About the Master
Sifu Richard Tsim has studied various styles of martial
arts including Northern Shaolin, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Ba Qua, and Tai Chi. He has
taught both hard (modified Wing Chun) and soft (Ba Qua Tai Chi) styles for more than
twenty years (since 1975). A native of China, Sifu Tsim's martial
arts career began at the age of eight years old. Over the years, he has had the
opportunity to study under some of the finest instructors, such as Sifu Lung Chi Cheung of
Northern Shaolin, Sifu Leung Sheung of Wing Chun, Sifu Lum Sai Wing and Sifu Chan Han
Chung of Hung Gar, Master Jiang Yung Chiu of Ba Qua and Master Ma Yat Ching of Tai
Chi. In his years of studying martial arts, Sifu Tsim has been
exposed to such high level techniques as "iron palm" and "iron finger"
training. He also practices Taoist breathing techniques, Chinese herbal medicine,
and meditation. Sifu Tsim believes that Kung Fu is an art that
deals with the events of life and it's consequences; to Master Tsim, it
is a philosophy and a way of life!
The History of Lau Kune Do
Back in 1975, at the University of Massachusetts, where Sifu Tsim
was studying for his Master's Degree, he was approached by a few students who had seen him
practicing martial arts in the gym, They asked him if he would be willing to teach
them, during that time, Sifu Tsim began to devise a unique system,
This system would rely on extremely compact, economic series of attacks and defenses, with
subtle movements adapting to various situations. Ironically, it was two of his first
students, Dan Connelly and Bob Cavenah who coined the name "Lau Kune Do",
which, when translated, means "Way of the Flowing Fist". Since its humble
beginnings on the University campus, Sifu Tsim had no idea that Lau
Kune Do would turn out to be what it is today. Indeed, over twenty years have
passed, and Master Tsim continues to inspire his students and share his
art with them.
The Future of Lau Kune Do
Today, as in the past, Sifu Tsim remains dedicated to the
art, the philosophy behind the art, and to his students. In teaching, Sifu Tsim
does not only inspire his students to become the best martial artists they can be, but he
also inspires them to become the best people they can be. Sifu Tsim
has a vision for the future of Lau Kune Do. That vision is to someday build
a large Temple facility where students can train and study all aspects of Lau Kune Do.
While the site has not been decided on, Sifu Tsim is confident that
ground breaking action for the new Temple will begin before the Lau Kune Do,
Silver (25th) Anniversary Celebration. If the past is a good indicator, the future
of Lau Kune Do looks very bright indeed, and the new Temple will help to
perpetuate the art for many generations to come. For more information contact the
Temple of Martial Arts in Long Beach, CA. (562) 438-1952.
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