Our Kung Fu style Hung Ga Kuen Hung Ga Kuen Hung Ga Kung Fu

Hung Ga Kuen

Hung Ga Kuen

Strong but not stiff, Fast but not weak

Hung Ga Kung Fu is one of the most well-known and respected martial art styles emerging from Southern China. Although it is known for its devastating powerful close-range fighting techniques and its utilization of the five animals and five elements philosophy of traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, this system offers both mental and spiritual growth, achieved through the rigors of internal and external training, proven life management philosophies and silent introspection.

Ranking System

“To cultivate one's heart, to cultivate one's self and put the family in order.”

Traditionally, Kung Fu did not have a formal ranking system. Although schools established levels of mastery, the lack of standardized teaching and testing created disparities between styles and schools. The denial of traditional Kung Fu from the Olympics on several occasions, due to the absence of standardized ranking criteria, illustrates this point.

The main goal of creating a ranking system is to avoid internal disputes. This ranking system is not meant to compare our style with others or with external standards. From his years of experience, Grandmaster Frank Yee believes that we must take care of our Kung Fu family first; everyone should know where they stand to avoid future conflicts. Significant disagreements often arise after a head instructor passes away because ranks are not clearly defined. As in most families, we have experienced internal issues that could have been avoided with a clear system. He hopes that, in the future, all Martial Arts families will be internally peaceful and thus able to contribute more to the Martial Arts world and society as a whole.

Levels

At Yee's Hung Ga, we use a standardized ranking system to indicate a student’s progress through the levels of knowledge and skill in our art. This ranking system ensures that a student’s level of mastery is recognized wherever they go. The chart below compares our levels with the most common karate belt equivalents.

At the Jo Gow level (black sash), a student is considered an Assistant Instructor. To become a Sifu Level 1st Dan Instructor, 2 years of additional intensive training is required.

Sifus who aspire to achieve the deepest levels of the art, can continue their training through Master level and beyond, by attending instructor advancement workshops with Grandmaster Frank Yee, 2–3 times per year, in addition to their regular in-class training. Through these rigorous training and testing protocols, Yee's Hung Ga is able to preserve the stye's highest levels of quality and integrity, while simultaneously and uniformly advancing the art itself.

Dan Ranking System

“Gold is not the Treasure, Knowledge is the Treasure”

Our Dan Ranking system is based on the philosophy of the I-Ching. Using the six ranking levels, we use the first of the 64 hexagrams from the King of Chow: the Keen Gwa (乾卦), or Heaven Hexagram (䷀). The hexagram is explained by Confucius as the hexagram of his entire life, each line representing a period of roughly 10-15 years. Through his interpretation, we obtain the correspondence of the levels we use with age and the advice given for each stage. 

Interpretation of the Ranking System

“Everything is Emptiness, only Kindness is not empty”

Sifu Level Latent Dragon (1st–2nd Dan)
“Hidden dragon. Do not act prematurely.”

The main message is “Do not act”, this doesn't mean that you cannot use your skills, as sometimes you may have to. It means don't use your knowledge unless you are absolutely sure you understand, try to learn deeply. If a group of higher ranked people are talking, don't show off, don't try and introduce your own ideas unless you are absolutely sure that you know what you are talking about. This stage is for preparing and waiting.

Sifu Level Emerging Dragon (3rd Dan) and Master Level Emerging Dragon (4th Dan)
“Dragon appearing in the field. It furthers one to see the great man”

You are now more knowledgeable and can start to make some important decisions. You must work harder and deepen your learning. The “Great Man” has a double meaning. The first is that you must be aware of your own conduct. If you show off, people will start to take notice of you. If you are selfish, people will put you down. If you are generous, and give benefit to all around you, people will work hard for you, this is the secret of running a good business. You must be the great man, always looking at the big picture, trying to see far into the future. Otherwise people may try to hurt you. The second meaning is that it is good to have someone to give you advice. Spend more time in the school, ask questions, and seek deeper knowledge.

If you take care of people, everybody will want to see you. If you are selfish, people will seek revenge, you will then be a small man, not a great man. Show people that you are knowledgeable, you know what you are doing, tell them what is right, and don't hurt them.

Many people, especially young men, can be over-confident. If they then make a mistake, they give up forever. Don't fall into this trap.

Master Level Vigilant Dragon (5th–6th Dan) 
“All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame.”

People often think that no blame means that you make no mistakes, but this is impossible. Everybody makes mistakes, sometimes big and sometimes small. Only dead people make no more mistakes. If whatever you do is with the right intent (not selfish, not cheating), people will forgive your small mistakes, hence “no blame”.

When people try to raise you up, you have further to fall. Don't try and climb and be a king overnight. If you take small steps, falling will not be such a big deal. Understand your place, your knowledge goes only up to your level. For example, it would be a mistake to try and open a school when only a Saam Cup. Be content with your position, do a good job, and people will respect you.

Be careful, be prepared for anything, this is outward vigilance. Get ready for the next level. Be careful of what you say, and absolutely practice what you preach. This is inward vigilance. The first three lines are called the “Lower Heaven”, you must be ready to jump into the “Upper Heaven”.

Master Level Leaping Dragon (7th Dan) and Grandmaster Level Leaping Dragon (8th Dan) 
“Wavering flight over the depths. No blame.”

This is the first line of the upper Trigram and requires a leap to reach here. This is the first leap, it requires more knowledge and determination, a solid foundation. You must be ready to jump, prepared and determined, otherwise you may fall into the abyss. The second is to become a Flying Dragon, which is a completion. The Flying Dragon is the most impressive stage, when you become a king. This corresponds to forty to fifty years old, which is the most important time in a person's life.

Grandmaster Level Flying Dragon (9th Dan) 
“Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man.”

You have become the king (in the heavens), this is different from the Second Place, which is more like a manager (in the field). You must show that you are a great man. You will require assistants, to help structure your organisation. You have to show a kind heart, people often think this stage means you can do whatever you want but this is not the case, this is a very difficult time to do things. Everybody is listening, you are responsible for the outcome of your words and decisions. You cannot be seen to change too often and must think things through carefully before divulging the plan to anyone. You must look far into the future and not only think of the immediate gains. This is why this is a difficult time, you are 100% responsible and must be ever-vigilant of the future.

If someone questions your plan, you must be ready to answer decisively, you cannot be seen to be thinking once the decisions have been made. If someone asks for help, you should only help if you know what to do. You can say if you don't know something and ask people for advice who have more experience. A small man will simply give a response and this may lead to mistakes; a great man makes sure he knows what he is doing.

Make sure that what you do is for the benefit of all, not just yourself. There is an expression “The ten eyes can see you”, this means that you are highly visible, everybody is watching and they can see clearly, see every detail. People will know if you lie or cheat. You need very good assistants to be your structure, they must operate in the same way as you and for the same reasons, they cannot be selfish. In this way, the whole country or organisation will grow favourably. You cannot do it on your own you need support.

Do not fall into the trap of thinking you are at the top, there is always a higher mountain. There is still a level above you!

Great Grandmaster Level Superior Dragon (10th Dan) 
“Arrogance invites loss; humility brings benefit.”

Everyone must know that there is always a heaven above heaven, a higher mountain, greater people.

At this level, don't think you can do anything, make any decision. One mistake can ruin your name, your reputation built over an entire lifetime. If you have too much ego and think you can do anything, you will be sorry and be ruined overnight. Falling at the last mile is a great shame.

Most people want to reach the Flying Dragon, as it is the most impressive. Not everyone can make it, many will die earlier. Some people give up at the Vigilant Dragon level. Don't set your dream at the Flying Dragon, don't force yourself to achieve something that may not be possible. It all depends on ability and circumstance. Even if you only reach the Emerging Dragon stage, you should be satisfied. At that level, you are showing what you have. It is too tiring if you try and force yourself higher. How many kings can there be? When you reach the Superior Dragon, you are now old. You must start to pass down your knowledge, get your affairs in order. This is a time to enjoy life, and prepare the next generation.

January 10th 2016, written in Taishan, China by Grandmaster Frank Yee

A Historical Moment for Yee’s Hung Ga International Kung Fu Association

At a ceremony, in 2016, as witnessed by the “Old Guard of New York City’s Chinatown”, Grandmaster Frank Yee, gave the responsibility to five Senior Disciples to run the Association under his watchful eye. In the eight years, under the leadership of his Senior disciple and legally adopted son, World President Pedro Cepero Yee, Sifu (9th Dan), along with World Chairman Joseph Demundo, Sifu (8th Dan), USA 2nd Vice Chairman Sifu Michael Perfetto, Sifu (7th Dan), USA Vice chairman Chi Wah Lee, (7th Dan), World Vice Chairman Sifu Sharif Bey, Sifu (7th Dan), these Five worked tirelessly to create the harmony across all the Branch schools of the Association, spread out across three continents. The internal Ranking system which was based on the I-Ching Philosophy was revealed to the public in 2016.  The “Duan/Dan” wording system was chosen based upon the ancient Chinese military Ranking level system.

Eight years later, on January 13, 2024, at a second ceremony, Grandmaster Frank Yee (Yee Chee Wai), founder of Yee’s Hung Ga International Kung Fu Association, announced a very special promotion ceremony for his five closest Senior Disciples. All of these disciples have been practicing consistently between 30-40 Years. It was an auspicious occasion that coincided with the Gregorian Calendar Birthdate of Great Grandmaster Tang Fong. There were over 50 people in attendance and more than 100 online for this intimate ceremony. 

Grandmaster Frank Yee announced that these Five Disciples worked in such great harmony that he feels it is time to bring them up to the next level because of their accomplishments as a team. Unfortunately, the current ranking structure only allowed for one 10th Dan and one 9th dan. These positions could not be filled until they were vacated, leaving no room for promotion. Grandmaster Frank Yee decided to move into the titled position of Association Founder, thereby opening his 10th Dan rank position. These five disciples are now charged with leading the next generation. 

These Rank appointments are:

• Grandmaster Frank Yee (Yee Chee Wai), Founder
• World President Pedro Cepero Yee, Sifu 10th Dan

• World Chairman Joseph Demundo, Sifu 9th Dan
• World Vice Chairman Sharif Bey, Sifu 8th Dan

• USA Vice Chairman Chi Wah Lee, Sifu 8th Dan
• USA 2nd Vice Chairman Michael Perfetto, Sifu 8th Dan

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