Sifu Ralph Haenel - Wing Tsun Vancouver

First let me explain that this article is not a paid advertisement. I personally joined Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver and practiced for about a year following Sifu Ralph Haenel, and was totally blown away by how effective and powerful this art can be when it comes to self defense. I have practiced Tae Kwon Do before, but the practicality of Wing Tsun is on a whole different level.

Established in 1994 by Sifu Ralph Haenel, Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver is the first Canadian branch of the "WT" Kung Fu school established by Grand Master Leung Ting.

Sifu Ralph Haenel demonstrating "Chi Sau"

Born under the "iron curtain" of the former East Germany, Sifu Haenel began studying martial arts in 1977, starting with Jiujitsu, Judo and Shotokan Karate. Later through the underground market, he acquired a book about Kung Fu written by Keith R. Kernspecht. He was deeply drawn by the book and began to communite with Sifu Kernspecht though telephone and writing letters, and arranged for some Kung Fu Sifus in West Germany to enter East Germany as tourists to teach him Kung Fu.

Sifu Ralph Haenel during a Wing Tsun demo in 1985 East Germany

However during this time, unbeknownst ti Sifu Haenel he was already under the surveillance of the STASI, which went on to arrest him in 1988 for "suspicious activities" because of the Kung Fu training. Not until the fall of the Berlin wall, when Germany united, when the West Germany government and other organizations organized for the release of political prisoners like Sifu Haenel himself.

Sifu Ralph Haenel's STASI mugshot

Sifu Ralph Haenel demonstrate the follow through after a takedown （L） Posing with Grand Master Leung Ting （R）

After the reunification of Germany, Sifu Ralph Haenel continued studying Kung Fu with well known masters such as Leung Ting, Keith R. Kernspecht, Rene Latosa, Bill Newman (Escrima), Peter Vilimek, Emin Boztepe, Salih Avci, Heinrich Pfaff and Giuseppe Schembri. He also taught at the European Wing Tsun Organization (EWTO), until he moved to Canada in 1994. After settling down in Vancouver, Sifu Ralph Haenel established the Wing Tsung Kung Fu Vancouver martial arts school, teaching countless students while continuing his own quest of martial arts excellence.

Sifu Ralph Haenel's studnets practicing on the wooden dummy

  Other than realistic and practical self defense, Wing Tsun Kung Fu is also great exercise for all ages

Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver is located at 6560 Victoria Drive (intersection of Victoria and 50th ave, beside Kuen Way Martial Arts Supplies. There are group classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-10pm. Trial classes are also offered, and it is highly recommended. More information about the free trial classes can be obtained from http://www.wingtsunkungfu.com/.