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From early in his childhood Master Chow Chin Ching listened to stories told by his father about the rough streets of Hong Kong in the 1950’s. It was a time when kung fu was used for real fights, to defend oneself and ones family. Growing up in this rough environment, Chow’s father (Chow Wing) decided to learn martial arts and studied with Master Wong Yuk Kong, the famous head of Kwong Sai Jook Lum (Bamboo Forest) Temple Praying Mantis in Hong Kong, who was known for his tough and strict teaching practices. Many people travelled long distances to study with him, all became excellent fighters. As their relationship grew, Wong would also eventually share the essential, highly secretive fighting techniques with Chow Wing who would later share this with his son.
Both father and son would eventually become experts at Kwong Sai Jook Lum Temple Praying Mantis, a type of Southern Style Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Southern Style Praying Mantis was handed down from their Hakka ancestors and dates back over 2000 years. Practitioners of this style were well known for their agile iron bodies and lightening speed, their kung fu was intense and incredibly powerful. Chow Sr. went on to become a Master who taught a diverse group of people, from police detectives to professional fighters.
Master Chow's Father Chow Wing |
As a boy, for fun, Chow would start to learn some fundamental skills of kung fu from his father. A fire was lit and from there began his life long pursuit to understand and learn Chinese Martial Arts. He read as much as he could about Kung Fu, not only techniques and styles but its history and philosophy. He also immersed himself into novels about legendary kung fu masters which only fueled his interest. While his friends were out playing he would spend time reading and practicing by himself.
As he got older Chow’s passion only grew. He felt a powerful force, a calling from within and decided when he was a young man, to dedicate his life to this ancient art form. He took formal lessons with the head of Chow Gar Praying Mantis style of Kung fu, Master Yip Shui, known for teaching Iron Body Fighting Techniques and High Level Chi Power Shaolin practicing methods. At the time Master Yip was 89 years old. Chow was surprised at how clear Yips mind was and how incredibly strong his body was at such an old age. |
Chow’s Chow Gar Praying Mantis Grandmaster was Lau Soei, one of the top masters who trained many students that later became famous for their powerful real fighting capabilities. Grandmaster Lau was one of the three Tigers from Southern China’s Dong River area.
Chow also went on to master several forms of Chen Style Tai Chi. A fortuitous meeting with Master Chen Qing Lei during a competition in Henan, China would lead Chow on an unexpected journey into the secret and ancient world of Tai Chi. Master Chen was the 19th generation Tai Chi Master who was a descendant of the family that created Tai Chi from Henan Province in China. Their kung fu dates back to 1372, some of them became generals and commanders who fought wars during different dynasties. It was so natural for Chow that he quickly became an expert and was honored by the Chen Family Council members to become the inheritor of Chen Style Tai Chi. He was taught high level internal training methods that were never taught to people outside the Chen Family in the past. And he was the first to receive the Chen family Council members chop during his inheritance ceremony, which meant that they recognized and entrusted in him to pass on all his knowledge and deep understanding of Tai Chi to future generations.
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Master Chow with Chen family Council members at his inheritance ceremony
Through the years Chow also continued to study with his father from whom he learned the essence of the art of fighting. He learned how to change and to be fluid, acting and reacting to an opponents challenge. He learned how to use weapons with deftness and fluidity. Being a perfectionist, his every movement had to be precise, powerful and accurate. Chow ate, slept and breathed kung fu.
Now recognized as an inheritor of Kwongsai Jook Lum (Bamboo Forest) Temple Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Chen Style Tai Chi, Chow wants to share his passion and his knowledge with the next generation.