Kong Hoi Kung Fu Assn. Blog

Latest news!

2009-10-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

The new shirts and weapons for Sil Lum Mountain finally came in. Students love the new design and the weapon quality has improved greatly over previous year's orders. Lion dance at the senior estate went great! Steve did a bang up job with the lion and Derik did a great job running the show! Thanks to all who came out to help out. These type of events help the kwoons out greatly and we do appreciate you being involved as students. For closed door candidates, this is part of the deal and it is suggested that you participate in as many things as you can. Again, thanks to all of you. I know I speak for Sifu Chris as well.

Sifu Anthony

Hong Kong

2009-09-14T09:13:00.001-07:00

Sifu Li is off to Hong Kong. We wish him well and safe travel.

New Class Hours

2009-07-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that Kong Hoi Kung Fu - Sil Lum Mountain has new class hours. Please go to our website www.konghoikungfu.com for details.

All Day Tourney 2009 Prep!

2009-04-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

The all day event went great for all the Lai Tong Pai practitioners that participated. I was excited to see everyone there. This was the first time Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association has had an all day workout geared specifically for an upcoming tournament. I think everyone learned a great deal. We went through forms, weapon forms, luk sao and continuous sparring in preparation for the 2009 CACMA National Kung Fu/Tai Chi Tournament being held on May 2, 2009 at the Charlotte Convention Center. I hope everyone had a great time. I know we will have more of these sessions in the future for other upcoming national events. Maybe we can take a few pictures of the event to post next time. Take care everyone!

Sifu Anthony

A Master Weighs In

2009-02-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

My good friend and Tai Chi Master, Alan Lumder, wrote about rooting:

Rooting is fundamental to effective technique. The Chinese say heaven and earth which means that the legs are solid and the upstairs moves lightly. Rooting can be both static (fixed) and moving. It is best for your students’ to start developing their roots with standing exercises. You may want to consider the following:

Have your people start with fix postures. Use holding the ball or a move from your forms. Start with holding the move for 1-3 minutes. Let them feel the energy drain from upstairs and settle into both legs. It is a process of relaxation. Make sure that their posture is good. Knees must not exceed the toes. After a while they can visualize energy orbits. They should work up to 15-30 minutes. By holding postures, they can work out the energy movements. In time the entire body becomes light and balanced.

When they can hold fixed postures, work on their forms. By doing the forms slowly, using empty steps, and proper body mechanics, they can develop moving roots. The need to be focusing on their legs, where they are now, and much less on destination.

Been a while

2009-02-05T03:05:00.001-08:00

Lets talk root. Rooting is the first step of your foundation training. Moving root is where you want to be. How do you develop this? Easy, do your forms and it will come. There is no shortcut. Pondder on this.

Chris

Been a while

2009-02-05T03:05:00.000-08:00

Challenges

2008-12-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought "The sword is my weapon, I don't do the staff all that great" or something to that effect? This goes against the Shaolin way. We strive to prefect all of our skills despite our limitations. Does this mean we will achieve greatness with the staff? No but it means we never stop trying and never give up.

Living the Kung Fu Life

2008-12-15T16:22:00.000-08:00

I live the kung fu life. I am proud of my accomplishments and I had my new employer comment that he hired me because of my martial arts. Go back and get to the five excellence's of this blog. I strive to get through school, work hard and still practice.

Good to be back,
Chris

The 8 ways

2008-10-07T05:42:00.000-07:00

Look at this symbol *. We know this as the astrix or envision a + with and X through it. This represents the 8 ways. 8 Way stepping or walking th circle, its all footwork. Look into your forms and you will see these patterns exist. The Tai Chi form (108) starts with the first 4 moves in this pattern + and the second 4 in X pattern.

Look close and you will see.

Chris

6 Harmonies

2008-09-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Wrist-Ankle, Elbow-Knee, Shoulders-Hips, Heart-Mind, Mind-Chi, Chi-Eyes. These are what my Sifu calls the 6 harmonies. When the body is in-sync (the first three) then the techniques are going to be crisp and effective. When the Heart controls the Mind, then the Mind will control the Chi, then the Chi will follow the eyes for focus.

Look for these harmonies in your forms. They exist in every form you do. the slower you do these, the more you will find how it all works.

What Kung Fu really means

2008-08-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

Getting back from Ray Wong's tournament in Washington, I reflected on all of the items about Kung Fu different people had to say.
Many great masters were given a chance to have the mic and spoke on the ways Kung Fu had helped their life. Several spoke of the sacrifices made to Kung Fu. several spoke of past tournaments and competition, but all spoke of friendship.
Kung Fu has brought all of us together. My best friends, people who I consider brothers and sisters, all I found due to Kung Fu. The integrity of a Martial Artist should be of the highest level, and I am glad I associate with them.

Unions and such

2008-08-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

Please congratulate Dan and Mary, they will be joined as Man and Wife this Saturday. I am honored to call them two of the most talented and personable students I have ever had in class. I wish them all the success!

Moving

2008-08-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

We moved the school today. We had to move due to various situations out of our control. We did get everything done and are back up and running. The space is slightly smaller, but we have a School with good fung shui and Sifu did the opening ceremonies.

We are truly blessed and thank you to all that helped. Thank you to all that read our blog.

Chris

Tournaments and Such

2008-07-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the KouShu Tournament and had a blast. My thanks to all that work that tournament every year. Special thanks to the World KouShu Federation, they are always number one.

I am honored to be invited to judge and referee at this tournament every year. To be among the greatest martial artists in the world is such an honor. Not only the CACMA sifus but people like Grandmaster Huang, lineage holder of Tein Shan Pai, Joe "Iron Fist" Dunphy, Grandmaster Steve Martin of the White Crane system, Grandmaster Chan Pui of the Wah Lum School, and many others to numerous to name.

Always be respectful when meeting others, you never know who you will be meeting.

Chris

How Easy!

2008-07-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

I was watching National Geographic's Fight Science and it was on self defence. I have always wondered why many martial arts separate self defence. I always thought that fighting is fighting. If I am fighting, it is going to be in self defence. i don't know any true martial artists that go out looking for a fight. I am not counting sport, which is a different game altogether.

But back to Fight Science. I saw many defences that I know I learned as basic Kung Fu strikes that I learned long ago. What the show did teach me was how easy it is to hurt someone. A simple palm strike to the bladder area was measured to break the pelvic ring, causing the body's foundation to collapse and the person to fall down and not be able to walk or even crawl. This strike is taught in our first form.

Kung Fu is deadly, respect all life and defend yourself. Take care to use only the physical part of Kung Fu when needed.

Chris

Internal Arts

2008-07-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

I have moved more internal in my art. I have tried to adapt my form, only to find it is the way it should have been done all along.

Lets look at a punch. A jab for example. When we punch my shoulders are down, my hips turn slightly and force is delivered. This is over simplified but proves a point. I am connecting the 6 harmonies.

Think about it.

Things I forgot

2008-07-06T03:49:00.000-07:00

I did not even mention our trip to Macau. This island is a former Portuguese col only and is the Las Vegas of Asia. While we gambled in the Sands, we also felt a different presence there.

We were able to find the one Kung Fu school on Macau. They were blessing their temple with Lions and a Dragon dance. No one really spoke English, but I will try to figure out what style they were by showing Sifu Li the signs they had posted.

I believe I will try weekly posts to this blog, in hopes that writing down my ideas will enhance my knowledge.

Chris

Amazing!!!

2008-07-05T03:59:00.000-07:00

Amazing is the only way I can describe it. What a dream to not only get to come here to Hong Kong but to have students come also. Its full circle. I know my Sifu is proud and Grandmaster really enjoyed the trip. We will be back. Keep watching!

Last Day

2008-06-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

What a way to start a last day! We went to the park where Sifu Wong (Gabi's adopted Tai Chi Sifu) started teaching her his movements. He was very exact in his movements. Minor changes in stance and positioning to correct movements. He was very powerful to be 76 years old! He was very sad to see Gabi go. He wants her to come back and see her.

Eoin and Sam came to the park today where I had them run through their forms. It was hot and they were tired, but it was well worth it. I walked around the park and found some people playing Mantis. this turned out to be Master Yuen Man Kai. He is a school brother to Branden Lai of the Plum Flower Mantis System. He showed us a form and then gave us a free Mantis seminar. He knows of our Grandmaster and was kind enough to show us some pictures. Among the Pictures, was one from the U.K. from the White Cloud Kung Fu Association. I asked if he knew Steve Clark and he remembered him form his travels there. We had a lot of fun and wished we found him earlier in the trip as he promise to teach us. Doug, this was the same Master that our friends from Brazil learned from.

We will be going to the Big Buddha today on Lantau Island. Can't wait to get back, but will miss my Hong Kong.

Chris

Back Home!

2008-06-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I am finally getting the time to write in after being back home. It has been a whirlwind to say the least the last couple of weeks. I went straight to work when I arrived home. Whoa the jet lag!

I just want to say thank you to Sifu Chris for inviting me along on the trip. It was a great experience again! I was so happy that some of the students had a chance to go over and meet Si Gung. It is truly a once in a lifetime thing and I got to do it twice!

I am very proud of all of those guys that went. From what Chris has told me, they did a bang up job impressing Si Gung over the two days. I know they were nervous meeting him. We had a long talk about it my last night there where I tried to reassure them that everything would be fine.

I miss HK already and want to go back. I wished I would have had more time, but, as you know, we in America have many priorities that we must take care of and a week was all I could spare. I know more students will want to go in the future and I hope that Chris and I can go back and give them the experience that we have been able to live. It is truly "living the dream" as far as Kung Fu goes.

I want everyone to know that, and I can speak for Chris too I am sure, all my life, I have been wanting to train in a kung fu style that had depth and history and a legacy as we have all read and heard about. I will tell you now, that this style, Lai Tong Pai, has as much or more of these things as any other famous kung fu style and I am privileged to be carrying the banner, along side with Chris, in continuing the legacy of our style. Wearing the shirt around HK will prove this to anyone who questions it. "Ah, you train with Sifu Kong Hoi?" This is what you here from anyone in the martial arts world over there. He is a legend to say the least. And you are given respect for just being associated with him. We, as practitioners of the style, can only hope to accomplish all that he has for the style and we must strive to practice and continue to promote Lai Tong Pai now and in the future. One day, many years gone by, I hope that someone will be telling the story of our history and Chris's and my story of devotion will be spread to the future generations of practitioners.

In closing, WOW! what a blast it was. We have a lots to share with all who seeks Lai Tong Pai. I look forward to sharing it with all of you.

Chris, you are truly my brother in every aspect of the word. I salute you! Thanks again for all you have done and all you do.

Take care brothers and sisters of Kung Fu,

Sifu Anthony

Si-Gung was happy!!

2008-06-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

Grandmaster is happy. He really enjoyed spending time with the students and brought his wife by to see us. It was really nice to see his family.

We spent time with Sifu li's family last night. We love to see his family, they treat us like their own.

Gabi is having a lot of fun going to the park and doing Tai Chi with a Sifu Wong every morning. He is really good and started working the sword with her.

We are having lots of fun, see everyone soon!

Day One Down

2008-06-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone met Si-Gung (or Si-Jo as all the students are to call him)yesterday. Everyone was nervous but excited. Si-Gung wanted to see every ones form. All were nervous but everyone did fine. Si-Gung loves Gabi and speaks highly of how pretty she looks.
Si-Gung touched hands with everyone and commented on their skill. Most everyone was nervous. Si-Gung put them all at ease and related that he is just like everyone else and not a mean Sifu.
Si-Gung then showed the Pa Pi Doa form and taught all the students this form. This is a great honor as he told Anthony and me that he had never taught this form to anyone. It was clear he wanted to make this a special experience for all. He called everyone intelligent and had the right mind for Kung Fu. He called out Sam and said he had a mind for Kung Fu.
Si-Gung also said Eoin was too skinny and needed to beef up. He also made comments about how much power Steven has and how much better Derek has gotten.

More Later

Milestones

2008-06-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

This is our 50th post! Thanks to everyone that reads this blog!

Rain has been the story in Hong Kong. Where as we have had great weather everyday, it has rained Saturday and some Sunday. As I write this it is raining out now at 6:30am HKT. We were looking forward to going to the park and doing some Tai Chi. There is a Yang stylist there that is every impressive. Anthony and I have watched him several times and he gives us a bow as he walks in. He doesn't really do this to the others, letting us know that he recognizes us as Martial Artists.

Kung Fu Corner was yesterday. It was the 6th anniversary of the event and we saw some great performances. Among the arts were saw were Southern Style Mantis, White Eyebrow, Choy Li Fut, Hung Gar, wing Chun, Chen Tai Chi, Wu Style Tai Chi, Yang Tai Chi, and several northern styles which I did not recognized the names. Of the perform aces we saw, the Chen Tai Chi was very impressive. We have lots of video and we will be sharing with everyone. Lasha, if you would, we would like you to combine the video. At the Kung Fu Corner, they invited people from the audience to come up and learn some Tai Chi. Gabriele, Anthony, Eoin, and I went up and participated. This was such an honor to be part of the event in this way. Later, we met the president of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts and Lion and Dragon Dancing Association. He invited correspondence with us and gave us the special shirts made just for the event. What an honor to perform in Hong Kong!

Anthony leaves today in just a few hours. I hate to see him go, as you never know when you will be back. Mario, Richard, and Jeff, be proud to study with your Sifu, he has shown true perseverance and love for the art. Grandmaster is proud to have him continue the legacy of Lai Tung Pai.

More Later!

Everyone is Here

2008-06-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

We are at the Harbor as we speak and are having a good time. Anthony and I are so proud we get to have students come to see Grandmaster.

It is also a sad time as we found out our friend Joyce has pasted away from cancer. She helped us a lot in 2006 in talking to Si-Gung. She will be missed.

Anthony leaves Monday and we are also sad about that. These trips are living the dream to train with a great Master. I am honored my school brother came with us.