Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy

It has been nearly three and half years since my initial review; an update is appropriate, as I am still involved and highly enthusiastic about Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy.
A lot has happened in that time; I had a second child and my attendance to kung fu has ebbed and flowed depending on life’s strictures at particular moments. The school has moved locations and is now around the corner on Burnet Road. The new space is calm, welcoming, and warm. It is a place where aspiring students come for serious, thoughtful instruction and hard work. Currently, I attend class once or twice a week, but would be happy to squeeze in more training time if I could. I am years into training the Ving Tsun system, and it has not gotten boring or become too easy or too familiar. In fact, my understanding of and commitment to the art has deepened. I feel that I am perpetually learning, and wide-​eyed at how much more there is to know.
Probably one of the most unique features of this school, and this system, is its investment and support of women. Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy has a thriving women’s program, with dedicated all-​female classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Although I began learning kung fu in a co-​ed environment (and I value all types of training), the women’s class has easily become one of my favorite parts of week. The women who attend are strong, supportive, and friendly. We are led by two terrific female instructors, Simo and Beebee, who care deeply about building a community of relaxed and confident kung fu women.
Also, for those who are new to ving tsun kung fu, the Moy Yat ‘family’ has schools in several parts of the country. There are incredible travel opportunities to train at weekend workshops and special events throughout the year. Last month, there was a week long women’s seminar in Richmond, VA, the ‘home-​base’ of our own Sifu Vyvial’s teacher, Grandmaster Anthony «Moy Tung» Dandridge. The network of Moy Yat schools train very similar styles of ving tsun, all in the lineage of Grandmaster Moy Tung, who was trained directly by the legendary Moy Yat. (More details on the direct lineage can be found on the school website:
). Students of this school have the privilege and honor of working with their grandmaster, Sigung Moy Tung, when he travels to Austin once or twice a year. For students unable to travel or participate in special seminars, the regular weekly classes offer plenty of engaging content to work through.
This school, and the individuals who run it, are near and dear to my heart. I would encourage anyone to step outside their routine and challenge themselves mentally and physically with ving tsun kung fu. You will not find more skilled or dedicated mentors to lead you on the journey.

I am grateful every single day that I found Ving Tsun Kung Fu, and most especially Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy.
I began my training 8 months ago, through the free Women’s Self Defense classes the Academy offers every year in January and February. I had been nervous about trying a martial art, but figured it would be a good way to see how it felt for my body without any commitment to train further if my body couldn’t handle it. After my very first night in self defense, I knew I would definitely be making a commitment to train further, I felt empowered and amazing.
I worked hard through that self defense program, and then began my training in the regular program. 8 months later, I couldn’t be happier. I have made it through one of the hardest times of my life this year thanks to Kung Fu. When things were rough for me, Kung Fu was a constant– providing me a safe, calming and centering space where I could focus on strengthening my body, mind and soul. I have the opportunity to work with amazing instructors who take the time to work with me where I am at in my Kung Fu journey– helping me get past body limitations like my knees (I wear braces, but don’t think I will be for long).
I can feel myself becoming stronger physically & more centered in myself emotionally/​spiritually in my training. I absolutely love this school and my Kung Fu family.

Training here is dynamic, individualized, and believe it or not, fun. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard work but rather than feeling beat up at the end of a class, you walk away feeling happy, determined, and confident. Whatever your level, this is the place for anyone interesting in learning true ving tsun.

In my lifetime, I have done many things. I’ve played soccer and lacrosse and run track events. I’ve studied different styles of martial arts, ranging from boxing to traditional jujutsu. I have never found anything as rewarding and powerful as the Ving Tsun Kung Fu taught at Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy.
When I walked through the door two years ago, I was as close to broken physically and emotionally as I had ever been in my life. I had been through a big medical crisis, had my depression, anxiety and ADHD were through the roof. On top of it, I was drinking a lot and my cigarette smoking was at an all time high.
From the minute that I walked in, I could tell that I was in a place that was very carefully kept and deliberately arranged. Everything about it was cultivated, from the placement of the resting benches to the wooden dummies standing by the doors. The instructor who was there for my introduction lesson was informed, kind and was able to push me beyond the what I thought myself capable of.
Over the last two years since then, I’ve been training alongside some of the most wonderful people in Austin. The teacher at the school, whom we call «Sifu», which is Cantonese for «teacher», is very involved in the growth and development of every student, but has a teaching style that is more about inspiration and leading from behind than over-​teaching. More often than not, we are helped to discover things on our own and figure them out, rather than simply going through rote drill after rote drill. Sifu does not have an assembly line: while every student of his is recognisably his student, everyone’s Kung Fu is very different depending on their personalities, bodies, etc. To me, this is the sign of a master teacher. He has passed on Kung Fu while completely maximising the natural capabilities and advantages of each student.
These days, I’m stronger than I ever have been in the past. I’m not on knee braces any more. I’ve quit drinking. I don’t smoke any more. The calm that I’ve found from the training has helped me not need the medications I was taking for depression, anxiety and ADHD. I am in every way a much stronger person than I was when I first walked in.
Kung Fu is generous to you. There are some things that give you exactly back what you put into it, a linear, 1:1 ratio of reward to effort. Kung Fu’s reward structure is logarithmic. You will get far more of out of it than you put into it for the first several years, with it slowly tapering off as you get to the decade mark.
I cannot enough stress what a wonderful place this is and how much what I’ve learned here has made my life better. Walk in. Take a lesson. You won’t be disappointed.

My two daughters have been in the Young Masters Program at Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy for a little over four years. The confidence and overall health benefits they have both received is invaluable.
The approach of teaching authentic kung fu in a «down to earth» manner is one of the many gems of Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy.
You will not hear any yelling, screaming, or over the top motivational direction.
The instructors doing a great job of working with the kids in a calm, positive yet focused manner.
If you are looking for a true family oriented experience where your kids can learn kung fu, gain confidence, and improve their health Moy Yat is where you need to be.
Class sizes are kept small so kids get a good amount of individual attention. The instructors are knowledgeable, patient and positive when working with the kids. As a parent I cannot ask for anything more from a program.
Also as a parent you have the chance to train with your kids as part of the Young Masters program. As a father I really enjoy practicing with my daughters. It is a great way to spend time together as they grow older.
I cannot recommend the Young Masters Program at Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy enough and I hope that others will stop by and check it out.
On a fun note, it is always neat to say that «My child is learning the same system from the same lineage as Bruce Lee»

I recently passed 30, helped bring a wonderful baby boy into my world, and the thing that was suffering most was my physical fitness. I have tried Boot Camps, Gym Memberships, and other things over the years, all seem to keep my interest for about three months and then it all wears thin.
Things that made me try it: My wife was into Tae Kwon Do in College, Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy is literally down the street from me, and they have been active and supporting the local community.
So at this point I am about 6 months in, and still going strong. The growth and development keeps me from getting bored, and the quality of the instructors, the instruction, and the other attendees, keeps me motivated.
The variability of skills learned, the noticeable, building improvement of skills, and the general positive environment make this a great place to go, and worth tons in terms of my physical and mental well being.

I also participated in the very generous free self-​defense class at Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy and fell in love with the martial art. I never pictured myself in martial arts, but Ving Tsun is very unique in it’s non-​aggressive, intellectual approach. It’s beautiful to watch and is very effective. I feel confident I could defend myself if needed after only a few months of training.

Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy offered 3 months of free women’s self defense classes after the violent death of Esme Barrera on New Year’s Eve. I attended those classes and decided to enroll in the school now that the free classes are over. I love the positive energy and the feeling of empowerment I felt after every class. I left there feeling strong, confident and feeling good overall. Sifu Aaron and all the other instructors are great. They are nice, patient and I feel like they genuinely cared about us. I like that there is a sense of community and you don’t feel like you are competing with one another. I highly recommend joining this school especially if you are a woman. I was never interested in taking any form of martial arts before, but after taking classes here, I did not want to stop. I am now enrolled for the 2 year program and plan on continuing until I master the art!

Ving Tsun kung fu originated from a Shaolin nun about 400 years ago, and its lineage is unbroken through to this studio, which is SO COOL!!! I am very picky about teachers and quite cautious about joining groups, but in honor of Esme Barrera, I showed up at this sweet, small studio’s FREE three-​month self-​defense women’s program that was offered Jan-​March 2012.
Kung Fu Master Aaron Vyvial, his co-​founder and spouse Sarah, and teachers Cathy, Heath, and Neil are impeccable, compassionate, humble, and amazing beings — each and every one of them.
The Ving Tsun form is the most concentrated and female-​body friendly martial art out there — it also teaches a centerline punching technique which is way more effective for self-​defense than any other boxing style and a chi gong routine that is rejuvenative and healing.
The training has metamorphosized me and strengthened my yoga practice. And the other night I punched 1000 punches in a row! Have now committed to weekly training, it’s an amazing physical, emotional, and vital workout. I feel so grateful for Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy.

I did a lot of research to try to find a kung fu school that taught the most authentic wing chun in the Austin area, and would be the least «strip mall Dojo» like, and Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy is just the place. There is no hype, contracts or anything fancy just honest kung fu taught in the down to earth way it should be. SiFu Vyvial is an awesome fountain of knowldge and skill. He is very down to earth and honest, and this is reflected in his teachig style. Heath and Neil, the other instructors, are awesome and very knowldegeable. I highly recomoned checking this place out if you are looking to learn kung fu.

It is very hard to come by an honest, unselfish, non-​commercialized kung fu school anywhere. The Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy in Austin is just that. The rates are also very affordable. The classroom environment is clean and simple. We naturally show respect to one another, yet there are no flashy uniforms or unnecessary traditional rituals that get in the way of learning what we come here to learn: pure wing chun kung fu.
When you first meet Sifu Vyvial, you’d think he’s you’re everyday guy that’d you’d go out and kick back with — cool, friendly, and down to earth. Once you talk to him, you realize his kung fu knowledge is amazing. Once you touch hands with him, you realize his kung fu skills are even more amazing. It’s a really fun, rewarding, and non-​stressful experience learning from Sifu Vyvial.
It’s also very rare for a school to have excellent student instructors. Heath and Neil really know their wing chun and can take even advanced students to the next level. I’m a beginner myself, but I feel like I am learning 3x as fast with the additional help and instruction from Heath and Neil.