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Legend has it that the Chinese art of Wing Chun is approximately 350 years old, attributed to a Chinese nun named Ng Mui. During this period, Chinese martial arts gained popularity as they were used to defend against foreign invaders. Due to the urgency of military needs, the art was taught within a relatively short time, typically six months to a year.
Ng Mui, who was well-versed in various martial arts, decided to pass down her knowledge to a young woman named Yim Wing Chun. In honor of the young girl's achievement and her efforts to spread the art, people later referred to it as Wing Chun. The name "Wing Chun" translates to "In praise of Spring," and some historians believe it also signifies that Ng Mui's art was refreshingly new, akin to the arrival of spring.
Wing Chun was introduced to Victoria in 1978, with the earliest students consisting of martial artists from diverse backgrounds, including members of the police and military. Over time, the art expanded its teachings to include everyday citizens, both male and female, ranging from 4 to 88 years old.
A distinctive aspect of Wing Chun is a specialized training known as "Sticking hands." This training focuses on techniques for combat when in physical contact with an opponent. During this practice, students learn how to attack with speed, power, precision, and timing. They are also taught to capitalize on the slightest mistakes made by their opponents to secure a quick victory. This cooperative training approach sets Wing Chun apart from other martial arts.
The essence of Wing Chun revolves around three main components: a 108-movement form called the Little Idea form, the practice of "Sticking hands," and an application section for defense against various attacks, such as hitting, kicking, grabbing, and weapon attacks. Contrary to being just a style of fighting, Wing Chun serves as a collection of principles and training methods drawn from various Chinese martial arts. Its purpose is to enable practitioners to acquire fighting skills efficiently, especially when facing one or more opponents. Wing Chun's combat style is closer to that of boxing rather than wrestling, presenting a blend of western boxing and western fencing techniques.
Sadly, Ray has passed away in May of 2025, but his teachings and philosophy will live on through his instructor-level students. To honour his memory, we will continue to teach following the Wang Kiu system.
Ray’s Wing Chun journey started in 1976 under a private student of Ip Man Master Patrick Chow and continued when he learned the entire Wing Chun system under Dr. G K Khoe at University of British Columbia. Dr. Khoe was a private student of Master Wang Kiu, who was a private student of Ip Man. Ray’s martial arts background was not limited to Wing Chun. He started in 1965 studying Karate in Calgary and Edmonton under Grandmaster Olaf Simon, for 4 years. In 1969, Ray moved to Toronto and continued his martial arts learning Hung Gar Kung Fu. This club was run by James Lore and Jack Chin. Both were at the master level. Jack Chin taught in the military style much like Reza does. In 1975, Ray’s work took him to Vancouver where he started the study of Yang style Tai Chi under master Raymond Chung. Some of the early Tai Chi students actually came out of competition Judo so Ray acquired a combative slant to this art.
He moved to Victoria in 1978, where he continued to study both Tai Chi, Wing Chun and also Escrima under Dr. Dom Lopez and Modern Arnis under Fred Shadian, Remy Presas and a little from Bobby Taboada. All of these teachers were at the master level. He also sought out and took lessons from many and had the privilege and honor to meet such well known teachers as: Wang Kiu, Wong Shun Leung, Tsui Shan Ting, Kenneth Chung, Eddie Chong, Emin Boztepe, Chung Kwok Chow, Ben Der, Ted Lucay Lucay, Herman Siwanda, Henry Huang, Jessie Glover, Chung Kwok Chow, Robert Chu, Ralph Haenel and a variety of other teachers. Ray’s vast experience and knowledge in Martial Arts is sorely missed!
For your first martial arts class it is best to come in loose pants or narrow legged shorts and a t-shirt. Jewelry, phones, toys, or other personal items should be left outside of the workout floor or mat area. Please bring comfortable athletic footwear. Please bring your own water bottle.
Instructor: Reza Terani & Kim Chan
Reza Terani is the chief combat instructor for street self defence. Reza has trained in Wing Chun since 1977 starting with the “White Cloud Kung Fu Society” under Derick Golden who learned his Wing Chun from Ip Chun but he already was a top combat instructor in England.
Reza learned the hard way both on the street and in the military and under the brutal English training method where broken noses and bleeding lips were the everyday norm.
Reza has a background in wrestling and has also studied TaekwonDo and Modern Arnis (4 years under Remi Presas). He has also studied Wing Chun under a variety of other lineages including WT, Wong Shun Leung and Moy Yat, but has been with Ray for the past 23 years - that is a testament to Ray’s skill, knowledge and experience!
Reza feels that traditional “Dojo” sparring as practiced in many martial arts schools is not suitable for learning street self defence. Reza said the army never trains that way for real combat.
We initially teach the classical Wing Chun art, but as students progress, Reza teaches what is needed to really apply Wing Chun in actual combat against people who know how to fight.
Kim Chan started his Wing Chun journey back in 1994 under Gerald Luxton at the Y, who was a senior student of Ray's. Kim only learned the first form before life got busy with a career, marriage and kids. Many years later in 2016, he returned to the art and learned the entire system. He also practiced Yang Style Tai Chi under Ray to complement his Wing Chun.
Through years of consistent practice, he was finally recognized as an official instructor in 2024. Kim considers this a great honour and achievement.
Kim believes that the principles of Wing Chun such as proper biomechanics, learning to relax and be rooted, not fighting force with force, etc. are beneficial not just in combat, but in everyday life. All of these facets can help alleviate stress, bad backs, aches and pains - very common ailments especially for office workers where the majority of time is spent sitting.
Being a smaller guy, Kim's combat philosophy is to not rely on speed and power to overcome an opponent. It works if you are bigger and younger than your opponent, but eventually father time will catch up to you, and none of us are getting any younger. Wing Chun uses superior timing and positioning to gain the advantage.
In addition to martial arts, Kim maintains an active lifestyle which includes running, cycling, hiking, and walking.
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