Wing Chun Kuen Friendship Seminar - Los Angeles 2001
January 12-14th

In May of 1998, for the first time ever, instructors from three completely different lineages and styles of wing chun presented a comparison of the key differences and similarities between their systems in hopes of improving understanding and tolerance between all. Attendee's were taught ideas and techniques NOT normally taught to people outside of the instructors' own lineages. All appreciated the differences, the similarities, and most importantly the friendliness and willingness to share by the seminar hosts. This experience was repeated in Dayton, Ohio, and Rochester, New York. In 2001, it was Los Angeles' turn to come together in the spirit of sharing and Friendship!

LA 2001 was set up by students of Robert Chu's Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun Kuen Association, with Dzu Nguyen and David Mckinnon handling much of the set up and Peter Kwong generously providing the space and helping with accomodations at his hotel, the Dragon Gate Inn.

LA 2001 opened on Friday evening, Jan. 12, with informal introductions, dinner, and conversation.

Saturday, Jan. 13 began with a warm up at 9, followed by Siu Nim/Lien Tao demonstrations by Rene Ritchie (Sum Nung/Ngo Lui-Kay), John Crescione (Yip Man/Moy Yat-William Cheung), Marty Goldberg (Yip Man/William Cheung Advanced Siu Nim Tao), Benny Meng, Mike Matthews, and Jeremy Roadruck (Yip Man/Moy Yat), and Allan Kong, Mike Matthews, and Jeremy Roadruck (Hung Fa Yi), Hendrik Santo (Cho Ga first section), and Jerry McKinley (Yip Man/Wong Shun-Leung/Jim Lau). John Crescione started off the seminar proper discussing the anatomy of the Wing Chun Kuen Ma (horse) and Kuen (punch) from both Western and Chinese medical perspectives, stressing bone alignment and neurological connection. Following this, Benny Meng and his students began their Hung Fa Yi segment with Jeremy Roadruck giving an overview of Chinese history, focusing on the Ming/Qing period and Mike Matthews reviewing the Hung Fa Yi Saam Mo Kiu concept. After a quick break for lunch, Benny Meng kicked off the physical part of the presentation with a demonstration of Hung Fa Yi's use of time and space as it relates to Tan Sao and Tan Da. Jerry McKinley was next, going over locking and throwing concepts and sample techniques from a Wing Chun Kuen prespective and Rene Ritchie followed along with the Sum Nung Four Basic Punches and associated drills. John Crescione finished off the day with a section on Wing Chun Kuen opportunistic Dim Mak, or Point Touching, again stressing the science and functionality. Dinner followed the day, and much talk continued into the wee hours of the next morning.

Sunday, Jan. 14 got off to an early start as Robert Chu opened up his usual Sunday class to any interested seminar attendees and went over Dit Dat Jow formulae and individualization, body structure, and Chi Sao methods. This continued on into Dzu and David's presentation for the seminar, focusing on structure testing and punch testing methods. After lunch, Marty Goldberg spent time on more Wing Chun Kuen locking and throwing concepts and techniques and Rene wrapped things up with Sum Nung inside and outside arm drills.