First Chicago area ICMAC Kung Fu Tournament

The tournament went pretty well, they were a little unorganized for a few events, but it was the first one in the Chicago area and they probably had a little issue with commitments from some schools and competitors with it being new to this area.
 
Hopefully it grows in time, now that their committed to the Chicago area as part of their annual events.
 
All in all though, it was great! My students took medals in the forms, double forms, and Chi Sao events!
 
Just a proud Sifu bragging a little on his students.
 
Thanks!

Awesome! What type of Kung Fu do you teach? I'm beginning the process of branching out into new martial art styles myself and have been looking hard at internal styles and Kung Fu in general. I would love to hear about it.

The system is called Chuka Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu as taught by Sigung Sammy Wong.

I've been a student of the system since 1984, I took over teaching duties from Sigung Wong in 1995. I have been teaching and continuing his legacy as a Sifu for the system since his passing in 2007.

The Chuka system is a complete system that was developed through several students of the Hakka people to form it's origin. Many of the primary styles of kung fu at the time were used in the developement of the system, Bok Mei(White Eyebrow), Wing Chun, Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Fukian White Crane, Tai Geuk(Tai Chi), Praying Mantis, and several others.
 It is an Internal/External system that is based primarily on the understanding and training of the Internal side of the system through training of the Don Tien(Air Breathing) and Chi Kung exercises.

We train and use a primary philosophy called Loy, Lau, Huie, Thung which translated means Come, Keep, Go, Send. We use this principal in our training to anticipate are opponents movements and their energies.

There are 4 forms we train to teach the defensive and attacking concepts.
Sam Bo Gin(Three Step Arrow), Tong Long Chut Dong(Mantis Walking), Boon Bei Lei(Half Lotus Posture), Thie Mun Thum Sau(Mantis Coming Out of Cave/Two Man Mantis Form).

Hope this gives you a little understanding. If there's anything I can help you with on your quest to finding any info on an Internal style just let me know, I'll be glad to help.

Cheers!

Thanks for all the info! I've actually just started Chi Kung training myself after first learning about it years ago in a college Tai Chi class. I've been in Tae Kwon Do for nearly 12 years and just felt it was time to do some internal work. Nothing wrong with Tae Kwon Do but I just felt that pure external work wasn't doing it for me. After I started Chi Kung a month or so ago I noticed rapid, significant improvement in my striking power. I found a great book on Zhan Zhuang Chi Kung called "The Way of Energy" by Lam Kam Chuen and its done me well so far. The book is very conservative on its training methods and emphasizes safety and taking it slow.

No problem! Your welcome, always glad to help out.

Absolutely nothing wrong with Tae Kwon Do, did it myself for several years when I started in Martial Arts. I just wanted to get into something with more depth, and that was more practical in Close Quarter Combat. Plus, I was lucky enough to have a friend that was friends with Sigung Wong so I was able to get into such an esoteric system at that time in my martial arts pursuit.

That's a good book to use, if you have any questions about some of the concepts feel free to shoot me a PM. I'd be glad to help.

One bit of advice I can give you as well that they usually don't publish in the books is, If at all possible, try to do the Chi Kung exercises 1 hour before sunrise & do them outside, again if possible. The chemicals released from trees & plants have healing and healthful properties. While breathing in the greens, this will help to open your Mak & Meridians. At first you may not feel well, but in time this is the best thing to open up your Chi flow.

And yes, taking it slow is the best way to do these. After all, rough translation of Kung Fu means: Time & Energy spent to achieve a goal.

Good Luck and Enjoy! Peace!

My book did in fact mention meditating under a nice big tree but didn't make any mention of doing so before sunrise. Is there a deeper reason for doing so before sun rise or is it simply good practice to energize one's self shortly after waking up and doing so before sunrise is beautiful and relaxing?

ChukaSifu2


If at all possible, try to do the Chi Kung exercises 1 hour before sunrise & do them outside, again if possible. The chemicals released from trees & plants have healing and healthful properties. While breathing in the greens, this will help to open your Mak & Meridians. At first you may not feel well, but in time this is the best thing to open up your Chi flow.

The belief from science and biology is that 1 hour before sunrise is when the tree's and plants will release the most chemical's,ie.. chloryphyll and such, and the majority of oxygen is released after the photosynthesis process of CO2 is at this time. Fresh Greens + Clean Pure Oxygen = Healthy You!
 
Have you ever woke up in the morning and you could just smell the freshness of green's chemical smell(Good Chemical from Plant & Tree release).
This is extremely healthy for you. This is why the Shaolin Monks practice their Don Tien Breathing or Chi Kung exercises at this time.
This has sometimes been referred to as the Green Warrior Way of Health.