Jow Ga Kung Fu Athletic Assn, Columbia MD (美國) 周家功夫體育協會- 張大力師傅

08/06/2026

Celebrating the Sacred Birthday of Lord Guan

07/30/2026

On the 27th of this month, the American Jow Ga Kung Fu Association visited our association. We were delighted to gather with our kung fu brothers and friends under one roof. 👍👍👍

The next morning, we went to pay our respects at the Jow Family Five Tigers Cemetery (周家五虎墓園). 🙏🙏🙏

In the afternoon, we traveled to Hong Kong to participate in the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Jow Family School founded by Grandmaster Jow Lung (周龍宗師). 🥳🥳🥳

The gathering of Jow Ga brothers and sisters from around the world was full of energy, and the atmosphere was incredibly lively! 👍👍👍

On the third day, we enjoyed the sea breeze aboard a cruise while taking in the beautiful night view of Victoria Harbour. The scenery was stunning, and everyone was in great spirits! 😊😊😊

07/28/2026

Jow Ga in America 🇺🇸

07/26/2026

I’m very proud of my student Laura Kendrick winning a gold medal but I’m more proud of her journey to compete. If you’re in Ohio check her out. Laura competed with Jow Ga Double Daggers 插 仔 (雙匕首) - CHAAP JAI (SHEUNG BAY SOU)

07/26/2026

I’m very proud of my student Josh Wilson. He competed with our Jow Ga Double Forearm Protecting Knives 保踭雙刀. Josh is the first of my students to complete it and this was the first time it’s been demonstrated in publicly in the USA 🎊🎉

07/26/2026

07/25/2026

07/24/2026

In traditional Chinese martial arts, paying respect to your Kung Fu ancestors (祖師、歷代宗師) and teachers (師父、師公) is not an act of worship, but an expression of gratitude, humility, and continuity.

Your teachers invested countless hours correcting your mistakes, passing on knowledge that often took them decades to acquire.

Respecting one’s ancestors also reinforces 武德 (Mou Dak)—martial virtue.

In the Jow Ga tradition, paying respect to the lineage is also a reaffirmation of family. Students become part of a martial family (武林), connected not by blood but by shared training, responsibility, and values.

飲水思源
Yám Séui Sī Yùhn (Cantonese)
“When drinking water, remember its source.”

One of the most important lessons in kung fu is understanding that teachers and students are human beings—not perfect people. Every member of a martial lineage has strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures.

In this way, respect for teachers and ancestors is ultimately respect for the enduring values of the art itself—its discipline, wisdom, perseverance, and 武德 (martial virtue).

Respect has always been one of the pillars of traditional kung fu. It is expressed not only through bows, ceremonies, and etiquette, but through the way practitioners speak about their teachers, fellow students, other schools, and the generations that preserved the art. When respect begins to disappear, the integrity of the entire martial tradition is weakened.

Kung fu is more than a collection of fighting techniques. It is a system for cultivating 武德 (martial virtue)—qualities such as humility, honor, self-control, loyalty, sincerity, and responsibility. Technical skill without these virtues may produce a capable fighter, but it does not produce a true martial artist.

先學禮，後學拳
Sīn Hohk Láih, Hauh Hohk Kyùhn
“First learn respect and proper conduct; then learn the fist.”

Picture of Derek “Tai Lik” Johnson 張大力 ancestors 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

07/17/2026

Happy Birthday Joel Braxton enjoy your day and thanks for all you do 🎉🎊🥃

07/14/2026

童子拜佛 (四平馬) Boy worships Buddha
From 花拳 (Faa Kyun) Flower Fist

This may appear to be a ceremonial or respectful posture, but it can contain several practical fighting applications. The hands coming together can form a tight protective guard, intercept an incoming attack, trap or control the opponent’s arm, or press forward to disrupt their balance. From contact, the hands can separate into palms, elbows, grabs, or other close-range attacks, while the lowering of the body teaches the practitioner to sink the center of gravity for greater stability, leverage, and takedowns. The posture can also serve as an entry into the clinch, leading naturally to knee strikes, sweeps, throws, and continuous follow-up attacks. Rather than representing one fixed technique, 童子拜佛 (四平馬) Boy worships Buddha can be understood as a fighting principle: protect the center, make contact, control the opponent’s structure, and immediately turn defense into attack.

It uses a strong, centered Four-Level Stance with both arms forming a rounded “embracing the moon” 雙手抱月 structure. As the opening movement of 花拳 (Faa Kyun), it introduces an important fighting principle: establish a stable center, control the opponent’s bridge, disrupt their structure, and create an opening for continuous attack.