YKM SF USA

美國三藩市少林柔功門國術會醒獅團

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History

Yau Kung Moon, also known in the United States as YKM, is an unfamiliar style that stresses not only physical, but also mental well being. Based on the movements of ten various animals (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane, Lion, Elephant, Horse, Monkey, and Eagle), it incorporates not only their varied strengths, but also their gracefulness and speed; unifying these characteristics comprises the physical aspects of this system.

Yau Kung Moon originated in the Tang Dynasty (800 AD) by Ding Yang, a monk of the Shaolin Temple. Because of its origins, physical attributes as well as mental awareness, inner confidence, and tranquility may be obtained through the teachings of basic Shaolin philosophy. Utilizing the physical and mental aspects, together makes Yau Kung Moon a complete system. For hundreds of years, this system remained secretive and closed, being taught only inside the various Shaolin Temple and then only to confirmed monks. It was not until the Ching Dynasty, when an Emperor burned the temples and forced the monks to flee that one monk (many monks were killed or died of harassment or starvation), Doe Sung, skilled in Yau Kung Moon survived. From that lone monk, the style survived and was passed on.

Yau Kung Moon had gained popularity in the Northern province of Guangdong, but as yet is still quite rare outside of China. The Yau Kung Moon System is discernible by its unique horse stance which resembles the more familiar ding gee ma or Kung-Fu side horse. The back arch is more pronounced and the shoulders are thrown forward with arms and hands protecting the chest and groin area. Defense is natural since the critical areas of the body are behind the protective wall of the shoulders and arms. Kicks or punches delivered within range of the practitioner would still be out of range of vital areas, and would be shrugged off effortlessly. This same stance also lends itself readily to offense as the arms are already in the attack position and the back legs has the distance of leverage required for powerful kicking.

Yau Kung Moon has both an external and internal training. However, like most other styles of Kung-Fu reknowned for their internal power, the individual systems' manifestation of internal power are still, somewhat secretive. The external training consists of 13 fist and 28 weapon sets. Besides the 18 classical weapons, sets with familiar farm implements (the hoe, long chair, spade, etc.) are also part of the system. This is a throw back to the days when the monks had to be prepared to defend themselves even while working in their fields.

Yau Kung Moon in the United States

During the 1960's, two of Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheung's top disciples, Wong Cheung, Wan Tak Kei immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong... Master Wong in San Francisco and Master Wan in Los Angeles.

By tradition, Master Wong and Master Wan passed on their art and knowledge to their top disciples, Bill Lee, Loi Lok Fu, Lok Sang Lee, Michael Lau, David Louie, and Bob Gin. For the past twenty five years, the two Grandmasters with the help of their disciples grew the Yau Kung Moon Association to over a thousand members strong. In the year of the millennium, Sifu Lok Sang Lee promoted two of his top students, Susan Yee and Richard Ow, to the rank of Sifu. To this day, the three Grandmasters, Sigung Wong Cheung, Sigung Wan Tak Kei, and Sigung Lok Sang Lee, are very involved in the growth and preservation of Yau Kung Moon.