Written by the instructor: This piece is written by Sifu Kendra Mahon (Kung Fu Kendra), who teaches the course described. It is her view, not an independent review.
The people a closed door leaves out
- Distance: students who live hours from the nearest school.
- Time: shift workers, parents and travellers who can’t make fixed class times.
- Money: people who can’t afford to move to a city with a training hall.
Telling them online learning has no place in Wing Chun doesn’t improve anyone’s skill or protect the art. It simply tells them Wing Chun isn’t for them.
What really keeps Wing Chun strong
Poor Wing Chun comes from missing structure, missing testing and missing correction, wherever the training happens. A real standard fixes that. In the Kung Fu Kendra course it looks like this:
- Syllabus: 10 published levels, first stance to Sifu
- Exams: a written and a video exam at every level, graded personally by Sifu Kendra
- Feedback: written notes on every requirement, with retakes until it’s right
- Pressure testing: with a friend or family member
- Instructor level: five written theses and a full practical exam at Level 10
- Certificates: Global Kung Fu Alliance, Ip Man lineage
Open door, high standard
Shutting down online learning doesn’t stop bad Wing Chun. It stops people from learning Wing Chun at all. The better answer is to hold the door open and hold every student to a high standard once they walk through it.
Read more
Sifu Kendra’s original piece: What Does Shutting the Door Really Do? Course details are on the Wing Chun Online Certification Course page, and students’ own words are on the Kung Fu Kendra reviews page.
About the instructor
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, is a 3rd Generation Ip Man Lineage Master. She has trained since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash). She teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung. She founded Kung Fu Kendra and the Global Kung Fu Alliance in 2012 in Calgary, Canada, and is the author of 15 books and counting.
Frequently asked questions
Does online learning have a place in Wing Chun?
Yes, when it is held to a real standard: a published syllabus, a graded exam at every level, personal feedback and pressure testing.
Who is left out when online learning is rejected?
People who live too far from a school, work hours that clash with classes, or cannot afford to move closer to a training hall.
What does the Kung Fu Kendra course cost?
Level 1 is $97 and the full 10-level Sifu course is $675, paid once, with a 60-day money-back guarantee.