06/27/2025
梁相門人小傳：美國佛州詠春拓荒者
KEN WERNER: Pioneer of Leung Sheung Wing Chun in Florida
武學之道，貴乎心授。夫武林有詠春一脈，世代相承，起於嶺南，盛於香江，從佛山到香港，橫過太平洋到美國，然後從美國大陸西岸到東岸。詠春拳，由葉問宗師，開枝散葉，流芳百世。葉問宗師，承陳華順、梁璧之法，獨創「八腳」精要，教授梁相，梁相傳鍾萬年，鍾萬年傳謝永恩，謝永恩再傳KenWerner。Werner者，自加州至佛羅里達，播下真傳種子，根正苗紅，習法精嚴，堪為梁相系一代大師矣。
The path of martial arts is profound, treasured most when passed from heart to heart. Every martial tradition has its roots, and Wing Chun has flourished from generation to generation—originating in the southern China region, spreading from Foshan to blossoming in Hong Kong, then across the Pacific Ocean from the west coast to the east coast of America. The art of Wing Chun, popularized by the revered Grandmaster Yip Man, has branched far and wide, leaving an enduring legacy. Grandmaster Yip Man inherited the teachings from Chan Wah Shun and Leung Bik and innovated the essential technique known as "Eight Kicks". He passed his profound knowledge to Leung Sheung, who transmitted it to Kenneth Chung Maan Nin. Ken Chung in turn passed it on to Ben Der Wing Yan, who subsequently taught Ken Werner. Ken Werner, traveling from California to Florida after completing his training under Ben Der, has planted the seeds of true Wing Chun teachings firmly in American soil. With authenticity, rigorous training, and unwavering dedication, he embodies the very essence of Leung Sheung's lineage, a true master of his generation.
(Sifu Ken Werner SiuNimTao Form) https://youtu.be/mW-F-X7-kVw
Werner於七十年代初，赴加州從謝永恩學藝，苦心孤詣，晝夜鑽研。其人聰慧過人，理性深刻，善於分析，融會貫通，自度體格較長，獨創「長橋黐手」之法。謝永恩見之，稱其「聰慧勤學，精於格鬥」。遂授以詠春全套心法，並許其開枝散葉。
Distinguished for his intelligence and analytical approach, Werner adapted his Wing Chun practice to accommodate his tall physique, developing a unique "Long Bridge" Chi Sao style characterized by extended arm reach while maintaining structural precision. Seeing that, Ben Der praised Werner as “a highly intellectual and very diligent student” who is capable of mastering the art, not just being a replica of science. Under Ben Der’s guidance, Werner achieved instructor status, mastering the complete Wing Chun curriculum, and were given blessings to spread the art.
(Sifu Ken Werner ChumKiu Form) https://youtu.be/QzGXDUD42_g
七十年代中葉，Werner遷徙佛羅里達州中部，於一九七八年始設詠春班於Seminole學院。Werner教學嚴謹，揀徒如選玉，唯有KarlGodwin一人，志專心堅，得其真傳。Werner見其可造，特私下嚴授，傾囊相授，全數心法無所保留。
In the mid-1970s, Werner moved to Central Florida, where, in 1978, he established the state’s first Wing Chun class at Seminole Community College. His meticulous and rigorous teaching methodology filtered down to a single dedicated student, Karl Godwin. Recognizing Godwin’s commitment, Werner privately mentored him intensively, transmitting the entire Wing Chun system.
(Sifu Ken Werner BiuJee Form) https://youtu.be/3dAcd7WSSkY
Werner素尚理性，重分析，督導Godwin以科學角度研習武學，分析西洋拳、西洋劍線位和角度之理，廣開眼界。Werner曰：「拳術如學術，必先明理。」Godwin深受其影響，成一代名家，影響後學甚廣。
Werner strongly emphasized analytical rigor and encouraged Godwin to explore martial arts scientifically. This intellectual approach deeply influenced Godwin and later led to significant contributions to the refinement of Wing Chun training methods.
(Sifu Ken Werner Wooden Dummy Form) https://youtu.be/_DG3nWBJbVw
一九八二年，Godwin創立詠春拳館於Seminole市，為佛州首間正宗詠春館，尊Werner為一脈之祖。繼而BillGraves、JonathanPetree等繼起，將梁相詠春流傳佛州各地，門生無數。
In 1982, Werner's sole protégé, Godwin, founded "Seminole Wing Chun" in Sanford, Florida—the first formal Wing Chun school in the state—thus establishing a lineage that traces directly back to Werner. Through Godwin and subsequent instructors like Bill Graves and Jonathan Petree, Werner’s influence has proliferated, deeply embedding the Leung Sheung Wing Chun tradition throughout Florida.
(Sifu Ken Werner Wall Bag Training) https://youtu.be/djn1PChZhvU
Werner平生淡泊名利，恬於自隱，專事培育後進。雖不喜張揚，然其恩澤廣布，深為同道敬仰。至二〇二四年十一月，《世界梁相堂詠春同學總會》同仁公議，正式表彰Werner為梁相詠春在佛州開宗立派之大功。
Although Ken Werner maintained a low public profile and preferred behind-the-scenes mentorship to self-promotion, his foundational contributions were formally recognized in November 2024 by the Worldwide Leung Sheung Tong Wing Chun Confederation, highlighting his essential role in establishing and cultivating authentic Leung Sheung Wing Chun in the Florida region.
(Recognition of Florida Leung Sheung Tong Instructors) https://youtu.be/KxP-wcb-Y9E
Werner一生，精於格鬥，嚴於教學，忠於傳承，為武林中不可多得之宗匠。其心法流布，薪火相傳，影響深遠。學者當以其為榜樣，貫徹理性分析與精準動作，傳承詠春真諦，永世不息。昔日，Werner承蒙謝永恩師親授拳理，溫錄小念頭、尋橋、標指、木人樁四式拳路。年初夏，奉獻於梁相詠春後學觀摩，薪火永續。是時，Werner公筆書一言，遣使致謝永恩師曰：「敬請恩師，察知弟子寸心，感念師恩，長懷耐性指點與誼情！詠春拳於弟子一生，實為高峰，必將終身珍藏！」
Today, Werner’s legacy endures through generations of practitioners who uphold his precise, analytical approach and dedication to excellence, solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in Wing Chun history. In a recent exchange with his teacher Ben Der, Werner graciously donated the historical videos of him demonstrating SiuNimTao, ChumKiu, BilJee and Wooden Dummy forms to the Worldwide Leung Sheung Tong Wing Chun Confederation. His message:
"Let Ben know that I send my heart felt regards for his teachings, patience, and friendship! Wing Chun was a highpoint in my life and I will always treasure!"
For more info, go to:
https://LeungSheung.com
