I have been involved in practicing martial arts for most of my life. My journey began at the age of 12 years old in my native North East of England with my first class of Wing Chun Kung Fu. After several years of practice I went away to University and obtained a degree in Sport and Fitness, during those years I became interested in South East Asian Martial Arts and studied both Muay Thai and Silat intensively.
After Graduating I worked in the City of London for a few years and discovered the Chinese Internal Arts following a chance meeting with an old friend. I researched, cross referenced and studied with many outstanding teachers and Masters in the UK whilst undertaking a rigorous daily practice schedule.
In 2005 I relocated to Hong Kong to be close to the 'source" for the next 11 years I lived and breathed the arts as a student of some of the worlds greatest living masters. This was an amazing period in my life in which I learned so much and developed as both a martial artist and a human being.
At the end of 2016 I relocated with my family to the UK where I now share my knowledge, experience, passion and love of martial arts.
My Yiquan comes from two main sources though I have been exposed to many other schools and masters in China. I am quite fortunate to have studied intensively over a decade with both Sifu Chan Tak Chuen and Sifu Hui Kit Wah. Sifu Chan is a student of Master Han Xing Yuen and Sifu Hui is a student of Master Han Xing Qiao. The two Han Brothers were formidable fighters and martial artists who were considered to be among the best of the founders students. Prior to meeting Master Wang they both were already established masters in Xing Yi Chuan and Chinese Wrestling. In my opinion both brothers have quite different interpretations of Yiquan and being taught both ways independently has given me a unique and different approach on the style.
I can only highly recommend James, his great knowledge of both Chinese and Western
methodologies and practicies as well as his no-nonsense approach to the arts ahs been a great catalyst for my own development.
Martin Gydam
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
