to attack or unbalance you, and in return, teach your body the appropriate action to counter them. Chi sau assists in developing sensitivity, in improving your techniques, positioning, stance, balance, relaxation, short range power and thought force. It also allows you and your partner to spar vigorously while keeping damage to a minimum. |
