About

Ving Tsun Kung Fu is an efficient and highly effective system of self-defense in which a student can become competent in a relatively short time. Originally developed in southern China, Ving Tsun is a traditional martial art, yet its unique training methods and principles make it ideal for the modern world. Ving Tsun's specialty is close contact combat, using quick punches and kicks with simultaneous defense. The student must learn to deliver the correct amount of energy, while staying relaxed whenever possible. Ving Tsun training develops proper body structure, posture, and reflexes based on centerline theory rather than relying on physical strength alone, allowing smaller people to overcome bigger stronger opponents.

Generations of dedicated disciples have passed the Ving Tsun Kung Fu system down in a direct line of succession to the modern practitioner. Yip Man, who died in 1972, was the last Ving Tsun Kung Fu teacher who taught Chinese students exclusively. One of his last disciples was legendary martial artist, Bruce Lee, who popularized Ving Tsun. Today there are tens of thousands of members worldwide who are learning this martial art system, including a number of military and Special Forces units around the world. Ving Tsun has experienced a resurgence in popularity recently, thanks to the popular Ip Man movies and Hong Kong Airlines announcing that its cabin crews are being trained in Ving Tsun to deal with unruly passengers.

The five elements of Ving Tsun training: fire (speed), earth (distance), wood (timing), water (changing) and metal (power).

Basic Concepts

  • centerline

  • economy of motion

  • appropriate use of tension and relaxation

  • balance and neutrality

  • structural integrity and mobility

  • controlling distance

  • controlled application of force

  • simultaneous attack and defense

What We Teach

Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy uses these three elements in our Ving Tsun training:

1. We teach the pure Ving Tsun Kung Fu System unchanged as handed down by Yip Man.

2. We use the late-Grandmaster Moy Yat's Ving Tsun Kung Fu method of instruction to pass on the pure Ving Tsun.

3. We are guided by the Moy Tung Kung Fu Family Association and Grandmaster Moy Tung.

Sifu Vyvial's method of teaching Ving Tsun advocates realistic and efficient training, which is one of the most important factors in developing effective, applicable kung fu that will work in the “real world” outside of the school.

Our Academy is ideal for anyone because our instruction uses natural movements and requires no previous knowledge in martial arts. Every student is taught as an individual with regard to their degree of knowledge, natural ability, personal habits and interests. We personalize instruction by making each student’s progress depend upon their own habits and willingness to succeed. Our students develop a new feeling for their body and the kung fu brings awareness of their inherent strength. Confidence is heightened and a deeper sense of self-awareness is attained through 2-person training.

Unique in our method

The Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy is unique in the method that which it teaches. It has numerous innovative training methods which allow the student to handle any of today's styles of martial art and gives effective personal protection. An Academy student does not receive instruction in a handful of self-defense techniques which work in the controlled environment of a classroom but may not work during an unpredictable street confrontation. Instead, the Academy teaches life-enhancing principles of kung fu which can be applied in any number of situations and which have been proven effective for thousands of years, on battlefields, in tournaments, on the streets of Hong Kong and America. Most importantly though, is the positive influence in the lives of countless kung fu students.

While it's typical for other martial arts schools to charge fees for rank promotions, sometimes up to $1500 for a black belt test, there are no belt ranks in our adult program. In contrast to the strict military-style hierarchy and protocol common in other martial arts, students generally interact in a relaxed and informal way. Most martial arts are practiced as sports, and students of these arts are required to demonstrate their fighting abilities in competition. Our kung fu, on the other hand, is not a sport, and students are not expected to compete in tournaments but they can train to do so if that is a goal.

Family Style Kung Fu

In traditional Yip Man Ving Tsun Kung Fu, the majority of the instruction a new/younger student (known as a sidai, or "younger brother") receives, flows from the Senior Sihings ("older brother", instructors). For example, in 1957, when the late Great Grandmaster Moy Yat began his training, his Sifu, Yip Man, designated Mak Po Sing to begin Moy Yat's training. Bruce Lee and William Cheung were trained by Wong Shun Leung and Yip Man's own sons, Yip Chun and Yip Ching were trained by Grandmaster Moy Yat.

Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy uses the same traditional approach to teaching. Students receive instruction from and train directly with the Senior Sihings of the Academy. In addition to instruction from the Senior Sihings, Sifu Vyvial provides instruction and guidance to new students, as does Grandmaster Moy Tung.