The Theft of “ Time Space & Energy” by Bruce Jackson

The Theft of “ Time Space & Energy”

Stealing “Time, Space & Energy” is not about past Hung Fa Yi members
marketing this HFY Wing Chun concept with others. It is not about
martial arts entrepreneurs using familiar phrases to develop
reputations in the kung fu world. The complexities of this concept can
not be learned from a dvd or magazine. Time does not allow for
speculation in battle. The knowledge passed from Grand Master Garrett
Gee explains the intricate nature of “Time, Space & Energy”. With
technique training, one only sees techniques; they are taught to
counter one technique with another. System training adds dimension and
color to what would have been a black and white picture. To apply the
“System Approach” one must understand the concept in its entirety. To
steal “Time, Space or Energy” from an opponent is only one aspect of
this concept. Before attempting to take what belongs to someone else,
you must first recognize your own existence. “To know yourself is to
know your opponent”. This training shows how to recognize when, where
and with whom distortion exists. Self-awareness will develop through
the HFY progressive training format with proper guidance provided by
GM Gee.

All wing chun lineages that I know of practice “chi sao,” but their
motives differ. Most wing chun practitioners recognize chi sao for
sensitivity training and a friendly way to spar. HFY Wing Chun has
three chi sao formats. HFY Tan Bong Fuk Chi Sao, HFY Kiu Sao Chi Sao
and HFY Chi Kiu Chi Sao. These chi sao formats can be defined by the
“HFY Time, Space and Energy” concept. These HFY principles allow the
practitioner to recognize the appropriate time frame to apply the
strategy of chi sao. The HFY system does not consider chi sao as a
simple exercise, but rather a conceptual aspect of battle. HFY trains
with Sam Mo Kiu philosophy relative to the HFY “Time, Space & Energy”
concept. The ying level will establish the structured energy within
individual techniques. HFY Sup Ming Dim references outline the maximum
affect of tan bong fuk influence to develop an awareness of
distortion. The energy level, requires an understanding of the “HFY 5
Energies” concept. Each form of energy is unique, therefore HFY
applies a principled approach to adapt. As harmony is the goal,
distortion is the reality. The 3rd progression introduces a variety of
time, space and energy distortions. The strategies to regain control
can be applied effectively with the proficiency attained in the
previous levels of progression. Chi sao as a strategy allows the
practitioner a variety of applications.

Hung Fa Yi's Sup Gee Cao Sao Concept

Hfy sup gee cao sao concept

The HFY Trademark Time Space & Energy Concept.

Written by GM Garrett Gee

HFY Sup Gee Cao Sao concept

This concept is based on the 2nd section of the HFY Siu Nim Tao form (Pak Sao, Wu Sao & Juk Jurng). HFYWCK Sup Gee Cao Sao will be outlined in three time frames by the HFY progressive training format.

The first time frame is based on the HFYWCK Centerline Theory. The training consists of solo drills to recognize and establish the HFY formula, reference points (ying) and develop joint faat geng. Also included in this progression is the HFY 2 Line Jong Sao Concept of A. Wu-Chi Jong to Pak Sao Jong and B. Wu Chi Jong to Wu Sao Jong.

The second time frame is based on the HFYWCK Box Theory. This is a two man progression drill to recognize and establish the HFY Box Theory. Required will be demonstrations of HFY inside & outside the box engagement applications to achieve “one hand against two hands defense tactics” such as 1. Pak Sao Jong vs Cum Na 2. Wu Sao Jong Vs Cum Na 3. Pak Sao Jong vs Punch and 4. Wu Sao Jong Vs Punch. Dantien breathing exercises are included in this section.

The third time frame is based on HFYWCK Tien Yan Dei with the HFY Trademark Time Space & Energy Concept. This two man drill will train to recognize the “with time or without time on your side” aspect of engagement, how to establish the HFY Centerline and 5 Line Theory while maintaining a square 1 time zone without retreat or sidestep. HFY formula “If it is not necessary for you to move, then you better not move”. The A point must remain constant to be true to the B point, in order to establish real centerline engagement without time distortion in Wing Chun combat.

If We Use The Concept of Hung Fa Yi's Time, Space and Energy....

Wing Chun Masters

WCM: You have trained in various Martial Arts styles outside of the Wing Chun System, such as Pencak Silat, Wado Kai Karate, Judo, Jiu Jitsu and recently, Eighteen Hands Lohan, do you incorporate these in the curriculum of IWKA?

Sifu Sergio: Some of these systems have a totally different engine or concept behind it, so, clearly that would not be possible. It would not be Wing Chun anymore, for example if we use the concept of Hung Fa Yi's TIME, SPACE and ENERGY, which is a very deep concept, could we then take a TAE KWON DO Kick and put it in Wing Chun? The answer is clearly a 'NO' as the technique uses too much time and space and takes too much energy to perform.

Studying systems for myself as a hobby or to support, to preserve the knowledge is a different story. I studied BJJ for example to understand what the practitioners do and are capable of. A person cannot judge another lineage or style of martial arts without first 'experiencing' it!

Hung Fa Yi 's Time, Space and Energy

An Introduction to Hung Fa Yi’s Time, Space, and Energy

by Micheal Pyun
A Tae Kwon Do Black Belt and Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun practitioner

To this day I still study Grandmaster Garrett Gee’s Hung Fa Yi Wing
Chun for one simple reason – it is the only martial art that I have
ever experienced that explains why we do things rather than just when,
where, how, and against whom.  HFY truly has no preferences or biases
when it comes to combat and that is why it is unequivocally the most
unique form of combat in the world of martial arts today.  However,
due to the publishing of Mastering Kung Fu as well as the Internet,
HFY’s trademark emphasis on the employment of time, space, and energy
to defeat an opponent is no longer a secret.  As a result, I have seen
numerous martial arts videos on the Internet using the words time,
space, or energy to explain their various types of techniques.
Unfortunately, talking about the three terms and fully understanding
them are two totally different things.  With so many layers in HFY,
simply defining the three words is not enough.  One must be able to
express them mentally and physically with pinpoint accuracy and zero
distortion.

To give an example of how unique and precise HFY’s time, space, and
energy principles are in combat; one only has to look at the use of
paak sau and wu sau during an attack.  On video or even to the naked
eye, HFY’s paak sau and wu sau techniques may look similar to many
other Wing Chun schools.  However, the focus is different.  To put it
more precisely, HFY’s goal is not to simply stop the attack, but to
nullify any counter from the moment of contact using concepts such as
wrist energy, five-line theory, and inside-the-box/outside-the-box.

Even in the Siu Nim Tau, each hand position has a specific purpose and
structural integrity while sharing one common goal – maximum
effectiveness and maximum efficiency.  For instance, when applying
paak sau to an incoming punch to the face, HFY teaches the proper
wrist energy that needs to be applied to take the punch to the
defender’s shoulder line.  The positioning of the paak sau hand is so
precise that it requires the knowledge of three different concepts
(wrist energy, five-line theory, and inside-the-box/outside-the-box).
If the paak sau is too low, you risk missing the block.  If the paak
sau is too high, you risk getting hit by a low or middle gate attack.
Further, if the paak sau does not fully absorb the incoming energy,
you risk being out of range for follow up techniques as well as a
swift counter by your opponent.

In addition, HFY’s time, space, and energy concepts truly show the
martial artist what it means to control two arms with one.  With
proper spacing and knowledge of the five-line-theory, it is possible
to control your opponent’s two arms with just one of yours, leaving
your free arm to strike at will.  This is a true example of Wing
Chun’s famous trapping hands.

All in all, without GM Garrett Gee’s Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun, there would
be no discussion of time, space, and energy in any martial art circle
today.  Grant it, it is possible the words could have been used here
and there, but the combination of the three terms as well as a
detailed explanation of how and why they work together would be
non-existent.  If this were not true, why were time, space, and energy
never talked about in the martial arts world prior to GM Garrett Gee’s
arrival to the United States in 1975?

Hung Fa Yi Official Rankings

- Allen Kong, 9th Generation HFY Disciple (San Francisco)

- William Elliopulos, 9th Generation HFY Disciple (San Francisco)

Grandmaster Gee offers many training programs designed to suit the need of the individual. GM Gee is available to teach and hold seminars nationally and internationally.

Members

Any individuals can join a Hung Fa Kwoon or Hung Fa Yi club at anytime. Once a member, the individual will be taught, according to their level, the Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun curriculum.

The Hung Fa Yi curriculum allows for each student to progress at their own pace and is never rushed. We feel that each seed will bloom when the season is right. It is our hope that the student will be capable of learning and progressing on to the next level after six months of dedicated practice and class participation. When a student is ready to move onto the next level they will take a test with the sifu who is in charge of their school. The information that the student is expected to know includes HFY history, HFY philosophy, knowledge of the specific form and applications the student is studying along with it�s relation to the HFY formula.

Level 1 - 3

Blue Sash - Sui Nim Tau Level

This is the first sash that a new student joining HFY would wear. The color blue symbolizes Taam Lou (Seeking the Way). Also, Laam Dang (Blue Lanterns) were hung as outside symbols of the Secret Societies gathering and training grounds. There are three different requirement levels under the blue sash.

Level 4 - 6

Green Sash - Chum Kiu Level

The second sash which is green is presented after successful completion of the first three HFY levels. The color green symbolizes the Gong Wu (Martial Arts World). The phrase Luk Lam Ho Han, used at this level, refers to two things. The first is the green forest described by the words Luk Lam. The Luk Lam is a poetic phrase to describe the martial arts world. Ho Han means righteous man, meaning you are known as being righteous. Once you enter the secret society, you also enter the martial arts world. This level also represents that you have some form of martial arts skill since you are at Chun Kiu. There are three different levels and requirements as this green sash level.

Level 7 - 9

Black Sash - Bui Ji Level

The third sash which is black is presented after successful completion of the first six HFY levels. The color black symbolizes the �Rising Sun�. Black is used to represent this because at the time in China that the Qing were in control and they considered these dark times. The symbol for Ming is the same as that for brightness. By saying that they are waiting on the sun to rise they mean that they want the Ming to be restored to power. From a martial arts point of view you are waiting to become a martial arts expert. There are three different requirement levels under the black sash.

Level 10 - 12

Red Sash - Wooden Dummy and Weapons Level

The color red symbolizes a Ying Hung (Hero). This means that you have made contributions to the martial arts. The bandana that the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty wore when he won the last battle that put him into power was red. This is the highest level. There are three different requirement levels under the red sash.

Wooden Dummy

At this stage you are a hero and have earned your place as a high leader.

Doa - HFY Butterfly Swords

At this level you possess the warrior spirit. The fighters who possess this skill are called Seung Fa Hung Gwan (Double Flower Red Pole).

Gwan - HFY Pole

The pole is used as a combat weapon.At this level you've done everything you can and can go back to Shaolin to carry on the Shaolin spirit. A spear goes through the gate but enters as a pole. This is because due to Buddhist influence, no spears are allowed within the temple.

Instructors Program

The Hung Fa Yi family is always looking for individuals who possess the skills and capacity to learn and be able to teach the Hung Fa Yi system to the public. Each Kwoon director can nominate individuals whom they feel meet the criteria and are subject to the approval of Grandmaster Gee. Individuals in the instructors program enjoy the added benefit of frequent private training classes held at the headquarters in San Francisco. If you are not affiliated with a Hung Fa Yi Kwoon and are interested in the instructors program please contact the headquarters by phone at (415) 596-5997 or by email at worldhfy@gmail.com.

Discipleship - (Master Club)

As the inheritor of the system, Grandmaster Garrett Gee is the only person in the Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun lineage to accept disciples. The family members who have been accepted into the family are either professional martial artists or individuals who deeply identify with the spiritual aspects of the system.

Hung Fa Yi disciples receive one-on-one instruction directly from Grandmaster Gee and are expected to be able to absorb information easily and at a pace that is accelerated.

After completion, the individual can represent Grandmaster Gee and the Hung Fa Yi wing chun lineage at a location the individual so chooses and agreed upon by Grandmaster Gee.

What is the Meaning of Kui Sau?

kWhat is the meaning of Kui Sau and how is it used in Hung Fa Yi?

- Allen Kong, 9th Generation HFY Disciple (San Francisco)

There are many families/styles of martial arts, such as Hung Gar, Choi Le Fut, Bak Qua that incorporate many long-armed attack tactics. Other kung fu families incorporate ground fighting skills which were designed to take advantage of styles of kung fu that do not train against such attacks.

Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun's Kiu Sao is introduced to the HFYWC practitioners before the Chi Sao curriculum. Why Kiu Sao? In reality, a practitioner is not in offensive range when intercepting/bridging a attacker. Yes, if you can see your attacker is in front of you and can determine the type of attack being used, you may strike your opponent simultaneously with your defense. Most likely, you do not know who or what they are using (type of martial arts) to attack you and most attacks are only in your peripheral vision. In HFYWC time frame, we must bridge the gap first (kiu sao range) before entering into attack range (chi sao range).

The Kiu Sao curriculum emphasizes both anti-grabbling and bridging (fishing) your opponent's attacks. As with most attacks, the element of surprise is usually used. Through a series of training dealing with opponents in your vision and your inability to see your opponent clearly, the practitioner understands and trains to be in the proper range to intercept an opponent's attacks. Whether the attacks are in the high, middle, or low gates, the practitioner's use of proper footwork and forearm engagements will neutralize all grabbers and long-arm attacks.

Bridging your opponent's arms/hands not only relies on your basic wing chun training, but a developed sensitivity and conditioning on the forearm to allow the practitioner to know precisely when to enter into attack range (chi sao range) and back out to defense range (kiu sao range). Other styles of martial arts may also have forearm training. Their training may be based on conditioning of the forearm.

Proper footwork (along with your bridging arm) is essential in your kiu sao training. By understanding the proper footwork in different timeframes, one can neutralize sudden ground fighting attacks. With the understanding of YJKYM, LYM, BYM, and BM during various training exercises, the practitioner will know when to engage to mount an offense and retreat to regain proper defense. Remember, one must use the proper footwork along with the proper bridging arm to complete the kiu sao curriculum.

In conclusion, the Hung Fa Yi wing chun kiu sao curriculum is essential for the beginner before chi sao curriculum is introduced. We must first identify the time, space, and energy of our opponent before the proper counter attack is made. In comparision to all of today's wing chun lineages, only the Chi Sim wing chun lineage have the kiu sao curriculum in their system. The modern day Ip Man wing chun lineages do not use kiu sao training; they primarily use chi sao training for sensitivity and attack ranges. This may be why other lineages do not recognize Chi Sim lineage as a wing chun lineage. Though all wing chun lineages come from the same ancestors, in comparison with all wing chun lineages, we relate heavily to the chi sim wing chun lineage. Both the lineages's history and descendents originated from the shaolin temple. Along with the kiu sao training, our traditions/philosophies/zen buddism emphasis are parallel

Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Logo

What is the history of the HFY Logo?

- William Elliopulos, 9th Generation HFY Disciple (San Francisco)

A Brief History of the HFY logo

As a HFY family member I wanted to address the question that has come up once again regarding the origins of the HFY logo. This history will provide an accurate account of the logo evolution while also keeping the so-called "HFY Champions" from continuing to spread misinformation about HFY and push their own agendas.

Back in the early 1980's, GM Gee was working with a clothing supply company to provide new kung fu uniforms for his students. This company had a designer who worked closely with GM Gee and his strict criteria of what was to be included in the logo. The result was a series of three logos that were developed for the HFYWCKF lineage.

Evolution of the logos

All three versions of the logo were used at one point in time from the early 1980's until the present. Through the years, the logo was standardized and refined by Mathew Kwan himself, a 9th generation disciple in the HFYWCK lineage.

1. 2 butterfly swords sitting outside the red plum flower
2. Chinese characters sitting inside the red plum flower
3. The current logo which represents the HFYWCKF lineage today

Symbols and their meanings

The petals of the red flower represent the 6 different realities (smell, hear, taste, feel, see, mind), the six gates.

The star represents the 5 elements (wood, metal, fire, earth, water).

The yin yang symbol represents the HFY connection to Daoism.

The reverse swastika symbol represents the HFY connection to Buddhism.

The 2 butterfly swords represent the wing chun weapon.