- December 4, 2025
Adam Willis, the sifu at the Dragon institute in Bunnell, with some of his Wing Chun kung fu students. Courtesy photo
Students at the Dragon Institute in Bunnell with Sifu Adam Willis. Courtesy photo
Sifu Adam Williss with some of his younger students. Courtesy photo
Sifu Adam Williss with some of his adult students. Courtesy photo
The Dragon Institute in Bunnell, 501 N. State St., held a second anniversary open house on Saturday, Aug. 9, with a live demo of Wing Chun kung fu featuring the one-inch punch, practical self-defense applications and showcases by Sifu Adam Williss’ students.
The Dragon Institute is the only martial arts school in Flagler County offering kung fu, Williss said. Wing Chun is a style of kung fu embraced by Bruce Lee.
“It’s known for its practical self defense,” Williss said. “It’s a street fighting style.”
For that reason, it initially caught on with adults, but Williss teaches child, teen and adult classes and has students from 5 years old to senior citizens. He teaches about eight classes during the week.
“We’ve got more adult classes,” he said. “We’ve got the most to grow with our kids program, just because I think traditionally, the art was more for practical self defense.”
Wing Chun is not a sport. They don’t really have competitions, Williss said. There are different levels of belts but there are no fees related to advancing.
Williss began studying Wing Chun kung fu 30 years ago, when he was 18.
“I grew up in Jacksonville Beach, and there was a school there, and I really didn't know what it was,” he said. “And then I met my teacher, and he demonstrated what's called the one-inch punch on me that was originally made famous by Bruce Lee. And man, I just had no idea that, literally, somebody could demonstrate such power from seemingly nowhere. So I was shocked, and I just I wanted more. I started taking classes and I just never stopped.”
Williss opened the first Dragon Institute in 2010 in California. After moving back to Florida he opened the Dragon Institute in Bunnell in 2023.
The style of Wing Chun is not only a practical self-defense, but it is also transformational, Williss said.
“It tries to change you on a mind, body, emotional level,” he said.
The philosophy, Williss said, is the same that Lee famously taught: Be like water, which emphasizes adaptability and the fluidity of life.
“Water is strong,” Willis said. “It created the Grand Canyon. Yet, at the same time it moves around things. It takes the shape of its container, so it’s very much in harmony with everything.”
