Chong’s Wing Chun & Bak Mei Kung Fu Association

A significant amount of time has passed since I trained at this school but just checking in via Unilocal to see how things were going (and reading Tam D’s review) made me nostalgic. It dawned on me that I had a wonderful experience/​time there and I should pay it forward with my own review.
This dojo spoke to my heart. It was an absolute honor to train with Sifu Chong and be invited to join in on their Bak Mei training as well. Not an art that is picked up or understood quickly, I wish I had trained for longer and would love to train there again.
Yes, as reviewer Tam D. said «ask Barry for a full demonstration». Such an awesome martial art. If you’re looking for a «McDojo» or «Belt Factory», look elsewhere but if you want an authentic Wing Chun experience, give it a shot!

I have been attending a short time and I’m very happy with Wing Chun and this studio. I like how the art emphasizes relaxed movement and correct form. I can see how it would be very fast and effective when used in a combat situation. Sifu and the instructors demonstrate it’s practical application every class. These demos also help to put into context the movements and forms that I’m learning. Which further helps me to do it correctly.
I’m in no hurry to be devastating with Wing Chun but rather I want to make it a part of my natural movement like walking. I’m confident that it’ll help me defend myself or friends/​family.
When I practice in a quiet place it is like a meditation and I feel centered, recharged, and clear afterwards.
When I practice at the studio I leave feeling centered and that I had a good workout. At the studio I practice the form and do exercises/​drills with the class or other students. The workout is more of a dynamic, whole-​body type than a bunch of strength training moves like push-​ups or weight training. I feel that I’m getting stronger and more solid, that I can deliver a greater amount of force than the effort put into it.
I look forward to continue advancing through the forms, eventually training with the dummy, and working with other students/​instructors to develop the sensitivity part of Wing Chun.
I read in another review that there isn’t a structure to the class. I have to disagree. The structure is there and like Wing Chun it’s sensitive to the movement/​needs of the students. So it adapts. Class generally goes like this. Students arrive, do their own warmup, do the forms, hit the bags, work on the dummy, and practice with each. Sifu and the other instructors are teaching individuals or small groups during this time. Then the whole class does drills/​exercises together. This is the most physically demanding part for me because I’m not sparring yet. The last part of class students work much like the first part.
Sifu Chong and the other instructors are attending to me each class and are always ready to answer my questions. Everybody including more advanced students are also trying to help me learn.
Sifu Chong is the REAL DEAL. You can read his bio online and see the story. But you’ll know when you attend his studio that he and the community that has formed around him are dedicated to preserving and sharing this unique art. There’s a lot of passion, commitment, and experience there. I feel lucky to have found this studio and privileged to be learning Wing Chun from Sifu Chong and the other instructors.

Sifu Chong, his senior instructors, and the other students here are some of the best martial artists I have encountered. The classes are very hands on, as it should be– Wing Chun cannot be learned by just watching and following along but through Sifu Chong’s guidance, I finally understood to «feel» for it. The teaching methods are extremely innovative and students develop effective skills surprisingly fast.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturday are the Wing Chun classes and Tuesdays/​Thursdays are the Bak Mei classes. Adults and kids classes occur at the same time but are led by different instructors except on Saturdays which are combined. The classes aren’t very formal and it is great in that students can arrive late or leave early as they please. Everyone is also very friendly and helpful.

First off i would like to touch up on Wes H review. But before i do, i would say that he probably has not meet Barry. If you plan to check this place out, talk to Sifu and then ask Barry for a FULL demonstration. Anyways, i’ve been doing this for about 2 years now, and all the days i’m there, i learn something new each time. And pardon my english, i’m not too good at explaining things.
Giving yourself six months isn’t much, you can’t master ANY martial arts within that period. No matter how good you are at picking stuff up. You simply do not give something a go, and assume what you first see is bad. If it was a terrible place why do people bother staying for 10 years, 20 years 30 years. etc. If you want to learn something, you do it, not try. Also, just because the place is «tiny» doesn’t necessarily mean it makes it a bad place automatically. And not once have i noticed Sifu burn incense while class is going.
The class my not have any structure at all but to me that is a good thing in all my experiences with martial arts. I’ve taken taekwondo and shotokan karate before and following a structure was not my type. Everyone must go at the same pace, perform forms all together, and if one messes up, then everyone is accounted for and must start over. Everyone performs at their pace, slow or fast. Why should a slow student perform at a fast pace or vise versa? Other places required to be straight on time. If you’re late, then you have to make up with push ups or running; which i think is a big waste of time. People have lives outside of Wing Chun, that is why we don’t require people to come on time.
How is the quality of the instruction low? Is it because we do not have a structure? Seems like it. Not all martial arts have the same structure. Personally, Sifu or the seniors will teach you everything. They will spend one on one with you. As you progress and learn single and double sticky hands you begin to cooperate with other students to improve one’s skill (sensitivity. etc). When learning forms, sifu will briefly show how it is applied in real life. Everyone has their own way of applying the forms. If you aren’t sure what the «techniques» are for why not ASK? We have Sifu, Barry, Bill, Tom, Jackson, and many more seniors. You could also ask other STUDENTS too. Take the initiative to ask instead of assuming we just teach techniques. Also, why not try to see how the applications work and maybe you’ll have a different understand than others? We also do not have that many techniques compared to other martial arts. Only 3 forms and the dummy set. How is that a lot?
Sparring, I’m sure you are comparing our sparring to how you see in a taekwondo or karate spar; using head gear and armor gear. Not all martial arts are the same. Our sparring with start off with chi sao (double sticky hands). From there we engaged in traps, striking, counter attacking, feeling the movement of the opponent all withing a 2 – 3 feet of each other, which is a really close combat. This is to improve our sense and making the right choices when close up. If you’d like to do full contact sparring, why don’t you just ask your friends to spar with you instead of complaining that we don’t do full contact sparring. Like i said, take the initiative because i do spar myself out of school.
We may lack the fitness, but what does that have to do with the class? Why not work out at home or the gym and then just come to practice? I rather spend 3 hours of learning and training then doing fitness activity. Since the class isn’t really structured, why not make yourself active instead of complaining? You can always do your footwork drills without waiting for Sifu or the Seniors to tell you so. Sticky hand drills, sand bags, and the dummy will help condition you’re hand. Barry will literally bong sao the metal do with no pain. Honestly, i quite get a work out each time i go. And no i’ not out of shape. I’m in the best shape of my life.
So please, before you leave a bad review about this place, know what you are talking about before you assume negative thoughts about this school.
Anyways, from my experience, i love coming here. With the other martial arts learned before, Wing Chun has been my favorite. I can relate it to everyday life and how it has affected me than other martial arts. Starting off may be slow, due to HOW important the first form is, but once you’ve pass that mark and began sticky hands will change that. When i have trouble applying the techniques with applications, i tend to go to Barry. He has been very helpful due to having over 30 years of experience. Overall it is a friendly and warm feeling attending each class. It feels like a family, and how everyone backs each other up and treat everyone equally. I am not a fast learner but i’m glad that they do not rush me. Going at my pace and learning at my pace may take longer than others but it sure pays off!
So be sure to just drop by and ask for Sifu Eddie Chong or Barry Lee!