Origins of the Ip Man Lineage:
10 Generations of Wing Chun Gong Fu
According to Ip Man the creation of Wing Chun can be attributed to one of the legendary five elders and survivor of the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple, Ng Mui.
At the point when Ng Mui was said to have created Wing Chun, she was already a very accomplished martial artist. However, being an older woman, Ng was not as physically strong as most men. Therefore she saw it necessary to create a new sort of art not founded on brute force, instead relying on attributes that can be cultivated and retained well into old age.
With this concept in mind she created the art we know today as Wing Chun.
Ng Mui | δΌζ
Sijo—Founder
In the traditional story, after fleeing the destruction of the Shaolin Temple, Ng Mui created a new martial art system based on principles of efficiency, structure, timing, and leverage rather than brute strength. Later, she encountered a young woman named Yim Wing Chun who was being harassed by a local bully or warlord. Ng Mui taught her this system, refining it further so she could defend herself successfully. The art came to be known as Wing Chun in her honour.
Ip Man | θε
Sitaisigong
Ip Man (or Yip Man) was a renowned martial artist and teacher. He taught several students who became highly influential figures in the martial arts world, the most famous among them being Bruce Lee. His student's are largely responsible for the spread of Wing Chun across the globe.
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Ip Man's 70th Birthday via Wing Chun Athletic Association, Source: Wikipedia Commons
Chu Shong Tin | εΎε°η°
Sitaigong
Ip Man's third student in Hong Kong, Chu Shong Tin remained training with him the longest, becoming a senior instructor at the school and earning the nick name "King of Siu Lim Tao" from Ip Man.
Chu Shong Tin with Ip Man. Historical Photograph, Author Unknown
Lit Leung Yiu | εθ―θ
Sigong
Sigong Lit Leung Yiu (Leo Lit) began practicing Wing Chun in 1978. In 1989 after his first Sifu retired, he began training under the tutelage of grandmaster Chu Shong Tin, with whom he developed an even deeper appreciation and understanding of Wing Chun's core principles.
Spencer Laviolette
Sifu
A life long practitioner of martial arts, I was training Kickboxing and Grappling in 2008 when I met my Sifu Leo Lit in a chance encounter. Skeptical of traditional martial arts effectiveness, I was completely blown away by the depth and breadth of Sifu Lit's gong fu. I became a full time student immediately, training 5-6 days a week until he retired in 2025. As a Sifu I strive to teach the most authentic version of Wing Chun that Sifu Lit so generously shared with me.
