Garry Baniecki

Garry Baniecki was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1954 and commenced his martial arts career during the sixties, at the early age of twelve. He initially studied Ju Jitsu combined with Korean Karate for 3 years attaining Brown Belt status. By the time he was 22, he had been involved in several other styles including Goju, Shotokan and Taekwondo.

In late 1985 by fate, Garry discovered a Wing Chun school located in Chinatown and very soon, because of his fanaticism and affinity with the famous and legendary Bruce Lee, commenced training Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu under the guidance of William Cheung and David Cheung. In those early years in Chinatown, Garry trained 2 to 4 times per week in Wing Chun Kung Fu and also became involved with tournaments and Dragon boat training.

By 1990, Garry sensed this was his destiny and started training full time. He soon became one of Sifu William Cheung's senior students. This status earned him the privilege of Friday night private classes with William Cheung for the next year at his Dandenong School. In 1991 Garry was employed to teach morning classes at the Flinders Street school for the next 18 months, teaching local and overseas students.

Garry then continued his full time studies at the David Cheung Academy in Melbourne. He became an assistant teacher and main organizer at the school finally graduating in December 1994. After Garry graduated, he started teaching at nights in Greensborough, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. This enabled him to continue his full time training until September 1996 when David Cheung decided to relocate and reside in Queensland. Having studied Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu since 1986, Garry decided it was time to impart his extensive knowledge to the general public.

In 1993, Sifu Garry had been studying medical Qi Gong for 3 years - 2 years with a Dr. Lee and then 1 year with Dr. Jack Lim. Then he met a Chinese Shaolin temple certified Qi Gong Master, Dr. Shan Hui Xu, whom introduced Garry to more advanced qi-gong training methods, including Shaolin Iron Shirt Qi Gong. Chinese Qi Gong training dramatically altered his perception on martial arts training and life in general. More importantly, Dr. Shan Hui Xu introduced Garry to Qi or Chi, (life force energy). From then on, Garry realized that to master and excel in all facets of martial arts training and indeed life, one had to learn and practice Chinese Qi Gong therapy, in conjunction with Kung Fu training. This was necessary to develop and cultivate the mind, body and spirit.

Ultimately, this is the true path of a Taoist practitioner; Kung Fu and Qi Gong training.

Master Shan Hui Xu was indoctrinated into Taoism, Kung Fu and Qi Gong at the early age of 8, when he was growing up in China during the early 50's. Garry has been studying Qi Gong Medical theory, Shaolin Iron Shirt Qi Gong, Qi Gong meditation and self healing since 1993 as well as Chinese medicine, Chinese Tuina massage and Tai Chi. Through Garry's comprehensive knowledge on the philosophies and teachings from the Shaolin temple in dealing with energy or Qi (chi), Qi Gong, Iron Body and Iron Palm training, he has been able to incorporate these methods and training tools into his Wing Chun Curriculum.

In 1995, Garry successfully obtained a contract with the Australian Army to instruct in unarmed combat, self-defence and disarming techniques against rifle and bayonet attacks and Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu, for the School of Signal and 123 Single Squadron Commandos at Watsonia Army Barracks. In doing so, the Shaolin Jee Shin Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy have become the First Wing Chun Kung Fu Organisation in Australia to teach the Australian Armed Forces.

Ever since Garry began to teach in 1995, He and his wife / business partner, Sifu Linda Davis, have traveled around Australia promoting their style of Shaolin Jee Shin Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu by competing against all martial arts styles. In the process, Garry and Linda have gained a wealth of knowledge through interacting with many different people from many parts of the world and from seeing many various styles of martial artist in action.

In the last 6 years Sifu Garry has trained Kung Fu champions, World Cup champions and National All Styles State, Australian and World champions, in weapons, forms and fighting.

Garry emphasizes that, "Shaolin Jee Shin Wing Chun Kung Fu is a traditional Kung Fu system originating from the Shaolin temple. Grand Master Jee Shin was the Abbott of the temple and Grandmaster in Kung Fu, Weapons and Iron Shirt Qi Gong. This association teaches Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu, Shaolin temple philosophies on Chi development, Iron Shirt, Iron Palm Qi Gong training and Chinese Qi Gong meditation and self- healing as well as Weapons and Dim Mak training."

"Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu is a fighting art based on concepts, which makes it a 'Thinking Man's Art', not bound by narrow-minded ideology or perception. A special thank you to all the people who assisted and guided me in the past, during my quest for knowledge. "

  • Use and absorb what is useful, and discard what is useless!

Sources:

  • AWCKRI