Monthly Archives: November 2014

The Truth about Low Stances of Hung Ga Kyun

Low Stances of Hung Ga Kyun

Question: Sifu, everybody says that Hung Ga should be practiced in very low stances. I have noticed that you are sometimes using higher stances, sometimes lower stances – but still a bit higher than I usually see. Can you explain why?

Karl S.

Answer: Hung Ga = low stances, period. Right?

Right?

„Low stance, low stance!“, the Hung Ga Sifus shout out loud all over the world. „Don’t be lazy!“ Pain is good.

Well, stance training might serve as leg strengthening in the beginning phases of your Hung Ga journey, but the true aim of “Stances” (“Horse” in Chinese, Ma – take a hint why!) is different: Structure, body mechanics and power generation.

And the stances are not always low. Continue reading

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Gung Fu in the Heart of Europe: Hung Kyun, Wing Chun & Mantis Documentary (Streaming + Free Download)

Gung Fu in the Heart of Europe

Watch an excellent Chinese martial arts documentary featuring 3 Gung Fu schools from the heart of Europe, Prague, Czech republic:

  • Practical Hung Kyun of Pavel Macek Sifu
  • Wing Chun of Ivan Rzounek Sifu
  • Praying Mantis, Tiger Claw and Taijiquan of George Hušek Sifu

You will learn about various aspects of traditional Chinese martial arts training: Fighting and self-defense, strength and conditioning, health and personal development. Continue reading

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Recommended Reading: Wong Kiew Kit, The Way of the Master

Wong Kiew Kit Sifu, Way of the MasterWhen I was studying Hung Kyun in San Francisco under the guidance of Y.C. Wong Sifu in 1997 with my classmate Aleš, we used to walk from the train station to the Chinatown, for about half an hour.

On our way to the Mou Gwun there was a bookshop, with quite a few interesting martial arts books. We used to stop by and stay in the bookshop for a while, reading some them – we did not have a job at that time, and enough money for the fees, train and food, so we couldn’t buy any. All we did was practice and practice.

Out of the many books, I have found out one that was especially very interesting – it was written by Malaysian Southern Siu Lam Grand Master Wong Kiew Kit – Introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu. Interesting stuff happened –  whatever I read about in the book in the afternoon, I have learned it in my Gung Fu lessons in the evening, be it technique, concept or fighting strategy! Was it a coincidence? I have decided to skip some meals so I can buy this interesting book. Continue reading

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Traditional Southern Siu Lam Wrestling Techniques: “Double Dragons Embrace the Moon”

Southern Siu Lam Hung Ga Kyun Wrestling

Check out one of the traditional Southern Chinese martial arts wrestling techniques, “Double Dragons Embrace the Moon” (Seung Lung Bou Yut).

The drawing and the original text comes from an old boxing manual titled The Essence of Boxing Art (Kyun Seut Jing Wa) from my collection of old books.

Here is the translation of the application: Continue reading

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