Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

On Saturday morning, March 17, 2018, EPOS, responding to the invitation of its associate, Sifou Pantelias Antonis, attended the Club of Greek Chinese Yong Tsun Quan Academy in New Philadelphia to honor this art on the occasion of the International Wing Chun Day Celebration. EPOS was followed by its co-operating clubs with masters Katakalaios Dimitris, Kokkalas Lambros, Vasilopoulos Ioannis, Antoniou Efstathia, Delis Giorgos, Kapatsoulias Panagiotis, Stavrakos Marios, Kanavos Dionisis, Stavridou Alexandra, Antari Konstantina and Takaki Danae. Male and female Students of EPOS, enjoyed the festive experience together with the students of Shifu Pantelias School and the trainers of his club Alexandros Mpletsas and Hlias Alexopoulos.

During the celebration, there was an exchange of techniques, implementation of the "Sticking Hands ", Chi Shou [Chin: Chī Shǒu 黐 手 | Cant: Chī Sáu] and then Sifu Pantelias, who belongs to the tree of the Grand Master Lung Jia [Chin.: Lún jiā 倫佳 | 06.11.1927 - 05.01.2014] in Foshan Wing Chun [Chin: Fóshān yǒng chūn quán 佛山詠春拳], as a student of Shifu Derek Frearson, taught the skill "Little Idea" - Siu Nim Tao [Chin.: xiǎo niàntou 小念頭 | Cant.: siu nim tau] which is basically the first form of this Chinese art.

On the occasion, EPOS Director, Master Stavridis Iordanis, spoke to everyone about EPOS and the purposes of his foundation, the history of Wing Chun and its relationship with Shaolin Temple. Wanting to thank the attendees, he showed pieces of Shaolin Kung Fu's tradition, that are completely related to Wing Chun, and exchanged techniques with Yong Chun Quan Academy Students.

Historically, Wing Chun comes from Shaolin Temple, and this is why EPOS supports and will support every effort related to it. Today's day was dedicated to this famous Chinese martial art, and it is a day that gives the opportunity to all Chinese martial artists to celebrate a beautiful cultural exchange of knowledge and friendship in the name of the International Wing Chun Day. Said Master Stavridis Jordanis.

I want to thank the EPOS Administration for the support and help to this year's International Wing Chun Day celebration. Today's day is dedicated to the art of millions of people around the world and gives us the opportunity to honor the masters who spread it. Said the organizer of the event, Shifu Pantelias Antonis.

It was a truly special experience that gave all of us a sense of the family bond of Shaolin and Wing Chun arts, but also the basis on which Kung Fu culture and its True Essence should be spread, free of EGO . An exceptional event and a unique initiative that all the "different" Kung Fu styles should follow. Said the Director of POKESA, Master Katakalaios Dimitris.

From Shaolin to Yip Man

Wing Chun [Chin.: yǒng chūn 詠春] was formed between the 17th and 19th centuries by Nun Mui, or more correctly Wu Mei [Chin.: Wú Méi 五枚 | Cant.: Ng Mui] who is said to be one of the legendary Five Elders[Chin.: Wú Méi 五枚 | Cant.: Ng Mui] - survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin temple during the Qing dynasty in 1647, 1674 or 1732. The famous Shaolin Master left as heritage, her own personal style "The Style of the 5 Families "[Chin.: Wǔ Méi Pài 五枚派 | Cant.: Ng Mui Paai]. She is also the creator of the style, South Dragon [Chin.: lóng xíng mó qiáo 龍形摩橋 | Cant.: long ying mo kiu], White Crane [Chin.: Báihè pài 白鹤派 | Cant.:baak hok Paai] and Fist Of The 5 Animals[Chin.: Wǔ xíng hóng quán 五形洪拳 | Cant.: Ng Ying Hung Kuen]. She found shelter in the Temple of the White Crane [Chin: Báihè sì 白鹤 寺] at Dalian mountain [Chin.: Dāliángshān 大 涼山] between Yunnan [Chin.: Yúnnán Shěng 云南省] and Sichuan [Chin.: Sìchuān shěng 四川省].

Wu Mei met at some point in her life a girl called Yan Wing Chun [Chin.: Yányǒngchūn 严咏春 | Cant.: Yim Wing Cheun], which she taught a combat system that was inspired by watching a battle between a crane and a snake during her journey. Yan Wing Chun taught the style to her husband, Lian Bo Chao [Chin.: Liáng bó chóu 梁博儔 | Cant.: Leung Bok-Chau], who gave his wife's name to the style, which in Chinese is literally translated into "Spring Melody" or "Eternal Spring". The significant development of art is attributed to the Wing Chun Master as well as the addition of the "Sticking Hands" exercise, Chi Sao [Chin.: Chī Shǒu 黐 手 | Cant: Chī Sáu] and the use of "Bamboo Rings", Mu Huan [Chin.: Mù Huán 木环 | Cant.: Muhk Wàahn].

Lian Bo Chao taught Liang Lang Gui [Chin.: Liáng Lánguì 梁蘭桂 | Cant.: Leung Lan Kwai], who in turn taught Huang Hua Bao [Chin.: Huáng Huábǎo 黃華寶 | Cant.: Wong Wah Bo]. He passed the system to his colleague, Liang Ardi [Chin.: Liáng'èrdì 梁二娣 | Cant.: Leung Yee Tai], who had already taught the method of "The Staff of six and a half Points" [Chin.: Liù diǎn bàn gǎn 六點半桿 | Cant.: Luk Dim Boon Gwun] by Shaolin Monk Shi Sin Sim Si [Chin.: Zhì Shàn Chán Shī 至善禪師 | Cant.: Ji Sin Sim Si]. So "The Staff of six and a half Points" was introduced to Wing Chun system. Liang ArDi passed the Wing Chun system to Liang Jan[Chin.: Liáng zàn 梁贊 | Cant.: Leung Jan | 1826-1901]. Liang Jan became well known for his dexterity in Kung Fu and managed to defeat many fighters. Liang Jan taught the Wing Chun system to Chan Hua Shun [Chin.: Chén Huáshùn 陳華順 | Cant.: Chan Wah Soon - 1849－1913]. Chan Hua Shun had a student, the famous and well-known to all of us, Yip Man [Chin.: Yè wèn 葉問 | Cant.: Yip Man - 1/10/1893 – 2/12/1972].