My Experiences at Golden Lion Kung Fu Academy

Below is an outline of my experiences as a student of kung fu at the Golden Lion Academy. It includes some of the values I've come to learn and appreciate during my studies at the Golden Lion.

"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory" - Mahatma Gandhi

My first encounter with martial arts started in India, where several of my early years were spent doing Yoga and Kalaripayatu (pronounced Kala-re-pay-attu), that is, the mother of modern day martial arts brought to China and Japan by the visiting Indian Buddhist monks.

I was trained by some perspicacious gurus who had selflessly dedicated their lives and time to this cause. In return they only expected goodwill and a meager fee for the daily running of their academy. The motive behind this was not to just teach us the secret arts of combat, Ayurveda (pronounced I-your-wedha) and fitness but also to inculcate into us the more esoteric qualities of humility, compassion and spirituality.

As time passed, the charm of the green back and professional life diluted my zeal for martial arts and I moved to Australia. However my passion and search for a learned and accomplished martial arts guru always remained.

I came across kung fu through a Channel 10 TV documentary, where a Bruce Lee look alike was doing some fancy moves on something called a ‘wooden dummy’. I found his lucid and fluid movements synonymous with Kalaripayatu, that is, where the disciple learns that like energy and thoughts, the body should move without restriction.

Kung-fu in its very literal sense means ART. WUSHU, means WAR ARTS or MARTIAL ARTS. Kung-fu however holds more recognition in our minds, because it has been sensationalized and glamorized in Hollywood.

This documentary propelled me to enroll into an academy the following morning. Unfortunately, my time with this academy was somewhat disappointing as it became clear within months, that the main objective of this organization was one of commercialism (i.e. the promotion of souvenirs and merchandise) rather than the promotion and propagation of martial arts and Chinese philosophy.

This experience diminished my hopes in finding a suitable master and learning the art of kung fu, for I realized how stark the contrast was regarding the principles my gurus in India stood for and honored.

A few years later (while I was getting fat but still looking for a kung-fu master) I came across an interesting kung-fu advert in the local newspaper. It said ‘Free uniform when you enroll’, what an incentive for a sedentary quest seeker like me!!!

This place was our Golden Lion Academy in Rowville, Victoria, Australia. The first person I met, as I walked into the academy was our evergreen young Sifu Steve Kiat, who introduced himself simply as Steve. I immediately felt an air of humility in him. I later learnt about Sifu’s accolades from Sihing Chris and other senior students. After a brief discussion on my background, Sifu took me through the differences in the Golden Lion style from my previous endeavors.

My early days at Golden Lion were full of heartwarming experiences. Each member had the patience and compassion to take me through the stretches, stance work and forms at my pace. Sifu Steve Kiat paid special attention to every student with unreserved passion and genuine care. I remember Sifu taking me aside and advising me on the advantages of the long-range movements over the short-range movements I was accustomed to. The following weekend I was told hereon on weekdays I would have the priviledge to also train under Sigung Richard Tsui-Po.

After some ‘googling’ on Sigung Richard I was convinced I was in good hands. His achievements in kung fu are quite admirable and so beyond words I can write.

I remember Sigung inviting me under his tutelage with a friendly pat on the back. With Sigung’s vivacious sense of humor and friendly nature the learning process seemed like a cake walk. There are no restrictions in what and how you learn your techniques. There are no criticisms to other styles (which, by the way was a defacto norm in the earlier academy).

Sigung had the time and patience to go through each student, and pay special attention to motivated students. How do the masters know you are motivated? - Well firstly they observe your stance work and secondly your spirit while you are training.

A word of warning, both Sifu and Sigung have very strong peripheral vision - you are being watched all the time, even though they might seem busy signing paperwork or talking to people at the reception.

On a personal basis, while training me in the early days (I think) Sigung’s biggest challenge was to make me do certain moves like spinning sidekicks which in my previous style ‘turning your back to your opponent’ or ‘extending your limbs outside the body meridian’ was a no-no. The challenge on my part was getting Sigung to pronounce my name (from Mumba to Mushtak to Markesh and finally to the one my parents named me). Finally we both got our parts right before the first grading.

Sigung’s and Sifu’s non-invasive and easy going teaching techniques ended up being more effective than the ‘must do’ compulsions you may come across in other martial arts institutes. There is no push for you to grade until you are mentally and physically prepared for it.

Our masters have very high standards and expectations from all of us, as they pride and self-assess themselves in how well they can train us. They also expect from us to train ourselves at home and pass on our acquired skills to our subordinates. You will notice only the best at Golden Lion make it to the black belt, unlike many ‘Lalaland’ martial art academies where you can literally buy your black belt.

Following are some of my accounts and experiences at Golden Lion which I feel are worth sharing.

As we move up the ladder we are coaxed to remember our earlier forms which shape the basis of our path ahead. No matter how good you may think you know your earlier forms and stances, it is always worth keeping a watchful eye on the instructors while they demonstrate the junior groups. Kung fu as Sigung would put it is all about learning and perfecting and for your instructors to help you where you falter.

Kung fu is all about observation, concentration and perception. Keep a close eye on our masters as they demonstrate the forms to any level. For instance, watch Sigung’s slightly bent elbow and fist tilted upwards during a straight punch. The bent elbow is a trademark of our Golden Lion style and also to allow enough flexibility to retract the arm for a follow-on block. The upward tilt of the fist is meant to cave into the opponent’s ribs cage and attack the pressure points (Liver 13 and Gall Bladder 25). I wouldn’t have known this if I had not interrupted Sigung and asked the question. We are lucky to have instructors who are ready to listen and advise.

One thing common in all Golden Lion grades is our training is broadly split into forms, weapons and sparring. The intensity of training might wary with level but the spirit remains the same. For instance, as Sifu Steve emphasizes - time and space yourselves adequately and don’t hurry your moves.

Similarly you will notice your masters have a strong concern when you don’t bring in your weapon for training. This is because your weapon and you have an intimate and unique bond. Using someone else’s cudgel or stick for a sword will only affect your stance work and chi.

Sparring is my favorite not only because I get to use my techniques, but also because I get to control my punches and kicks without hurting my sparring partner or at least I try to!!

You should remember our masters have been full contact tournament champions and they very well know how bad it is to hurt someone un-intentionally, hence they keep reminding us to ‘take it easy’ and ‘keep off the mirrors’ during the sparring sessions. Then off course if you still get hurt or develop a bruise during training there are Dai Sifu’s miraculous liniments to our rescue.

One of the lessons I have learnt at Golden Lion is to teach and contribute at the same time. If you ever see your juniors or peers fumbling with their stances, forms or techniques go ahead and help them out, because one day you will have to lead a class or two in your senior grades and this little contribution is a stepping stone.

It’s my fourth year at Golden Lion kung fu and I am very much still a student of this treasured academy. To date each session proves not only as a opportunity to learn something new, but also, it has forged in me the ability to humble myself to education not just from the higher ups as in our masters and teachers but also amongst our fellow mates. In this academy I can humbly say that all the wonderful attributes of my Indian gurus’s echoes here and therein lies my drive and burning desire to not only learn academically kung fu as an art but also to live kung fu as that which makes us all better human beings.

Many thanks to Golden Lion kung fu student Mukesh Bhakta for submitting this article

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