Welcome, Friends!

Greetings.
Kwong Sai Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai or the Kwong Sai Province, Bamboo Forest Monastery, Praying Mantis Family is a martial art founded by Monk Sam Dot and passed down directly to Master Gin Foon Mark in an unbroken lineage. I have studied in Sifu Mark’s school since the early seventies and I am a certified teacher as well as a disciple of sifu. Master Mark Foon has spent over half a century perfecting and maturing this art. . Bruce Lee was quite impressed by Sifu Mark’s version of Jook Lum and this style is featured in the book “The Dragon and the Tiger” by Jim Yim Lee’s son. Sifu Mark adapted the style to make it more effective and competitive in today’s world.
We here emphasize the real time application of the techniques and the foundation behind them. I am interested in teaching what works in the real world, in real time, not the theoretical. If you practice swimming next to a pool you will never learn to swim, you must jump in the water. That having been said this is not about bashing and violence; it is about learning an art together as family. I expect those who study with us to be respectful and friendly and to have a good sense of humor, you’ll need it.
I am most interested in transmitting the true art of kung fu and its integral relationship with Chan (Zen) and Taoism, not just the fighting. If you don’t transform your mind then you are no different than any other street fighter. True kung fu should be about expressing the root of existence through the art and life in general as well as opening your awareness to all nature. To grow old and to only have the ability to pound someone is a sad statement about your life. I’ve also trained in Zen for many years and bring the philosophy to my teaching of Jook Lum. Those of us who teach here have been doing it for many years and have been trained in everything from karate and akido to boxing so we are a well-rounded practical bunch when it comes to application and Jook Lum. Two of the guys here studied with Sifu Louie Jak Man, a direct student of the late grandmaster Lum Wing Fay and one is an authorized teacher under him.
This is not a one-size fits all style. You will learn to fight according to your size and body characteristics. We are interested in sharing this art with sincere, genuine people who would truly like to expand their awareness of life.
This style is not based on physical power but on using your opponent’s power against them in a truly effective manner therefore making it ideal for smaller people and women.
You cannot just learn a hand or two from us and apply it to another style because this is a complete system with its own logic and skills. Many people take a little from each style and tack it together and then teach a mish mash. For us it is like building an airplane from many different airplanes and this just won’t work, you have to have the right structure from the beginning.
We invite those who have a true interest in this art to come visit us to see if there is harmony between us. There are always rank beginners here so please have no fear about that. We are here to nourish the student, not hurt them, so come open and relaxed. It is very informal here. Since this is not a public business, I don’t charge a fee and I teach this out of my house I only want people here that I am personally comfortable with.
Please do not join this group if you do not intend to visit it.
Sincerely,
Joe, John O, Phil P and John C