A new type of martial arts for the BVI – Christian Gung-Fu
Paul On The Ball Hewlett 21.JAN.08
In the wake of rising crime in the BVI a new martial arts school has opened with the specific focus of taking crime off the streets and teaching the youngsters to redirect their efforts to something more productive and disciplined.
With this in mind, third degree Black Belt Sifu (Sensei) Gath Hewlett, who has been involved in martial arts for over 25 years and has practiced a number of different styles in the art, has created a new style of martial arts called God’s Christian Gung-Fu Academy (GCGA).
Many will remember Sifu Hewlett as the person who led the way forward for Purple Dragon after Sensei Albert Andrews and his wife departed for the US. Sifu stayed at the helm for over five years, but increasingly, like Bruce Lee, had a burning desire to carry martial arts to new heights in the BVI.
The school, GCGA, has practice three days a week, Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Body Images located by Botanic Station (by Happy Lion Restaurant - next to Social Development Building) and Saturdays from 3 to 5:30pm in the Sea Cow’s Bay Community Centre yard.
In an interview, Sifu Hewlett first gave me his background in martial arts.
“I have been seriously involved in martial arts ever since I know myself really. As a boy I would practice on my brother but from about the age of 20 I began studying first Judo in Tortola under Sensei Graham from England and then for four years in Canada. I then took up Taekwondo under Professor Dong Ja Yang while at Howard University. Finally I moved onto Don-Jitsu Ryu (a hybrid form of Jiu-Jitsu) under Sensei Albert Andrews of Professor Don Jacob of Purple Dragon for the last 10 years or so, until leaving the organization last year, not long after my wife’s passing.”
I next asked Sifu Hewlett to give some background on the philosophy of the new school. “This school is a conglomeration of many styles. It is an eclectic representation of Chinese Gung-Fu, using mainly the principles of Wing Chun and Hop Gar (monkey) Kung Fu, but also introducing elements of Brazilian Capoera as well as other hard styles (like Shotokan Karate and Taekwondo). The unique combination of styles makes for a unique representation and appearance, as it boasts completely unique forms and self-defense techniques, apart from the Chi-Kung exercises taken directly from Shaolin practices (obtained through research and learned from personal experience directly from practitioners of the art). It is a perfect combination of hard and soft styles,” he said.
Sifu Hewlett also explained what makes this new style unique and more effective than any other. “The philosophy of the school also makes it unique, as it is based solely on Christian principles, not Buddhism, Zen, Taoism or any other Eastern religion. The forms, affirmations, declarations and philosophy are all delicately interwoven to enable the practitioner to attain a highly developed sense of spiritual awareness of God, as he/she practices the movements and progresses through the levels. The journey becomes a highly personalized one and a struggle with self as the main opponent and the Evil One (and our bad habits) as our only enemy,” he said.
Sifu Hewlett next outlined his first five-year goal for the new school. “Over the next five years, I intend to open the school to be available for younger members, two, create some adult members who will rank at the black belt or instructor level, three, open new branches first within the BVI and then throughout the Caribbean and world, four, represent the BVI (either myself or one of my students or both) at an international competition or event so as to enhance the BVI’s tourism industry, and five, contribute to the education of the BVI community in a way that benefits people across all walks of life and age groups,” he explained.
The uniform which is orange also has a special significance. “The uniform was designed to emulate the Shaolin monks in China and also be comfortable and easy to mass produce. The orange colour is one which is chosen by the monks because of its positive energy, without being too loud. One will stand out but can yet be humble. I liked these reasons but chose the colour mainly to emulate the monks. The idea of associating with peaceful warriors, rather than the assassin-type warrior of the ninja (who dress in black) was deliberate. We want the same level skill as the ninja, without the association of being ‘killers’. In fact, we would rather be known as healers and protectors rather than mere fighters. The fighting art is just another road to perfection of self.
He finally spoke of his personal vision for GCGA. “My personal goal is create as many ‘friends’ or ‘healers’ as I can who will come to this level with me, so that we can enjoy and pass on the joys and lessons of getting closer to God to other healing friends. We shall witness to the world the power of Christ through this beautiful art of Gung-Fu. We shall perform seemingly impossible feats in Christ’s name. We shall draw many souls to God and save many from the Enemy’s snares of doom and destruction,” he said.
Sifu Hewlett will hold his first grading this coming Saturday at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town opposite the Althea Scatliffe Primary School. For more information contact Sifu Hewlett on 540-1643 or email:
timdarx@yahoo.com
Reply With Quote
