Superior Combat Training - Wing Chun Ip Ching Kung Fu

We are a traditional Ving Tsun Kung Fu school. Dedicated to the teachings of Grand Master Ip Ching, as taught to us by Sifu Dave Pangan, Certified by Ip Ching himself. We promote the positive use of Wing Chun Kung Fu to better yourself and humanity.

Ving Tsun Kung Fu is a Chinese Martial Art, made famous by Bruce Lee. Wing Chun focuses on relaxation, redirection of force and proper use of principles, Making it possible and simple for a small person or a woman to defend his or herself against a much stronger, larger opponent.

Many experts in the world consider Wing Chun to be the most affective form of combat in the world today. And it is favored by many police and special OP'S groups around the world.

Jo Gau Bill Griffin and Jo Gau Glenn Clees, both started there Wing Chun training in the late 2002 under the watchful eye of there Senior Master Ron Heimberger and Master Barry Terrell. Becoming members of the ( Ip Ching Wing Chun Athletic Association) and the ( Wing Chun Kung Fu Council ) was a big accomplishment for both student's. With both student's working diligently they achieved the level of ( Jo Gau, Instructor, Assistant to Sifu ) in march of 2008. Since then many things have transpired, some good some bad, as life usually is. Regretfully with Deep sadness, we lost our beloved father, Sifu Master Heimberger in 2008 to an aggressive brain tumor. And Master Barry Terrell, relocated to Cadillac Michigan shortly after. This brought both Jo Gau Glenn Clees and Bill Griffin to a major cross road in there Wing Chun. Fortunately Senior Master Heimberger had many exceptional Sifu’s that he trained. One of the most Senior and skilled was Master Dave Pangan. Instructor of the Wing Chun Kung Fu Council Head quarters in St. George Utah. Personal student and friend of Master Heimberger for over 16 years. Sifu Pangan was gracious enough to except both Jo Gau’s as his own students. And Proudly Master Pangan was accepted as a student of Grand Master Ip Ching, Just like his Sifu Master Heimberger. It always amazes both Jo Gau’s how thing’s always come to a full circle (yin & yang) and are proud to represent such a strong lineage. We have always been under the direction of our Si Gung Ip Ching, and will always hold true to that direction. Much appreciation to Master Ron Heimberger (RIP), Master Dave Pangan, Master Barry Terrell, and all of our Kung Fu brothers and sisters all around the world.

The Story of Wing Chun:

Shaolin Temple. Birthplace of all martial arts styles. Divided into chambers, or rooms, each chamber teaching a certain style, weapon, or skill. The temple was burned down by the Manchu government about 300 years ago, killing many of the monks and nuns. A few escaped, including the Five Elders: five who had mastered every chamber. Only one of the Five Elders was a nun; her name was Ng Mui. Mistress Nu mui (1705-1785) quietly spent here days meditating, reflecting back on the secret meetings to develop a new fighting system.

One day she heard a noise, she turned to witness a fight between a fox and a crane. This inspired her with renewed hope, so she set about the task of formulating this system into a coherent art.

Then one day Ng moi heard of trouble Yim Yees daughter was having. YIm yee was a widower and quite poor. His fifteen year old daughter was betrothed to a man named Leung Bok Chow (1738-1818) Before the marriage between Yim Yees daughter and Leung Bok Chow took place, Da Ta Pea (spoiled son of rich land owner) saw the daughter and desired her for himself. She could see that he was an evil man. And avoided him. Da Ta Pea was rich, so he could afford the best instructors. So he was very accomplished in the arts of Kung Fu. And it was at this time that Ng Mui took her as a disciple. Secretly meeting with the Lady, teaching her great fighting principles. Within a few month's the young lady was an accomplished and fierce fighter. Proud of her accomplishments, Ng Mui named her after the hall at Siu Lim. " Wing Chun " would be her name. Yim Wing Chun (1740-1820) possessed the secrets of Siu Lim. Wing Chun promised to find one loyal disciple to teach.

Yim Wing Chun went back to the village to challenge Da Ta Pea to a fight. She said "If you win", " I will marry you", and if he could not defeat her, he was to never bother her again. So in front of many people, Wing Chun defeated Da Ta Pea, not once but three times. So after these set of events, Yim Wing Chun was free to marry Leung Bok Chow. They moved to his home town Fatshan Kwangtang. It was then that Yim Wing Chun wanted to show her husband the fighting system that she used to defeat Da Ta Pea. But Leung Bok Chow Didn't want anything to do with it because he was a martial artist himself, and didn't want to hurt her. Finally after persuasion, after squaring off, Leung Bok Chow attacked Yim Wing Chu, and couldn't brake through her defenses. Instead Yim Wing Chun defeated her husband throwing him to the ground. He was so impressed with his wife's system, so she taught him. In which he called " Wing Chun ".

Leung Bok Chow is the master who introduced the Bot Cham Doe's (Eight Slash Butterfly Knives) into the system. Leung Bok Chow passed this system on to his nephew Leung Lan Kwai. (1755-1835)

Leung Lan Kwai was a quiet man and who was an Herbalist. ( A person who collects or deals in herbs.) And was the master who accepted and taught Wing Chun to Wong Wa Bo.(1784-1864) At this time there was no pole form In the Wing Chun system. Wong Wa Bo became an actor on board what was the Red Junk. Red Junks were flat bottomed, sail driven boats painted red. That carried Chinese opera troops up and down the waterways on there performing tours.( The same Red Junk that master Chi Shin had taken refuge on years ago.) Wong Wa Bo met and became good friends with Leung Yee Ta.(1798-1878)

Leung Yee Tai was one of Chi Shin's students and loved the martial arts. Leung Yee Tai was vary interested in learning Wong Wa Bo's Wing Chun Kung Fu. And at that time Leung Yee Tai learned the Wing Chun system. In return he taught the Look Deem Boon Kwon form. (Six and a half point pole.)

Both Wong Wa Bo and Leung Yee Tai taught the famous Leung Jan (Kung Fu King of Fatshan.) Leung Jan lived and ran the Jan Sang pharmacy. (Herbal pharmacy) Not only was he will known but quite skillfull in his profession. Creating many things like "Ginseng", and "Dit Da Jow". In his spare time he would practice Wing Chun. His skill brought many challengers and those challengers found defeat. He would not teach as a profession. Even so he did except some students, his two sons Leung Bik and Leung Chan (Chan Wah Shan 1828-1918) and one who earned the nicke name "Wah The Wooden Dummy". Because he would break the arms of the wooden dummies. Leung Jan also ( Leung Chun also known as "Wah the money changer") They were licenced to convert large Chinese money denominations into smaller coin size. As his last student Leung Jan clearly taught the One-Hundred and eight principles of th Wing Chun system. His students also became masters.

Chan Wa Shun began teaching to Ng Siu Lo, Ng Chung So,and Chan Yu. At the Yip family temple in Fatshan.

Ip Kai Man (1903-1972) was born in Fatshan in 1893. His family had money, and he was raised in the fashion befitting a child of wealth educated, but sheltered as much as possible from the turmoil in the country. It was there, where Chan Wa Shun met a twelve year old boy, named Ip man. Ip Man became excited about learning the art of Wing Chun, and found the opportunity of having a famous instructor. The master would teach after charging an exorbitant amount of money. The boy came back with the money. Master chun thinking that Ip Man stole the money, took the boy back to his parents. His parents replied and said " It was his money." So Ip Man started learning Wing Chun from Chan Wa Chun, and later from Leung Bik.

Ip Man fled China to Hong Kong, and jobs at that time were hard to get. So He started to teach Wing Chun to the restaurant workers. Ip Man didn't like to teach because it tor him from the love of Kung Fu. Ip Man didn't want secrets to go outside the family door. So he held back moves and principles. Ip Man also taught only the original Wing Chun forms passed down by " Wah the money changer ". Earlier In 1972 Ip Man (Grandmaster of Wing- Chun Kung- Fu) died of throat cancer.