Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai testimony

One of the most unique aspects of this system is the training methodology of this system. Not that it can generate so much power but, because the way this system is organizes power is a product of the training. It starts off with the Micro Cosmos where you train the thoughts, muscle and breathing. The core or the start of this training is Sam Cian Po. It is based on Chan Buddhism and if done properly it teaches the student not to focus on the form or the energy but to be mindful of the here and now. It also teaches the body should be relaxed and light so that when you strike your arm can act as a super conductor for the energy that is generated. Because there is no tension in your arms to reduce the power or any recoil, this allows for the use of maximum power. The system then moves on to the Macro Cosmos which teaches the student the separation of time and space and how we must occupy the time and become the space. But ultimately we must understand that that both time and space is an illusion in Chan the past and the future is just a distraction the only thing that truly exists is the present moment. Space is also an illusion it is just energy flowing from one moment to the next. So to understand this allows the student not to be attached to the change in time and space so that they do not freeze in combat. Next comes the training of emptiness. I believe that this express the unlimited potential of the human being in both combat and in life. If you look close enough at a sub atomic level everything is made up of space and from nothingness comes the creation of everything. In emptiness there is no boundary just the building blocks of the universe and you are only limited by your beliefs or your imagination to use what the universe has provided you.

Joel Pryor

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In the late 1600’s the Southern Shaolin temple was destroyed. There were many forms of martial arts being learned, trained, and developed in the temple, and it is also believed that most of the Asian martial arts have their origins in the Shaolin temple. The research of the Ving Chun Museum, by Sifu Benny Meng, has traced many of the Wing Chun lineages back to the temple. Some Wing Chun lineages have been taught in the public for decades. However, a few Wing Chun lineages have kept their arts secret and have continued their teaching within small groups of practitioners.

Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai (HKBECP) is one of the lineages whose origin was in the Southern Shaolin Temple has been kept secret. At the present time the system is being practiced in Indonesia and has been brought to, and is being instructed, by Su Hu Kenneth Lin in America.

The uniqueness of Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun, as compared to most martial arts systems who require their practitioners to develop powerful muscles, harden their bones, and increase their speed through physical attributes, is that Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun develops its practitioners by teaching them how to “de-link” their physical body, separate their breathing, and control their thinking in a manner that is completely foreign to contemporary martial arts. Further the practitioner is required to gain these skills at the very onset of their training. It is so subtle that if a person simply observes it being performed they will not be able to comprehend the depth of what they are seeing.

The Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun practitioner is trained to keep their shoulder and arm muscles relaxed, and use their tendons in lieu of their muscles, while breathing as though they were relaxed and sitting in a chair. It is called “de-linking” which is the complete separation of the physical connection of the shoulders and the implementation of the tendons instead. It is based upon the Eng Chun principles of maximum efficiency and minimum effort. All of the standard Wing Chun techniques are present in Hek Ki Boen Wing Chun, but the emphasis is not on generating physical power, but the transference of “energy” through the limbs and creating the maximum impact from a relaxed state of being.

In addition to “de-linking” there is the whipping motion, which requires the practitioner to be in a relaxed state or the energy transference will not occur. Also, in order to complete the energy transference there must be “weight” in the hands at the end of the motion. All of these; de-linking, whipping, and weight in the motion are unique to Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun.

As a Shaolin martial art Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun is based upon the Shaolin principle of “No Illusions” and therefore the practitioner must remove all attachments to things such as ego and self-promotion and humble themselves, by having an open mind and seeking the truth in their practice.

All illusions of self must be disregarded through meditation and introspection. It is a process of going through a stage of wandering, enlightenment and finally illusion free.

Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai is a Shaolin martial art

By Sifu John Lambert

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HKB Black Flag is a very unique system for many reasons. HKB can be traced all the way back to the 1600’s, where after the destruction black flag was one of the original secret societies that came out of the Shaolin temple. The fact that at that era of time it was used for top secret special operation missions proves that it is a quick, highly precise and effective system because when you are on that type of mission you need to have the skill to do what you have to do quickly and get out. So that left little room for error. HKB Black Flag have formulated methods that are fast, swift, powerful and precise but what also makes it unique is the separation. HKB separates the MIND which is your thoughts, the BODY which is the muscle, and BREATH which is the energy. This helps to detach from oneself, meaning to free your mind from preconceived thoughts or beliefs and allowing your mind to be open to all possibilities. By freeing yourself of attachments you become aware of the constant change of time and space. By freeing your mind and allowing your body to experience it you are giving your body a complete overhaul.
Since HKB was hidden secret for a long period of time it maintained its Shaolin WC identity and has not been personalized or watered down. It has the 3 treasures Chan, health/fitness and kung-fu/martial arts as well as the formula; this is the essence of Shaolin WC. This makes black flag unique because the only society/system that has the true essence of Shaolin WC that can be traced back to the 1600’s is Black flag.
Another uniqueness of Black flag Eng Chun is how the power is released through separation of limbs so that the energy and explosiveness comes out at the tips/end of limbs( ex: fist) , which allows the rest of the body to be detached and relaxed. This allows for a quicker ability to change and adapt to what ever may be given to you at time of engagement. The normal human reaction to for instance throwing a punch is to tense up the entire body in order to generate power. The internal separation of breath helps to direct energy to where it is needed and not wasted.
The key to some system's teaching is the technique, but with HKB Black flag the key is you. By this I mean that some systems rely on a certain technique or skill to showcase power, but with HKB the success of your training relies on you internalizing it and making it your own by first keeping an open mind and understanding your thoughts, your body and your breathing. By doing this our body is not only generating power but focusing on releasing power. To me I feel to generate is to stir up power whereas to release is to send power out. This allows us to react/defend ourselves without relying on brute muscle strength. When in human range with triangle structure we use the kinetic energy flowing through our limbs rather than brute force which in itself waste a lot of energy. HKB lacks wasted, theatrical movements instead the movements are precise and to the point. This system teaches you to do what you have to do efficiently with out getting hurt.
There are many unique qualities of HKB Black flag that I am beginning to experience, but I have not written about because I am still internalizing a lot about this system, but over time my understanding and explanation will be greater. I just know that this system is teaching me to become a better person, a better martial artist both internally and externally by keeping my mind free of expectations and styles by living through the true nature of things and the essence of Shaolin WC.

Missy Pruden -- my thoughts on HKB Black Flag
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My martial arts journey began in January of 2009. Under Sifu Lambert I attained the rank of blue sash in Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun. This was the extent of my training before starting in Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun. So far, in my opinion, there are a few points that make Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun unique.
This system seems to emphasize footwork more than my previous system that I learned. I can the see the logic behind this. Keeping contact with the ground increases your stability. Since your legs and feet are your base, if you not working from a strong base, all your other movements will break down and be less effective.
Another key difference I have noticed is between Hung Fa Yi's idea of controlling the space and Hek Ki Boen's idea of becoming the space. The difference is subtle yet its impact on combat is profound. With controlling the space you are mainly using your limbs to obstruct your opponents movements. However in becoming the space, you use your body to obstruct your opponents movements, freeing your limbs up to destroy your opponent. Thus it is more efficient.
Hek Ki Boen's emphasis on the internal through its core form Saam Chian Poh is yet another unique trait. Where as Hung Fa Yi's generation of power came from structure and muscle tension, Hek Ki Boen teaches you to relax and through its concept of delinking, reverse the tension, placing it in the hands, allowing the tendons of your limbs to transfer your energy. Other systems might teach the internal energy aspects at the end, Hek Ki Boen teaches it from the beginning and potentially never has an ending. I am very intrigued to see just how deep the well goes.

Respectfully,

Christopher Conaway
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My experience with WC has been somewhat limited. I have been exposed to Yip Man WC through JKD in the past. This consisted of basic Paak Sau/Laap Sau drills, a little Chi Sau training, and Sil Lum Tao (as they referred to it). I have also had some Yip Man Training with the VTM. I have had some experience with HFY and with Chi Sim as well.

From what I have seen of Yip Man WC, it does not have Chan. It does not have Time/Space/Energy. It does not have the same preciseness that I have seen with the WC Formula. All that is left is the Center Line Theory; there are no 5 Lines, or Three Reference Points. I have heard people say that there are 6 gates in YMWC, but I have not learned it as far as I am aware. The expression of power can be good but since there is no Formula, depending on your Sifu you may never be able to express good power because of a bad structure, or because of a lack of understanding of T/S/E. I think the power comes from the triangle structure in YMWC. As far as the mental awareness goes most people in YMWC do not even get to the concept level much less any farther. From what I have seen of how people are teaching it. YMWC is mostly technique based, and only coming from 1 range of combat (Trapping Range).

All the movements in HFY had to be extremely precise. The whole focus was on Time and Space. I personally believe that the energy was missing from the equation. Although there is Qigong (Jaam Jong) training involved, I did not see the expression of it used in any way. I think the way that power was expressed was through the structure of the body, which provided the strength to hit with. In turn I believe the punching power came from the perfect structure and the muscles. I also did not see a lot of smoothness going from one movement to another. It was very mechanical like a robot. It seemed to me that the most important thing above anything else was having the perfect structure at precisely the right time.

What I can derive from my experience with WC so far is that HKB Eng Chun is different than anything I have studied thus far. I have never seen any WC express Chan in such a deep manner. I have never seen Detachment expressed in anything I have ever done before. I can clearly see the link between Detachment in your Kung Fu, and Detachment in your life. I can see that by learning how to detach the Body/Mind/Breath you start to learn about how to detach from your attachments in life, which in turn creates a clearer mind and helps free you of the clutter so that you can focus better. I see that this is also the path to rid you of your ego which is very much Buddhist. I see that Sam Chian Po is a key element in learning this. There is no Sam Chian Po in any other WC System out there that I know of. Therefore, I do not see how the other systems of WC can learn about Detachment in their training. I believe this is honestly the true original information that was taught in the Southern Shaolin Temple.

I see that Detachment of the body leads to the development of power which can be delivered regardless of having “a perfect structure”. Conventional methods of punching are usually done with more of a pushing or swinging force. This is either accomplished with the use of cocking back for a big swing, rotating the body to generate a bigger force, or by using the structure to generate power. HKB uses Detachment to generate power by “transferring power”. This is done by making sure that none of the muscles are tight except for that which is in the hand, in turn delivering a crushing force with a Whip and Weight which are similar to a ball and chain. All the force is at the end. Through conventional methods at least some force will always come back into your body when you deliver a punch because of the attachment throughout the arm. When the muscles are not tight, the arm is not attached to the shock which would normally come back to you.

The first time I saw Master Lin express HKB, I saw a lot of things that I have learned over the years from several other art forms. I am talking about things coming from my experiences from internal and external arts. So in turn when I look at HKB Eng Chun, I do not see only an internal art. I do not see only an external art (which is the way most people view WC today). I see a complete system which has not left anything out from the internal or external world of martial arts. To me this is extremely rare.

Aaron McKillip
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From my observations of HKB. The foot placement, torso crank, and whipping energy of the punches remind me of a large Commercial Crane used to destroy brick buildings. The shoulder width foot placement, much like the wide tracks of the crane, allows for a stable base to direct the energy from. (Pulling the energy up from the ground and sending out to the ball.) The torso crank is like the turning of the crane as it swings the large ball into area of impact. The whipping energy punches of HKB are like the metal ball which swings and snaps into the building at proper time and place. The whipping energy of the ball is very powerful but it becomes even more powerful when the crane turns and swings into the direction of the impact. This turning energy, combined with the whipping energy of the ball, and the structurally strong base; all combine to make the blow very precise and very powerful. The ball has enough energy transferred into the building to cause destruction and eventually bring the building down to the ground. All these must be combined in the correct manner to cause this burst of transferred energy into the enemy/building. Most others systems rely on brute force/muscle power for this power. This consumes much energy, and causes a crashing of power which then transfers some of the energy back, instead of forward into opponent. (Like hitting a wall with a baseball bat.) Also as a person ages it is much more difficult to generate this brute force power. With HKB a smaller or older person can continue to generate a powerful burst of energy-transfer into the opponent, causing much damage in one precise blow.

Since it was hidden for such a long period of time, it has maintained much of its original Shaolin nature in its principles and techniques. Such as its fighting applications and philosophies, this is a great separation from many other martial arts, and makes the system very unique. HKB oral history, state that it was created and used for special operation of traitors within the Secret Societies: then hidden for political purposes. HKB was separate from the other flag societies; thus creating another distinction. It has techniques are built for quick and powerful blows within the Human Range. By gathering heaviness in the hand and utilizing speed in its blows, it allows for Kinetic Energy to be swiftly transferred into target. There is no need for any additional distance, which make it very distinct. As other arts may use only distance and brute force, HKB allows for the utilization of both Kinetic Energy and stored Potential Energy. This is a great uniqueness from other types of systems, as quick death blows are quite possible, without space or distance. Done in a very quick and efficient manner, one shot, one kill. HKB expression is without flowery movements or unneeded wastes of energy, efficiency in action, as seen in nature.

The whipping snaps, at the end of the punch, it is like the weapon called a “Blackjack.” A leather wrapped piece of metal with a spring inside. When a person uses this weapon, they hit the person in the back of head. The spring allows for a quick snap/whip of energy, which pops quickly into the skull and causes a fast knock out. These Blackjack are small and held in the hand, but designed to use little energy and space to cause much damage and even possible death by snapping the weight. I feel this is a concept unique to HKB punches.

Scott Tharp
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Hek Ki Boen has drawn my attention toward generating and releasing energy. All matter is energy condensed to a slow vibration. Controlling and disrupting vibrations is the essence of the art.

The structure and efficiency of a weapon are highly important but the energy it releases is of equal if not greater value.

Detachment and relaxation of muscles seems to be the key in moving and releasing energy.

I have much to learn but am fortunate of the knowledge that is being passed to me.

With much gratitude,

Phil Holt

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My training so far has brought me to a new understanding of dealing with things in my life. Now that I am beginning to understand the nature of HKB I see that the difference between HKB and other systems of WC is Separation and detachment. This is the closest system that I have experienced that truly expresses having the DNA of Shaolin. HKB is Qi gong, Internal and external martial arts, and truly expressing Chan by practicality efficiency and complete separation of body breath and mind. In these last few months I have been able to grasp why this is such a treasure and am honored to be blessed with this opportunity to show and teach this treasure to the world. I believe that by training in HKB that anyone can make major improvements in their life by achieving complete separation of body breath.

Kevin Foster
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Over the last year, I’ve experienced many revelations regarding my wing chun since I began training in Hek Ki Boen. Unlike other styles & systems (karate, tae kwon do and other wing chun systems), the energy that is used to create a powerful strike is obtained through completely different processes.

In Hung Fa Yi, for example, power is generated by classic means: mass (muscle) x speed (acceleration) = Force. This kind of power is a basic formula from physics: m x a=F. This form of power is enhanced through the application of the wing chun formula and is taught in the beginning of the Hung Fa Yi system.

In Hek Ki Boen, however, the first concept taught is the detachment of the body, energy & mind. Just like Hung Fa Yi, the wing chun formula is taught; however, muscle strength is not required to obtain striking power. In fact, the use of muscles to generate power actually slows down a HKB strike and diminishes the energy transfer. This is because the muscles constrict the tendons, prohibiting the energy from reaching the point of contact. By first learning to detach the body, energy and mind, you learn to feel how to transfer the weight and whip to the point of contact with the utmost efficiency. This is the path to achieving Hoet Keng.

I’m looking forward to the progression of my training. I realize as I develop my control and detachment, I will then be able to link the body back into the whip & throw a technique from any position, regardless of the time/space/energy or wing chun formula – true formlessness and emptiness. Life is always about the journey, and not the destination.

Xan Smith

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I must say that I have not trained much in other Wing Chun systems, so I can not compare them to HKB. However, I have been in several other martial arts. I must say that HKB is such a different way of generating power than other martial art systems. In all other systems I have been in, the way to generate power is often the boxer's way, in that you use the entire body to generate power. With HKB, you do not need all of that movement in order to create power. This allows you to strike much more efficiently and really, much quicker. The trick, however, is getting used to such a different system. I am still getting used to such a different way of thinking that comes with training in HKB. I am still getting used to getting the whipping motion correctly and to avoid the use of the entire body for power. But, this is something just comes with time and effort.

I discovered that HKB is far different to any other martial art I have practiced. We have discussed the issue of power generation, however there is way more than that. The footwork gives us the balance between mobility and stability. In other arts, a stance may give you great mobility or give you a strong, stable stance, but they are never put together. It is always one or the other. At first the stance we use looks as if it would never work, yet when we practice we find that it is a remarkably efficient way to move. In turn, that is exactly what makes HKB so great. I have found that HKB techniques are often more about controlling the opponent rather than exchanging blows. There is a greater care paid to getting a superior position and taking away the opponent's energy, thus preventing him from even fighting back.

This goes back to a military mind set. To win a war, one must control the field and disrupt an enemy's movement. The basic formula is even different from other arts. Many arts do not think about the value of the structure of the body. This leaves a person off balance or in a position where they can not respond quickly. Most significant, is that the HKB structure allows us to fight with great energy, but use little physical strength. Arts such as modern MMA can often place too much emphasis on muscle. I have heard people say, "Oh that guy is stronger. So he will win. The bigger, stronger fighter always wins and that is just how it is." But that is not true. Through the HKB structure, our physical strength is not needed. There is so much to this HKB system, I am sure there are areas I have not even thought of yet, but right now I am making sure I understand the basics of the system.

Robert Whittaker

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I believe the most important difference between HKB wing chun and the other schools is the focus on detachment, detachment in the physical, mental and spiritual areas. In the physical area you are able to generate power through a relaxed whipping action separate from the rest of the body, as opposed to generating power from the entire body structure as in the other arts. In the mental area you must become detached from the sense of self in order to see the reality of every situation clearly. In the spiritual sense you must detach yourself from the limited physical vs. spiritual view of life and see that in the end you are really a spiritual being that is one with the greater spirit that created all of us.

With Respect, Gary Ray from Meng's Martial Arts of Cincinnati.

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The HKB Experience

As I signed on as a todai of Sifu Lambert at a time when the school was transitioning from Hung Fa Yi to Hek Ki Boen , I have had very limited exposure to other Wing Chun systems first hand. We have discussed the conceptual differences between the Ip Man, Hung Fa Yi, and Hek Ki Boen Siu Nim Tau exercises in each system, and most of my understanding of the idiosyncrasies comes from those discussions.

My personal experience thus far with HKB has been quite startling in the amount of power and the efficiency of its usage within the system. With correct application, the smallest of movements can produce incredible amounts of power and forward energy.

I have not yet been able to achieve the whipping motion required to fully appreciate the extent of HKB’s power first hand. But even in the basic movements, and learning the basic mechanics of the forms, I can easily recognize a striking difference between the HKB system and other martial arts methods – recognizable because of the level of difficulty I find in ‘detaching’ and training my limbs to relax, which seems somehow counterintuitive to my body.

Generation of Power
Again, with somewhat limited exposure to the system, my understanding at this point is that the generation of power in the HKB system comes from visualizing your limbs as sort of wrecking balls - long, fluid chains with heavy weights at the ends of each; along with honing the ability to turn your energy on and off and knowing when to do so to produce the explosive power that makes HKB so effective. HKB's way of conserving your power until the precise moment during each movement that it is needed and truly developing economy of motion with each breath and each movement.

Becky Mason

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The Uniqueness of Hek Ki Boen

In my opinion, Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun (HKB) has many qualities that make it unique among other martial arts and Wing Chun systems. Being effective through efficiency/economy of motion and use of energy are all strived for and talked about in other martial art systems, but the methodology and philosophy is something that I have not heard of from other martial art practitioners.

Concerning the efficiency, it seems some practitioners of fighting arts are under the misconception that efficiency is gained through the muscle memory attained by countless hours of drilling; the thinking being that if you are used to doing something as second nature, this equals efficiency. Of course drilling is important, but it seems to me HKB takes it to another level with the concept of “de-linking”, related to the Chan concept of detachment. No fighter wants to attach themselves to a particular moment in time and space, and HKB takes this further by proposing that you do not want any attachment to energy in the body other than the energy that is generated in the extremity that is striking during the moment of impact; not too long before nor after. So you must de-link you hands, feet, fingertips or toes from the rest of your body. Many martial arts promote using your whole body to generate power; all the while never fully RELEASING it, while HKB promotes the ability of using the individual parts of the body independently to generate that same amount of power, then RELEASING all of it in the execution of a technique.

Another concept that stands out for me is the fact that there are no defensive techniques. In this case, “the best offense AND defense is a good offense”. Again this seems to me to go back to the Chan philosophy that deals with living in reality. When someone attacks you, they are attempting to impose their reality on to you by causing chaos. In my understanding, HKB purports that if you take any kind of defensive posture, you are accepting that reality. In order to restore harmony, you must assert your reality. Hung Fa Yi had a similar concept. One example was four-gate “blocking”. Where a block is used to prevent a strike from reaching its target by using a limb as a shield; these techniques were not blocks, as the techniques were used to meet the striking limb with a strike; so you were engaged in limb destruction. You could follow up this technique with a strike or strike with your other hand simultaneously. In HKB techniques like Tun Jiu, Tan Jiu, Im Jiu, Yang Jiu, actually go through the attacker’s offense in order to strike a vital area, imposing your reality on to the attacker that you are neither a victim nor defender.

Paul Mason
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When I first began learning Shaolin Kung-fu, we were studying the Hung Fa Yi (HFY) Wing Chun (WC) system. Based upon my understanding, the HFY system appeared to be built around the structure of the human body, such as properly aligning the skeleton to allow for the correct usage of muscles in a way to get the most from human mechanics. Since this was my first system, I was very much focused on foundation level material such as learning the WC formula, the 5 lines, the 10 points, footwork, kicks, punches, and the accompanying forms that demonstrate various techniques and keep one healthy. As well, I learned about the concepts of efficiency. As we have transitioned to learning about HKB and being able to apply HKB skill, I have been able to notice some differences that are physical and others mental. From the physical perspective the formula is maintained, but the structure is not as rigid due to using/releasing energy in place of the power generated from the speed and strength of the muscles. As for the mental perspective, it is important to be detached and finding emptiness. I view being detached as not identifying oneself with style, also being able to flow and adapt to situations without being repetitively predictable. I view emptiness as finding that place inside yourself where you can never be mentally bothered or shaken; you don’t think back and forth, you only do. I could be wrong on these ideas of mine, but with time my understanding will improve. As well, being a newer student at the time, I maybe was not able to grasp or was not introduced to more of the philosophical thinking involved with HFY.
When it comes to training, I am able to compare both the HFY and HKB “Little Ideas”. Both are good teachers of time and space. Both demonstrate techniques within the two systems. Both allow the student to express the techniques while applying the formula. However, the "Little Idea" in HKB seems to be better at representing real combat situations and responses. The HFY "Little Idea" seems to also demonstrate some real combat situations and responses, but I feel it more so helped me gain an understanding of how the perform the techniques along with finding the reference points of time and space. Also, the HKB “Little Idea” allows me to work on turning the energy on and off as I move from one technique to the. A significant difference is that I have not seen a Saam Chin Po for HFY. Or at least the intent was not properly conveyed. I was thinking about the HFY form where you make a fist and flex until you arms tremble, then pull them back to a crossed position and thrust downward, that’s a little bit similar. But Saam Chin Po is unique. It is a great teacher, and it forces one to be cognizant of them-self and know how they are moving, which muscles are tensed or relaxed and so forth. The Saam Chin also helps me apply the principal of detachment because in order to develop the skill I must learn to exercise the physical property of detachment which means separating the linking of muscles and allowing them act independently being detached individuals’ themselves. These are some of my thoughts on the HKB training compared to my previous martial arts training with Meng’s. I must say there is a lot going on with training, new thinking, new skills, and sometimes the message is challenging to convey. I hope my depth of understanding grows and that my skill grows too, and any correction I need will come. Thank you.

Mitchell Binford
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If I understand correctly in the world of physics there is an equation/formula to producing energy. The concept of body unity is also impressed in the practice of modern day Wing Chun, in which the connection of all major muscle groups along with joints and bone are aligned to deliver the body's maximum power potential. This concept along with the formula of mass/speed is not emphasized in HKB. But quite the opposite is impressed upon the students of HKB in order to develop the proper energy for its unique and explosive power. With relaxation and letting go, without using one's own strength joined with muscle or grounded in body unity this "engine" is developed. In the idea of letting go, it surpasses the physical and invades into the mental and spiritual areas of a person's psyche. It teaches me as a person that there are things I cannot control in life, one being circumstances about me. People's tongue, actions, and attitudes are not my responsibility and therefore I can release them back to their originator and be free of all their negative attachment. Sometimes we as human's are concerned whether we measure up to another man's standards or spirituality, but through the idea of detachment I can free myself from the snares and bondages that religion (man made) offers and be a true spiritual being in touch with God and all that exist around me, including myself. So the idea of relax, let go and just be is so unique to HKB that this idea has become my life's motto. It doesn't interfere with my faith/belief, but enhances. On the physical level I have been able to keep myself from injury and began to see a change in my body and my approach to training. It does not take away that one must still work hard and sweat in order to free himself of his attachments and become detached. It means that in order to get the "engine operating the proper way" you have to let go of all those things that upset you, or hold you back, whether it be using muscle to try to obtain the power, or down to a negative attitude. So the concept in motion for me is to relax the muscle, release loosely but have a shape, move with intent and explode the energy on a focused point not have aimless movement.

Thank You,
Ray Crawford
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HKB Wing Chun is the original Wing Chun containing the most complete picture. Through historical evidence and research, HKB has been proven to be a living artifact of the Southern Shaolin Temple. The Chan philosophy permeates the entire system. Every element at this point has a deep philosophical meaning.

The training method is very clear. The student has a clear objective. Each training method logically connects to the particular skill. Each skill is directly connected to the reality of combat. The approach to energy and the releasing of power sets the HKB Wing Chun system apart. Other Wing Chun systems work to generate power while HKB releases the power. The first concepts in other Wing Chun systems work hard to teach the student to connect the body and the breath while HKB teaches to separate the body and the breath. HKB approach allows the student to use short range power almost immediately while other systems teach more of a pushing power.

Chango Noaks
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HKB is unique to start. You have to relearn how to take steps, forwards, backwards and sideways. You will get a great work out and sore muscles from learning new ways to punch and strike while you are supposed to be relaxed. Your physical shape will begin to take shape and fitness develops as you perform training. The people you train with will become friends as you sweat and punch each other. The personal improvement in physical energy increases along with your striking power and strong arms, you reaction sped increases. Your hands will begin to shake doing forms of training. The system and methods begin to transform you into a highly intelligent fighting machine. Add the depth of knowledge that is pasted on as wisdoms help you to reach new paradigms in thinking.

Mark Gerhard