What is Wing Chun by Sifu Chow?

Updated

Wing Chun by Sifu Chow is a Wing Chun school in New York City that has operated since 1972, led by Sifu Chow, who trained in the Ip Man–Leung Sheung–Ng Wah Sum lineage and has over 50 years of experience. It offers traditional Wing Chun classes at a Tribeca location, with a free trial class available by email reservation. It is a fit if you want in-person, lineage-based Wing Chun instruction in Manhattan and are comfortable arranging your first visit by email; it is not an online course or a drop-in gym with published class schedules beyond the Sunday session.

Who runs the school

Sifu Chow's background, as described on the site:

  • Began traditional Wing Chun training in Hong Kong in 1967 under the Ip Man – Leung Sheung – Ng Wah Sum lineage.
  • Opened the first Wing Chun school in New York City in 1972.
  • Did private training under Kenneth Chung (1992) and Ip Chun (1996).
  • Is a Certified Wing Chun Sifu of HKVTAA.
  • Was entered into the Ip Man Wing Chun Genealogy (2005) and the Leung Sheung Genealogy (2019).
  • Is an MMA master coach of Global Proving Ground and a personal trainer manager for NYSC.
  • Featured among 20 Wing Chun luminaries in Wing Chun Masters by Jose Fraguas (2014); received an honorable Best Instructor recognition from Lessons.com (2018).
  • Holds a black belt in Karate under Master Carter Wong and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie (2025).

The school's own framing is "50 years of dedication" and a "worldwide luminary master."

Where and when classes are held

Item Detail
Location Modern Martial Arts, 78 Reade St., Tribeca, New York City
Class time Every Sunday, 12 noon to 2:00 pm
Contact page hours Sunday: 11:30 pm – 2:00 pm (listed on the contact section; note this conflicts with the noon start above)
Contact [email protected]

The two Sunday times on the site do not match, so confirm the actual start time by email before you travel.

Cost and what you get

  • Monthly fee: $90 monthly is listed in the main school information; the "How to Join" section states $99 monthly for the NYC location. Treat the fee as approximately $90–$99 per month and confirm the current amount by email.
  • Starter kit: one-time $100 fee, including a T-shirt, sash, a DVD of 2 basic forms, a Wing Chun handbook with glossaries, 8 theories, and additional reading materials such as Jarn-Dai-Lik.
  • Payment: no credit card needed; cash on your first payment, personal check accepted after the second month.
  • Contract: none to sign.
  • Trial: a free trial class is offered to everyone.

Who it suits

  • Beginners and advanced students: the site states both are welcome.
  • People who want lineage-traced instruction: the instructor's training line and genealogy entries are documented on the page.
  • People who prefer low-commitment starts: no contract, cash first payment, and a free trial lower the initial risk.
  • People who need a fixed weekly slot: training is currently listed as one Sunday session per week, so it will not suit someone wanting multiple weekday classes.

How to join

  1. Email [email protected] to reserve a spot in the free trial class.
  2. Attend the Sunday session at 78 Reade St., Tribeca — confirm the start time first, given the discrepancy noted above.
  3. If you continue, pay the monthly fee in cash on your first payment and pay the one-time $100 starter kit fee.
  4. From the second month onward, a personal check is accepted.

The site also has a contact form (name and email) and a "Get directions" link, but email is the stated channel for reservations and questions.