Yoga + Kung Fu : the best of both worlds

Yoga+ Kung Fu

 At first appearance, Indian Yoga and Chinese Kung Fu would seem to be different and even conflicting practices. But these two schools of knowledge have an 
 ancient historical link and share the common goal of helping an individual reach his full potential by developing his body and mind.

 In 495AD, a 64 year old Buddhist monk, Bodhidarma (or Damo, as he is known to the Chinese is also the founder of Chinese Chan Buddhism and the father
 of Japanese Zen Buddhism .) left India for China and eventually arrived at Shaolin Temple. He observed that the monks' were physically weak and could not
 cope with the rigorous demands of meditation which is a central practice in Buddhism to gain spiritual enlightenment. He felt they needed to strengthen their 
 bodies and mind and so he developed series of practices, influenced by Taoism and Indian yoga, called qigong and neigong. The monks trained in these 
 practices and found their bodies strengthened and revitalised with energy. Their healthy bodies gave rise to healthy minds which had become sharp and 
 strong. Combined with sitting meditations, they practiced transforming the gross energies of the body like anger, attachment and greed into pristine states of
 mind, developing enlightened qualities like compassion and wisdom.

 Eventually these practices were adapted by others to form the different styles of Chinese Kung Fu, including Yong Chun (or Wing Chun) style. But the original 
 purpose and basis of Kung Fu is really to still the mind to cultivate the individual. While people tend to associate Kung Fu with fighting and defeating enemies, 
 the real purpose remains for the Kung Fu exponent to defeat his internal enemies of greed, hatred and delusion, bringing about a sense of unity between his 
 body, mind and spirit. Thus Kung Fu, like yoga, is a deep discipline to define and refine the self. The bringing together of Kung Fu and yoga is a 
 reunion that will bring us back to this original purpose of the practices. With mindful practice, we can all enjoy health, well-being, happiness.

 The combination of Kung Fu and yoga techniques in the new classes at mOmentOm yOga is far more than just a marriage of convenience or a gimmicky 
 marketing tactic but true to the spirit of the pioneers of Kung Fu and yoga, we continue to be open to new to ways of practising and to
 continually develop the practices to make them relevant to those practising these techniques today. 

 For more on the history of yoga and Wing Chun Kung Fu, visit:

 Yoga for Happiness: http://www.organise4u.com.sg/yoga.html
 Wing Chun Kung Fu: http://www.organise4u.com.sg/wingchun.html

 Master Chua Kah Joo

 Chua started learning Hung Gar Kung Fu at the age of fifteen in Singapore. Five years later, he was assisting Master Soh Ting Hong teaching Hung Gar 
 Kung Fu.

 In 1971, he met Joseph Cheng in London and had his first contact with Wing Chun martial art. Fascinated by this technique, he has not looked backed
 since. He went on to learn from Nino Bernardo. In 1980, he taught Wing Chun Martial Art at the London University Union with Nino Bernardo and
 Frankie Awson. In 1982, he founded Wing Chun Martial Arts Academy in Streatham, London, UK. In 1986, he formed a branch in Maidenhead, UK.
 In 1990, he returned to Singapore.

 Chua is also well versed in Tae Kwan Do, Shido Tyu Karate, Thai Boxing, Bak Mei, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, and Sing Yee but Wing Chun remains
 his preferred form of martial art training.
 

 Article edited from Spring Living in the North East magazine, March-April 2002 issue SINGAPORE

 Ballet and martial arts may sound like an unusual combination but not to Chua Kah Joo of Pasir Ris. Kah Joo or 'Sifu' (Cantonese for 'Master') to his
 students teaches classical ballet during weekends and Wing Chun Martial Arts on weekdays.

 A classical ballet dancer for 17 years, Kah Joo worked all over the world before coming home to Singapore. Working with Germany's Wuppertal
 Ballet, the Scottish Ballet and London City Ballet, Kah Joo has danced with ballet greats like the late Dame Margot Fonteyn in the 70's and the late 
 Rudolf Nuruyev, between 1979-1981.

 He has also rubbed shoulders with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Yul Brynner, acting with Harrison Ford in the 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of 
 Doom' in the early 80's.

 The Chua Kah Joo of today is the owner of a humble martial arts centre teaching the ancient art of Wing Chun Kuen. His students range from ages 14
 to 40. Chua Kah Joo's finesse in both Wing Chun Kuen and classical ballet propelled him towards an international career as a freelance actor and 
 dancer from 1971 and 1991. Upon receiving a classical ballet scholarship to study in Switzerland, the doors to Europe were opened. "I had the chance 
 to work with all the ballet greats including choreographers like Oleg Donovsky. Dancing onstage with Nureyev was a turning point that really inspired 
 me."

 After falling in love with his wife of nine years, Kah Joo returned quietly to Singapore in 1992. "I'm a very low profile person. Nobody knows I'm here. 
 Life's path is destined. Wherever I'm led I follow its path and let nature take its course.

 Nature has led him to see the flourishing of the Wing Chun Kuen art in Singapore. A beautiful, unusual art, it integrates an understanding of the body's 
 natural force for powerful yet graceful combat. It also endows the discerning quality of knowing when to take action and when not to.

 Just be warned of Chua Kah Joo's cheeky sense of humour as well! "The second time I met Spielberg he asked me 'Do you remember me?' and I said 
 no!"

 Chee Sau Fen

 After 8 years in the arts industry working with artists pursuing all manner of creative efforts from the visual arts to theatre to literature, Sau Fen is not 
 new to the mankind's constant search for meaning in life. However, it is through yoga that she is to find her creativity put to its best use. Sau Fen has
 been practising yoga for 6 years, with the last 3 years as a full-time yoga instructor. Certified to teach Raja Yoga by the Vivekananda Yoga Centre,
 she incorporates her practice in Vipassana Meditation into her classes, teaching a yoga that embraces moment-to-moment awareness as a path to a
 deeper understanding of the self. Yogis in her classes are not just taught yoga poses, they learn yoga poise: how to be at ease with whatever position the
 yogi finds himself in. The emphasis is on practising in a manner that is steady, comfy and happy in each moment, uniting each individual's body, heart and
 mind in peace. Encouraged to directly experience change, uncertainties and the imperfections of life with an open mind, the yogis practise how to live in
 freedom and happiness. She started a yoga studio at Stamford House called Om Improvement in 2003 which is now relocated to its new premises in
 Bugis Village and renamed mOmentOm yOga. . .