After 3 years Grandmaster Frank Yee has finally been able to return to the UK to conduct tests, seminars, Bai Si ceremonies and presentations. He spent a weekend in Peterhead from September the 10th-12th and then travelled to Edinburgh to repeat the same timetable of events the following weekend.
GM Frank Yee last visited the UK in 2019. He was due to return a year later in 2020 but Coronavirus put a stop to those plans. Now, 3 years later, we finally had the honour of meeting again, in person, and learning more knowledge from this exceptional man.
Despite just arriving from a New York flight, with a 13 hour delay and only 5 hours of broken sleep across 3 days, GM Yee was still his bright and characteristically energetic self. He also appeared to have not aged a single day since we last saw him. GM Yee wanted to begin proceedings by presenting all the senior students in attendance with a special calligraphy scroll that he had personally penned himself. He had the original intention of presenting the calligraphy to us all on his planned visit in 2020. Not only did he have the kindness and patience to inscribe each scroll individually for each student but he also had the foresight to preserve them for the duration of the pandemic, knowing that better days would once again unite us all together again.
Next on the agenda were junior and senior grading tests. Students train for a long time before they are eligible to take these tests, sometimes for years. As you can imagine, many students were very nervous. Not only performing in front of their Sifus but also the watchful eye of GM Yee. This round of tests saw many students achieving great success, including the first Jo Gow (black belt equivalent) for the branch in Ellon. Congratulations to all students who succeeded in passing their tests. Following the tests GM Yee gave a speech on the importance of correct practice and practicing for the excellent health benefits that Hung Ga can provide.
GM Yee giving a speech after the conclusion of tests.
After a brief lunch break GM Yee conducted two separate seminars. We have been lucky over the last few years where we have been able to further our knowledge with seminars online. Nothing can beat being there, in the room, learning the precious knowledge which GM Yee spends months preparing. His notes for each of the seminars are rolled onto huge scrolls of paper and draped over chairs so that every small detail can be articulated to all the attendees, both in person and online.
The end of the seminars concluded the first day of GM Yee’s visit to Peterhead. A banquet was held at the school for students to enjoy some celebratory time together after a long day of tests, practice and learning.
The next day began with many students taking Bai Si ceremonies. These are traditional discipleship ceremonies where the student is formally accepted as either an ‘in the gate’ or an ‘in the room’ disciple. You can read more about these ceremonies in our previous article, “Ceremonies in Edinburgh.” GM Yee explained in great detail the significance and symbology of the altar and table set up for these ceremonies. This ensures that future generations of students can benefit from the rich culture of Traditional Hung Ga Kung Fu and that these traditions are never forgotten.
Students with their discipleship certificates.
The finale of a memorable weekend was a senior seminar on advanced pole techniques. All attendees have been learning these techniques online over the past year. The chance to cover fine details and corrections in person was extremely beneficial, however, and demonstrates how important close contact learning is, especially after such a long period of time studying online.
After an eventful weekend in the North East of Scotland, GM Yee then travelled to Edinburgh, to continue his comprehensive teachings of the complete Hung Ga kung fu system. It was only a short period of time but an incredible wealth of knowledge and many treasured memories spent with GM Yee. We hope it won’t be so long before we can meet again.
The Sun Toi, or ancestral altar, is a major feature in a traditional kung fu school. It is usually a main focal point upon entry to the training area. There are many features to the Sun Toi. You can read more about the Sun Toi in our article, “The Sun Toi – Ancestral Altar”
Sun Toi with signboards hanging above and to the sides.
Hanging above the altar and down the sides, you can find the school’s signboards. These are boards with carefully carved Chinese characters that have a special meaning that relates to the style of kung fu. The top board, above the altar, is usually the name of the style itself, such as “Hung Ga Kuen,” meaning “Hung Family Fist.” They are read from right to left, in the same way that Traditional Chinese text was written.
The vertical boards down the sides are read from top to bottom. These demonstrate a theory, philosophy, motto or poem that relates to the kung fu style. They have an equal amount of characters on either board for symmetry.
Aimee and her mum
Meet Aimee Williamson, owner of HollanDesign, and her mum, “Without her, no work would get done.” Aimee was commissioned to make the signboards for Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy, Inverness. Aimee does everything herself. From taking the orders, to designing, buying timber, marking and preparing timber, operating the CNC machine, painting and finishing. Aimee sends her designs through her computer to her CNC machine. This carves the boards to the exact specifications of the design. The inner vertical black boards are coated with an ebony timber treatment. The top, horizontal and outer vertical boards are carved in American white oak and have been coated with Treatex UV oil. All the carvings are painted with acrylic paints.
Due to the pandemic we were unable to meet with Aimee to discuss details. All communication was through messages. We only met Aimee for the first time when we collected the signboards upon completion. The signboards have been designed to custom fit around the window architrave where our Sun Toi is situated. Aimee has made a grand job of them too.
Signboards situated above the Sun Toi.
Read right to left, word-for-word, the top horizontal board reads: “Simon Hung Family Fist National Art Society.” Simon, being the first name of the chief instructor of the Inverness branch, Sifu Simon Hepple. Hung Family Fist is the style of kung fu practiced at the school. National art is translated as martial art.
The top horizontal board.
The board furthest to the right reads: “The disciples of the Hung Family are everywhere.” Meaning that Hung Ga kung fu has spread across the world.
Right hand side vertical boards.
The board furthest to the left reads: “Fist techniques astonish ancient and modern.” Basically meaning that the techniques taught from ancient times are still relevant today and for the rest of time.
The left hand side, vertical boards.
On the inside, right and left, boards, in black and gold, is a list of the twelve bridges. This is a philosophy which Hung Ga styles all over the world are renowned for. In order, from the right hand side, they read: Gong, Yau, Bik, Jik, Fun, Ding, Chuen. The inside, left board finishes the twelve bridges and adds two characters for symmetry: Tai, Lau, Wan, Jai, Deng, San, Haw. The last two characters (San & Haw) literally mean “mountain river.” The reference to “mountain” and “river” refers to very different environments for which the 12 bridges would still be applicable. Basically, it is a shorthand way of saying that the 12 bridges are applicable everywhere.
Ribbon, mirror and Jam Foh above the top signboard.
You will notice a round mirror and red ribbon that is located centrally on the top signboard. This is similar to the mirrors on traditional lion dance heads. Its purpose is to reflect good fortune into the school. You may also notice the peacock feathers or Jam Foh (triangle feather) at the sides of this board. These also bring luck and good fortune to the school. In traditional kung fu schools, the angle to which the feathers are pointed has a special significance and meaning too.
In our Student Spotlight series, our students have the opportunity to tell you about their training in their own words. Emma Archer has been training since 2015, participating in demonstrations and lion dance displays. Due to working life, Emma’s progress has been more gradual than some other students, however she enjoys committing her leisure time to training and gaining a deep appreciation for the style. Emma is currently learning the famous Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen (Tiger & Crane Double Fist) form for her Yee Cup Junior level (1st test of 2nd level). Here Emma tells you about her experience of training at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy in Inverness.
Sifu Hepple and Emma Archer
What made you want to train in martial arts? Originally, I was inspired by my father who practiced Lau Gar Kung Fu in his teens. He taught me some stances and techniques. These share similarities with Hung Ga. Of course, films starring famous practitioners were also an influence.
How did you hear about the school? There was no Kung Fu school in my hometown, so growing-up I practiced Shotokan Karate off and on for several years. While I did enjoy the training and think it is a great style, something about Kung Fu always appealed to me more. In my 3rd year of University, I desperately needed an alternative focus to my dissertation, and decided that it was time to look into Kung Fu again. Miraculously, there was a school across from my flat (Yee’s Hung Ga Aberdeen at the time); guess it was just meant to be! When I moved to Inverness for work, I knew of the school here and began training under the instruction of Sifu Simon Hepple.
What was your first class like? Just as nerve wracking as my first class in Aberdeen. However, I had met Sifu Simon and some of the Inverness students before at tests and events, and they were very welcoming. Did it live up to your expectations? Exceeded them.
How did you feel after your first class? Pumped with motivation to train again and after a few more classes, felt right at home.
What do you think of your training so far? Is there anything you’d change? Enjoy every minute of it. If I could train all day every day, I would.
What are your hopes for your future in martial arts? Apart from maintaining my own fitness and well-being, eventually I would like to help others on their Hung Ga journey.
Anything else that you wish to add? I have trained at a few branches, and each has a positive and friendly atmosphere. While it is not common for a student to change schools, branch instructors have been very accommodating of my working situation. I feel accepted and enjoy training with everyone. Sifu as well as my Hung Ga brothers and sisters are always encouraging and help to improve my skills. It is also nice when we join other schools for seminars and events. Not to mention our predecessors are very skillful, knowledgeable and approachable. Always an honour to learn from them. Kung Fu truly improves your fitness and self-confidence, which has helped me in other areas of life. Come try Hung Ga and join our awesome family.
All kung fu schools are very much family oriented. They are set up like a family and try to instil family values to their members. Family names are used to show respect to instructors and other students. At Yee’s Hung Ga we have many branches so it can be difficult to keep track of who is who and what the proper name should be. The following are the family names and meanings that you will commonly hear at a Yee’s Hung Ga school.
English
Cantonese
Male
Female
Door Man or Founder
Jeurng Mun Yahn
Jeurng Mun Yahn
Lineage Holder
Si-Jo
Si-Jo
Great Grandmaster
Si-Tai Gung
Si-Tai-Poa
Grandmaster
Si-Gung
Si-Poa
Senior Kung Fu Uncle
Si-Bahk
Senior Kung Fu Aunt
Si-Guma
Junior Kung Fu Uncle
Si-Sook
Junior Kung Fu Aunt
Si-Guje
Teacher/Instructor
Si-Fu
Si-Fu
Teacher’s Husband/Wife
Si-Jeong
Si-Mo
Most Senior Brother/Sister
Di-Si-Hing
Di-Si-Jeh
Senior Brother/Sister
Si-Hing
Si-Jeh
Junior Brother/Sister
Si-Dai
Si-Mui
Student
Toh-Dai
Toh-Dai
If you are a student at Yee’s Hung Ga in Inverness, anyone who has been training longer than you at the school, depending on their gender, you would call Si-Hing or Si-Jeh. Anyone who begins at the school after you would be your Si-Dai or Si-Mui, depending on their gender. They would call you Si-Hing or Si-Jeh. Sifu Hepple would be your Sifu and his wife would be called Si-Mo. Sifu Bruce Clark would be your Si-Gung. Sifu Pedro Cepero Yee and Grandmaster Yee Chee Wai would be known as Si-Tai Gung.
If visiting another local Yee’s school, the students of that school would be your cousins. You would address them just as if they were training brothers or sisters at Inverness, Si-Hing, Si-Jeh if more senior and Si-Dai or Si-Mui if junior. The Sifu of that school would be your uncle. You would call them Si-Bahk or Si-Guma if they were Sifu Hepple’s Si-Hing or Si-Jeh. If they were Sifu Hepple’s Si-Dai or Si-Mui, you would call them Si-Sook or Si-Guje.
Confused?!
This might seem rather complex and difficult to learn but it is important to maintain the traditions of the kung fu school so that we can pass on our heritage for future generations. The important ones to remember are your Sifu and Si-Mo/Si-Jeong. Showing further respect to their teacher, Si-Gung/Si-Poa, and their teacher, Si-Tai Gung/Si-Tai Poa is also expected. Everything else can be worked out and nobody else is likely to take great offence if you call them the wrong name. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask, just like anything else that you may be uncertain of.
It is also worth noting that a senior uncle/aunt/brother or sister are senior only by the length of time practicing and not necessarily of a higher rank. Your Si-Hing is, and always will be, your Si-Hing. Just as an older brother can never be demoted to a younger brother, no matter how much you may wish for it to happen.
Other important terms that you may hear is the Kwoon or Kung Fu School itself. We shall look at the etiquette within and around the Kwoon in a future post. Suffice to say though, that it is important to remain respectful and uphold composure whilst in and around the Kwoon. Inside the Kwoon is the Sun-Toi or ancestral altar. We will also discuss this in a future post too. To show respect to the ancestors, who have passed down our art from generation to generation, we bow to the Sun-Toi. We use the traditional ‘sun and moon fist’ to bow to the ancestors, whilst entering and leaving the main training area. You may also hear your Sifu or instructor counting punches or kicks etc in Cantonese. The following table will help you to learn numbers 1 to 10:
English
Cantonese
One
Yat
Two
Yee
Three
Saam
Four
Sai
Five
Ng
Six
Luk
Seven
Chat
Eight
Baat
Nine
Gau
Ten
Sahp
Perhaps you have heard a term that you are unsure of that is not listed here. Please feel free to let us know and we can discuss. If you enjoy our posts and wish to be notified of further posts, notices, discounts and events, pop your email address in the box below and we’ll give you a shout when new posts are added. You can also like and share on Instagram & Facebook
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The Shaolin Monastery, or Shaolin Temple, is a Buddhist temple in Dengfeng County, Henan Province, China. The name ‘Shaolin’ refers to the location of the temple. It is situated in the forests of Shaoshi mountain, one of the seven peaks of the Song mountains. It literally means “Temple of Shao[shi Mountain] Forest”.
Ariel views of the Shaolin Temple.
The Shaolin Temple is known, not only as the birthplace of Chan, or “Zen,” Buddhism, in China, but also where kung fu martial arts originated. The temple is steeped in myths and legends. (More about these in future posts) Shaolin became a renowned centre for extremely powerful martial arts. As the teachings of Shaolin grew, other Shaolin monasteries appeared across China. From a Southern monastery came the lineage of the Abbot Gee Sim Sim See. He is recognised as the first person to bring Shaolin martial arts out of the temple and to the people of Southern China.
Gee Sim taught five founding fathers of “Southern Shaolin.” The five families of martial arts from the Gee Sim lineage became Hung Ga, Choy Ga, Mok Ga, Lau Ga and Li Ga. The “Ga,” or sometimes “Gar,” means family, in this case the Hung family. The founding father of the Hung family was Hung Hei Guen and therefore it is named after him.
Donnie Yen plays Hung Hei Guen in the 1994 TV series, “The Kung Fu Master”
“Kuen” means fist, but in this case “fist” refers to the art or system of fighting, not just the hand shape. Therefore “Shaolin Hung Ga Kuen,” means, “The fighting art of the Hung family from the temple in the forest of Shaoshi Mountain.”
In general terms, the Hung Ga art is renowned for very strong, rooted stances and extremely powerful arm movements. Training concentrates heavily on stance work, body and arm conditioning, qigong, and practicing the forms or set routines. Yee’s Hung Ga run classes for you to specifically train each of these key areas. The forms are a way of practicing fighting techniques as well as a tool for developing a strong mind and body. One of the most famous forms in the world is the Tiger Crane Double Fist (Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen). This form is at the core of the entire Hung Ga art.
A montage of Hung Ga Kuen, as portrayed in the movies.
If you have a question that you would like to ask us, why not send us an email or get in touch via our social media? Just search for YHGInverness.
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A common question asked about Yee’s Hung Ga is, “Do you have a grading system or belts, like in other martial arts?”
Coloured martial arts belts
There are many martial arts which have a grading system. As the student passes through the different grades and attains a higher level of skill, they also obtain a different coloured belt to show the practitioner’s rank within the system. Normally a white belt is given to a novice and a black belt is given to a proficient or skilled practitioner. It is said that originally all novices started off with a white belt and over the years of training the white colour turned to a dark grey/black, which is where the coveted black belt stems from. All the colours in between have been added in recent years, varying in degrees of brightness, from white to black (i.e. yellow, orange, red, purple, brown etc) to portray the idea that the student has trained hard enough for the belt to change colour. There are many other martial art systems that don’t have coloured belts but still have gradings. There is also a lot of tradition and etiquette surrounding the different belts of each martial art, for instance how they are tied, which side of the body the knot is tied on, how they are stored and looked after etc. These traditions are usually specific to the individual martial art system.
At Yee’s Hung Ga we have a grading system where student’s skills are tested regularly. The student begins with a black sash and as they pass through the different skill levels, a red stripe is added to the end of the sash to display the student’s rank.There are 3 main levels. Each level has 2 tests, a junior and senior.
1st level (yat cup) sash displays a single stripe to show 1st the rank.2nd level (yee cup) sash, displays 2 stripes.3rd level (Saam cup) sash displays 3 stripes.
When the student completes all 3 levels, they may then begin their ‘Jo Gow’ (black belt) training. Once the Jo Gow has been attained, a red stripe is attached all around the black sash.
A Jo Gow (black belt) Sash
Attaining this level is cause for a big celebration. It demonstrates that the student has mastered the basic skills of the Hung Ga system, which is a notoriously difficult level to reach. At the Jo Gow level, a student is considered an Assistant Instructor. To become a full-fledged Instructor (Sifu), 2 years of additional intensive training is required. Training does not end with becoming a Sifu. Sifus must continue their training and testing to progress through the 10 Dan (Levels) if they wish to understand the full depth of the Yee’s Hung Ga art – a feat that requires great dedication, loyalty and passion for the art.
Through these rigid training and testing protocols, Yee’s Hung Ga is able to preserve the highest levels of quality and integrity of the Hung Ga style passed down through its lineage, while simultaneously and uniformly advancing the art itself. Very few martial arts systems go to such lengths to maintain quality instruction.
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This is a picture of Sifu Hepple and John Weaver. John has been practicing for 3-4 years now and is currently training towards his Yee Cup Jr (1st test of the 2nd level) Grading. Here John tells, in his own words, of his experience training at Yee’s Hung Ga Academy in Inverness.
What made you want to train in martial arts?
I previously trained in Jujitsu when I was about eight years old. When I reached twenty four, I became very interested in practising meditation, healing arts and focusing (balancing) my mental/physical energies. I read books, became Reiki attuned and watched videos to increase my knowledge on the subject. This led me to learn versions of qi gong, from some new age teachers and other kung fu personalities. I think I was the ripe old age of thirty one before I attempted to do kung fu work out drills; I was completely exhausted and realised I knew nothing of the hard work and discipline that was required to achieve what I wanted. It was then I started looking for a teacher.
How did you hear about this school and why did you want to train there? What were your expectations before you started?
Kung Fu was the obvious choice for me based on my interests. I did a little research on the different styles, and thought about what may suit my body type. I knew already I would prefer something that would be powerful and balanced, but more hand based rather than the flippy-flappy leg kicks. I saw some videos of the Hung style online after finding out that a new had school opened up in Inverness. I contacted Sifu to see if he would accept me as a student, and the rest is history. My expectations were realistic; having tried to keep up with drills on dvds and failed, I was open to whatever lessons Sifu had for me in order to progress.
What was your first class like?
I was slightly nervous and wondered what the other students would be like. At that very first class, I mentioned some of the things I had been doing and Sifu responded “this may be a little different to what you’re used to!” He proceeded to show us Tiger techniques, specifically how to break an opponents arm. After that class, I was aching all over. My legs felt like jelly, and I thought it would be very hard to build up my fitness to an acceptable level to continue. However, I stuck with it and after a further four or five lessons I got used to doing the warm up exercises! It is quite invigorating once you have built up the stamina and I am glad I have continued with my training. My life has changed considerably in the last two years and I now have a young family and a home to maintain. I haven’t had as much time as I would have liked to train recently but as my understanding of Hung Ga grows, so does my desire to push myself further.
What do you think of your training so far? Is there anything that you would change?
So far I have learnt the full Gung Gi Fuk Fu form and am now learning Fu Hok. I have also learnt about the theory of Hung Ga and some of the additional exercises that can be done to unlock potential skills; fighting and some softer skills like balance, conditioning and strengthening. I have attended seminars in Aberdeen with Grandmaster Yee Chee Wai and our Sifu’s teacher, Si Gung Bruce Clark – both are very well respected Martial Artists. It is hard to start with, but if you try and push through it is very much worth your while. Our Kwoon (school) is very friendly, and Sifu obviously loves Hung Ga; showing us how it becomes a solid foundation in life. I would change nothing about the training given but if I could give advice to other beginners it would be to put three times as much effort in to practising at home, as you do in class. Basic drills, form and practising stances – but also looking at the ways in which Qi Gong and breath exercises can improve your general well-being.
What are your hopes for your future in martial arts?
My hopes for the future are to continue training, and to push myself further. My aim at the moment is to improve my stances, transitions between movements and get more sparring practice to apply what I have learned. I enjoy the traditional Lion Dance practice and would like to do more of that for the school in the coming years.
Anything else that you wish to add?
While studying for the Fuk Fu test, I wrote this down. ‘Kung Fu is something that cannot be bought or stolen; you cannot cheat or make it easier as it is what it is. You get out what you put into it via training – body and mind with a strong spirit.’ I am beginning to understand more on the concept of ‘martial virtue’ and can say that with Kung Fu, actions speak louder than words – so come join us.
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Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned warrior, it can sometimes feel difficult to keep yourself motivated, especially with the cold weather, dark nights, the hectic partying over the festive period taking its toll on the body. It can be a bit of a slog getting yourself back into a routine and keeping that routine going. If one of your New Years Resolutions is to get fit and healthy, like many other people, you might be thinking about attending one of our classes. If you are serious about taking it past the thinking stage and really want to attend, (obviously we would highly recommend that you do and you would be most welcome.) what steps can you take to ensure that your first class isn’t also your last? What if even your best intentions aren’t good enough and you run out of steam before you even get up and running? Well we’re not going to lie to you, there’s no magic wand. You still have to actually make it to class (on time!) and you still have to do the work but here’s our top 10 hints & tips on keeping yourself keeping going.
#1. Patience
It takes time, don’t be put off if you don’t see results straight away. Looks can be deceiving. You may not see results for a while, especially if you are just starting out. It takes time to learn and to build muscle memory. You may hear claims that you can be a master in a short time, “Learn Kung Fu in 3 Months,” “Become a master in only 2 weeks.” There are some things that you can learn and use straight away but to be a master you first need to learn and that can take time, patience and lots of practice.
Just because you’re not seeing results it doesn’t mean that you are not getting any. You are better today than you were yesterday, try to remember that. Your brain will get better at sending messages to your body and your body will get better at receiving and understanding them. You will actually be able to activate a higher percentage of your muscle fibers, commonly referred to as neuromuscular efficiency. Your coordination will improve, reflexes start to become faster, your breathing and focus will increase. It is a slow process because you are bound by your body’s limitations, just be patient. Don’t look in the mirror after two weeks and wonder why you’re not looking like Bruce Lee or why you’re not managing to quite get the results that you are looking for. Be patient and put in the work, the results will come.
#2. Enjoy the journey.
Try not to think of your goals as the soul purpose for training, that’s just a destination. Enjoy the process and get excited about what you are learning. If you enjoy what you are doing you are more likely to keep it up. Get excited. You have to want to do it. If you force yourself, it could have negative results. Instead of looking negatively at things that you are not so good at or find difficult, try and turn your thinking around. Be positive about it and see if you can work at those things, bit by bit, to get better at them. Chip away a little bit every day and they will soon become less of a problem.
#3. Don’t rush!
Arrive early, give yourself time. If you leave things to the last minute it gives your mind one more excuse to back out of it. If you have plenty time and are well prepared then you are less likely to change your mind at the last minute. Make sure you have your kit ready the day before. Write a list of all the things that you need to take with you and make sure you check your list every time you get yourself ready. Plan your trip, where you’re going to park the car, how long will it take you to get there? Allow extra time in case of slow traffic or for events beyond your control. If you think ahead and plan in advance you will put yourself in the right frame of mind and it will give you less excuses to not go through with it.
#4. Are you keeping track?
Keeping records can help you to remember what you have learned. What did you get out of class today? Did you just go through the motions or did you pick something up? Were there any “light-bulb moments?” Keeping a training diary can help you to remember information and focus on learning. It can also help you to look back and see how far you have come in your training. You can also see what went wrong, should you get injured, and learn from any mistakes.
If you can only make it to the occasional class, it is down to you to make the effort to practice between those classes. Your Sifu will give you advice on what and how to practice. If you just practice bits of what you remember, it may be that you are not paying attention to the right things or worse, practicing them the wrong way. You should know it inside out and back to front.
#5. Stick to a plan
Remove the randomness from your training. This is the best way to improve your speed, strength, focus, body weight…. any of your goals in fact. For a beginner it can be tempting to try out all the different classes that are available to you at Yee’s but it is better to pick one or two which you can definitely, regularly make, every week. Stick to them and make them part of your routine. When you feel more confident in what you have learned and you have time available to try out the other classes, then give them a go. Too much, too soon is a recipe for failure.
#6. Do it for yourself.
Do it for yourself, not because of anyone else. Come with friends but don’t stay at home just because they decided that they couldn’t be bothered. Their excuses will turn into your excuses. You must do it because you want to do it for yourself. Similarly, try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses so whilst you might not be as good as the one you are comparing yourself to, they might not be as good as you at other things. They may also be further ahead in their training or have practiced more or many other reasons. If you practice, you will become better. If you practice a lot, you will become a lot better. Sometimes it takes longer for some people so just relax and enjoy the ride.
#7. Prevention is better than cure.
Be sensible about how you train. An injury can set you back months, perhaps even years. It may stop you training altogether. It is important in the beginning to take things slowly until your body gets used to it. If you push too hard, you can injure yourself. Ensure that your body is warmed up gently and muscles are stretched before you do your main practice. You will have to do this every time and you will have to factor the time it takes into your practice. Similarly, a cool down routine can help to bring your body back to normal. Again gentle stretching can be useful. After your training your muscle fibers will be warmed up and loose. The sudden shock from the cold outside, especially in the North of Scotland, can cause them to constrict. Problems may result from over tension such as muscular cramps and pain, twisting and knotting of the muscle fibers. Be sensible and have an extra layer of clothing to put on before you head out into the cold. Our training hoodies are perfect for this purpose.
#8. If you don’t make time, you’ll never have time.
You need to factor time into your daily routine or weekly schedule. If you don’t have one, make one! Fit it into your lifestyle. It is difficult juggling everything in your life but the bottom line is that if you don’t do it, then you won’t do it. Spare time can seem to be a rarity in modern life and if you really want to do something, you will have to make the effort to make it happen. With kung fu this means making time to practice. In the same way though, if you do nothing but practice then you will not have time for anything or anyone else so you need to find a balance. Make it happen!!
#9. Rise to the challenge!
Treat it like a test. Everything that you find hard is an obstacle to you becoming better and achieving your goals. If you clear the obstacle then you are one step closer. If you don’t quite make it then it’s no big deal, just try again. It may take you many attempts. Many, many, many attempts in fact. This is the challenge that you face. Give up, find an easier way or just keep chipping away until you get it. The nature of kung fu means that you kind of do all 3. You try until you get it, you understand the movement. You then find an economy in the movement, simplify it, make it easy. Then, when you get it, you leave it. It’s there now until you need it. You just need to maintain it. Great skill obtained through hard practice.
#10. Don’t beat yourself up
You’ve all seen the motivational memes on social media, “Failure is not an option!” “Winners never quit!” ” You haven’t failed until you quit trying!”
Jeezzz….. Give yourself a break, we are only human. Circumstances might mean that you have to put things aside for a while. You might have to give yourself some time to focus on other areas of your life. Family, work, friends, commitments. You know what that is? That’s life! (That’s what people say, You’re riding high in April, Shot down in May) It doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. If you falter or can’t remember or didn’t practice or took the day off, it doesn’t matter. Everyone needs a break. In fact it is advisable to take a break every once in a while. “All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy!” Have you never seen ‘The Shining’ before?!? It only becomes a problem if you let it. You gave it a shot, you turned up for class and you trained really hard. That’s more than a lot of people ever do. A lot of people never get further than giving it a whimsical thought. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to move like that?” “I wish I was as strong or graceful as that?” But you actually made the effort. That is amazing in itself. (a round of applause please!) If you need a breather, that’s not failing, that’s being realistic. Just don’t let it get to you. Get back in the saddle again and own it!! Take your training to the next level and achieve what you set out to do.
See you in class…
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The guy with the big sword thingy goes by a few names, Guan Yu, Guan Gong, Guan Di, General Gwan, amongst many others. In the ancient times of the East, there was a great war between Three Kingdoms. Guan Yu, and his friends, Liu Bei and Zheng Fei, swore an oath of brotherhood in the mystical Peach Garden, vowing to create a new, righteous world. Together they fought countless battles against the warlords Cao Cao and Sun Quan. Guan Yu grew famous for his combat prowess and unwavering honor.
Cao Cao captured Guan Yu and at the time, Liu Bei’s fate was uncertain. He agreed to fight for Cao Cao under specific terms, chiefly that he would abandon Cao Cao if ever he learned the whereabouts of his sworn brother. Despite Cao Cao’s gifts and promises of wealth, when Liu Bei resurfaced, Guan Yu immediately went to his side. Years later, Guan Yu again faced Cao Cao on the battlefield as the warlord fled from his defeat at Red Cliffs. Guan Yu cut off Cao Cao’s retreat and obliterated his forces. He spared Cao Cao, however, and released him, as an act of honor.
Guan Yu is one of the best known historical figures in ancient history. Part of the reason for this is that he appears in popular comics and movies, even modern video games. He is also a major character in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a semi-historical novel said to be written by Luo Guan Zhong at the end of the Yuan Dynasty period (1279-1368). This novel is one of China’s four greatest classic novels. Partly because of fictional portrayals in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, his reputation has only increased over the years. A famous tale about Guan Yu is that he was once injured in the left arm by a stray arrow, which pierced through his arm. Although the wound had healed, he would experience pain in the bone whenever there was a heavy downpour. A physician told him, “The arrowhead had poison on it and the poison had seeped into the bone. The only way to get rid of this problem is to cut open your arm and scrape away the poison in your bone.” Guan Yu then stretched out his arm and asked the physician to heal him. He then invited his subordinates to dine with him while the surgery was being performed. Blood flowed from his arm into a container below. Throughout the operation, Guan Yu feasted and drank wine and chatted with his men as though nothing had happened. In some accounts of the tale he sits calmly and plays a game of weiqi (Chinese chess)
Guan Yu being operated on. Guan Yu Comic BookThe Romance of the Three Kingdoms book
In the Western world, Guan Yu is sometimes called the God of War, probably because he is one of the most well-known military generals revered by the Chinese people. This is a misconception of his role, as, unlike the Greco-Roman deity Mars or the Norse god Týr, Guan Yu, as a god, does not necessarily bless those who go to battle, but rather people who observe the code of brotherhood and righteousness.
Giant Guan Yu Statue, 190ft tall
The big sword thingy that he can be seen with is the Spring/Autumn Great Knife. It is often named after him, some legends say that he invented it. The Guan dao, or kwan dao, is a large halberd which was used by the general during combat on horse-back. It is a heavy weapon with a sharp edge on one side for cutting and slicing. On the other side is a jagged edge with a hooked point which is used to maim and stab as well as for catching the opponent’s weapon to disarm them. The weapon is balanced with a pointed counterweight at the other end of the central shaft. Guan Yu’s “guan dao” was called “Green Dragon Crescent Blade” which weighed 82 Chinese jin (estimated 18.263kg or around 40lbs, there are tales of it being over 300lbs) and that he was extremely proficient with it on the battlefield.
Green dragon Guan Dao
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The last Saturday in April every year plays host to World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. It is part of a global effort to promote the healing aspects of Tai Chi and Qigong within our society. For the second year running YHGInverness participated in this global celebration by hosting a free Qigong seminar/workshop. Sifu Hepple, Chief Instructor at YHGInverness, conducted the seminar on the Yi Jin Jing, (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) which is a Qigong set or ‘form’ thought to have been developed by the Indian Buddhist Monk Bodhidharma, the legendary monk who began the physical training of the monks at the Shaolin Temple and thus credited as the originator of Shaolin Kung Fu.
The set was taught step by step until complete. Once the whole set had been learned, the key points of each exercise and how they work with the meridian channel system of the body was discussed. During Qigong exercises Qi, or internal energy, within the body is manipulated for specific health purposes. This can be achieved by moving your body in a certain way to stimulate specific organs of the body or using your mind’s eye, will or intention to lead Qi around your body or through certain meridians of the body. Using your mind and body together with coordinated breathing increases the function of many systems of the body. It also reduces stress and fatigue, calms the mind, improves circulation and many other documented health benefits. Qigong can be practiced by anyone and although it originated in China over 2000 years ago, it is still practiced today by people all over the world, from all walks of life.
The seminar ran over the scheduled time by quite a bit, so thank you to everyone who attended and managed to focus for the whole seminar. Also thank you to everyone who helped make this a successful event, including anyone who shared our Facebook posts and helped to spread the word. Hopefully YHGInverness will continue to make this a regular event every year and continue to preserve the art for future generations. Special thanks to the organisers of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day who help to promote this art worldwide. Without their efforts we would never have all come together at the same time for their common vision of health and healing on a global scale.
If you are interested in finding out more about Qigong or would like to attend one of our Qigong classes, please visit our Qigong page: https://www.yhginverness.com/qi-gong-classes/
Participants of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day (25.4.15)
In honour of the World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy, Inverness will be hosting a FREE seminar on the Yi Jin Jing or Muscle-Tendon Strengthening Qigong. Beginning at 10am on Saturday the 25th of April.
The Yi Jing Jing is a qigong set, thought to have been developed by the Indian Buddhist Monk Bodhidharma, the legendary monk who began the physical training of the monks at the Shaolin Temple and thus credited as the originator of Shaolin Kung Fu.
The exercises in the Yi Jin Jing set feature soft even movements which will invigorate the limbs and organs of the body. Practice of the set will improve your flexibility and balance, muscle tone and strength. It is particularly beneficial to your breathing and has many documented health benefits.
The Yi Jin Jing set is easy to learn and suitable for beginners as well as people of all ages and skill levels. The set will be taught step by step by Sifu Simon Hepple, the chief instructor at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy. Once the complete set has been learned, we will discuss the key points of each exercise and how they work with the meridian channel system of the body.
After the seminar, The Yi Jin Jing will be added to the comprehensive qigong curriculum at Yee’s Hung Ga, Inverness, so don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn this set absolutely FREE!
This seminar is open to all members of the public, you do not have to be a member of the school to join in. If you would like to attend, you only need to turn up on the day. The seminar begins at 10am so please arrive in good time for the beginning. Participation is mandatory so please do not turn up expecting to be able to sit and watch. If you would like to make your attendance known then here is a link to the Facebook Event page:
You should wear loose comfortable clothing and flat shoes or trainers. Bring a drink with you. If you wish to make notes, bring a notepad and pen with you too. There is no strict age limit to the event however please exercise common sense if you are thinking of bringing very young children. You can always contact Sifu Hepple beforehand, via the Contact Us page of this website, if you are at all in any doubt.
This is a recent photo of Sifu Hepple with Jenny Thomas, one of the senior students of YHGInverness. Jenny has been training for almost 3 years now and is currently at Yee Cup Senior Level. Jenny occasionally helps teach some of the classes at the school and will also teach some Qigong classes in the new year. (Find out more details here: NEW CLASSES)
Here Jenny describes, in her own words, how she found out about the school and her training so far:
About 8 years ago, maybe more, I watched a documentary about a disillusioned priest… On his journey through life he had lost his vision,lost his passion for life, lost his reason to be alive, even lost his faith and finally lost his family. He had given up his secure, safe, well paid yet now meaningless job in the clergy and was seeking. Seeking a refuge, seeking to fill the endless void, seeking a new life, seeking to end that dull painful ache inside, seeking a reason, seeking to find the answers to the questions he didn’t even know… And all this he found in Martial Arts. He travelled extensively, visiting monastery’s, retreats, Martial establishments, government Martial groups and displays in the far east. He spent time in mist enshrouded mountains and beautiful lands…yet it was one day when he was sweeping a dirty floor that it suddenly clicked into place and his peace flowed from within. I can’t tell you how he found this peace, he didn’t know himself….but he found it inside himself through lengthy practice and meditation. A true story and exactly what brought me to Yee’s Hung Ga! I felt exactly the same as that priest and I wanted exactly what he had found. And if he could do it so could I! And so my journey began…I had done a bit of karate in my younger years but had moved away and never took it up again. I tried a few different styles which worked for a while but then I grew restless again. The self defence was good but the fitness was lacking…or the style was good but the egos were too big…or the fighting was great but the spirit was dead….I finally feel I have “come home”…in Hung Ga I am continually learning; it is a constant in my life amongst the ups and downs of every day life; I am strong, physically, mentally and spiritually ;I have met wonderful people and have lovely training brothers and sisters…the list goes on. I can truly say that walking up those stairs to meet my Sifu for the first time was the best thing I’ve done! Speaking of those stairs…after my first lesson I could hardly get down them! My legs were shaking so much from using muscles I had never used before. But I knew straight away I had found what I was looking for …Lazy legs however soon learn the stances and you’d be surprised how soon your muscles get stronger and you can do things you never thought possible. Practice, perseverance and patience is what you need. And if you don’t have them you can learn them too! Anything is possible if you go for it. We train our minds with horse stance…you’ll just have to come to a class to find out how! We do patterns, techniques, applications and drills, sparring,body conditioning….and just when you think you’ve sussed it, then you develop on what you’ve already learned and it suddenly makes sense as to why you had to twist that hand in that direction in the first place! And Qi gong, Hung Ga’ s gentle twin…or rather the yin of the two: the internal, the subtle, the gentle, the dark …Compared to yang: the external, the extrovert, the vivacious, the fire…..Hung Ga is a hard and soft style, without one you cannot balance the other and both should be trained. Qi gong trains the use of the internal energy, the bodies Qi. It also nourishes the spirit , trains the breathing, balances the bodies organs and helps the body remain in a healthful state. Regular practice can help increase your spiritual awareness, develop perception; you learn to use and lengthen that gap between stimulus and response, to act but not react…. It is slow, gentle and relaxing yet still powerful. (Qi Gong is trained during Hung Ga classes and as its own class. It is suitable for all ages, we currently have age 10 to age 75!) Of course we also learn to fight, to defend ourselves and our families if the need arose, and to spar amongst ourselves and also in competitions. But if you only know how to fight then you are a fighter, not a Martial artist. Our Grandmaster Yee Chee Wai says: “To be a martial artist you must learn Martial virtue, Martial knowledge, Chinese medicine and Chinese philosophy. And that you shall! All of this and more at Yee’s Hung Ga …like the priest, I too have found my peace, I don’t really know how either. It just happens! Come and find out for yourselves! Enrich your life!
Whilst YHGInverness was closed for the festivities, we were also busy doing some work inside the changing room. With the help of Graham, Kenny, Davis and Seamus, Sifu constructed three new changing cubicles for students to have a little more privacy whilst they are getting changed and psyching themselves up for their classes throughout the coming year ahead. Any new or interested students who would like to come along and see what Hung Ga is like should have a look at THIS PAGE
Here are a few photos taken during the process.
The side panels for the cubicles
Checking the alignment of the first panel
Strengthening the whole construction with a cross beam.
Here you can see that the cubicles are pretty spacious for getting changed in.
In the original design, three doors were going to be re-used, one for each cubicle.
The original idea of re-using doors was shelved, for the time being, and curtains were put up instead for simplicity.
Do you know someone who wants to train but haven’t managed to get themselves off the sofa yet? Here is a great way to get them motivated and a perfect gift for any budding Hung Ga enthusiast.
yhginverness gift certificates
Certificates are available for:
Monthly class subscriptions
Private one-one tuition
Or even a mix of the two, classes and private one-one sessions.
A fantastic way to get fit, healthy and motivated in learning authentic Chinese martial arts.
Students of Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy in Inverness have been invited to attend a very special test and training day in Aberdeen on the 19th May 2013.
Sifu Pedro Yee was the first non-Asian ever on the cover of New Martial Hero Magazine
and to pass his extensive knowledge and skills on to further generations with a series of seminars.
Sifu Pedro Cepero Yee is a 7th Dan Sifu. He has demonstrated all over the world and is a well published author on Hung Ga Kung Fu. He is also an accomplished therapist, experienced in Tuina-Chinese Bodywork Therapy and Swedish massage therapy as well as Traditional Dit Da (Traumatology Medicine). He is the eighth Senior Yup Sut (In the Room) Disciple of Master Frank Yee (Yee Chi Wai), as well as one of the first Americans to be accepted into the Yee’s Family Lineage at the New York Chinatown’s Yee Fong Toy Association and their world headquarters.
The forthcoming tests and seminars will further enhance students skills and hopefully inspire them to continue to train hard in their chosen art. Keep an eye out for updates on their progress.
Yee’s Hung Ga Inverness has been busy over the Lunar New Year period. A traditional Lion dance parade, arranged by SHIMCA, passed right outside the front doors of our school, on Inverness High Street.
There was also a seminar on the legendary Chinese folk hero, Wong Fei Hung. This seminar focused on Wong Fei Hung and what made him famous. Snake techniques were used to demonstrate the martial skill which made him renowned throughout China and the rest of the World. Here are a few photos from the seminar:
Yee’s Hung Ga Inverness students were invited to attend an insightful day of seminars and introductions to other martial arts, last weekend, by the Scottish Fighting Arts Society.
The event was organised by Alan Mitchell from the Smithton Kempo School and seminars were hosted by instructors from Hapkido, Kempo, Ju-Jitsu and also from Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy.
The seminars were very insightful, giving students and instructors a glimpse into the world of other styles and systems which they may not have been introduced to before. There were many similarities between the various arts which demonstrates the common bond that we share. It was refreshing to see the differences in similar techniques and the thought processes behind them. “We all have similar goals but go about it in different ways.” Sifu Hepple, from Yee’s Hung Ga, stated during his seminar. “We are all part of the same family, yet have different paths.”
Here are a few photos from the day:
Sifu Hepple has also been invited to host a free seminar and kung fu demonstration in his home-town of Forres, for the coming Chinese New Year celebrations.
Here is another fine display of traditional Scottish entertainment, filmed on the doorstep of Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy tonight. (12/7/12)
www.yhginverness.com
