GREAT GRANDMASTER

WAN TAK KEI                  

Great Grandmaster Wan Tak Kei, (who is often known by his Americanized name of Richard Van) first began his studies of Yau Kung Moon Kung Fu (YKM) from Great Great Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheung at the age of 10.  After 10 years of rigorous training and in accordance with traditional Chinese martial arts custom, a ceremony was held in which it was announced that Great Great Grandmaster Ha had chosen Great Grandmaster Wan as his disciple.  Under this discipleship, Great Grandmaster Wan (Richard Van) would privately receive training in the secrets of Yau Kung Moon.  From this point forward, Great Grandmaster Wan had a close and loving relationship with his Si Fu Ha Kwok Cheng until his passing.  It was through this secret training that Great Grandmaster Wan became known for his phenomenal kung fu skills and his specialty, the Chain set.

​In 1966, Great Great Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheng bestowed upon Great Grandmaster Wan Tak Kei the honor and privilege of being the only official YKM master to teach YKM in the USA and to establish schools throughout.  With this honor and privilege, Great Grandmaster Wan immigrated to the U.S.A. and landed in Los Angeles, California.  

Word of Great Grandmaster Wan’s presence in the United States reached the communities in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles where many sought him out to learn YKM.   Soon Great Grandmaster Wan began teaching in all three cities, having to drive from Los Angeles to San Diego and San Francisco monthly to teach YKM students. Extremely devoted to YKM and his students, Great Grandmaster Wan maintained the intense commuting between San Diego and San Francisco for over five years while he continued to train his Los Angeles students.

Only after years of training did Great Grandmaster Wan chose to promote as Si Fu (instructor) those students who shared his martial arts virtue, respect, discipline, dedication and loyalty in YKM. In San Diego,  there is Great Grandmaster Wan’s first student, Ralph Ferreiro. In San Francisco, Great Grandmaster Wan appointed (Si Fu) Lok Sang Lee, Michael Lau and David Louie and in Los Angeles, (Si Fu) Kevin Quock, Dennis Lew, Bob Gin, and Torrey Yee.  

For over 50 years Great Grandmaster Wan's presence can be felt throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.  With his roots in San Diego, Si Fu Ralph Ferreiro has trained and taught YKM to numerous military personnel including many Navy Seals.  Si Fu Lok Sang Lee, Si Fu Michael Lau and Si Fu David Louie, through the strong Chinese Family Associations, have all established well-respected schools in San Francisco and its surrounding areas.  YKM continues to grow in San Francisco through Si Fu Susan Yee (first female YKM instructor), Si Fu Richard Ow and Joseph Ng.  In Los Angeles,  Si Fu Kevin Quock, Si Fu Dennis Lew, Si Fu Bob Gin, and Si Fu Torrey Yee have taught numerous students since 1980s. Si Fu Kevin Quock continues to be active in YKM, assisting Great Grandmaster Wan and training students.

In 2005, Great Grandmaster Wan started teaching in Winnipeg, Canada. Ryan Sayco was promoted to Si Fu to establish YKM. He began training students and has held lion dancing tournaments. 

Beginning in the late 1980s, Great Grandmaster Wan introduced YKM to the bright lights of Las Vegas, having his students perform lion and dragon dancing at the largest and most prominent hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.  YKM has proudly performed at the Mirage, Riviera, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Monte Carlo, Rio, Hilton, Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, New York New York, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM, Harrah’s, Paris, Bally’s, Flamingo, The Venetian, Palazzo, the Wynn Las Vegas, and they continue to perform at  these venues during the annual Chinese New years celebrations.   

Some of the other notable performances by Great Grandmaster Wan and his students are the Los Angeles Chinese New year Parade, functions for the Hong Kong Tourist Association, demonstrations, and performances at Disneyland, Universal Studio Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, appearances in various Commercial and TV including the soap opera General Hospital;
featured in promotional events for the blockbusters “Rush Hour 2” and “Tomb Raider 2: The Cradle of Life” and many other local and international events. Los Angeles YKM performed for President Bill Clinton and many well-known celebrities, such as Jean Claude VanDamme, Jackie Chan, Simon Yam, Zhang ZiYi, Sammo Hung, Steven Seagal and at a charity event for Bruce Lee’s wife, Linda Lee.

Since the 1990's, Great Grandmaster Wan continues to give YKM seminars internationally in such locations as China, Brazil, France and Germany.  At the young age of 74, Great Grandmaster Wan continues to train students in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

"I'm so happy that I fulfilled my promise to my Si Fu to establish YKM around the world."

        Great Grandmaster Wan Tak Kei

Dennis Ng - Renaissance Pleasure Faire

From left to right: Si Fu Bob Gin, Dusty Ferreiro, Great Grandmaster Wan Tak Kei, Alisa Van, Si Fu David Louie, Si Fu Torrey Yee, Si Fu Kevin Quock

​Dennis Ng and Si Fu Kevin Quock

Los Angeles Chinatown Chinese New Years Parade

​Ron Young and Si Fu Kevin Quock

Yau Kung Moon

​​​The name Yau Kung Moon translates as "The Sect of Flexible Power." By following the universal principles of change, Yin and Yang, the YKM style transforms energy from a state of flex­ibility to a state of rigidity, from softness to hardness. In­ternal energy flows like water to absorb an aggressor's attack, then changes explosively to strike or throw him off balance.

In YKM, force is not met with force. Instead, we strive to use the quickest and most effective response to a threat while expending a minimum amount of energy. 

​Sil Lum Yau Kung Mon Kung Fu, an Overview by Wan Tak Kei and Dennis Lew

​Jackie Chan "Rush Hour 2" event

President Clinton, Great Grandmaster Wan, Si Fu Gin, Si Fu Quock, A. Van

1990 Chinese New Years celebration - The Mirage, Las Vegas, NV

Si Fu Dennis Lew

​​YAU KUNG MOON CURRICULUM

TWELVE SECTIONS

YKM martial arts are divided into twelve sections. The first three include the soft, flowing techniques of Yau Kung 18 Double Pushing Hands. Power is moderately applied, and the move­ments are smooth to develop agility and flexibility. Sections 4 through 6 are designed for free-sparring. These are a practical application of the first three sections. The strategy used, is to turn the opponent's force against him.

Set or forms practice is called Yau Kung Kuen, and is in­cluded in sections 7 through 9. The goal of these sections is to develop speed, power, and accuracy according to the concept that "flexibility at its ultimate is rigidity, and rigidity at its ultimate is flexibility" -- Yin and Yang.

Practicing the first three sections tones up the body,in-creasing the efficiency of your blood circulation, and raising your level of health. Then by adding the training in sections 7 through 9, Yau Kung Kuen, strength and stamina are greatly increased. In practice, students are taught the more rigorous forms early in their training because rigid strength is easier to perceive than the supple force of the Pushing Hands exercises which are more difficult to master.

Sections 10 through 12 include training with the various traditional Chinese weapons. Weapons training further develops strength and coordination. Each weapon becomes an extension of your hands. The training helps to enhance your sensitivity to fighting distance, and the changing geometry of the combat sit­uation. Though there may be no actual use for a traditional weapon in contemporary society, you will be prepared to adapt whatever objects are at hand to use as weapons. For those who desire it, weapons training offers a feeling of continuity with martial arts history.

Sil Lum Yau Kung Mon Kung Fu, an Overview by Wan Tak Kei and Dennis Lew

Great Great Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheung and Great Grandmaster Wan Tak Kei

(Courtesy of Kung Fu Magazine.  All rights reserved.)

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/

​Jean Claude Van Damme "Blessing of the Lion" Ceremony

Great Grandmaster Wan Tak Kei

Great Warrior Staff

Photo by Dennis Lew

Si Fu Kevin Quock

YAU KUNG MOON KUNG FU INSTITUTE

 Founding Grandmaster Ha Han Hong was a native of Ko Ming County, Kwangtung Province, China and was a distinguished leader in the community due to his martial arts skill and intelligence.   As a young boy, Founding Grandmaster Ha met Sil Lum Temple Monk Teat Yun who was traveling throughout southern China.  Grandmaster HA was accepted as a student after rigorous testing to assess his character.  Testing continued throughout his early training until he became a disciple.  He learned the secrets of the style and Chinese orthopedics.  Upon completing his training, Grandmaster HA was given the task of spreading Yau Kung Moon and use his knowledge and skills to help humanity as his master returned to Sil Lum Temple.

   In 1924, Grandmaster HA set up his first school in Kwangtung, China.  Due to his Chinese medicine skills, Grandmaster HA became very famous.  In 1936, he was an instructor and physician for the Command of the Military Police team which won the Kwangtung Provincial Martial Arts Championships.  During War II, Grandmaster HA set up ambulance teams for Canton under the guidance of the Red Cross for the League of Nations.

   He continued to enrich his skills until the Communists took over China in 1949.  He relocated and established a second school in Hong Kong.  Due to his humbleness and contributions of public service, Grandmaster HA was highly regarded in the martial arts circle.  With Grandmaster HA passing away in 1965,  the administration of training was left to his only disciple, his son, HA Kwok Cheung Sijo. At present, there are about fifteen schools in Hong Kong organized as the Hong Kong Yau Kung Moon Sports Association.