Northern Feet and Southern Fists are considered a serendipitous combination. It is necessary to reconcile two aspects of Kung Fu teaching, which incorporate different principles, points of view and stories. The following autobiographical sketch considers the formative influences and key people who shape my own career in Shaolin martial arts.
Lineage and Linear Ancestry
You really should know where you come from and be able to tell anyone who asks the name of your teacher and the style (s) you practice (e.g. Changquan)! It is considered even better if you can appoint your Master Teacher; anything else is even more bonus points.
Shaolin feet
At’a, (Ao Tai) General of the Ever Victorious Army, was also a bodyguard to Captain Charles Gordon (later General Gordon of Khartoum), during the T’ai Ping T’ien, often referred to as the Boxer Rebellion and originated in Malysia. Grandmaster Malysian Leong and Grandmaster Chee, who moved there, almost certainly knew each other. Yap Leong, when he was young, lived near Si Jo (Founder of Style) Leong Fu in Ipoh and he knows some fascinating anecdotes about him. What few people realize is that Grandmaster Leong Fu was also a World Middleweight Wrestling Champion for 3 years in a row before retiring undefeated – his Chin Na (sixteen and control technique) must have been amazing!
Grandmaster Leong Fu taught Rex Jones, meeting him while Rex served in the SAS (Special Air Service) during the Malay ‘Emergency’ (CE 1948-60) teaching him Ao Tai Dao (The Way of At’a); Jern Jing Kuen Fat (Elephant Fist Way) and other Changquan styles, including his 5 animal applications (Wu Xing) and much more. Snake form, the introductory form of Hoan Lung Quan comes from here. The term ‘Emergency’ was used constantly as the insurer, Lloyds of London, reportedly refused to pay compensation for ‘War’ damages. Sifu Jones became Leong Fu’s top student by earning the token and rank of “Flying Dragon” (Fei Lung).
Si Gung Rex Jones founded Fei Lung Quan (Flying Dragon Society) and became my Sifu in 1972, being my teacher until he retired around 1992. The tattoo of a Red Dragon, with a single dot on top (student’s mark # 1) on my left forearm, from when I became Sifu, reflects Fei Lung Quan’s organization and structure as something much more than paper-based. Hoan Lung Quan (Red Dragon Society) works in a similar and related way. Rex also gave me my Chinese name ‘Wo Lei’ (The Fox) which I sometimes use in correspondence, or the Mandarin equivalent Hu Da Ge (Big Brother Fox).
Shaolin Fists
Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong had several notable teachers (1) see “Kung Fu Secrets” Vols. 2-3) (2) and Si Jo Chee’s disciples include Yap Cheng-Hai, Chan See-Meng, and Yap Leong. I was taught, very briefly, in a memorable seminar in London, by Yap Cheng-Hai, but eventually (I’m happy to say) events followed a certain pattern and I became a ‘behind closed door’ student of Grandmaster Yap Leong. . Yap Leong knew and spoke very well of Leong Fu and Rex: “It’s very Fei Lung!” They were his first words to me about the latter: those who knew him know that Yap Leong is not addicted to idle compliments! Hence my constant gratitude to all my Masters. Grandmaster Yap Leong welcomed me to ‘The Family’ in 1993.
Other teachers
I’ve had other teachers as well: Shr Yanzi (Head of UK Shaolin Temple) for about 3 years, Yang Jwing-Ming (albeit very briefly), most notably John Gunning (disciple of Leong Fu and Fei Lung Quan Senior Sifu) and, Most recently, Master Wu in Beijing (where I intend to return for further training). They were all excellent Teachers whose high standards I strive to emulate to the best of my ability.
Recent developments
Grandmaster Yap Leong has founded Shaolin Fists International, with myself as a founding member and technical advisor. Prolonged (and continuous) study with him over the past 18 years has led me to further qualify as Sifu in Qigong, undergo Iron Shirt Training, and expand my knowledge and awareness of Kung Fu and Qigong styles and systems. considerably. Fu and my teaching style, as well as his Energizing HYL (Health, Youth and Longevity) Program.Those who desire a deeper understanding of inner energies and Nei / Wei Dan Qigong, an essential prerequisite for progressing to grades and levels. Higher Kung Fu training courses, you will find structured programs of various levels. of considerable benefit.
Originally designed to provide longevity, or extension of life on the battlefield, Kung Fu was extended to life in general. Chinese martial artists found that they enjoyed a longer lifespan (3) through Kung Fu training, one in which they could accomplish things they never thought possible. Hence the popularity of Kung Fu as a “way of life” and as a self-development tool in China that has spread to the world at large.
All in all, until now, it has been a case of southern hands and northern feet of ‘Nan Chuan: Bei Tui’. Although some consider this to be an ideal and balanced martial arts ‘diet’, nothing could have been achieved without those excellent teachers that I have referred to in the body of this text, except a bad dose of martial indigestion!
Notes and References
(1) I had six in all, covering a huge variety of styles. I am indebted to ‘Toby’ who posted a detailed comment on an earlier version of this article in which, trying to summarize a passage from memory, I inadvertently said I only had three. He also noted that he was succeeded by his son, Master James Chee, who, I believe, teaches in Australia.,
(2) Obtained from Shaolin Way Uk (see below)
(3) See, for example, Allsop, P. (2010) ‘250 years old and still strong with Qigong: Chinese herbalist and martial artist Li Ching-Yuen’ EzineArticles.com