Sifu Sapir Tal

Grand-Master Henry Poo Yee (1939 – 2018) was an heir to a rare type of Chinese Kung Fu – Jook Lum (Bamboo Forest) SouthernPraying Mantis. The words ‘southern’ denotes that this is Mantis Kung Fu from Southern China, as opposed to other ‘mantis’ kung fu arts from northern China. This system of Kung Fu goes back centuries, and Henry was among the heirs of the art’s most famous teacher: Grand-Master Lam Sang of New York City’s Chinatown. Henry’s studies under Lam Sang was exceedingly tough and challenging. The instruction was very traditional and bitter. Henry carried forth this high standard in his own teachings, which is why he never had a large school, and few have survived his classes for many years on end. The study included many complex aspects of traditional Chinese martial arts, including the usage of acupuncture points as well as a whole system for treating and healing injuries, external and internal, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. During his time studying under Henry, Sapir also completed a bachelor’s degree in Criminology. He did that partly in order to better understand the mindset and thinking of criminals and violent people, to become a better martial artist in the process. Following over ten grueling years under master Henry, Sapir was bestowed by him the title and rank of ‘Sifu’ (‘Teacher’ in Cantonese), and was ordered to open a school in Israel on behalf of Henry’s international organization – the CKFA. Sifu Sapir did indeed return to Israel, and in 1996 opened the first Southern Mantis Kung Fu school in his country. Four years later, in the year 2000, sifu Sapir was accepted as an ‘Enter-the-Gate’ student of master Henry. Meaning that he was now not merely a pupil or an instructor, but an acknowledged teacher and member of the kung fu family. Later in 2014, sifu Sapir was recognized, alongside with several of his kung fu brothers, as a formal disciple of master Henry and therefore one of the forebearers of the system for the next generation. All said titles and degrees are documented in official diplomas, images and videos. These days, along with running a big and successful school, sifu Sapir is busy conducting seminars and workshops worldwide. He is also occasionally a member of the teachers’ staff at the famous Wingate Institute.