Medicine & Lion Dancing
Cheung Chiu Wai

It's hard to tell whether Cheung Chiu Wai has greater love for his work as a Chinese medicine practitioner or as a trainer of lion dancers. He works long hours and has even developed his own proprietary brand of medicine. But his enthusiasm boils over when he talks of lion dancing. Elaborating on the teaching, training and competitions, his voice swells with pride and community spirit.

Exposed to herbal medicine and kung fu from an early age, Cheung returned to his ancestral home, Guangzhou, for five years of training in traditional Chinese medicine and practiced there before returning to settle in Sai Kung. He set up his practice on Main St. in 1980 where he sees patients for bone setting and internal medicine, and also stocks and dispenses herbs. "In winter people are more active outdoors, therefore I do a lot of bone setting then," he states, while in the summer his internal medicine skills are required more often.

In the days of the temporary immigrant housing in Sai Kung, Cheung was much busier. "People today are less willing to visit doctors," he says, explaining that it has nothing to do with medicine, just economizing in all aspects of life.

Not only does Cheung get up at 6 a.m. every day to do his own exercises, he also gives free kung fu and chi gong lessons from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Sai Kung Culture & Recreational Advancement Association. As the secretary for this 30-year old association, he organizes classes, activities and shows for local people. "Kung fu, chi gung, tai chi, lion dancing - they fit the Chinese concept of man mo - combining culture and activity, good for all," he exclaims. Classes at this association, a cooperative effort between the community and the government, are all free and also include opera and calligraphy.

He is immensely proud of his two daughters. The youngest is the first and only girl to win an international lion dance competition. The eldest, who excels in calligraphy, films and makes CDs of the lion dance competitions.

As to the girls following in Cheung's medicine footsteps too, that's another story.

Cheung's Chinese Medicine Co.

G/F, 26, 27, 29 Main Street, Sai Kung
Tel:
Hours: 8:30AM - 8:00PM Mon. to Sat.