Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fu

08/23/2026

We want to thank the students who made this all happen and all of the wonderful people who visited our table at the festival in Ping Tom Park yesterday.

Deep thanks to the organizers of the festival. It was a great day of community and conversation.

We are grateful to you all and look forward to Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fung Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fu

08/20/2026

We love our community here so much. This evening was such a wonderful celebration not only for the birthday, but for the wonderful martial arts family we have here.

The celebration was such a group effort.

It’s so cool to be part of something where there’s always so much love in the room, along with the hard work and sweat and challenges that come from committing to studying a traditional martial art being taught in a very traditional way

We appreciate all of our students so much please enjoy a few more pictures from our celebration

If you’re interested in visiting the school, we welcome you to come have an interview visit a few classes. Try it out. See if it feels like a good fit.

08/20/2026

Celebrating Sifu Matt’s birthday with Cantonese food, cake and lots of chi sau!

08/16/2026

Welcome to the Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy in Pilsen, Chicago.

We teach authentic Ving Tsun Kung Fu in the direct lineage of Grandmaster Ip Man → Sifu Ip Ching → Sifu Matt Johnson.

But what we practice here is about more than learning how to fight.

Real Kung Fu.
Real Connection.
Real Growth.

Ving Tsun is a practical and highly effective system of self-defense, but the practice also develops awareness, confidence, discipline, patience, and the ability to remain grounded under pressure.

We are a traditional Kung Fu school and a close community. People train together, learn from one another, and grow together. There are no belts, no belt tests, and no required uniforms. What matters is showing up and doing the work.

Beginners are always welcome. You do not need previous martial arts experience, and you do not need to be in great shape before you begin. You begin where you are.

Come visit the Academy, meet Sifu Matt and our students, watch a class, and try it for yourself.

📍 729 W. 18th Street — Pilsen, Chicago

Open classes
Monday & Wednesday · 5–8 PM
Saturday · 12–3 PM

Private lessons are also available by appointment.

📞 773-301-6257
Scan the QR code for our website and more information.

Come train with us.

08/15/2026

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/many-voices-one-heart-ping-tom

Our martial arts school will have a table here thanks to our terrific students.

Come say hello! Bring friends!

Many Voices, One Heart is a collaborative, family-friendly musical presentation uniting several of Chicago’s leading Asian performing arts organizations for a vibrant evening of cross-cultural musical exchange. Led by Friends of the Gamelan (FROG), the event brings together Indonesian gamelan, the...

07/19/2026

Today’s class was really wonderful. People are working on form training, fundamentals conversations about the ethics of martial arts and how to be a better person in society, how to help others how to control one’s temper under dress in relationships at work and so forth. It was a perfect day of training.

We really love our students and the community we have here if you’re looking for some very traditional martial arts, we welcome you

If you’re just looking to learn how to fight this is not the school for you but if you want to prevail in everyday life training, here might be just the ticket.

06/22/2026

https://youtu.be/8hn_YchGa9U?si=YuNEEkkGqHFbScOo

06/22/2026

Who out here wants to feel more secure physically while walking down the street, on the El, the bus?

All of you yes?

Probably.

And how about learning how you do that in a warm, supportive, diverse community?

Ving Tsun kung fu is a system of martial arts based on principles which are simple to understand and easy to begin learning.

Learning it in our school will change how you move through the world. On the street on the L on the bus the train…. Everywhere you go.

Come see us.

We offer classes Monday, Wednesday evening from 5-8pm , Saturday from noon to 3.

Private lessons also available.

Come visit, have an interview, try it out for free..

02/24/2026

https://youtu.be/QHDcww7jLDo?si=jhkpPjjleqR3rYU8

Hong Kong Ving Tsun - training with my sifu Ip Ching March 2010