OUR PHILOSOPHY
Bamboo Kung Fu was founded on the principle of preserving and promoting the illustrious history of Choi Lee Fut without corrupting its fundamental combat effectiveness.
Bamboo Kung Fu is the quintessential evolution of Choi Lee Fut. Whether your goal is to train for the ring, street self-defence, or special application defence training, you will find an applicable system here. We maintain an active repertoire of techniques that will never be legal in a sporting based events but are effective methods of disabling your opponent without fail.
From the ring to the street, we train fighters. Period.
The Training Principles of Traditional Choi Lee Fut
Chan Heung, the founder of Choi Lee Fut, outlined 10 principles for students to follow when training in his style. He believed that following these principles would help the individual not only excel in his style, but also assist in creating a stronger and more well-rounded moral character. As a result, Choi Lee Fut was not just a form of martial art - it was also presented as a lifestyle.
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Seek a teacher: To study a martial art, one must seek a teacher to guide and show the proper way (i.e. the “Tao”).
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Train hard: Endure pain or hardship to develop mental discipline. (The question is “Can you stomach bitter taste?”)
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To ascend a stage of challenges, one must be a winner: From an individual perspective, one must be confident to win. From a collective perspective, the responsibility is great especially when one is selected to carry the image of the collective to ensure that one emerges as a winner. Therefore at various levels, one must evaluate and decide whether to engage in a challenge or to let someone who is more capable to bear the flag. The confidence of assuming the flag bearer position is developed through study and preparation.
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Refrain from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion. Be virtuous. In our modern lifestyle, we are still required to be virtuous and faithful in our relationships to our partners. The Chinese culture has deeply rooted beliefs in the family unit, based on virtue.
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Nourish the body with good food: Biologically, food provides the resources and fuel for the body to regenerate and function properly. Food that is natural is preferred to processed food. For example, maple syrup or honey is preferred as a sweetener rather than refined sugar, and sea salt is considered better than iodized salt.
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Be powerful, strong, imposing, and influential. One must display strength physically and mentally as well as be noble and accountable. One should take responsibility of the consequences of one’s own actions and be respectful and humble. These are the traits of a good person and a strong leader.
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Develop stamina: Develop stamina through training, since the best techniques do not guarantee victory in a duel. One must have sufficient energy and stamina to endure and last to the end of the duel.
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Produce the “spirit yell”: One must yell by forcefully expelling air during execution of a movement. Expelling air forcefully will help one to breathe. Breathing is a key element in kung fu training as it nourishes the body with oxygen, which feeds muscles. Proper breathing technique will also help toughen one’s body temporarily so that is impervious to blows. The "spirit yell" is also used to startle an opponent and creates a feeling of high energy, excitement and spirit.
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Do not give in when confronted with an enemy: In any encounter with an enemy, one must emerge a winner. In order to ensure that one is successful, one must have the skill, stamina, and confidence - all of which are acquired from much training.
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Relentless and continuous grinding, polishing, and pushing skills on a daily basis: Skills must be continuously sharpened through training. Because one is always evolving, one must continuously develop skills.
