An Interview With Lam Chun Sing Sifu

Question: Master Lam, we thank you for giving us this interview.
Answer: The pleasure is mine.

Q: Master Lam could you tell us about the relationship of your family has with the art of Hung Ga Gung Fu?
A: The relationship of the Lam's family Hung Ga Gung Fu goes back there generations. It starts from my father's uncle Lam Sai Wing who was the best student of the great Hung Ga Master Wong Fei Hung. His ability in Gung Fu was legendary and his accomplishments are still remembered in Hong Kong and Southern China. My father the great Master Lam Jou was adopted by his uncle Lam Sai Wing and to followed him for more than 20 years untill his death in 1943. My father from a very young age, already helped his uncle teaching and by the age of 20 he was acknowledged as a Sifu and the great Master of Gung Fu considered him as an equal. As a teacher he taught thousands of students and as a doctor he helped and healed thousands of people. Now my father at age of 92 he continues to be extremely healthy and active and is still involved in Gung Fu and Chinese medicine.As for myself, I owe all my knowledge and abilities to him for having taught me tirelessly for all these years.

Q: When did you first start training Gung Fu?
A: According to my family"s tradition, all the children had to start training from a very early age. If we did not do so my father would punish us. In this way we kept the tradition of Gung Fu going and we passed it on from generation to generation.

Q: How many years have you been teaching the art of Gung Fu?
A: I first started teaching in 1972 and have been teaching ever since. Over 30 years now.

Q: What characterizes a good Gung Fu student?
A: First of all the students must respect their teacher. Second they must abide by the rules of moral conduct which has always been an important part of Gung Fu student's behaviors. Third they must train hard and must’nt get easily disappointed. These three features are what characterize a good Gung Fu student.

Q: What should one concentrate on when starting training in Hung Ga Gung Fu?
A: The beginner must be patient and slowly try to understand the basic training, Basic training of Hung Ga Gung Fu is very much like the construction of a building, to build a big tall building we must create strong foundations without haste.

Q: Do you think that some of the traditional techniques have been lost?
A: Yes I'm well aware that many traditional techniques may have been lost. But in the Hung Ga of the Lam's family, the tradition has remained intact throughout the generations. In our Gung Fu family nothing has been lost. As for other systems, I do not know.

Q: What are the main characteristics of Hung Ga Gung Fu ?
A: The most important characteristics of Hung Ga Gung Fu are its strong, low postures and its extremely powerful punch. At the same time the correct use of specific breathing sounds help enhance our power and improve our health. The movements are strong and clear but not fast. But my father, the grand Master Lam Jou improved the system through his experience by making it more alive and very fast. This way he covered the Hung Ga's old disadvantage and turned it into a more balance and efficient system.

Q: How do you discipline your students?
A: When I teach, I give my heart. I hold nothing back from my students and I'm very patient with them. In this way I earn their respect.

Q: Do you believe that it is important to preserve the traditional way of teaching?
A: Of course. This way has been created throughout the generation and through the experience of many great masters of this art. Its use has been proven many times over the centuries. If we ignore it we lose all the knowledge and the accumulated experience within it.

Q: How do you think forms training benefits students of Hung Ga ?
A: Each from has its own characteristics and requirements, First of all the practice of forms helps exercise the muscles and joints and improves both the energy and blood flow. This benefits the students health. Secondly forms consist of defense and attack techniques, therefore the constant practice improves the students self-defense ability. Thirdly the practice of forms leads to internal and external harmony. With this training we achieves the forms "8 harmonies of Gung Fu" which means the external and internal balance and unity of the body and mind.

Q: Is it possible to become a Hung Ga expert without practicing self-defense techniques and combat training methods?
A: If one practices Hung Ga only for health reasons it is not necessary for him to practice self-defense techniques and combat training methods. However, if the practitioner wants to be a real expert of Hung Ga he must practice both ways the forms improve the body and the mind of the practitioner and they learn how to move and act according to the system's principles. On the other hand, self-defense techniques and combat training methods enable him to use Hung Ga Gung Fu techniques in a real fight.

Q: How important is the development of Gung (ability, skill) in Hung Ga?
A: Of course it is very important. "Gung" training must not be ignored or taken lightly by any serious student. My friend, without "Gung" you are like a tiger without teeth or a pistol without bullet!

Q: How do you see Hung Ga developing in the future?
A: I believe that Hung Ga will flourish and spread all over the world.and this is because it has many things to offer to the student. It can improve one's health and fighting ability,and it also helps one to develop strong morals as well as mental powers.

Q: What is the use of two-man fighting forms in Hung Ga?
A: Fighting forms training is very important, it helps students to develop right fighting reflexes in combat and to apply Hung Ga effectively in a real fight (when it is necessary). This improves self-confidence, courage and the inner certainty of the student that he can use his knowledge effectively in a real combat situation.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: It is my goal to spread Hung Ga Gung Fu as much as I can so many people can benefit from such a profound and powerful system.I want to make it known all over the world,especially in Europe. This is the reason why I have come to Europe.

Q: Grandmaster Lam thank you for your time to giving us this interview.
A: I want to thank your magazine for giving me this opportunity to talk about Hung Ga Gung Fu,and I wish you all good health and a happy life.