"We had spent a long time looking for a school we felt was right for our 8 year old. We wanted a school that would teach both the physical and mental values of martial art. Ever since we've enrolled Ben, there is no doubt that he greatly enjoys coming to each class. Twice a week Ben joins other children in an environment that emphasizes the values of hard work and practice. The principle is that these skills will not only strengthen you as a martial artist but also as a student pursuing any discipline in life. In the past year and a half Ben has learned alot of forms and amongst many benefits we have seen him improve in his co-ordination and memory. Recently, Chung Wah participated in the Canadian Chinese Martial Arts Federation Tournament, and Ben was fortunate enough to partake in the tournament and got the chance to see other students showcase their own hard work. This was both a inspiring and motivating experience for Ben. I think for us, the thing that we appreciate most is how the teachers consistently instill in the children the value and importance of respect. Each session begins with a bow of respect and ends with a bow, as they are taught to respect their elders, teachers, peers, as well as the space in which they train in. Ben is probably too young to understand or appreciate all this right now, but we're certain that all the positive things he is learning here will play a part in how he takes on life's other challenges!" - Kristin Thai
"I began my Kung Fu journey, training in Shaolin Style with the Chung Wah kung fu in early 2002. I was enrolled for two years, but after I had injured myself outside of Kung Fu I had to take a couple months off to recover. Being a teenager during this time period, I became lazy, my priorities had changed and I decided to pack up and leave to California leaving the school, and my life in Canada, behind me.
Through the next six years I always had a guilty conscious for leaving the School and my Kung Fu Family. It was the only thing in my life that gave me an complete feeling. My fathers last word to me, before his journey into the afterlife, was develop. My mind suddenly began racing. To me this meant I should develop my entire life...Develop intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and physically. No one thing can bring all of these together as harmoniously as Kung Fu.
I returned to Chung Wah Kung Fu shortly after and am now partaking in the Chung Wah Foundation Program, Shaolin Style, and Tai Chi/Qi Gung, four days a week. The best decision I have ever made was to rejoin Chung Wah and fulfill the most important void in my life. I have never felt more honoured, having the opportunity to be a part of the Chung Wah Family and to have the great guidance as a student under the incredible Sifu Lee Chi Wai." - Andrew Davidson
"My son Jacob began attending Chung Wah Kung Fu since January 2010. I
have found significant positive changes in Jacob's behavior in the
short 3 months he's been with Chung Wah. Not only has Jacob proven
that he is capable of being focused and disciplined in Kung Fu class
but it has extended to a more positive behavior in his regular school
as well.
What I love about Chung Wah Kung Fu is their approach to teaching and
allowing each child to develop in his/her own pace. I appreciate
their holistic approach encompassing not only fitness and proper
techniques, but also focusing on values and discipline as well.
Jacob loves Star Wars and someday, he wants to be a Jedi. I told him
that what he's learning in Chung Wah Kung Fu is like Jedi training.
One day he'll come to realize the value of what he's learning is real
life training. For now, Jacob is really enjoying coming to Chung Wah
and looks forward every week to going to class."
- Maria Tigley
Even as I'm away, Chung Wah is the most important thing in my life. Training
in the school is like being able to live in some distant memory, where all the
imperfections are wiped clean and only the singular impression remains. The
forms we learn are so intrinsically tied to necessity is never separated from the beautiful composition of the forms
and the philosophy and artistic expression from which the're derived. I have
never found anything close to this in any other area of my life, and could think
of no idea which is more beautiful and which is more important to bring out into
the world. Jordan Rideout
Chung Wah Kung Fu under the direction of Sifu Lee Chi Wai has been my home
for many years. It is an integral part of my life journey. It provides a
foundation not only in Traditional Chinese Kung Fu, health and culture but it
gives me a sense of belonging, character development, and contribution to
something greater. Liza Lee
For me, Chung Wah is the doorway for which the direction of my life feels the
must right, the most correct it's amazing blessing to have a sactuary that
encourages me to seek out and explore my own potential up to it highest point,
and to be guided by Sifu, Simo, my sitting and Sijies is such a humbling feeling
and greatest honour that I can hardly justify. Being here has opened my eyes to
an ideal way of life I've only ever imagined. Knowing that this way is not only
possible, but real is more great than morals can truly describe. Celeste
Manago
"Before joining Chung Wah Kung Fu, I was in search for a martial arts school
that I could feel close to. One that believed in the same values as me and at
the same time, could show me more about my culture and self. Martial arts has
always been around in my life and I had been a part of a number of schools
before coming to Chung Wah, none of which could hold my interest for more than a
year or two. The day I walked into the old Scarborough school in 2003, the first
person I saw was Sifu running the adult Saturday class. The second I saw the
master so involved with the students I knew it was a good sign. What was even
more impressive, was that it was Sifu that greeted me, brought me into his
office and sat me down to go through the details of the program. From this point
on I knew that this school was different from the rest. Most of the other
schools I had gone to I wouldn't have even met the Sifu until a few classes in.
As the months went by, I grew to become more and more motivated to learn. I felt
I found the school that represented what I believed in as well as one that I
wanted to represent myself. What I also realized is that the more you gave to
the school, the more the school would give back to you, as any relationship
should work. After the years that have passed, I've learned so much from the
school. Not just about martial arts, but about myself as well. I've had my
strongest days and my weakest days within those walls lined with steel blades.
I've shed laughter, tears, blood and most definitely sweat among my fellow
SiHings and SiJies. I learned what hard work is, what pain is and what joy is
all at the same time. But most importantly, I've learned what discipline and
determination is all about. All these qualities apply to every aspect of my
life. In culture, family, relationships and even in medicine. I'll never be able
to express in words how Chung Wah has helped me grow over the last near decade.
The best I can do is to honour what the school and Sifu have shown me and to
represent the system and all that it stands for not only within the school, but
also everything around it." Caesar Lim
