The essence of this style, is the essence of the Mind. It has therefore, two distinct strands, the study of the physical body within the practice of martial culture, and the penetration of the everyday surface Mind, to its peaceful essence. The two states become intrinsically entwined. Mastery is to achieve a peaceful strength that can dissolve or negate any unjust or unwanted negative energy. Many of the practitioners of the past and present, have had their own particular pathways of learning, and each could well create a variant of the above lineage charts. Lineage is a snap-shot of one particular aspect of history, from a specific viewpoint. The lineages presented above are tentative and are not complete. Their purpose is to acknowledge and honour the past masters in respect for their efforts in preserving the style we practice and benefit from today. And to equally acknowledge the efforts of today's senior students whom preserve this ancient path, within the context of modern life.
Martial Lineage
Grand Master Chan Yan Fat – (exact dates unknown, style passed on from his father.)
l
Master Chan Tin San – (1921-1993, son of Chan Yan Fat)
l
Sifu Chan Heng Yu – (Adrian Chan-Wyles – son-in-law of master Chan Tin San)
l l l
Mr Neil Webster Mr David Symon Mr Nick Bishop
Ch'an Buddhist Lineage
Master Xu Yun (1840-1959)
l
Charles Luk (Upasaka Lu Kuan Yu) 1898-1978.
l
Richard Hunn (Upasaka Wen Shu ) 1949-2006.
l
Adrian Chan-Wyles (Shi Da Dao) 1967 -.
Master Chan Tin San was a traditional doctor and a reknowned martial artist. His northern style has been passed down within a branch of the southern Hakka lineage of the Chan family.
Master Chan fought against the Imperial Japanese army during WWII, following their invasion of the New Territories, as part of the Hakka resistance. All his expertise and skill were required to survive. He left the Chan ancestral village (Heurng Jou Chin, or 'Banana Village') in Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong, and came to England with his family in 1956.
It is only within recent years that Hakka gungfu styles have been taught outside of the direct family.
