Hung Fa Yi Workshop review

by VTM Curator Benny Meng

Master with two indoor students (l/r) John Murphy, Garrett Gee, Benny Meng
 

First off, I would like to thank Sifu Gee for the workshop and the support of my extended Wing Chun family. This represents the second workshop presented to the public on the Hung Fa Yi system by the Ving Tsun Museum. Our time with Sifu Gee began with a dinner Friday night at one of the few 4 star restaurants in Ohio. Sifu Gee began the workshop at 9 am on Saturday and finished at 1 am with only 4 hours for lunch and dinner. The dinner was an outside BBQ with the entire school in attendance. On Sunday he began at 9:30 and continued until 4:00. The workshop was a total of 18 1/2 hours over two days. This was the longest workshop at the VTM to date. His passion for Wing Chun is obvious. As long as we were awake, Sifu Gee wanted to teach and share his Wing Chun.

His overall format was to explain a piece of information and ask for comments or an exchange of knowledge, examine and explain from HFY's point of view, then we would practice. Afterwards, we would review, take questions and comments, and then move on to the next piece. He and his students moved through the room during the workout time offering corrections and touching hands.

The workshop began with a presentation by myself on the 4 stages of evolution of Wing Chun. I also presented the latest research and information being conducted by the VTM.

Harmonizing with Space and Time
 

One of Sifu Garret Gee's students, Benny Wan, demonstrated the Chahm Kiuh form of Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun. This lineage's CK contains 5 sections and looks very different compared to the Yip Man lineage. It involves movement in multiple directions in addition to hand and leg techniques in various heights and ranges.

Next, John Murphy demonstrated the Muhk Yahn Jong of HFY. Each side of the HFY dummy is different. For example, if one side is to teach application on the inside of an opponent, the other side teaches the application on the outside of the opponent. The facing and body structures are wider than Yip Man lineage.

Saam Sau discussion
 

Below is a general, outline report of the workshop. Please understand that Sifu Gee's explanations referenced three dimensional space and time factors. Describing much of the workshop is very difficult given the limited medium of text. I urge anyone interested in HFY to come to the VTM or visit Sifu Gee for a more detailed explanation and demonstration of HFYWC.

Sifu Gee began the workshop with a discussion of the Saam Mouh Kiuh, meaning Three Connecting Bridges. This represents the three stages of existence in life and martial arts. According to the history of HFY, this set of concepts originated with the group that were active during the Wing Chun Tong timeframe.

The first stage, called Fou Kiuh or Floating Bridge, is the stage of Wondering. At this stage, one has no idea what is going on or why. In martial arts, this represents the stage of a novice - s/he has a natural instinct for fighting, but in reality that s/he has no real idea about fighting. To HFY's thinking, this person fights with no idea of Time or Space.

The second stage, called Saan Kiuh or Separate Bridge, is the stage of Awareness. At this stage, one is aware of why and how things occur, but one does not possess a clear focus and understanding on the connection between how and why - things are still operating separately. In martial arts, this stage represents the stage of education, the level of most martial artists - one understands and is aware of the importance of timing, power, balance, and other attributes in addition to technique, form, structure, concept, etc. To HFY's thinking, this person fights with control of either Time or Space but not both.

The third stage, called Wihng Kiuh or Eternal Bridge (Eternal as in Eternal Spring, the original name of Wing Chun according to HFY), is the stage of Focus. At this stage, one has an awareness of one's own identity - one's purpose in life. In martial arts, this stage represents one understanding fighting in terms of the relationships between oneself, the opponent, and the environment. One knows exactly what to do in terms of one's structure in harmony with Time and Space, acting in a precise fashion - so precise it is a science. To HFY's thinking, this person fights with control of both Time and Space. At this stage of Science, attributes such as power and speed become secondary to structure and position.