Ving Tsun Kung Fu
Since 1995, I have been studying Chinese kung fu under the tutelage of Ving Tsun Grandmaster Moy Yat in NYC's Chinatown. This study has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. Not only have I gained tremendous physical skill and fitness, the study of kung fu has changed my basic interaction with the world, which can be summarized by Sifu (Master) Moy Yat's words: "Relax and do more!"
Unfortunately, Sifu passed away suddenly in 2001. I am grateful to have known and studied with such a great and unique man. At present I am still training at the Chinatown school at 45 East Broadway with the help of my Sihing (Older Brother), Sifu Moy Yat's son, William Moy. In addition to honing my own skills, I assist Sifu William in helping him run the school. He is also the head of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun family, which has branches all over the world. It's an honor to be able to work so closely with him.
I started my martial arts career purely by accident. Back in 1995, I contracted a terrible case of salmonella in a health food restaurant (of all places) and lost considerable weight and strength. Little old ladies were passing me with walkers as I struggled to drag myself to the grocery store. There was a long process of trying to figure out how to regain my health and energy level, which ended when a Chinese herbalist suggest I try kung fu. I had never contemplated learning martial arts, but figured I had nothing left to lose. When I was referred to Moy Yat by the herbalist, and had no idea he was so famous- students have sold their homes and moved halfway around the world to study with him, but for me the school was a convenient 20-minute walk from my apartment.
I was fortunate to have started my training under Sifu Henry Moy, who was running the school while Grandmaster Moy Yat recovered from a period of ill health. Sifu Henry instilled a strong urge to train hard and train consistently, an ethic which he epitomizes himself. Shortly before Moy Yat's 60th birthday, I became a direct student of the Grandmaster himself, and he gave me my kung-fu name: Moy Lik (the energy of the plum blossom), which refers to my Western name (Ah-lik = Alex) and my character as well (a somewhat poetic interpretation, I might add).
In 1997, I traveled to Hong Kong and Mainland China with my Sifu and his wife Simo (Mother) Helen Moy. We returned to his childhood home of Taisan village in rural Canton and celebrated his return with a banquet and karaoke (!). We also spent considerable time with his kung-fu brothers, especially my Sibok (Older Uncle) Yip Ching. Yip Ching is the youngest son of famed Grandmaster Yip Man, who brought Ving Tsun from China to Hong Kong, and who taught not only Moy Yat, but also a little-known martial artist known as Bruce Lee. The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build my kung fu and experience a fascinating cultural exchange simultaneously.
Also in 1997 I received my teaching certificate from Grandmaster Moy Yat. Although I have no plans to open a school at the moment, it is something that may happen in the future. One of the amazing things about Ving Tsun is that after achieving a certain amount of skill, the system almost demands that you pass it along to others. It is so rich intellectually, physically, and emotionally, that letting one's knowledge dead-end with your own practice is a terrible waste.
Over the years I have progressed steadily through the Ving Tsun system, but there is still much to learn. Only with the help of your kung fu family can you really reach your potential and it is as important to have younger brothers and sisters as older ones. By slowly moving and steadily, I am moving up the mountain, and I've learned to appreciate the climbing more than the summit - remember, "relax and do more!"
For more information about Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu, please see www.moyyat.com.
