About
History of Wing Chun
The history of Wing Chun Kuen can be traced back to the Southern Shaolin Temple, in Fu Jian Province and dates back 300 years to the Qing Dynasty.
At that time, people were still loyal to the conquered Ming Dynasty and were not happy being ruled by the Manchurian’s. Ordinary people could do little about it, but if someone had a martial art skill, they may be able to fight against the government. At the Shaolin Temple, all the monks practiced martial arts and their skill was very high. They made the Qing government feel insecure, so they sent an army to attack Shaolin. At first, they were unable to defeat the monks. However, the Qing army was able to corrupt one of the monks and with his help, they burnt the temple down and killed many of the monks. Fortunately, five of the leading monks and a nun escaped in the fire.
The nun who escaped was Ng Mui (Sitai), and she was very skilled in martial arts. She made her way to the southwest of China to the White Crane Temple. One evening, she saw a crane fighting a wild cat. Each time the cat attacked, it failed to hurt the crane. The crane seemed very calm and looked as if it knew what to do. Eventually the cat became exhausted and ran away. Ng Mui noticed that the crane used very skillful methods to fight the cat: it did not use a lot of energy and it appeared very relaxed. This gave her much to think about, and she stared to create a new martial art…
Philosophy of Wing Chun
The philosophy of Wing Chun teaches you how to keep yourself centered. This idea comes form the principles of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. Through the practice of Wing Chun you can understand how to balance your life. In life, there may be something you want, but you can’t do just as you please to obtain it. You have to make the circumstances appropriate before things fall into place. This takes experience and a lot of practice, it is not just good luck. Without skill, luck will not last. Good luck is made from a lot of experience, just like the flowers and fruit you see on the tree. They only appear when the tree is growing in the right conditions, with the correct amount of water, air and sunlight.
A Wing Chun practitioner has to practice hard as well as contend with difficulty and failure in order to become successful. Wing Chun has two parts which we all have to practice. One part is based on skill and the other part on energy. Through practicing Wing Chun, you can train yourself to become more centered and grounded person.
A true martial art must cover both internal and external training so that you can continue to practice as you get older. You should be able to practice until you are sixty, seventy or even eighty. Martial arts are not just for the big and strong. They should also be suitable for those who are small and weak.
The principle of Wing Chun is to defend and maintain your centre and consider the centreline of your opponent and the shortest distance it takes in which to attack him or her. Following a straight line is the fastest way to attack an opponent, but when this line is obstructed, we curve around to hit the target. In addition, once we attack an opponent, we continue to attack, alternately, with both hands and even kicks. So, Wing Chun Kuen is both fast and direct.
What is Wing Chun Brisbane?
Wing Chun Brisbane is a Kung Fu school accessible to anyone who wishes to learn modern-day martial art. Using direct and simple principles, Wing Chun focuses on utilising an opponent’s strength against them instead of our own physical strength that other martial arts concentrate on.
Our aim at Wing Chun Brisbane
We aim to help all our students achieve their goals and to transform themselves in everyday life. Wing Chun Brisbane understands that everyone who learns Wing Chun needs to find their own pace and rhythm to get optimum results and enjoy their training. We hope to guide our students through their progress for long term results.
Upcoming Classes
Graceville
Wednesday
6:45 PM – 8:00 PM
Dayan Qigong
Wednesday
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wing Chun
Saturday
9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Wing Chun
Red Hill
Monday
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Wing Chun
Meet our Wing Chun Brisbane Instructors
Sifu Tom Rogers
Sifu Tom Rogers has been studying Chinese Martial Arts since 1998. After trialling several forms, he attended a seminar with Grandmaster Tse and was awed by the mastering skills of Wing Chun. He became one of Grandmaster Tse’s students in the UK, practising Wing Chun and Qigong under a Sifu with incredible knowledge and experience.
In 2012, Sifu Tom returned home to Brisbane to teach Wing Chun and Qigong in Graceville. He is a representative for the Tse Qigong Centre and Tse Wing Chun Association. Sifu Tom makes routine interstate and overseas trips to ensure his teachings are aligned with the traditions that he was taught.
Sifu Costa Stratikopoulos
Sifu Costa Stratikopoulos is the most senior Wing Chun student of Sifu Tom and is highly dedicated to his craft. After three years of devotion, he was invited to his first instructor course. Grandmaster Tse observed and verified his Wing Chun ability, technique and knowledge.
Sifu Costa is assisting with Wing Chun classes and hopes to pass on his Wing Chun knowledge. He is passionate about teaching anyone who wishes to put in the hard work and appreciates the art form that is Wing Chun.
Wing Chun Brisbane Lineage of Experience
In any Kung Fu discipline, it is essential to have the right experience and knowledge to teach students the skills and techniques authentically and traditionally. Here at Wing Chun Brisbane, our lineage is solid with a direct connection to Grandmaster Ip Man, who trained the one and only Bruce Lee.
Our instructor Sifu Tom Rogers was trained by Master Michael Tse, a senior student to Grandmaster Ip Chun, the eldest son of Grandmaster Ip Man. Sifu Costa Stratikopoulos is Sifu Tom’s most senior student and dedicates his time and life to mastering Wing Chun.
Wing Chun Brisbane Lineage:
- Ng Mui
- Yihm Wing Chun (circa 1700)
- Leuhng Bok Chauh
- Leuhng Laahn Gwai
- Wong Waa Boh
- Leuhng Yih Taih (exchange for six a half pole)
- Leuhng Jan
- Chahn Wah Seuhn
- Leuhng Bik (Hong Kong)
- Ip Man
- Ip Chun
- Michael Tse
- Tom Rogers
- Costa Stratikopoulos
Transform yourself at Wing Chun Brisbane
We have the experience to help you on your Wing Chun journey and are ready to guide you. Wing Chun Brisbane will transform your body and mind through Wing Chun and Dayan Qigong to improve your everyday life physically and mentally, with a holistic approach.
Wing Chun Brisbane Instructor’s Sifu Tom and Sifu Costa are waiting to guide you on your journey.