Sifu Jo Hardy co-founder HSMAS
Choy Li Fut Crane Kung FuJo Hardy a co-founder of the Hung Sing martial arts school and the founder of the Guan Yin Studio. She is a personal student of Grandmaster Doc-fai Wong, and being a senior level Sifu with over 10 years teaching experience, Jo has taught the art of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu to hundreds of people of all ages and ability.She started martial arts at the age of 11 and studied Jiu Jitsu in Norwich, however after a few years of dedicated study she moved to County Durham and trained at her school’s local Tae Kwon Do club. In 1997 she began her training in Choy Li Fut back in Norwich under Sifu Richard Papworth, and went onto join the Doc Fai Wong Martial Arts Center, San Francisco in 1999. In 2001 she became a student of Grandmaster Doc-fai Wong, and in 2003 she became a joint Sifu (senior level black fringe head instructor) of the Hung Sing Martial Arts School (becoming the highest ranking female in Europe within the style).
In 2004, she attended the First World Traditional Wushu Festival, winning two silver medals for her open hand and weapon form. In 2005, she was invited by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong and the Jiangmen Choy Li Fut Association to take part in a cultural performance at the Guangdong International Tourism & Culture Festival, Jiangmen, China. In 2005, she joined the Plum Blossom International Federation team again, winning a gold medal for her hooks swords performance at the First International Xuwen Huajian Garden Cup Wushu Invitational Tournament in Zhanjiang.
Jo was awarded the title Tai Sifu of the the Hung Sing Martial Arts School in May 2010. During this time she also handed over the school to her partner, however her 13 years legacy in CLF continues to grow strong, and students of the Guan Yin Studio can benefit from her acheivements and expertise in the art.
The Guan Yin Studio is named after the ‘Guan Yin Goddess of Mercy’, which Jo believes brings Buddhist meaning and imagery back to the Shaolin Martial Art of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu. The Guan Yin Goddess is seen as a savior, both spiritually and physically and at peace with oneself and others.
In 2004, she attended the First World Traditional Wushu Festival, winning two silver medals for her open hand and weapon form. In 2005, she was invited by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong and the Jiangmen Choy Li Fut Association to take part in a cultural performance at the Guangdong International Tourism & Culture Festival, Jiangmen, China. In 2005, she joined the Plum Blossom International Federation team again, winning a gold medal for her hooks swords performance at the First International Xuwen Huajian Garden Cup Wushu Invitational Tournament in Zhanjiang.
Jo was awarded the title Tai Sifu of the the Hung Sing Martial Arts School in May 2010. During this time she also handed over the school to her partner, however her 13 years legacy in CLF continues to grow strong, and students of the Guan Yin Studio can benefit from her acheivements and expertise in the art.
The Guan Yin Studio is named after the ‘Guan Yin Goddess of Mercy’, which Jo believes brings Buddhist meaning and imagery back to the Shaolin Martial Art of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu. The Guan Yin Goddess is seen as a savior, both spiritually and physically and at peace with oneself and others.
The Guan Yin Studio strives to teach and lead by this example, by bringing health and well-being, fitness and friendship, and maybe even enlightenment to all of those who study. Jo’s other areas of interest include, Chinese Lion and Dragon Dancing, Tai Chi & Chi Kung.
‘My mission is to ensure that each and every student of the Guan Yin Studio benefits as much as possible from their training. I can help practitioners improve their physical health, develop personally and provide them with tools of self-defence’.