Chan Family Choy Lee Fut Sydney

A Look Back at Our April 2026 China Training Trip 🇨🇳

As we continue sorting through photos and reflecting on the experience, we wanted to share some highlights from our recent trip to China for the International Chan Family Choy Lee Fut Seminar held earlier this year.

While the trip took place in April, the lessons, friendships and inspiration gained from the experience continue to influence our training long after returning home.

The seminar brought together Choy Lee Fut practitioners, instructors and schools from around the world, providing a unique opportunity to train, exchange knowledge and strengthen the connections that unite our international martial arts family.

For those who attended, it was an invaluable opportunity to learn directly from senior masters and instructors within the Chan Family lineage, deepen their understanding of the system, and gain insight into both the technical and teaching aspects of the art. These gatherings play an important role in ensuring that traditional knowledge continues to be preserved, refined and passed on to future generations.

The trip was also particularly meaningful as several instructors were recognised and promoted in acknowledgement of their many years of dedication, contribution and service to the art. Promotions within our tradition are never taken lightly and represent not only technical skill, but also commitment to teaching, leadership and the ongoing development of the Choy Lee Fut community. Congratulations to all those who received this well-deserved recognition.

Beyond the training itself, it was inspiring to spend time with practitioners from different countries and cultures who share the same passion for preserving and promoting Chan Family Choy Lee Fut. These experiences remind us that we are part of something much larger than our own school, a global family connected through a shared history, tradition and commitment to lifelong learning.

A sincere thank you to the organisers, instructors and participants who made the seminar such a memorable experience.

🦁🧧 2026 Chinese New Year Season Recap 🧧🦁

What a season.

From restaurants and local businesses to public performances and our annual Parade Day, this Chinese New Year we had the privilege of bringing lion dance to communities across Sydney, sharing energy, tradition and blessings for the year ahead.

Each performance follows time-honoured customs. Every movement is done with purpose, to bring prosperity, good fortune and success to those we visit.

A highlight of the season, as always, was our annual Choy Lee Fut Parade Day through Chinatown, a tradition spanning over 40 years.

Each year, we begin by entering through the Southern Chinatown Gates on shoulders, moving the full length of Dixon Street, and exiting through the Northern Gates, completing the energetic flow of the precinct. This follows traditional feng shui principles to dispel negative energy, usher in positive energy, and seal protection over Chinatown.

We remain committed to doing things the traditional way. Not shortened, not simplified. Every visit, every altar, every ritual is carried out with care, respect and intention.

This year also marks something truly significant.
One of our lions, a female (Yin) lion, has now passed through the gates on shoulders for the third year in a row.

Not only is this rare, it had never been done before.
Now, it has been done three times.

In traditional understanding, a complete Yin lion carries its own strength and protective power. To see this upheld, consistently and with integrity, is something we are incredibly proud of.

This is more than performance.
It’s martial arts.
It’s culture.
It’s discipline.
It’s responsibility.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed us, supported us and celebrated with us throughout the season. Your support is what keeps this tradition alive.

Until next year 🧧

2026 Chine New Year Sydney Lion Dance Performances Season Recap 2026 Chinese New Year Lion Dance Season Recap 🦁🧧A look back at an incredible 2026 Chinese New Year season filled with lion dance, kung fu, community and tr...

🦁 What Makes Our Lion Dance Team Different 🦁

Lion dance is not just what we do. It’s who we are.
As part of Chan Family Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu & Qigong HQ, our lion dance is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese martial arts.

Every movement you see reflects that foundation, strong horse stances, controlled footwork, explosive power, precision timing.

Ours is a martial lion.

You’ll notice the difference in the way the lion steps, bows, advances and retreats.

The structure, the stance work, the intent behind the eyes and head movements, all of it comes from kung fu training.

It is not choreography for entertainment. It is discipline, conditioning and tradition brought to life.

We also follow traditional protocols and feng shui principles. There is a reason behind every sequence in a performance:
• The way the lion enters a space
• The way it approaches the offering
• The way it “eats the lettuce”
• The way it blesses a space or business

Each step carries meaning, for prosperity, protection, good fortune and respect.

For us, lion dance is not just noise and colour. It is culture.
It is blessing.
It is responsibility.

When we perform, we are honouring generations before us and representing our school, our teachers and our lineage.

That’s the Choy Lee Fut lion dance difference.

🔥🦁🧧🎊🐎

🐎🔥🦁 Celebrate the Lunar New Year With Us! 🦁🔥🐎

As we farewell the Year of the Snake and step into the bold energy of the Year of the Fire Horse, we’re excited to be back on the streets and in the community celebrating Chinese New Year with lion dance performances across Sydney.

While many of our performances take place at private events and restaurants, we’re sharing a selection of public performances where you’re welcome to come along, watch us in action!

✨ Expect drums, colour, movement, and a whole lot of good fortune
✨ Come say hello and pat the lions for luck
✨ Bring friends, family, and your festive spirit

And of course, the highlight of the season, our school’s 40-year Chinatown Parade Day tradition. This annual walk through the streets of Chinatown is something we’re incredibly proud of, and it marks the culmination of the season with multiple public performances across the day.

🔥 Year of the Fire Horse
The Fire Horse symbolises courage, momentum, and forward movement, a powerful contrast to the introspective nature of the Snake. It’s about stepping out, taking action, and moving with confidence into the year ahead.

📅 Full performance dates and locations are listed in the image below, including our Chinatown Parade Day in late February.

Keep an eye on our socials for any updates, added performances, and behind-the-scenes moments throughout the season.

We’d love to see you out there celebrating with us 🧧🦁

Today we celebrate the birthday of our Sifu, Grandmaster Chen Yong Fa, 5th Generation Jeung Mun Yan of the Chan Family Choy Lee Fut System and Lohan Qigong.

Sifu, your decades of dedication to the art continue to leave a profound impact on generations of students around the world. Through your teaching, you preserve not only the style of Choy Lee Fut, but the spirit, integrity, and responsibility that come with the practice.

We are honoured to walk this path under your guidance and remain deeply grateful for the knowledge and leadership you so generously share.

On behalf of the International Chan Family Choy Lee Fut Association, we wish you continued good health, strength, and happiness in the year ahead.

🎉 Happy Birthday, Sifu 🎉