SIFU CHAN LAI WAH

To all my students,

This school is founded by my disciple Helen Lee, and jointly put together by Helen, Dave and myself. It is set-up to pass on Traditional Wu-Style Taichi which I have inherited from my Teacher Master Wong Choo Yam (黄祖荫). My Teacher had inherited it from our Grandmaster Wu Kung-I (吴公仪), the grandson of Wu Style's originator, Wu Quan You (吴全佑). 

My encounter with martial arts started when I was 12. A car accident left me with a broken leg and I was on clutches for an entire year. I met Master Wei Yuan Feng (魏元峰) of Chin Woo Association Singapore. He saw me in my state, and was very kind to coach me wushu at Chin Woo Association to strengthen my legs, which finally put me back on both feet. I continued learning external martial arts (外家拳) for many years.

At 29, I worked as a maintenance technician where long hours of shift work deteriorated my health. I was advised by a TCM doctor to practice Taichi. It was then I started learning Wu-Style Taichi from my Teacher, Master Wong Choo Yam (黄祖荫). I followed him for 27 years before he passed away in November 2009.

My Teacher was just like my own family member. For 27 years, we trained and have meals together many times a week. Beyond his knowledge and skills in the art, his passion and tireless effort greatly moved me. My only regret was I did not have the capacity to put together a school for him during his living years. I would have wished that he is here now to witness the school. For the past 10 years, I have taught many students from all walks of life. My master was around to witness my earlier classes and his presence is deeply missed. 

With this school, I hope to impart the deeper nuances and finer points of Wu-Style Taichi to students who are willing to learn. Taichi is an art that takes years to learn but decades to master. I am also happy to have my internal disciples with me. They are accepted through traditional means (传统拜师), exactly as how I honoured my Teacher, and how my Teacher honoured his (GrandMaster Wu). 

拜师 is more than just a custom. Beyond your own interest to learn at an advanced level, 拜师 is also about respecting your Teacher’s lineage, and carry on your Teacher's work (传承). While the journey can be difficult with many responsibilities, expectations and little understanding, it is at the end of the day very meaningful and fulfilling.

Helen, Dave and myself started this school together. I am confident the younger generation will continue to spread the art, help more people, and take it to the next level. 

To all my students, enjoy your learning, enjoy the process, live a healthier you.

Sifu, 2 May 2016

In memory of my student Hee Kang Ngiap. May your passion lives on in this Academy.