Marcus Evans

Kung Fu Isn’t Just For Fighting

- Erik Larson

Marcus Evans began training Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu under Sifu Moy Tung in 1986 and soon joined his Inner Circle. He taught programmes for his Sifu in the Richmond Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy for many years and joined Grandmaster Moy Yat’s Grand Special Student Association (GSSA) before founding his first school in 2005; the Elite Training Academy in Chesterfield, VA since 2014.

What is Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu for?

Here’s the thing—Kung Fu is not just for fighting, no matter how many people in martial arts say that, or how many young guys want that. I’m 63, and I can do a hell of a lot more than most people my age—actually, a lot of people half my age. I understand now that my health is great because of Ving Tsun.

As for self-defence and the necessity of fighting skill, I equate it to insurance. After you have a car accident, you can’t buy the insurance then. So, if I get attacked, fortunately, I’m able to defend myself, and I teach people how to do this. This leads to what Sigung Moy Yat called “Peace of Mind” and good health—the ability to defend yourself and think clearly. Sigung said the purpose of Ving Tsun is so you can live free and relaxed. What’s that worth? That’s immeasurable worth; it’s priceless.

Ving Tsun training develops good fighting skills quickly, but mastery is difficult. Why?

In ancient China, when monks went down to the villages to get food or supplies, sometimes they had to defend themselves from bandits with martial arts. So what became popular with most of the people? Was it going to the temple to meditate and get yourself mentally and spiritually stronger? No, it was the fighting techniques.