White Eyebrow
白眉 Pak Mei Kung Fu
Pak Mei Kung Fu is a powerful and efficient martial art that combines explosive force with fluid adaptability. This highly effective style emphasizes sudden bursts of energy, short-range power, and a strategic blend of hard and soft techniques. Renowned for its aggressive approach, Pak Mei practitioners develop a unique ability to generate power through refined body mechanics and internal energy, making it a formidable system for combat and self-defense.
Harmony of Hard and Soft
The Art of Pak Mei
Pak Mei or Bak Mei (白眉) in Cantonese, meaning “White Eyebrow,” is a system that harmonizes ferocity with precision. Practitioners learn to deliver devastating strikes while maintaining balance and control through the application of internal energy, known as “Ging.” The style is deeply rooted in the principle of using minimal movements to generate maximum impact, making every technique efficient and decisive.
A core tenet of Pak Mei is the ability to redirect or absorb an opponent’s force while simultaneously striking with powerful counterattacks. Unlike styles that rely purely on physical strength, Pak Mei emphasizes the concept of “Yin-Yang Power,” where soft yielding motions transition seamlessly into explosive force. This principle enables a practitioner to overwhelm a stronger opponent through superior mechanics and timing.
Sensitivity and reaction training are integral to Pak Mei, allowing fighters to read an opponent’s intentions and exploit weaknesses instantly. The “Bridging” concept is a crucial aspect of training, where practitioners refine their ability to engage and neutralize threats through tactile sensitivity and controlled aggression.
Grandmaster Cheung Lai Chung and His Legacy
A Brief History of Pak Mei Kung Fu
Pak Mei Kung Fu traces its origins to the legendary Shaolin monk Pak Mei (白眉), one of the Five Elders said to have survived the destruction of the Shaolin Temple. While its early development remains steeped in historical ambiguity, the system itself evolved into a highly efficient and combat-oriented martial art, known for its explosive power, dynamic footwork, and emphasis on internal energy. Unlike many traditional styles that prioritize aesthetic forms, Pak Mei was designed for practical application, utilizing a unique combination of short-range striking, sudden bursts of power (驚紮勁), and intricate body mechanics to generate maximum force with minimal effort.
Central to the system is its integration of internal and external principles, where techniques are executed with relaxed power, utilizing the body’s natural structure and energy flow. This strategic approach allows practitioners to generate devastating force while maintaining fluid mobility. The system is distinguished by its distinctive postures, including the forward-leaning stance and whipping, spring-like strikes that deliver rapid, continuous attacks. Grandmaster Cheung Lai Chung played a pivotal role in refining and codifying these methods, ensuring that Pak Mei retained its effectiveness as a combative art while preserving its deeper internal principles. Today, Pak Mei remains one of the most formidable martial arts, respected for its direct, efficient, and highly adaptable fighting methodology.
Grandmaster Cheung Lai Chung (宗師張禮泉) is widely recognized as the individual responsible for bringing Pak Mei from the monastic traditions into the lay community, where he refined its techniques and established a structured system for its transmission. Having studied under the esteemed Monk Juk Faat Wan (竹法雲) and later under Monk Sang Pung (生風禪師), Grandmaster Cheung was entrusted with the complete Pak Mei system. His skill and combat prowess earned him a formidable reputation, as he engaged in numerous challenge matches and consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of Pak Mei in real combat scenarios.
Upon settling in Guangzhou, he further refined the system, incorporating sophisticated internal energy principles and practical applications to enhance its efficiency. With the political changes in China, Grandmaster Cheung relocated to Hong Kong in 1938, where he formally established Pak Mei as a recognized martial art within the urban martial arts community. Through his efforts, Pak Mei gained prominence, attracting a select group of dedicated disciples, including Chin Dor (陳佐), who would later introduce the art to the United States. His teachings continue to influence practitioners worldwide, ensuring the preservation and advancement of the Pak Mei lineage.
His son, Grandmaster Cheung Bing Lam, continued this legacy, further developing and preserving the art of Pak Mei. Under his guidance, Pak Mei remains a disciplined and highly effective fighting system, emphasizing efficiency, adaptability, and superior combat strategy. Today, dedicated practitioners uphold the principles and teachings of this powerful martial art, ensuring that the wisdom and techniques of Pak Mei continue to thrive.
Chin Dor (陳佐), born in 1928 in Taishan, Guangdong Province, China, was a dedicated martial artist who became a prominent figure in Pak Mei Kung Fu. After relocating to Hong Kong in 1949, he initially trained under Master Ng Wah (吳華) and later caught the attention of Grandmaster Cheung Lai Chuen, the founder of the modern Pak Mei system. Impressed by Chin Dor’s diligence, Grandmaster Cheung accepted him as a personal student—a rare honor, as he had only about 20 students in Hong Kong. Chin Dor studied under Grandmaster Cheung until the latter’s passing in 1964. In 1966, Chin Dor moved to New York City, where he established the New York Lai Chuen Martial Arts Association, teaching Pak Mei privately throughout his life. One of his notable students is Dr. Richard M. Chin, who became an indoor disciple of Chin Dor, thereby continuing the Pak Mei lineage in the United States.
Our Lineage
connection to the legacy
Grandmaster Richard M. Chin, an indoor disciple of Grandmaster Chin Dor and student of Grandmaster Cheung Bing Lam, is a 6th-generation Pak Mei practitioner. A highly skilled martial artist, he has also mastered Tai Chi Chuan, Jow Ga Kung Fu, Korean Karate, and Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo. As a medical professional, holding degrees in both Western and Oriental medicine, he integrates martial arts with holistic healing. His contributions to Pak Mei continue to inspire practitioners, bridging the gap between traditional combat arts and modern application.
Instructor Di Guglielmo is a dedicated student of Grandmaster Richard M. Chin, embodying the discipline and depth of knowledge required in Pak Mei Kung Fu. With over 30 years of martial arts experience, his journey began at the age of four in Kenpo Karate, later expanding into Wing Chun during his service in the United States Navy (2006). Upon returning to civilian life, he immersed himself in traditional Chinese martial arts, studying Pak Mei, Long Ying (Southern Dragon) Boxing, Yang style Tai Chi, Southern Praying Mantis, and Wing Chun. Now an instructor, Dayne remains committed to continuous learning, refining his skills, and sharing the profound wisdom of Kung Fu with future generations.