VTSDA - www.vtsda.info :: One Heart, One Fist, One Way

The Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy (VTSDA) was founded in 2007 to teach and preserve the art of Ving Tsun (Cantonese; pronounced "wing-chun") kung fu in the tradition of Sigung Ip Ching, as it was transmitted to our Founder and Chief Instructor, Sifu Matthew Johnson. The VTSDA offers open classes, private, and group lessons, in addition to monthly seminars for enrolled students and special events for the general public.

Ving Tsun Kung Fu is a chinese martial art born during the anti-Qing uprising of the early 1700’s. The art was originally invented to teach ordinary people - villagers, farmers, civilians - how to defend their homes against marauding bandits, trained soldiers, and armed militia. This makes it the ideal martial art for everyday people: when it's taught correctly, it's an effective, practical art anyone can use.

Between 1949 and 1970, the late Grandmaster Ip Man perfected the art in the streets of Hong Kong. For over a decade, Ip Man Sijo's students defeated legions of kung fu experts, boxers, and other martial artists on the rooftops and alleyways of Kowloon. These full-contact, no-rules matches and street fights became the basis for Ip Man's approach to Ving Tsun, which emphasizes simplicity, power, speed, and efficiency.

Grandmaster Ip Ching in Hong Kong, 2008

Today, Ip Man Sijo's legacy lives on in his son, Grandmaster Ip Ching (above). Strictly emphasizing practical, real-world fighting, Ip Ching Sigung's kung fu favors techniques which work under pressure rather than martial art aesthetics.

Like his father, the Grandmaster stands for the highest ideals of Ving Tsun and all martial arts: wisdom against strength, courage against intimidation.

Grandmaster Ip Ching teaches that those with true knowledge of kung fu are responsbile for defending those who are unable to defend themselves, and have a duty to teach the art to those who need it most.

This is the sole mission of the VTSDA. To faithfully preserve Grandmaster Ip Ching's legacy, teaching ordinary people how to overcome fear with right action.

Our academy provides a safe, informal training environment modeled after Ip Ching Sigung's class at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association (VTAA) in Hong Kong. We have no belts, no uniforms, no ranks, and no hierarchy. Our only requirements are training, commitment, patience, and practice.

For information on enrollment and classes, please contact Sifu Matthew Johnson at mjwingchun@comcast.net, or call 773 301 6257.

Sifu Matthew Johnson is a lifetime member and certified instructor of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong. Any other groups, individuals, organizations or associations claiming him as a member, affiliated member, instructor, affiliated instructor or student are making false representations and are doing so without his authorization or permission.

All photos and text found in this site are the property of the VTSDA (Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy) and may not be used, copied, appropriated, or otherwise distributed for any reason, without his express written permission.