History

This origin of Kung Fu, pronounced Gong Fu in Mandarin, dates back more than 2500 years in China. Kung Fu, also known as Traditional Wu Shu, should be distinguished from Contemporary Wu Shu, started as a means to standardize military training and techniques. Much of the development by families and groups was motivated by the need for defense of families, villages, towns, or nations. Over the centuries, thousands of styles and systems have been created. While each of the styles vary in flavor and offer unique attributes, they are founded on the same roots and core principles.

Almost all styles evolved to encompass a set of morality and code of conduct that is aligned with major schools of Chinese philosophical thought. These concepts were important throughout the propagation and history of Kung Fu as they helped masters identify worthy disciples who could carry on their traditions and the reputation of the styles. Over the years, Kung Fu transformed from military training and tactics to a vessel for physical, philosophical, and spiritual growth.

At Wu Dao, we teach two styles of traditional Kung Fu, Shaolin and Choy Lay Fut. Each style has it's own unique advantages and emphasis on specific techniques, but both are authentic representatives of traditional practice with effective stances, core movements and fundamental principles. In addition, martial ethics, an inextricable component of Kung Fu training, are taught to all ages.

Shaolin

Shaolin Kung Fu started around 470 AD when a Buddhist monk named Bato traveled from India to China to spread the teachings of the Buddha. After impressing the Emperor, he was given land in today’s Henan Province to continue his practice and teaching of Buddhism.

About 30 years after the passage of Bato, Dhamo (Bodidharma) arrived in China. Upon arrival at Shaolin, he found the health and discipline of the monks lacking and told them of his disgust. They asked him to leave Shaolin, which he did. Dhamo traveled to Song Mountain, about 30 minutes from the temple and began meditating in a cave. Legend says that he stayed there for 9 years and 9 days. It was after this, that the monks of Shaolin asked him to come to Shaolin as they saw his dedication and level of practice.

It is believed that Dhamo taught the monks three core sets of exercises that are still taught today. They are the Muscle and Tendon Chi Gong, Bone Marrow Chi Gong, and the 18 Luo Han Exercises.

Throughout its 1500 years of development, Shaolin, because of its status as an imperial Buddhist temple during and after the Tang Dynasty, became a sanctuary to colorful and varied personalities from all walks of life, including generals and even criminals. Many brought with them Kung Fu practice. During the Song Dynasty, Shaolin called out to martial artists across China to join them in bringing together, refining and documenting Chinese Kung Fu. Over time, many famous styles became anthologized and incorporated into the Shaolin Kung Fu, forming the foundation of the system. Shaolin is known for its harmonization of the external internal energy, forming coiling and powerful movements in four major categories - kicks, punches, throws, and joint locking. Each technique has multiple applications and enormous depth. The practice of Shaolin Kung Fu begins with proper stances and various striking methods, followed by fundamental skills, and then hand forms, and later on weapons skills and forms.

Wu Dao is very fortunate to have 31st generation Shaolin Warrior Monk, Shifu Shi De Cheng, visit the Wu Guan multiple times annually to work with instructors and students to pass on authentic Shaolin Kung Fu.

Choy Lay Fut

Choy Lay Fut is primarily a southern system of kung fu but has its origins in both Northern and Southern China. The system's founder, Chan Heung, had two teachers from the South and one from the North. Choy Lay Fut combines the long arm techniques and hard hitting power of the South with the quick agile footwork and high kicks of the North.

Choy Lay Fut was founded in the early 1800’s by Chan Heung, a renowned martial artist of that time period. Chan Heung was born in 1806 in Jing Mei, a village in Guangdong Province.

Chan Heung’s martial arts career began at a very young age, when he went to live with his uncle, Chan Yuen Woo. Chan Yuen Woo was a famous martial artist whostudied at the Southern Shaolin Temple.

At the age of 17, Chan Heung had reached a level where Chan Yuen Woo felt Chan Heung would benefit from even more advanced training. At this point Chan Heung was sent to study under Li Yau San, Chan Yeun Woo’s older Kung Fu brother.

Chan Heung studied under Li Yau San for several years and again reached a level of mastery that was beyond the teaching ability of Li Yau San. Realizing this, Li Yau San recommended for Chan Heung to train with a Shaolin monk who lived as a recluse in the mountains.

After a long time of searching, Chan Heung found the monk, Choy Fook, on Lau Fu Mountain. Reluctantly, the monk accepted Chan Heung as a student of Buddhism and eventually martial arts. As part of the agreement Chan Heung, committed to train with Choy Fook for ten years. He also agreed to learn Buddhism along with training in the martial arts.

At the age of 29, Chan Heung left his teacher and returned to Jing Mei villiage. He spent several years refining the techniques that he learned from Choy Fook and integrating it with those he learned from Li Yau San. Integrating the techniques, he established a new system of Kung Fu he named Choy Lay Fut, in honor of his two teachers Choy Fook and Li Yau San. He added the word Fut (Buddha) to the name of the system out of respect for his Buddhist master and for the Shaolin roots of his system.

Chan Heung set up a martial arts school in his village to teach the new system. His reputation spread and many people from nearby villages came to study. He taught many students between 1847 and 1875 and passed his legacy to his two sons, Chan On Pak and Chan Koon Pak.

Over the following years, Choy Lay Fut evolved into two branches, Hung Sing and Bak Sing. At Wu Dao, we teach Hung Sing Choy Lay Fut, which was brought to America by Master Lee Koon Hung.