One Great Weekend!

[Steve]

The Workshop in Dayton is now over. Sigung Gee, Sibaak Allen and Sisuk Rick are all in transit back to San Francisco, as well as Sisuk Yohanan en route to New York. The workshop was very full if new information, and I know there are some 20 plus pages of notes to be organized and sorted out. With any luck, the notes will begin to be posted on the forum by the end of the week. I think everyone came away with several awakenings and plenty of more to follow. There was plenty of great kung fu life and learning the whole weekend, with many averaging 6 hours of sleep between Friday and Saturday nights. Tired now, sleep coming.

Thanks to GM Gee for sharing his extensive knowledge of both kung fu and feng shui this weekend. It was an great honor and pleasure to learn from him and the members from HQ. Thanks to all who made this workshop happen.

[JK Walz]

Steve-

I'm happy it was a good weekend- GM Gee seminars are always well worth the time and effort.

I look forward to seeing the notes!

JK

[BennyMeng]

Participants from:

National
San Francisco, CA
Rochester, NY
New York, NY
Kansas City, KS
Liberty, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Cincinnati, OH
Dayton, OH
Sidney, OH
Detroit, MI
Richmond, IN

International
Nothern Ireland

=========================================

1 Benny Meng
2 Allen Kong
3 Ricky Chu
4 Yohanan Siskindovich
5 Richard Loewenhagen
6 Mike Mathews
7 Jeremy Roadruck
8 Chango Noaks
9 Stephen Rudnicki
10 John Lambert
11 Andy Kalish
12 Pat Keeley
13 Jeff Ramsey
14 Michael Davis
15 Darryl Holt
16 Dac Lam
17 Joel Pryor
18 Joe Barnes
19 Bryan Feagin
20 Leon Dennis
21 George Prater
22 Chris Wolfla
23 Nathan Cowans
24 Dale Vits
25 Lonnie Dodge
26 Dan Masiuk
27 Tony Ison
28 Gary Collins


Comments/Feedback:

Thank you Sigung for bringing in Sitaaigung for another great HFY clinic. I really appreciated the Faat Sau Single Arm Bridging Concept showing the details and the energies involved. I enjoyed the experience of feeling the body karma during the drills, and enjoyed seeing the realistic combat applications for the Faat Sau. The time, space, energy concept is getting much deeper from a Chinese martial arts as well as human nature experience. Besides the information on Hung Fa Yi, Sitaaigung's knowledge of 5 Elements and Fung Seui is also incredible. I look forward to the next clinic.
- Dale Vits

====

The seminar was very well organized. I would like to thank Sifu Benny Meng and the VTM staff for being so hospitable. I would also like to thank Sifu for giving us the details fo the 3 Faat Sau in our Siu Nim Tau form. After the seminar I was more aware of feeling fau kiu and taking advantage of the fau kiu timeframe.
- Ricky Chu

====

Great presentation of another layer of HFY Kiu Sau information. Transition of info from Fau Kiu Kiu Sau to Faat Sau Kiu Sau was well done, highlighting more details and a greater understanding of Mo Ying Da Yeng, HFY Concepts/Principles, as well as the natures and consideration associated with techniques like Faat Sau.
- Andy Kalish

====

Very nice facility. Grand Master Gee is such a diamond, what else can I say?
- Lonnie Dodge

====

It’s always a pleasure being around people that are good at heart. This is a place I can call home and everyone here I consider family.
- Nathan Cowans

====

I gained a better understanding of the methods of learning. The Faat Sau Kiu Sau provides yet another layer and depth of information to my understanding of the system. I’m always amazed at how effective and logical the system is.
- Mike Mathews

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The workshop was very informative. Grand Master Gee was very knowledgeable and demonstrated the difference forms and positions. The workshop was well organized, I am happy I attended.
- Leon Dennis

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The workshop was very informative. This is the beginning for me so the information was very complex. The more time that passed, the more I realized how much I do not know. I look forward to a better understanding and accurately applying the information learned this weekend.
- Dan Masiuk

====

The workshop has been the most informative for me out of all the HFY workshops I have attended. The info covered many layers of this profound science, providing many new insights, revelations, and enlightenments. Grand Master Gee is a wealth of information beyond the realm of physical learning. The information presented only helps to reinforce the physical learning that takes place.

The fellowship and opportunities to get to know more about my kung fu family on many levels, not just the kwoon, were very enjoyable and made the overall experience much more enriching.

Thanks to Sigung for sharing his fast knowledge. Also, thanks to Allen and Ricky for their input and sharing.
- Steve Rudnicki

====

My experience deepened about the true nature of Fau Kiu Kiu Sau and Faat Sau. I gained new insight into energetics and purpose. New was the distinction of Saan Sau, Kiu Sau, and Jong Sau. Before, this distinction was not so clearly defined for me. I also gained insight into how the attacker and defender are really connected thorough space, bridging, and energetics.
- Bryan Feagin

====

I thought the seminar was very informative. It showed the relationship between proper structure & space on the faat sau.
- Jeffry Ramsey

====

Again, Grand Master Gee has shared great insight into the many facets related to HFY. The information regarding Faat Sau, body karma, and long-short bridge has taken my understanding to an all-new level. I would again like to thank Grand Master Gee, Sifu Meng and my Sihings for hosting another great workshop.
- Darryl Holt

====

This workshop was very informative on many different things. I have a better understanding on energy direction and structure than I did. Sigung, from what I have learned and experienced, is a very wise individual who amazes me beyond belief. Overall I think this workshop was interesting and made me think about things a little more in-depth after I was given a view I’ve never seen before. This is my opinion.
- Chris Wolfla

====

Sigung Gee presented a very informative, smart and thorough workshop. His command and mastery of the Hung Fa Yi system is obvious. He really demonstrates how it is vital to give attention to detail! Faat Sau Kiu Sau is an excellent and necessary step in our training.
- Chango Noaks

====

I enjoyed it very much. As an older student, in my 50s, I see that it is still possible for me to develop skill as I train. It might take me a while but I’m certain I will reach a good standard.
- George Prater

====

Once again, I think the VTM put on another great workshop. The different levels of training on Faat Sau helped me to bring my Kiu Sau training back into focus. I only wish that we all had more time together.
- Joel Pryor

====

The workshop and all information was great and gave me a much higher understanding of my kung fu all round.
- Tony Ison

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Sigung’s great sincerity and enormous integrity is inspirational.
- Pat Keeley

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The addition of energy and footwork to Faat Sau will improve my kung fu
- John Lambert

====

This weekend involved great many layers of learning for me personally.

On the training floor, we covered the progression of Faat Sau Kiu Sau from initial body mechanics to technical knowledge. In the layers of Faat Sau, we covered the Single Hand Bridging Concept in addition to proper reaction when someone has no energy or structure. Putting the bridge into one of three categories helped me to see clearly the logic for moving on to crossing the second bridge or simply crossing the bridge I’m currently on. The training of the Diagonal, Horizontal and Vertical Faat Sau was also very useful to me from a Saan Da point of view. The clarity of when to hit and when not to hit was only further re-enforced through this training. The discussion of footwork was good and I look forward to better understanding the proper timeframe for each step.

As a teacher, I was a real treat to watch the manner in which Grand Master Gee developed the workshop participants’ awareness and understanding of the Faat Sau layer of Kiu Sau. Truly, you have to know the rules of the game before you can start playing. Sunday’s training and lectures provided details to the initial material presented on Saturday that would have been missed had they been taught too early.

As a person, I see Grand Master Gee as a genuine human being and a true kung fu master. He holds himself to very high standards and sets a fine example for all to follow. He spent time on each person’s question, answering as completely as he could. I have a high regard for both his knowledge and his wisdom.

The talks on Mat Jung and Hin Jung Buddhism were personally interesting and relevant to me as a kung fu guy. The more clearly we understand the layering of Buddhist knowledge, the more clearly we can see the nature of the HFY system. Without being Buddhist, the awareness is necessary to understand the imagery and nature of the system.
- Jeremy Roadruck

[duende]

Hello everyone!

We have a visitor from Ireland at HQ. Gary Collins is here in SF after just attending this last weekend's Ohio HFY seminar.

He has written up some feedback comments of his own that I will post for him now.


Gary Collins Seminar Feedback 24th + 25th July

My name is Gary collins. I am from Northern Ireland. I have been practicing Wing Chun Kuen under one of Grandmaster Tsui Sheung Tin's students for almost 6 years. One day, I went to my local library for first time in 12 years and found a book called 'Mastering Kung Fu-featuring Shaolin Wing Chun' by accident and read it. The book had a lot of info in it and presented what I thought was the most logical + mathematical fighting method I'd ever seen. I asked permission then to visit America. I got permission and went to Hung Fa Yi seminar featuring Sifu Gee.
The seminar contained a lot of philosophy which I am not qualified to understand, but the presentation of the Hung Fa Yi techniques which Sifu Gee showed were completely shocking to me as they were very precise and could not be argued against. For anyone who wishes to learn Wing Chun, even though I am not qualified to say, I would recommend they visit America and the Hung Fa Yi schools.

[William E]

Last evening, Gary Collins attended his first HFY class at the SF headquarters. Making his way from Northern Ireland via the seminar in Dayton, Gary will be visiting SF for the next week. After class, Gary requested permission from Grandmaster Gee to Bai Si into the Hung Fa Yi family and his request was accepted. His plans are to return to San Francisco to Bai Si and be sworn into the family in the near future. He is considering moving to SF for a couple of years in order to learn HFY from his new sifu. Once qualified, Gary will return to open a HFY branch school in Northern Ireland. Gary is a real gentleman and will make a great addition to our international kung fu family.

William E.

[Steve]

Congratulations Gary! Welcome to the Family!

[Cang Long]

Welcome aboard Mr. Collins,
That is a tremendous story of how you found Hung Fa Yi it is always good to hear that people from around the globe are open to new ideas and are willing to visit and discuss them first hand even if the distance could be consider quite far glad to hear of your egearness to learn and contribute to the HFY family that is wonderful. You will find Grand Master Gee a gracious host and San Francisco a fantastic city. It is true that if you seek you will find. I am curious what lead you to the library that day. Again welcome aboard and Congratulations!!

[mario bava]

Hello everybody

This is my chance to thank everyone for the great welcome I received in America. Thanks very much to Mr Meng and Mrs Meng, and thanks very much to Steve and Jeremy for looking after me in Ohio. Also hello to big John, I can still hear you laughing!
Thanks very much to Allen, Billy, Ricky, Alex, Julio and everyone else who looked after me in San Francisco. Thank you very much, Grandmaster Gee, for allowing me to visit your Kwoon and see the Hung Fa Yi.
Now that I have been allowed to see the Hung Fa Yi, I can't consider trying another form of Wing Chun, never mind any other fighting system. The Hung Fa Yi is the most precise 'thing' I have ever seen. Your family deserves to grow and I hope this happens. It is actually my wish to be part of that, so time will tell. As regards to those who have heard of Hung Fa Yi but have not seen it, pay no attention to the ditractors who speak badly of the Hung Fa Yi - go and see it for yourself.
I recommend reading the book 'Mastering Kung Fu - Featuring Shoalin Kung Fu', and then I recommend seeing it for yourself.
Again thanks very much to everyone for all the courtesies and Hung Fa Yi demonstrations.

Cheerio, Gary.

[Savi]

Also a "Greetings and Welcome" to the HFY Family from the Arizona school (and Tony)! I am truly happy to hear your experience was a good one, apparently to say the least by your own words!!! Who best to see HFY in action if not from GM Gee personally? And of course the rest of our family! :)

Hopefully the members from the AZ school will get a chance to meet you too. Again, welcome.

[mario bava]

Hello There

Thanks for the welcome from the Arizona folks - you may not get to see me because when I go home and show the boys what I've seen, I may get into trouble - :boxing: - but I do hope to get to meet you's all some day.
Tony, I'll tell you how I ended in the library. I hadn't been there for years and my sister begged to go to the library with her so she could get a book on how to mend curtains and have some company. While she browsed, I browsed and found the book! It's not a very exciting story, but that's it! Thank God for sisters and curtains!

Cheerio

[William E]

Gary

Have a safe flight tomorrow and when you fly back to the UK. It was great to meet you and I hope that we will see you again someday soon.

William E.

[duende]

Yeah Gary..

Have a safe flight home. Sorry I didn't get to see you off... work and such.

Anyways, look forward to training with you more when you come back.

Alex

[Cang Long]

Thank God for sisters and curtains! hahaha gotta love it. Thanks for sharing that with us Gary. Enjoy a safe trip home and tell your sister hello from the HFY family. Look forward to meeting you on your next visit and don't be too hard on the boys back home ;)

[Op108wc]

Originally posted by mario bava
Now that I have been allowed to see the Hung Fa Yi, I can't consider trying another form of Wing Chun, never mind any other fighting system. The Hung Fa Yi is the most precise 'thing' I have ever seen. Your family deserves to grow and I hope this happens. It is actually my wish to be part of that, so time will tell.
Cheerio, Gary.

Hello,

The world is filled with power and wisdom, which we can have, so to speak. In some sense you have them already.


El

[Steve]

Gary,

It sounds as if your trip to San Francisco was 'class'! I'm glad to hear you're even more enhusiastic about HFY now than when you left Dayton. Sorry we broke your Wing Chun heart, but I guess its also a good thing you decided to 'throw it away' after the first few days. I'm glad you're so open minded and willing to learn. Don't pick on the boys at home too much now! You're most welcome for the hospitality (you owe us if we ever make it to N. Ireland;)), it was a good week for kung fu, despite the first few days of the heat. I hope that SF was more to your liking weather wise.

[Op108wc]

Originally posted by Steve
Gary,

Sorry we broke your Wing Chun heart, but I guess its also a good thing you decided to 'throw it away' after the first few days. I'm glad you're so open minded and willing to learn.

Fifteen years ago, our Sihing Mike, after working out with Sifu Garrett Gee less than two hours, he decided to 'throw his six years of wing chun experience and his Sifu title away' and became a student under Sifu Gee.

[mario bava]

Hello There.

Thanks for all the safe home messages. William, didn't thank you enough for your time - cheers, because you took me to the bridge, my brother cannot refuse to let me back into Ireland. And just to answer, if certain boys ever end up in Ireland, then maybe, perhaps, they might get looked after if they just happen to bring along a certian version of a certain film called Return of the Jedi :rolleyes:
Well, the whole two weeks were 'class'. Thanks again, and I have one message for Mrs Meng - thanks very much for sending my passport - I haven't phoned because I have no money left on my little card, but as soon as I have, I will call to get the amount of money I owe you for sending it over.
Well, that's it for now. I'm fryin alive at the minute because it is too warm here in Orlando, and down here the bloody eejits drive on the wrong side as well!

Cheerio, Gary

[passing_through]

Gary,

Glad to hear things went will with your visit to SF. Any time you're in our neck of the woods, feel free to drop by.

It was great to meet you and we'll see you again!

Make sure you let us know what happens when you get home. I'm curious to hear how it goes.

take care,
Jeremy R.

[Allen Kong]

Gary,

By now, I hope you are back in Ireland, safe and sound. The time you were in San Francisco, I hope you brought back some good stories. You almost were involve in a car accident....by inches. You had your first visit to a tea house and had some dim sum (next time, don't be scare of the chicken feet). You wonder why cars don't slide around going down lombard street (crookiest street in the world). I hope you found your way to the Alcatraz Island (its ok to take the night tour :( ). Best of all, I hope the training at the Kwoons was all you envision when you left the airport in Ireland to come to the States.

Take care and hope everything works out for you,


Allen Kong

[Ben@HFY]

Hi Gary-

If I understand correctly from all the entries,
you are also now one of the few in Europe who actually experienced HFY Wing Chun!

I had the opportunity to live in Phoenix, AZ for four years with my family and trained with sifu Richard Loewenhagen for four years! Fortunately enough I was able to visit sitaigung Gee in SF a few times!

During those four years that really was in involved in WC almost every day, I felt really lucky to be part of the family. As of the very end of last year, my company called me back to the Netherlands.
To be honest, there is one thing that I really miss . . . training (I think studying is a better word) HFY WC. No doubt that my sifu, sigung Meng and sitaigung Gee are the top of WC instructors.

Although I'm perhaps a kind of 'lost member of the family' . . . Please take my words as a very positive welcome:
I hope that you will enjoy HFY as much as I do. Not only from a combat perspective but also as usefull framework in day-to-day life.

rgds

Ben de Boer

[mario bava]

Hello There

Thanks very much Ben. Hope your doin well at the minute. Ben, if you had studied the HFY for 4 years, why don't you open a school in Europe? I don't know how much your learned, but I know one
fella who would attend your classes! Thanks Allen, and if I live to be 237 years old, I will still probably never eat chicken feet. Jeremy, I'll send you a message to your address about what was said when I told the boys because I don't want to say it publically. But two of the Sifu's have told me they are going to ask for permission to visit in October becasue of what they have been told.
I'll talk to you's again.

Cheerio.

[Cang Long]

Gary,
Nice to hear that you made it home safely. If you don't care for chicken feet you can always try the pickled pigs feet, lol. Surely there are some portions of what the boys had to say that you can share publicly, we're all interested to know. As for Mr. de Boer, he is an excellent student and will make an excellent teacher real soon I am sure. The Netherlands will no doubt be enjoying the wealth of his experiences and it will be great fun for us in the States to visit HFY family in Europe.

[mario bava]

Hello There

Well Tony, whether it be pig, chicken or man, I'll not be eatin any feet. What I can say about the boys is that they were interested in seeing the stances and hearing about the formula - so much so that two of them were so impressed they want to see it for themselves in a few months.
That's all your gettin!

Cheerio, Gary.

[Cang Long]

Hey Gary,
How goes everything? That's fair enough I hope you understand that if the boys come this way they will be treated to a real good time we're not bias we show everyone a good time. We have a seminar with Grandmaster Gee next month in Arizona and all is well in the world ;) Looking forward to seeing you soon as always a pleasure chattin' with you take care.

[Ben@HFY]

Hi Tony and Gary-

Thanks for the nice words! Although I studied a few years and I believe I can be good a teacher and trainer, I'm currently heavily fed up with some urgent private matters that prevent me to make HFY WC plans on short notice.

Whenever the opportunity is there, I'm basically promoting HFY WC. Out of respect and true believe in the system and it's only living grandmaster, I will only start teaching HFY WC with his permission and only teaching those things that I'm allowed to teach. Another things is that I'm a father of a family of 3 kids with a very busy job. But then again . . . some private matters came up that have to be taken care of first . . .

Anyhow . . . with you onboard Gary, there are three of us in Europe. Suki in UK (London area, if I'm not mistaken), you in Ireland (right?) and me in the Netherlands . . . we might come up with something interesting later this year.

Rgds

Ben

PS Tony, please PM me and give me your private e-mail address.

[Louie]

Does Anyone have photos from this seminar?

[mario bava]

Hello There

Hope you're private matter works out o.k., Ben. Sorry for being nosey. And yes, I am in Ireland.