08/23/2026
We want to thank the students who made this all happen and all of the wonderful people who visited our table at the festival in Ping Tom Park yesterday.
Deep thanks to the organizers of the festival. It was a great day of community and conversation.
We are grateful to you all and look forward to Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fung Tsun Self Defense Academy/Matt Johnson Ving Tsun Kung Fu
08/20/2026
We love our community here so much. This evening was such a wonderful celebration not only for the birthday, but for the wonderful martial arts family we have here.
The celebration was such a group effort.
It’s so cool to be part of something where there’s always so much love in the room, along with the hard work and sweat and challenges that come from committing to studying a traditional martial art being taught in a very traditional way
We appreciate all of our students so much please enjoy a few more pictures from our celebration
If you’re interested in visiting the school, we welcome you to come have an interview visit a few classes. Try it out. See if it feels like a good fit.
08/20/2026
Celebrating Sifu Matt’s birthday with Cantonese food, cake and lots of chi sau!
08/16/2026
Welcome to the Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy in Pilsen, Chicago.
We teach authentic Ving Tsun Kung Fu in the direct lineage of Grandmaster Ip Man → Sifu Ip Ching → Sifu Matt Johnson.
But what we practice here is about more than learning how to fight.
Real Kung Fu.
Real Connection.
Real Growth.
Ving Tsun is a practical and highly effective system of self-defense, but the practice also develops awareness, confidence, discipline, patience, and the ability to remain grounded under pressure.
We are a traditional Kung Fu school and a close community. People train together, learn from one another, and grow together. There are no belts, no belt tests, and no required uniforms. What matters is showing up and doing the work.
Beginners are always welcome. You do not need previous martial arts experience, and you do not need to be in great shape before you begin. You begin where you are.
Come visit the Academy, meet Sifu Matt and our students, watch a class, and try it for yourself.
📍 729 W. 18th Street — Pilsen, Chicago
Open classes
Monday & Wednesday · 5–8 PM
Saturday · 12–3 PM
Private lessons are also available by appointment.
📞 773-301-6257
Scan the QR code for our website and more information.
Come train with us.
08/15/2026
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/many-voices-one-heart-ping-tom
Our martial arts school will have a table here thanks to our terrific students.
Come say hello! Bring friends!
Many Voices, One Heart at Ping Tom
Many Voices, One Heart is a collaborative, family-friendly musical presentation uniting several of Chicago’s leading Asian performing arts organizations for a vibrant evening of cross-cultural musical exchange. Led by Friends of the Gamelan (FROG), the event brings together Indonesian gamelan, the...
06/22/2026
Who out here wants to feel more secure physically while walking down the street, on the El, the bus?
All of you yes?
Probably.
And how about learning how you do that in a warm, supportive, diverse community?
Ving Tsun kung fu is a system of martial arts based on principles which are simple to understand and easy to begin learning.
Learning it in our school will change how you move through the world. On the street on the L on the bus the train…. Everywhere you go.
Come see us.
We offer classes Monday, Wednesday evening from 5-8pm , Saturday from noon to 3.
Private lessons also available.
Come visit, have an interview, try it out for free..