Z now Sifu ZThat's right! After moving from Hawaii and residing in California for over two years, as of November 2007 I have been made Sifu ("teacher", "master") by Grand Master Chris Chan. Since then, I've been so busy that I haven't been able to publish a newsletter in over a year! Enough has happened that it seems to be the right time...
It was over a year ago that I got a call from Sifu Ken Chun requesting that I visit Grand Master Chris Chan. It had been nearly three years since I had trained with Grand Master and Sifu Ken Chun was concerned about the quality of Wing Chun that I was presenting to my schools. He suggested that I travel to San Francisco and have GM Chan refine my system. Without hesitation I called GM Chan and made an appointment to train for the last two weeks in November.
With Grand Master Chris Chan's permission, I brought several of my students from Humboldt to train. Most of the group were scheduled to leave in a few days but I was booked for two glorious weeks of sessions. I was there to have my Wing Chun refined and to introduce my students to the living legend known as Chris Chan. This was a very exciting time for all of us!
Upon our early arrival to San Francisco, we headed straight for the U.S. Wing Chun Academy on Lawton Street. One of GM Chan's students was leaving at the same time we were showing up and let us in to the Kwoon. The Humboldt Academy all chipped in and began cleaning. Shortly thereafter, GM Chan arrived and greeted the newcomers...then the Siu Nim Taos began!
Everyone in our group was treated to an amazing session and were heavily impacted by GM Chan's Wing Chun demonstrations of power. The students and Sifus at US Wing Chun Academy were all very helpful to me and my students. Sifu Mara Okita was especially kind in offering refinements on the Mook Jong.I had hiked most of the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail yet the two weeks training with GM was infinitely more challenging. It was so challenging, that for the first time in over 14 years of training in Wing Chun I considered quitting. I was being pushed so hard in training I felt like my brain was (literally) frying. During the two weeks I trained alongside another student of GM Chan's, Peter Christian Behringer from Germany, who was there at the 6-month mark committing a full year of intensive training in Wing Chun to become Sifu.
I had no idea during this session of training that GM was considering me to join the high level ranks of his skilled and devoted Sifus. But on the last day of my session Grand Master Chan honored me with a certificate and officially promoted me as a Sifu of Wing Chun. Now the work begins!
Wichuwa-Ka Update: Wing Chun Club in California and Colorado
My Wing Chun Walk Across America (Wichuwa-Ka) has sprouted two new schools on the mainland. Lucinda Warner in Morrison, Colorado and Ben Jacobsen in Placerville, California have been facilitating Wing Chun classes in their communities. The passion Ben and Lucinda have for their art inspired them to continue training and work toward facilitating classes. They are both outstanding Basic Training members and share the honor of being invited to become Martial Artist members for Wing Chun Club International. I have no doubt that they will continue to flourish and enrich the lives of those around them.
Over the course of hiking in '05, '06 and '07, I completed approximately 2,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. I took a hiatus in '08 due to my partner, Noelle Burningham, becoming ill. Noelle has become a major part of my life and Wing Chun. While in Humboldt we both became seriously ill while participating in a popular community even called Oyster Fest. We both had to go to the hospital emergency room. Noelle was hit harder than I and needed $3000 of medical attention. This happened almost three years ago and she has never fully recovered. On top of this she has been undergoing a series of cancer detection tests as recommended by her doctors. In efforts to speed her recovery we moved back to Hawaii and started a special healing/training regimen that we both follow on a daily basis. She is now beginning to feel a bit better and we're both optimistic toward a positive outcome.
I had no idea during this session of training that GM was considering me to join the high level ranks of his skilled and devoted Sifus. But on the last day of my session Grand Master Chan honored me with a certificate and officially promoted me as a Sifu of Wing Chun. Now the work begins!
Wichuwa-Ka Update: Wing Chun Club in California and Colorado
My Wing Chun Walk Across America (Wichuwa-Ka) has sprouted two new schools on the mainland. Lucinda Warner in Morrison, Colorado and Ben Jacobsen in Placerville, California have been facilitating Wing Chun classes in their communities. The passion Ben and Lucinda have for their art inspired them to continue training and work toward facilitating classes. They are both outstanding Basic Training members and share the honor of being invited to become Martial Artist members for Wing Chun Club International. I have no doubt that they will continue to flourish and enrich the lives of those around them.Over the course of hiking in '05, '06 and '07, I completed approximately 2,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. I took a hiatus in '08 due to my partner, Noelle Burningham, becoming ill. Noelle has become a major part of my life and Wing Chun. While in Humboldt we both became seriously ill while participating in a popular community even called Oyster Fest. We both had to go to the hospital emergency room. Noelle was hit harder than I and needed $3000 of medical attention. This happened almost three years ago and she has never fully recovered. On top of this she has been undergoing a series of cancer detection tests as recommended by her doctors. In efforts to speed her recovery we moved back to Hawaii and started a special healing/training regimen that we both follow on a daily basis. She is now beginning to feel a bit better and we're both optimistic toward a positive outcome.
There may be a chance that I'll continue my Wichuwa-Ka in 2009 but it looks more plausible for 2010. My life depends on Noelle when I'm on the trail so I am more than happy to come to her aid whenever needed. We are both looking forward to getting back on the trail and meeting new people so we can continue to share our Wing Chun and possibly seed more Wing Chun Clubs throughout the US and abroad. Wish us luck!
Wing Chun Club Headquarters back in Hawaii
It's great to be home!Originally I started Wing Chun Club in 1994 on the North Shore (aka "Da Nort Shoah") of Oahu, the surfing capitol of the world. In 1999 I moved Wing Chun Club to Manoa, then Waikiki till 2005. At this point I left to embark on my Wichuwa-Ka and wound up in Lone Pine, California teaching a small group out of the VFW hall. In 2006 I moved my base further north to Humboldt (Arcata,) Califonia and taught Wing Chun to a small group there as well. In December of 2008 I officially came full circle and have re-established our main headquarters here in Kaaawa, Hawaii, just 20 minutes southeast of the North Shore.
Kaaawa, Hawaii is the most picturesque tropical location in the world. They filmed "Jurassic Park" and many other movies here. I've traveled to the Big Island, Kauai and Maui and have come to really appreciate and love Oahu. Specifically the east side of the island with it's rich diversity of ethnic groups and social classes. Hawaii is a major hub for martial arts and the east side locals love Martial Arts as much as they love football. I've been confronted to fight three times since I've been back. The last guy actually assaulted me. Home sweet home!
Re-grouping the school has been a great challenge. Most of my old students have stopped training in Wing Chun or have simply moved off the island. The popularity of Mixed Martial Arts and UFC have also had their mixed blessings on traditional martial arts. Wing Chun in particular has come under great ridicule for being ineffective in "sport combat". Then we have the troubled economy in post War America. Plus, Kaaawa is positioned in such a way on the island that it's almost an hour drive away from the city and major towns. But new students are emerging and ignorance is giving way to hard facts after the blitzkrieg of media hype. Our method of Wing Chun as taught by GM Chan, the only living direct disciple of Yip Man, is the most precious physical art form known to humanity.
My desire to maintain GM Chan's training is as strong now as it has ever been over the past 16 years. During this time I've tested the waters of other martial arts and have come to appreciate Muay Thai from Master Kam, BJJ from Black Belt Rommolo Barros and MMA from Nick Kukuruza; some of the finest proponents in their art. But I haven't become motivated to combine systems, rather see the Wing Chun within these arts and understand how other martial arts can benefit from our methods.
I'm currently teaching a class that is 99% fitness oriented. This is because my current students all need to get healthier and stronger. As an adult I've come to fully realize that the real value of any activity is in it's ability to keep you healthy and happy. This has been my renewed focus. To make my classes health giving and spiritually fulfilling. Eventually I'll raise the "martial" level of activity, but for now I'm basking in the glory of revitalizing my body and mind after a very long journey. Come Join me!
$20SIFU Offered to Wing Chun Club Members - New Membership Options
Imagine being able to train with a Sifu right from your computer anywhere on Earth for only $20. Imagine getting private instruction without ever having to leave your house for only $20. Imagine the money you can save and still maintain a high level of Wing Chun Training... for only $20! That's what $20SIFU is all about. From now until April 1st, 2009 I'm offering to teach private classes for only $20. No membership required. Just download Skype for free, and call sifu Z to schedule a class. Basic Training members receive year round access to $20SIFU. For a limited time ONLY, this offer is being extended to our Friends and visitors at this introductory rate.
I've created a new membership tier that is pretty similar to the old one. However the new options give more flexibility to students time and finances. The new advances in Internet communications allow us to optimize our service and truly offer an outstanding deal that anyone can afford! In fact I'm so sure that you'll love this that I'm offering the first Live Video Wing Chun Consultation absolutely free. The first class is on me so give it a try... it's fun!
Try $20SIFU Now!
The Future Of Wing Chun Club
The Future Of Wing Chun Club
-Weekly Videos:
We have over 200 videos posted on youtube.com/wingchunclub. We are now working toward posting a new video at least once a week for Friend and Basic Training Members. Each video will focus on traditional elements from the Wing Chun system and various applications and techniques.
We have over 200 videos posted on youtube.com/wingchunclub. We are now working toward posting a new video at least once a week for Friend and Basic Training Members. Each video will focus on traditional elements from the Wing Chun system and various applications and techniques.
-Join Us Today!
If you are new to Wing Chun, you're just in time for the all new 2009 video series. This series of videos will teach the fundamentals of Wing Chun from the ground up. Simply join us on myspace.com/wingchunclub and become a Friend member... for free.
Ever wonder how all the postures from the forms are applied? Basic Training members are taught the hidden techniques from the Wing Chun system. Many highly advanced techniques and exercises are revealed to Basic Training members along with a year round access to $20SIFU!
Martial Artist members are the core of Wing Chun Club International. They have made the commitment to practice Wing Chun as a vital aspect of their daily lives and to educate their families and communities regarding the astounding benefits from training in Wing Chun. Martial Artist members are in constant contact with Sifu and participate in every aspect of Wing Chun Club training.
If you are new to Wing Chun, you're just in time for the all new 2009 video series. This series of videos will teach the fundamentals of Wing Chun from the ground up. Simply join us on myspace.com/wingchunclub and become a Friend member... for free.
Ever wonder how all the postures from the forms are applied? Basic Training members are taught the hidden techniques from the Wing Chun system. Many highly advanced techniques and exercises are revealed to Basic Training members along with a year round access to $20SIFU!
Martial Artist members are the core of Wing Chun Club International. They have made the commitment to practice Wing Chun as a vital aspect of their daily lives and to educate their families and communities regarding the astounding benefits from training in Wing Chun. Martial Artist members are in constant contact with Sifu and participate in every aspect of Wing Chun Club training.
To Join Now Go To www.wingchunclub.com and sign in as a new guest and choose your level of membership.
-Burningham Medical Fund
-Burningham Medical Fund
I've established a PayPal fund for Noelle to help pay for her mounting medical costs. Please contribute whatever you can afford. Noelle is the creator of our club's logo and the one single person that has maintained my system of Wing Chun (her memory is better than mine). Mahalo.
