Virginia

Wing Chung Kung Fu
Filipino Martial Arts
 

Free Week Introductory Classes

Koryo Traditional Martial Arts Center

10960-F Three Chopt Rd.
Richmond Virginia 23233 

804-370-7694      804 527-1059 school
stephencharlson@yahoo.com

click on map to enlarge

  The Schedule and Facility       

Thursday: 7:00 to 8:30 PM-Wing Chung

Saturday:  9:00 to 10:30 AM -Filipino Martial Arts/Self Defense       

         History of Wing Chun Kung Fu

According to legend, approximately 2000 years ago in North-Central China, a martial art known as “kung-fu was developed in the Shaolin temple of Hunan Province by a Buddhist monk know as Master Ta Mo. Master Ta Mo discovered that the Monks at the temple were in poor health so he proceeded to teach them various forms and exercises patterned after animals, which included movements for exercises as well as self defense. During the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1662-1722), fighting skills became very strong in the Shaolin Temple and as a result of fear they were burned down by the Manchurian government. After the burning of the Shaolin temples, a nun Ng Mui took refuge in the White Crane Temple where she met Yim Wing Chun. A local bully was trying to force Yim Wing Chun to marry him and his continuous threats became a source of worry for her and her father. Ng Mui took pity and agreed to teach Wing Chun fighting techniques so she could protect herself. Yim Wing Chun trained day and night and defended her honor. From Yim Wing Chun a lineage of Wing Chun has been passed down to the most popularly known style “Yip Man Wing Chun. This was made famous by the fact that the late Bruce Lee was a Wing Chun student under Yip Man and popularized Kung Fu to the world. A contemporary of Yip Man was Jiu Wan who was the instructor of Sifu Francis Fong who taught Sifu Garrick Edwards and Sifu Steve Charlson. .

Wing Chun Kung Fu  

Wing Chun is one of the most efficient and effective close quarter self-defense systems taught today. Key principles of Wing Chun include attacking and defending the centerline, simultaneous blocking and striking, economy of motion, and utilizing superior position and technique rather than meeting force against force. In Wing Chun, there are no wasted movements. Wing Chun was developed to allow practitioners to become skilled fighters in the shortest period of time possible. The system is designed to allow a smaller, seemingly weaker individual to defeat a larger, stronger opponent through superior technique. Wing Chun has 3 empty hand forms, a wooden dummy form, sensitivity drills, and Chi Sao (rolling hands training. Five years of consistent training is generally accepted as the length of time to learn the entire system. The Wing Chun System helps one to develop timing, sensitivity, balance, coordination and relaxation. We emphasize physical conditioning and the development of strong basics in every fighting range.  Along with principles of Wing Chun Kung Fu, other arts of the east and west are brought together for a well rounded and practical approach to self defense and reality fighting.

 Filipino Martial Arts

The Filipino Martial arts were originally developed for combat and practical application in a relatively short period of time against other villages or foreign invaders. Training consists of single stick, double stick, stick and dagger, and self-defense against weapon attacks.  Students will learn how to use ordinary objects as weapons to defend themselves. Training consists of Marianas Pananandata (designed for combat and self-defense).  A great deal of emphasis is placed on stick and knife sparring for the realism of combat.  Workshops are held several times a year and are taught personally by Grandmaster Amante Marinas.  Advanced students specialize in a number of Filipino weapons from the Pananandata system.

Self Defense Classes  

The Self Defense Program offers an informative and exploratory introduction to realistic Self Defense concepts derived from Chinese Kung Fu, Thailand Kick Boxing and the Filipino Martial Arts. Strength and technical expertise should not be a factor in self preservation. Participants will learn not to think but react, develop awareness and practice basic physical self defense techniques. Self Preservation should be basic to self defense training and empowerment of the individual. Since we are all different, participants will be encouraged to discover what is useful to them in a self defense situation
 

Thai/Chinese Kickboxing

Thai/Chinese Boxing incorporates a variety of punches, hand strikes, low kicks, elbows, knees, locks, breaks and sweeps. Wing Chung Kung Fu Muay Thai and other arts of the east & west are brought together for a well rounded & practical approach to self defense & reality fighting. Every student is trained in all combative ranges although close quarters combat is emphasized.

Head Instructor  
Sifu Steve Charlson

Sifu Steve Charlson has over 25 years of experience in the martial arts. He is a certified Wing Chun instructor of the Jiu wan style under Sifu Garrick Edwards of Atlanta, Georgia and authorized weapons instructor of the Filipino martial arts under a number of well-known instructors, which include Grandmaster Amante Marinas, The late Guro Ted Lucaylucay, Guro Rich Lamoureaux, and The Late Guro Edgar Sulite. Steve Charlson has black belts in Tae kwon Do and American Style Karate. He was AAU Virginia state karate champion in 1981.  Sifu Steve has published two articles in Inside Kung Fu Magazine including the last interview of the late Guro Ted Lucaylucay which can be found online. Sifu Steve has conducted self defense classes for women for a number of years.

 Martial Arts Instructors

Steve Charlson: is the Head Instructor of CDF WingChun/Kali Academy of Virginia/ Black Sash in Wing Chun

Tim Compton: is certified by the Thai Boxing Association of America and
CDF Instructor in Chapel Hill North Carolina

Sifu Wayne Chenault: is a Wing Chun/ Filipino Martial Arts Instructor
certified by the CDF Academy of Virginia and is an associate Instructor
/Black Sash in Wing Chun/FMA

Jim Baker: is a Wing Chun/ Filipino Martial Arts Instructor certified by
the CDF Academy of Virginia and is an associate Instructor /Black Sash
Wing Chun/FMA

Ryan Munday: is a Wing Chun/ Filipino Martial Arts Instructor certified
by the CDF Academy of Virginia and is an associate Instructor /Black
Sash in Wing Chun/FMA

Mike Valdepenas: is a Wing Chun/ Filipino Martial Arts Instructor
certified by the CDF Academy of Virginia and is an associate Instructor
/Black Sash in Wing Chun/FMA
 

Virginia 2009

"Yes We Can!" "Yes We Did!" "Yes We Will!"
Picture from the training with Grandmaster Marinas last Saturday.
 It was a great time. Hope you guys enjoyed it and hope others can come.
 My best to all family friends, students, former students and Instructors.
My best,
Steve

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