Yi-King Do is a Vietnamese martial art, a style which draws its essence from a thousand-year-old science: the Yi-King.
By founding the "VIETNAM THAI CUC QUYEN" or "YI KING DO", Master LE Thai Thanh first wanted to leave his children a cultural heritage. Then, he wished to share with them and all his students the love for his country through a tool, which he himself qualifies as educational: the Martial Art.

Master LE Thai Thanh was born in 1951 in Hanoi and left us on June 13, 2010. He spent his childhood in South Vietnam and, at the age of 12, became a student of Master MI in Saigon. Master MI taught him Hong Kuen, Wing Chun and Yi-King as well as internal energy work. Afterwards, Master LE studied "Kung Fu" with Master HANG Thangh, then "Shotokan Karate", "Tae Kwon Do" and finally "Hwarang Do".

After the fall of Saigon in April 1975, Master LE Thai Thanh left Vietnam for the United States, where he joined some of his family. In 1977 he emigrated to France where he was welcomed with his family in a hostel in Châteauroux. Like other Vietnamese emigrants living in this home, Master LE Thai Thanh did not speak a word of French and encountered cultural and economic integration difficulties. He first abandoned martial arts to devote himself exclusively to his family and to provide for their needs.

Shy, as are many Vietnamese who are discreet people, he prioritizes the education of his children and particularly the learning of his native language. It is there that, far from his country of origin, from the family left in Canada, he wishes to rebuild a universe in the "Vietnamese way" as he says it and seeks the means to get closer to his roots.

To reach his goal, he once again devoted himself to the intensive practice of martial arts, from which he drew courage and mental strength. Daily Quyens and other internal strength exercises made him forget his worries and allowed him to regain the "warrior" (victorious) mindset that he had had in Vietnam.

When his eldest son, aged six, asked him to join a Karate club in Châteauroux, he took refuge in his convictions and love for his country. He then explained to him all the interest he saw in preserving their Vietnamese culture, and explained to him that over there, too, they knew the art of combat.

That's how he decided to train his young son, for pleasure above all, but especially far from the gaze of others. It is probably at this time that the beginnings of Yi-King Do appeared.

THE BIRTH :

His daily training and his past as a fighter in Vietnam gave Master LE Thai Thanh food for thought on the content of his practice and points of comparison with the teaching of martial arts in the West. Thus, he quickly realized that, depending on the school, sweeps are forbidden, punches are limited (not given freely), that the French martial arts federations are reluctant to use knee and elbow strikes and that falls and grabs are almost the exclusive preserve of Judo. Above all, he notes a clear differentiation between traditional martial arts, foot-fighting sports and self-defense, although things have evolved.

Finally, he considers that the learning of martial arts in Europe is too much influenced by Western culture. If it seems obvious to him to adapt the techniques to the morphology of the Westerners, he finds on the other hand a pity to neglect the traditions and the cultures that these martial arts convey. This is why, from then on, he endeavored to teach a martial art that was respectful and faithful to the principles and values of his country of origin.

During this time, Master Le met other Vietnamese masters in France who, like him, wanted to promote the specificities of this Vietnamese "martial" culture in France. These encounters proved to be fundamental for the foundation of his fighting technique. The very idea of referring to his country of origin in the purest tradition of Vietnamese martial arts is engraved deep in his consciousness. However, before propagating his art and out of respect for them, he consulted his first masters, even going as far as Canada, for fear of creating a martial art considered far from its Vietnamese roots.

Master Le Thai Thanh will create the Yi-King Do, Vietnam Thai Cuc Quyen, in 1977. Master Le Thai Thanh was born on June 12, 1951 in Hanoi, Vietnam and passed away on June 13, 2010

Le Thai Thanh always attached great importance to tradition. He kept reminding us that without "traditional" work we cannot evolve and that we must consider it as a source of ideas and improvement.
Technical knowledge is a goal that draws its essence and meaning from "traditional" work. Despite its recent existence, Vietnam Thai Cuc Quyen does not claim to be a modern martial art. For Master Le this does not mean much, the important thing is the men and women who work for the well-being of all in a spirit of sharing.

Master Le Thai Thanh simply wanted to found a martial art, in the respect of the Vietnamese tradition, which, according to him, could regroup all that he had learned (Thai Cuc Dao, Kung Fu, Free Boxing, etc.). These disciplines, which in principle are difficult to federate, were brought together by what they have in common, whatever their technical differences.

Master Falakiko Tuhimutu known as "Kiko". Master Falikiko, was born in Falaleu (Hahake) in Polynesia, in 1965. He left us on February 13, 2012.

Martial arts have always held an important place in his life.
In 1977 in Noumea, he started martial arts with Taekwondo and English Boxing. Then in 1983, after coming to France, he started practicing Shokotan-Ryu Karate, Thai Boxing and Full Contact. In 1985, he completed his experience with Vietnamese Votudo free boxing, the Thieu Lam.

In 1987, he discovered Yi-King Do through his meeting with Master Le Thaï Thanh. He participated in the first Yi-King Do club in 1988.

1st disciple of Master Le Thai Thanh he was the representative and right hand of the school for over 20 years.
Before the death of the master founder, he officially became his successor in 2006, Master Le Thai Thanh created the Yi-King Do and Master Kiko gave it the soul it has today.

Michel GRANGER. Michel Granger was born on June 08, 1958 in Maison Carrée, present El-Harrach, suburb of Algiers in Algeria.

As a child, in 1969, he discovered martial arts through the practice of judo. He then practiced several martial arts disciplines (Thai boxing, full contact, Kung-Fu Thieu Lâm Têu) and then discovered Yi-King Do and became a student of Master Le Thai Thanh and more than a student and friend of Master Kiko.

Michel GRANGER will take over (at the request of the family of Master LÊ Thai Thanh and in close collaboration with her) the responsibility of the school and the clubs of Yi-King Do after the disappearance of Master Kiko.

PRESS