Practitioners performing Tai Chi (太極拳) in the courtyard of a traditional Chinese temple, representing the living heritage of Chinese martial arts lineage

The Authentic Lineages & History
of Gui Yi Martial Arts (歸一武術 Guī Yī Wǔshù)

Why a Reputable Traditional Lineage Matters

In today’s world of mixed martial arts and short-term fitness trends, a genuine, unbroken lineage is your assurance of depth, correctness, and proven effectiveness. A reputable traditional lineage connects you directly to centuries of refined knowledge, battle-tested wisdom, and ethical teaching passed from master to disciple.As Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming has often emphasised:

“It is much more difficult for a good teacher to find a good student than for a good student to find a good teacher.”
“Quality, not quantity, is what matters.”

True commitment, patience, perseverance, and sincerity from the student are rare — qualities essential for deep transmission of the art. At Gui Yi Martial Arts, we honour two powerful, complete systems with direct, documented lineages.

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Founders & Ethos of Gui Yi Martial Arts

Gui Yi Martial Arts (歸一武術 Guī Yī Wǔshù) was founded in 2025 by Sifu Mark Gouws and Sifu Hennie Theunissen. “Gui Yi” (歸一) means “Returning to the One” — the journey of unifying body, breath, mind, Qi (energy), and spirit in harmonious practice.The school brings together two respected, independent lineages — YMAA (楊氏武術協會 Yángshì Wǔshù Xiéhuì) and Jow Ga Kung Fu (周家功夫 Zhōujiā Gōngfū) — each taught with its own authentic grading and integrity. All training is guided by Wu De (武德 Wǔdé), cultivating morality of deed (humility, respect, righteousness, trust, loyalty) and morality of mind (will, endurance, perseverance, patience, courage).Sifu Mark Gouws began his Chinese martial arts journey in 1992. In 1999 he joined Sifu Corlius Birkill (President of YMAA South Africa) and has since accumulated over 25 years of dedicated training in the YMAA curriculum. He received official authorisation to teach directly from Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (楊俊敏 Yáng Jùnmǐn) and founded YMAA Sandton in Johannesburg in 2015.Sifu Hennie Theunissen started his martial arts path in 1995. He trained extensively in the YMAA system while also pursuing intensive study in the Jow Ga lineage. He is a senior student and official representative of Master Raymond Keung, President of Jow Ga Gongfu South Africa.In 2020, Sifu Mark and Sifu Hennie united their paths, formally establishing Gui Yi Martial Arts (歸一武術 Guī Yī Wǔshù) in 2025 to preserve and transmit these traditions with authenticity, respect, and a shared commitment to holistic self-cultivation.

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Jow Ga Kung Fu (周家功夫 Zhōujiā Gōngfū) Lineage

Jow Lung (周龍 Zhōu Lóng, 1891–1919), the principal founder of Jow Ga, was born in 1891 in Sa-Fu Village, Xinhui County, Guangdong Province. As a youth he trained intensively in Hung Gar (洪家拳 Hóngjiā Quán) from his uncles. Later he mastered Choy Gar (蔡家拳 Càijiā Quán) under Master Choy Gau Gung (蔡九公), and reportedly received additional Northern Shaolin training from a monk named Hung (Yat 弘 Hóng Yī in Mandarin; Hung Yat in Cantonese) while travelling in Southeast Asia (Nanyang/Indochina region)(around 1909–1910) incorporating Northern kicking/leg techniques.

In his early twenties, Jow Lung combined the best elements of these systems — the rooted power and strength of Hung Gar, the agile footwork and speed of Choy Gar, and Northern Shaolin influences — to create a new, balanced, and highly effective family style. Together with his four brothers (known as the “Five Tigers of Jow Ga”), he became renowned for his martial prowess.

Tragically, he died young in 1919 at the age of 28 from pneumonia brought on by exhaustion from constant teaching and promoting the art. His brother Jow Biu (周彪 Zhōu Biāo) continued to spread the system.Our Direct Lineage at Gui Yi Martial Arts flows through:

  • 1st Generation: Jow Lung (周龍 Zhōu Lóng)
    Founder
  • 2nd Generation: Jow Biu (周彪 Zhōu Biāo)
    Brother and successor
  • 3rd Generation: Lee Ngau (李敖 Lǐ Áo)
  • 4th Generation: Bau Siu Keung (鮑紹強 Bào Shàoqiáng)
  • 5th Generation: Yip Chi Wah (葉志華 Yè Zhìhuá)
  • 6th Generation: Sifu Raymond Keung (姜瑞強 Jiāng Ruìqiáng)
    “The Dictionary of Jow Ga Forms”, founder of Jow Ga South Africa (Est. 2003), and our primary teacher.

Sifu Raymond Keung has dedicated decades to authentic transmission. A guiding principle often shared in his teachings is:

“There are no secrets to Kung Fu. No mystical technique. Just consistent, honest training with a good foundation.”

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YMAA Curriculum Lineage (Yang’s Martial Arts Association / 楊氏武術協會 Yángshì Wǔshù Xiéhuì)

Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (楊俊敏 Yáng Jùnmǐn, b. 1946) is one of the most influential figures in bringing authentic Chinese martial arts and Qigong to the West. Born in Taiwan, he began serious training at age 15. After emigrating to the United States, he founded YMAA in Boston in 1982. Over four decades, Dr. Yang has authored more than 40 books, produced dozens of instructional videos, and built an international organisation with schools across multiple continents.

He has been named Inside Kung Fu Magazine Man of the Year (twice) and Black Belt Magazine Kung Fu Artist of the Year, and is widely regarded as one of the foremost transmitters of traditional Chinese martial arts to the Western world.

Dr. Yang’s teachings integrate three major lineages:

1. Shaolin White Crane (Bái Hè 白鶴)

Intensive training (1961–1974) under Master Cheng Gin-Gsao (曾金灶, 1911–1976). This Southern style focuses on short-range power, sensitivity, bridging, sticking, and efficient whole-body force.

2. Shaolin Long Fist (Chángquán 長拳)

Studied under Grandmaster Li Mao-Ching (李茂清, 1927–2024), whom Dr. Yang first met while conscripted in the Taiwanese Air Force, where Master Li served as a senior instructor. Master Li learned elite Northern styles at the Central Guoshu Institute from teachers including Han Ching-Tang.

3. Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (楊氏太極拳)

Full Lineage Connection from Founder to Dr. Yang:

  • Yang Luchan (楊露禪, 1799–1872)
    Founder of Yang Style. Learned Chen Family Taiji and refined it into a softer, more accessible internal art in Beijing.
  • Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫, 1883–1936)
    Grandson of Yang Luchan, who standardised and popularised the large-frame style.
  • Yue Huanzhi (樂奐之)
    Indoor disciple of Yang Chengfu.
  • Master Kao Tao (高濤, 1932–2024)
    Studied under Yue Huanzhi. Dr. Yang began his Yang Style training at age 16 under Master Kao Tao in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Grandmaster Li Mao-Ching (李茂清, 1927–2024)
    Dr. Yang continued and deepened his Tai Chi training with Master Li (who had learned Tai Chi from Han Ching-Tang), along with training partner Wilson Chen.
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Master Han Ching-Tang (韓慶堂, 1903–1976) was a top graduate of the prestigious Nanjing Central Guoshu Institute (the national martial arts academy established in the Republican era). He was renowned for his mastery of Long Fist, Chin Na, and Tai Chi. After the retreat to Taiwan in 1949, he became a chief instructor at the Central Police Academy and taught many elite students, including Grandmaster Li Mao-Ching (who learned Tai Chi from him) and others. He played a key role in preserving high-level Northern Chinese martial arts in Taiwan.Master Chang Xiang-San (張翔三 / Chang, Xiang-San, 1900-1982) was a respected Yang Style Tai Chi teacher and a prominent 6th-generation practitioner and teacher of Liu He Tanglang Quan (Six Harmonies Praying Mantis), a direct disciple of Ding Zicheng (丁子成) in Taiwan. Wilson Chen trained extensively under Master Chang Xiang-San before collaborating with Dr. Yang. Together with Master Li Mao-Ching (who learned Tai Chi from the renowned Han Ching-Tang), they helped Dr. Yang refine and master the classical 108-form, pushing hands, two-person fighting sets, Tai Chi sword, saber, and advanced applications.This multi-teacher path (Kao Tao, Li Mao-Ching, and Wilson Chen) allowed Dr. Yang to master both the health and martial dimensions of authentic Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

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Gui Yi Martial Arts – Unifying the Traditions

At Gui Yi Martial Arts, we are honoured to transmit these authentic lineages with deep respect and permission. Our training guides students back to their true centre — stronger, calmer, and more complete.

We welcome sincere practitioners of all ages who value tradition, depth, and genuine personal growth.

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