Cho Cheung Wing Chun Kung Fu - NYC

Thank you Sigung for the beautiful gold foil with the Chinese character, 咏春, that he added to my Wing Chun Long Pole during this month’s training trip to his school at Atlanta, GA. Now my Wing Chun long pole is uniquely my own.

Sijo Jiu Wan studied Wing Chun at the Jing Mo Gwun, under Chan Wah Shun. The Jing Mo Gwun was the most elite of institutions in southern China, dedicated solely to the highest levels of martial arts training. Jiu Wan went on to become at a teacher at the Jing Mo Gwun. When the Communists took over China, he eventual moved to Hong Kong where he continued to teach.

Many people have stated that Jiu Wan was a student of Yip Man when in actually both Jiu Wan and Yip Man were Kung Fu brothers who studied under Chan Wah Shun.

Before Grandmaster Yip Man passed away, he invited everyone from the martial art community and arranged a special ceremony. In the ceremony, Grandmaster Yip Man awarded Grandmaster Jiu Wan (Chiu Wan) with a plaque/signage, on which was written “The official doctrine of tradition Wing Chun” or “Wing Chun Jing Tung” which means “Wing Chun the Pure Tradition”, (詠春正統-葉問題). Grandmaster Jiu Wan (Chiu Wan) was the only person who received this honor from Grandmaster Yip Man.

Grandmaster Jason Lau, who was a direct student of Jiu Wan and studied under him for several years in Hong Kong, first opened a school in New York and later in Atlanta, Georgia. He is passing on the legacy of Jiu Wan and is currently recognized as the Grandmaster of our branch of the Wing Chun Clan.

On September 11, 2012, Sigung Jason Lau went on an interview for ucwradio, an online entertainment magazine, and vehemently stated that Jiu Wan never studied under Yip Man considering the idea as a “bizarre thing”. Plus he also stated that he specified “very clearly” to Wong Shun Leung and Hawkins Cheung (notable Yip Man’s students) that Jiu Wan NEVER was a student of Yip Man.

jiuwan

Congratulations to two of my students, Michaela Chee and Alex Hall, both passed to Chum Kil (green level). Both worked extremely hard and put in all that hard work and effort to reach this milestone. They saw the goal, knew it was going to be extremely difficult but achievable, and worked towards completing that goal.

“Hardness is earned by recognizing desires and goals and enduring what ever it takes to fulfill them. To do this, the goal must be important enough to sustain. I have always held that hard physical effort affects deep psychological growth, with the caveat that the effort must last long enough for one to observe and potentially, steer the outcome.”

As Bruce Lee once said, “All goals apart from the means are illusions.” Some interpret it as “What is the point of an unrealistic goal?” Most will think, "If you can’t get there, then don’t mark the point on the map. Maybe choose a different point?"

Nah, we rather practice learning how to succeed.

Throwback Thursday, My Sifu, Master Michael Militano with two of his senior students and my Sihings, Rueben Ruiz and Danny Reyes.

As a young man, when I first joined the school and met these gentlemen, I eventually took on the term “Ultracrepidarian” and “Pedant” as a command to feel better about myself. I blame my inexperienced, turbulent emotional landscape. It was silly. Teaching changed that. Direct experience changed me. And a good mentor taught that, “to understand and learn to be patient.”

I overreacted to his guidance and tried to make every conversation the equivalent of a two-minute hard rock song. Interpretating everything into a verb cost me many memories. I lost details and sometimes entire experiences by overreacting, breaking things down to their essence, constantly distilling and searching for “real truth”.

I am a different person now. 30 years deep. Practiced. Experienced. maybe wiser. I still overreact and overthink. I don’t let it consume me any longer. I’ve learned to listen and not be listened to, to separate from the words, to think and feel and maybe, remember. I want my words to make you do something.

Congratulations to my student, Hannah, who became the very first student of mine to successfully passed to Biu Jee, Brown Level. Her strict work ethics, discipline and diligent effort made this possible. She remained focused and disciplined, putting in the work and the results speak for itself. I am proud to have her as my student and to be the first to achieve this level.

"We learn, we practice, eventually we know and if we are disciplined, if that knowledge shows in our character. Character is expressed through.

We all share the habit of only doing what we know how to do well, only what is certain to succeed, occasionally attempting the thing that is slightly challenging. They may progress in this way, taking baby steps, but genuine evolution and improvement remain elusive.

When ego comes into play, lies and fakery walk in with it. When dependency on external validation matters more than actual, difficult change, no growth ever occurs. When ego attends a training session, the individual always settles for less as long as he or she looks good doing it - but no one can look good and improve at the same time."

On my flight to Atlanta to train under my Sigung for the weekend. How many of us would commit so much time and money to learn from the best. As I sit on this plane I think of this quote

“Memories and hope are not so different; one is “having done” the other is “to do.” Neither constitutes action. You are what you do; thus, if you do nothing, you are nobody. If you once did great things, you think you are great. You coast along on dead, preserved laurels, lifeless and wasting away.”

Badges of honor.

Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!!! May this year usher in an abundant health, lasting prosperity, true peace, wealth, and endless happiness for everyone. Welcome to the Year of the Horse! 🐎✨新年快樂、恭喜發財、萬事如意、身體健康、龍馬精神!!! 😊💥🎇🏮🧧❤️

Because of the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities, there will be no classes on Tuesday February 17th.

Happy Chinese New Year, Year of the Fire Horse 火马年新年快乐 🧧🧨🐴

Me and two of my students, standing with Sigung and one of my Sihings, at my Sigung’s annual Christmas party at his training center in Atlanta, GA. Reuniting with some old friends, meeting some new one, with some good food and with our second family. Can’t ask for anything better.