Moy Yat

One of Yip Man's closest disciples was GrandMaster Moy Yat, whom he was first introduced to in 1957. For 15 years, Moy Yat kept a close relationship with Yip Man, living the "Kung Fu Life." It was at this time that he learned from Yip Man the principles and deeper aspects of Ving Tsun. Never far from Yip Man's side, Grand Master Moy Yat eventually developed into one of his top disciples. In 1973 Grand Master Moy Yat came to the United States where he began teaching kung fu in New York City. It was in Brooklyn where the seed of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu family was planted. Moy Yat would soon develop a loyal following of students, many of whom had sought him out to learn authentic kung fu. Just as Yip Man had done in Hong Kong, GrandMaster Moy Yat followed his sifu's example and used the same method to teach his own students. He instilled upon his students the importance of "Kung Fu Life," the use of the Ving Tsun principles in everyday life. He always said that Ving Tsun Kung Fu can best be learned outside the classroom. This is how Ving Tsun, as taught to Yip Man, is learned.

To his last days, Grand Master Moy Yat lived his life very much in this way, spending his time living and teaching Ving Tsun through "Kung Fu Life." Grand Master Moy Yat is still well respected in the community, as a kung fu teacher and as an accomplished artist. His paintings, calligraphy and stone carvings can be seen throughout his Chinatown school, as well as in art shows which were held regularly in the city. Grand Master Moy Yat retired from teaching physical kung fu on his 60th Birthday, but continued to teach the principles of Kung Fu through "Kung Fu Life," as well as teaching art and massage up until his passing. His son William and Sifu Henry Moy now teach at both the Chinatown School as well as at the Bayside, Queens school with Sifu Micky Chan. The Moy Yat Kung Fu Family is quite extensive, with students throughout the world spreading the art of Ving Tsun. His disciples are teaching Ving Tsun in their own schools throughout the United States and around the world, with schools as far reaching as Canada, Brazil, and Mexico.

Sources:

  • Oral and written tradition Moy Yat family
  • Copyright© 1957-2007 Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu. All rights Reserved.