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The Hakka
The Guest Families
The Hakka (meaning "Guest Families") were a nomadic people in China who migrated southward over centuries to escape war and persecution. Because they were constantly moving into unfamiliar and often hostile territories, they could not rely on armies for protection. They had to defend themselves, their families, and their villages.
Because of this constant pressure, the martial arts developed by the Hakka masters were not designed for sport, performance, or distance fighting. They were forged in the crucible of survival. They are characterized by explosive internal power, unyielding stances, and brutal close-quarter dominance.
Sifu Linton Alfred: A Lifetime of Lineage and Mastery
The Foundation of the Dragon
Sifu Linton Alfred is a lifelong martial artist, traditional healer, and retired NYPD Detective who has dedicated over four decades to the mastery of traditional combat and internal systems. His journey into Southern Dragon Fist (Lung Ying Kuen) began in 1984 under the foundational guidance of his first teacher, Master Yip Wing Hong.
Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the art, his training elevated to the highest traditional levels when he began learning directly from Grandmaster Hong Lau and Grandmaster He Li. In a profound milestone that cemented his place in the authentic Lung Ying lineage, Sifu Alfred was formally accepted as a disciple of Grandmaster He Li in 1984. He has been actively teaching and passing down these traditional systems since the late 1990s.
Comprehensive Martial Expertise While Sifu Alfred is a dedicated preserver of the Dragon Shape, his martial expertise is vast and deeply well-rounded. To fully understand the spectrum of combative and internal movement, he has undergone extensive training in Okinawan GoJu-Ryu, the explosive Hakka system of Bok Mei (White Eyebrow), Wu Style Tai Chi, and Yang Style Tai Chi.
His curriculum encompasses a profound understanding of Qi Gong (energy cultivation) and complete mastery of traditional weaponry across both the Kung Fu and Tai Chi disciplines, including the sword, staff, spear, and butterfly knives.
The Balance of the Healing Arts In traditional Chinese culture, a true master understands the dual nature of Yin and Yang: the ability to dismantle an opponent must be equally matched by the ability to heal. Sifu Alfred is a highly accomplished medical practitioner. He holds a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture, alongside advanced degrees and specialized certifications in Medical Massage, Sports Massage, and Traditional Thai Medical Massage.
Preserving the Path Today, through the Kindred Fist community and the authoring of his second book on Southern Dragon Fist Kung Fu, Sifu Alfred remains devoted to his students. He continues to teach not just the physical techniques of his lineage, but the rich cultural, historical, and philosophical truths that make martial arts a complete way of life.
THE ORIGINATORS
Monk Tai Yu San Si
The Origins of the Dragon
The profound history of Southern Dragon Fist (Lung Ying Kuen) begins high in the sacred peaks of Lau Fu Mountain (Mount Luofu) in Guangdong Province, Southern China. Here, at the revered Wha So Toi Temple, lived the legendary abbot and martial patriarch, Monk Tai Yu San Si.
Widely acknowledged as the true founder of the Southern Dragon system, Monk Tai Yu San Si did not simply practice martial arts; he refined and elevated them. Within the quiet discipline of the temple walls, he synthesized devastating close-quarter combat mechanics, explosive shock-power, and deep internal breathwork (Hei Gung) into a single, unified system.
It was his mastery and spiritual dedication that forged the unbreakable, reality-based foundation of the Dragon style. From his teachings at Wha So Toi, the art was meticulously passed down to the Hakka masters, preserving its fierce practicality and profound philosophy through the generations all the way to our modern lineage today.
Great Grandmaster Lam Yew Kwai (1874 – 1965) (Si Jo)
Bringing the Art to the World
Before he became the legendary patriarch of modern Southern Dragon Fist, Great Grandmaster Lam Yew Kwai built his foundation in the devastating, close-quarter Hakka martial arts under the strict guidance of his uncle. His relentless pursuit of ultimate martial truth eventually led him to the sacred Wha So Toi Temple. There, he became a devoted disciple of the Shaolin Monk Tai Yu San Si, absorbing the internal power (Hei Gung) and sophisticated combat mechanics of the Dragon system.
Opening the Temple Doors Historically, these lethal techniques were guarded closely within the temple walls. Great Grandmaster Lam was the visionary who finally brought Lung Ying out of the shadows. Recognizing the profound value of the system, he became the first to introduce the art of the Dragon to the general public.
A Teacher of the People and the Protectors His unparalleled skill and practical, no-nonsense approach to combat made him highly sought after across all levels of society. He served as the head martial instructor for numerous diverse organizations. He empowered everyday citizens by teaching the shoemakers' and dressmakers' guilds, while simultaneously training elite police forces and military units in reality-based, battle-tested defense.
The Hong Kong Legacy Later in life, Great Grandmaster Lam relocated to Hong Kong, where he established a thriving, dedicated martial arts community. He spent his remaining years tirelessly teaching and spreading the Dragon Kung Fu system until his passing in 1965. Because of his profound dedication, the authentic Lung Ying lineage survived the turbulent eras of history and continues to be passed down to dedicated students around the world today.
SECOND AND THIRD GENERATIONS
Grandmaster Cho Sam - Si Gung
The Next Generation of Mastery
To truly master the intricate mechanics, explosive shock-power, and internal breathwork of Lung Ying requires decades of unwavering dedication. Grandmaster Cho Sam exemplified this profound commitment as a devoted, long-time disciple of Great Grandmaster Lam Yew Kwai.
Earning the Right to Teach In traditional Chinese martial arts, the title of teacher is strictly earned, not given. After years of rigorous, unbroken physical training and proving his deep understanding of the system's core philosophies, Grandmaster Cho Sam earned the immense honor of becoming an assistant instructor directly under his master’s watchful eye.
Expanding the Dragon's Reach Having absorbed the true, battle-tested essence of the art, Grandmaster Cho Sam eventually stepped forward to establish his own traditional Kwoon (school). He dedicated his life to preserving the authentic Hakka teachings, shaping the character and combative skills of countless practitioners. Among his most notable and dedicated students was Master Yip Wing Hong, who would go on to carry the heavy mantle of the lineage into the modern era.
Grandmaster Hong Lau - Si Gung
Forging the Art in the Fires of War
Grandmaster Hong Lau’s martial journey is a profound testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Lung Ying lineage. Beginning his training at the age of 21 under the legendary Great Grandmaster Lam Yew Kwai, his early years in the art were not spent in the comfort of a peaceful Kwoon, but amidst the extreme hardship and chaos of World War II and the Japanese occupation of China.
Preserving the Flame in Secret During an era when openly practicing martial arts or gathering in groups could draw severe danger from occupying forces, Grandmaster Hong Lau and his fellow disciples refused to let the Dragon system fade. They trained in absolute secrecy, meticulously preserving the devastating combat mechanics and internal power of the art under the constant threat of discovery. This period of intense, high-stakes practice forged a uniquely hardened, battle-tested generation of martial artists.
Bringing the Dragon to America Carrying this profound, battle-forged knowledge with him, Grandmaster Hong Lau eventually immigrated to the United States in 1988. He became a crucial pillar of the traditional martial arts community in New York City's Chinatown. There, he dedicated his time to strictly refining the technique of advanced practitioners at Master Yip Wing Hong's Dragon Kung Fu School. His presence and instruction ensured that the authentic, uncompromising Hakka teachings survived their journey across the world and were passed down correctly.
Grandmaster He Li - Si Gung (1929 – 2015)
A Lifetime of Complete Mastery
Grandmaster He Li’s path represents a profound dedication to comprehensive martial mastery. His journey into the Dragon system began under the strict tutelage of Grandmaster Hong Lau. His immense dedication eventually earned him the rare and prestigious privilege of being introduced to, and training directly under, the legendary patriarch Great Grandmaster Lam Yew Kwai.
Teaching the Protectors Through years of grueling, relentless practice, Grandmaster He Li forged an unbreakable foundation in Lung Ying. Like his predecessors, his skills were forged for reality, not theory. His combative prowess was so highly regarded that he was recruited to instruct elite police and military organizations in real-world combat, alongside guiding his own dedicated civilian disciples.
The Balance of Internal and External Power Grandmaster He Li understood that a true martial artist must continuously seek knowledge. During the historically turbulent era of Mao Zedong in 1956, he expanded his combative arsenal by mastering Lion Style Kung Fu under Grand Master Fan Hay. In 1959, he embraced the internal arts, studying Wu Style Tai Chi under Master Yum Tong. This profound integration of fierce external striking and yielding internal energy perfectly embodies the complete Yin and Yang of traditional practice.
The Journey to America In 1989, Grandmaster He Li brought his immense wealth of martial and internal knowledge to the United States. Reconnecting with his martial family in New York City’s Chinatown, he became an instrumental figure at Master Yip Wing Hong's Dragon Kung Fu School. There, he dedicated his time to strictly refining the structural mechanics, combat applications, and internal power of advanced practitioners, ensuring the complete system was passed down flawlessly to the next generation.
Master Yip Wing Hong
The Pioneer of the West
As the Dragon system progressed into the modern era, the profound responsibility of bringing the authentic art to the West fell to Master Yip Wing Hong. A direct and dedicated disciple of Grandmaster Cho Sam, Master Yip immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s. Arriving in a new country, he immediately recognized a deep, unmet need for genuine, uncompromising traditional martial arts.
The First American Kwoon In 1974, Master Yip achieved a monumental milestone in martial arts history: he became the very first instructor to publicly teach the highly guarded Southern Dragon system in the United States. Establishing Yip’s Dragon Style Kung Fu in the heart of New York City’s Manhattan Chinatown, he opened the doors for a completely new generation of practitioners to experience the explosive power, structural mechanics, and rich philosophy of the Hakka masters.
A Living, Global Legacy Master Yip’s dedication extends far beyond the physical combat of Lung Ying; he is a fierce preserver of cultural heritage. To this day, he continues to strictly guide practitioners in both traditional Kung Fu and the rigorous, highly athletic art of traditional Lion Dance. Over the decades, his New York Kwoon has served as a pivotal training ground—a hub where elite masters like Grand Master Hong Lau and Grand Master He Li came to assist in teaching.
Because of Master Yip's unwavering vision, he has cultivated a vast, dedicated family of highly skilled practitioners who have since spread the authentic Dragon system throughout the United States and across the globe.
Sifu Linton Alfred - Dragon Shape Fist Kung Fu
HISTORY
EXPERIENCE
HISTORY
The Southern Dragon Fist Kung Fu System is a short-fist fighting system from the Wha So Toy temple located on Lau Fu Mountains in Southern China. The Great Grand Master Lam Yew Kwai trained at the temple under the Shaolin Monk Tai Yu San See and was later credited for introducing the system to villages outside the temple.
LINEAGE
EXPERIENCE
HISTORY
The Dragon Fist System was introduced to NYC, China Town, by Master Yip Wing Hong (left). Great Grand Masters Hong Lau (middle) and Ho Lai (right), who were students of Great Grand Master Lam Yew Kwai, also taught other students and me at Master Yip's school.
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
After being certified to teach the Dragon System by Master Yip, I ran my school for several years until unforeseen events forced me to close. I continued teaching small groups and individuals privately in their homes, in local parks, and in community centers. Today I hope to continue spreading the Dragon Fist System to people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
COMBAT PRINCIPLES
PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE
The Dragon Fist Kung Fu is a short-fist fighting system with zig-zag stepping and rapid explosive hand movements. With its low kicking and sunken posture, students of the system learn to combine internal and external with hard and soft. The techniques and movements are said to be like the flowing movements of the fabled Chinese Dragon.
TRAINING EXPERIENCE
PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE
PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE
I began my training with Master Yip in 1984, and several years later, after I was certified to teach, I started training with Grand Masters Hong Lau and Ho Lai. 1999 I was invited to learn privately with Grand Master Ho Lei and was officially accepted as a disciple in 2004. I continued my training under Grand Master Ho Lei until his passing in 2015.
PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE
PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE
PASSING ON KNOWLEDGE
I was fortunate to learn as much as I could from the masters and grand masters of the Dragon System, some of who were direct descendent of the Great Grand Master Lam Yew Kwai. Although I spent many years training and developing the physical abilities of the system, under the teachings of Great Grand Master Ho Lei, I learned the importance of the system's mental, social, philosophical, and spiritual significance so I can approach my training as a way of life.
