Greenville Academy of Martial Arts

Greenville Academy of Martial Arts Teaching self-defense classes for over 30 years and the proud headquarters of the Ip Man Wing Chun Union.

Self-defense and character, not competition are our goal. “Ready for today; respecting the past.” Group, private, and online instruction. Premier martial arts school since 1994 offering Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's martial art), Wing Chun Kung Fu as taught by Ip Man, and Boxing.

Master Edmund Fong is the head of our Wing Chun family/lineage. He trained under Ip Man’s son, Ip Ching, for 25 years in...
09/28/2026

Master Edmund Fong is the head of our Wing Chun family/lineage. He trained under Ip Man’s son, Ip Ching, for 25 years in Hong Kong. Our school is now the North American headquarters for Ip Ching Wing Chun and we were just delighted to have Master Edmund and his incredibly skillful wife (Simo) here to cross hands with and teach everyone. What an experience! Master Edmund’s deep knowledge of the Ving Tsun system, the forms, energy/force projection, control of the enemy, and close-range dominance, was simply incredible. Minds were blown. Skills were developed. Lessons were learned. But most of all there was tons of laughter, friendship, and love. What a blessing!

Another day of violence. And smiles. 😎.
09/24/2026

Another day of violence. And smiles. 😎.

09/23/2026

Straight hitting has many advantages over swinging and roundhouse blows. High rate of fire is a big one. Watch how David launches a barrage of swift and powerful straight hits on the move, all while staying behind those shots too.

“JKD isn’t just self-defense; or the forerunner of MMA. Bruce Lee saw JKD as a science and philosophy of fighting, not c...
09/21/2026

“JKD isn’t just self-defense; or the forerunner of MMA. Bruce Lee saw JKD as a science and philosophy of fighting, not competing. That changes quite a bit. Targets, tactics, weapons, multiple opponents. But - and for me this is the important part - JKD is a martial art. Perhaps a kid gets into fighting because he’s unhappy with his life. Maybe he hates his job. Will his training help him improve himself? But Martial Arts is about self mastery, not just competition. I’ve learned a lot in my life from JKD...how to be a better man, to be disciplined, faithful, how to deal with failure and frustration, how to seek improvement through self discipline rather than blame others or my circumstances. I don’t think that’s stressed enough in MMA.” Sifu Jonathan Parsons

The leading straight punch is the mark of the JKD master. Wild swings are easier for novices. But swinging isn’t punchin...
09/19/2026

The leading straight punch is the mark of the JKD master. Wild swings are easier for novices. But swinging isn’t punching. Punching is all snap; it’s controlled cruelty. It’s vicious calmness.

For something seemingly simple, it requires study and tons of practice because discipline is never natural. Lack of control under pressure is the human norm. We all suffer from that and it’s why martial arts is so important. Character is formed through training. It tests us because we must focus. It’s mind and body. It’s more than just a hard workout…that’s not really so hard. What’s hard is to simplify and focus. That’s why true straight hitting is so difficult. It requires great mental discipline, not mere sweat.

Instead of using footwork to get into range, and relaxed whip with the whole body to get power, impatient novices swing. This is why fistic science, when backed by martial strength (not bulky gym weight lifting strength that lacks flexibility and fluidity) and intelligence is superior and will beat brute force.

“One morning we were in my basement training and working on hitting off the swing step. Sifu was holding the mitt for m...
09/18/2026

“One morning we were in my basement training and working on hitting off the swing step. Sifu was holding the mitt for me and was watching my movement to the hit. When we switched and he was hitting it was all smooth, smooth and POW! Such acceleration in his delivery. He explained that the hit MUST be hidden in movement of the swing step, before the opponent realized it was coming, he’s hit. Before that I’d never worked the lead punch while swinging right or left and never from motion like that. Sifu taught me - as Bruce Lee taught him - that footwork and hitting were one motion. This will increase your speed and power by hiding the strike.” Jonathan Parsons, co-founder of Cornerstone Jeet Kune Do.

09/16/2026

Pepper spray is a nearly ideal self-defense tool in the modern world. It fills the gap between having to hit someone or using a lethal tool like a firearm. We recommend POM pepper spray, which I’m showing here. If you want to get a brand you can trust, they’re great.

Nothing like learning, training and sweating with people you love.
09/14/2026

Nothing like learning, training and sweating with people you love.

09/11/2026

Bruce Lee said that if an opponent is exceptionally fast and/or won’t go for feints, the beat can be used. The beat is a crisp movement of the hand made against the opponent’s with the intention of knocking it aside or obtaining a reaction. Beats, jams, checks and traps are critical skills to learn, along with footwork, to give you the ability to “fit in” with the opponent…especially if they’re taller or faster.

09/09/2026

Sifu Jaz working the bag. We don’t just mean “hitting the bag” mindlessly. There’s nothing wrong with warming up and cooling down. But bag “work” means making sure you take care of your defensive responsibilities too. Notice how she changes angles and uses footwork. She’s not just standing there hitting it. If you do that, it’s gonna be a whole lot easier to hit you. Don’t forget that all of us are products of our discipline, that is, what we practice. You don’t have to be a world champion with a big fight coming up to benefit either. Good defense makes you a hard target to hit, which means the average brawler won’t stand a chance. Plus, it’s a better workout too.

Address

872 Woodruff Road
Greenville, SC
29607

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 8pm
Tuesday 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 3pm - 8pm
Thursday 4pm - 8:30pm
Friday 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 9am - 11am

Telephone

(864) 270-2468

Website

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