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Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fu

Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fu

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Chicago’s premier academy teaching the Chinese martial art of Ving Tsun. Located in Pilsen East. Taught by Sifu Matthew Johnson.

Contact us to arrange a school visit, interview, and try a few classes. Sifu Matt Johnson has been practicing Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) for over 30 years and has learned from Grandmaster Ip Ching, Son of the late Grandmaster Ip Man.

06/11/2026
Kung fu isn’t about fighting. It’s about how you live. The forms look physical, but what they really train is attention. Breath. Balance. Restraint. Every movement asks the same question: Can you stay calm here? Can you stay present when things are demanding? Can you meet pressure without hardening? Ving Tsun is a complete life practice. What you learn in training doesn’t stay in the room. It shows up in how you respond instead of react. How you listen. How you move through conflict—internal and external. The goal isn’t domination. It’s clarity. Efficiency. A mind that doesn’t get pulled off center. There’s an idea in Ving Tsun that the practitioner and the art become inseparable. That over time, the training shapes the person. And the person gives the art its character. So if you’re curious— curious about a practice that reaches beyond technique, beyond strength, beyond performance— you’re welcome here. And if you’re already training, notice how the practice is living in you right now. In your breath. In your patience. In the way you meet today. Ask yourself: How might your practice be one percent better—today? And tomorrow? Not through force. But through care, consistency, and attention. This is the work. In the school . And in life. If you’re curious and want to explore whether this practice is a good fit, use the contact form on our website or send us a DM. We’ll follow up to schedule a visit and conversation. #VingTsun #KungFuTraining #MartialArtsLife #MindBodyPractice #trainforlife 02/01/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUOfWuYEZBF/?igsh=ZXJkMTljbXgzd3dl

Kung fu isn’t about fighting. It’s about how you live. The forms look physical, but what they really train is attention. Breath. Balance. Restraint. Every movement asks the same question: Can you stay calm here? Can you stay present when things are demanding? Can you meet pressure without hardening? Ving Tsun is a complete life practice. What you learn in training doesn’t stay in the room. It shows up in how you respond instead of react. How you listen. How you move through conflict—internal and external. The goal isn’t domination. It’s clarity. Efficiency. A mind that doesn’t get pulled off center. There’s an idea in Ving Tsun that the practitioner and the art become inseparable. That over time, the training shapes the person. And the person gives the art its character. So if you’re curious— curious about a practice that reaches beyond technique, beyond strength, beyond performance— you’re welcome here. And if you’re already training, notice how the practice is living in you right now. In your breath. In your patience. In the way you meet today. Ask yourself: How might your practice be one percent better—today? And tomorrow? Not through force. But through care, consistency, and attention. This is the work. In the school . And in life. If you’re curious and want to explore whether this practice is a good fit, use the contact form on our website or send us a DM. We’ll follow up to schedule a visit and conversation. #VingTsun #KungFuTraining #MartialArtsLife #MindBodyPractice #trainforlife

Every day, Matthew Johnson comes back to the same thing: his practice. Not because the world is easy, but because it isn’t. Because, as Marcus Arelious reminds himself in meditations, the real work is always right here: what’s mine to do? What’s in my control? In Ving Tsun, you don’t win by forcing. You win by returning to structure, to timing, to breath, to presence, to the theory and principle of the art. One clean repetition. One honest correction. One small step toward becoming a little better than yesterday. Ryan holiday calls it “the daily discipline” meeting the day as it is, using what shows up is streaming, and choosing the next right action instead of spiraling into what you can’t change. This isn’t ignoring the troubles of the world. It’s refusing to be pulled apart by them. It’s taking responsibility for your mind, your body, your character, so you can show up steadier for your students, your family, your community This is the invitation Do what’s possible for you today. And then, do it again tomorrow . No #stoicpractice #dailydiscipline #martialartslife #vingtsun #meditations 01/25/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT8X9B1keLi/?igsh=MTkwd3Q2c2RxZDlwbw==

Every day, Matthew Johnson comes back to the same thing: his practice. Not because the world is easy, but because it isn’t. Because, as Marcus Arelious reminds himself in meditations, the real work is always right here: what’s mine to do? What’s in my control? In Ving Tsun, you don’t win by forcing. You win by returning to structure, to timing, to breath, to presence, to the theory and principle of the art. One clean repetition. One honest correction. One small step toward becoming a little better than yesterday. Ryan holiday calls it “the daily discipline” meeting the day as it is, using what shows up is streaming, and choosing the next right action instead of spiraling into what you can’t change. This isn’t ignoring the troubles of the world. It’s refusing to be pulled apart by them. It’s taking responsibility for your mind, your body, your character, so you can show up steadier for your students, your family, your community This is the invitation Do what’s possible for you today. And then, do it again tomorrow . No #stoicpractice #dailydiscipline #martialartslife #vingtsun #meditations

01/03/2026

Classes begin for the 2026 year Monday January 5th at 5pm. Interested is learning authentic Ving Tsun? Contact us today!

12/10/2025

First three sections of the Mook Yan Jong

Photos from Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fu's post 12/09/2025

Learning the knife form back in the day…

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Location

Chicago

Category

Martial Arts School

Contact the school

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Telephone

(773) 301-6257

Website

Address


729 W 18th Street 1F
Chicago, IL
60616

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 8pm
Wednesday 5pm - 8pm
Saturday 12pm - 3pm