Thursday, August 26, 2010

Attack Proof

Sometimes in life we all need to "veer off" a bit. This is also the case with studying and learning "one" martial art. Even though I started with Karate, I found it good and, frankly, almost necessary to start learning Wing Chun. I was almost "led" to it by some invisible force (well, maybe not)! Anyway, what I am getting at is, we all grow and change at just about everything we do or even study. Wing Chun will probably always (as long as I am here) be my 'favorite" martial art but, yes, there are others out there. I especially like "Attack Proof" which also has other names (but won't go into those now). I like its simplicity and its use of common language to explain its principles and techniques. For instance, one of the stances is called the"Jack Benny" stance which relates to the former comedian himself. If you are over 50, you know the stance. The basic use of it is: getting into a stance without showing your possible attacker that you are doing that. And I think it is a very good stance and idea. Other arts have similar stances. I also like the way Attack Proof uses principles to show its methods. They are basically: Balance, Body Unity, Looseness, and Sensitivity. Wing Chun has these too. They are just used and/or developed in a different way. AP also has many, many techniques for developing these principles. One of those is: "Washing the Body"...which helps with balance, body unity, looseness, etc. If you are interested, get the book! It is now in the second edition. There are also many DVD's associated with the art and all are very good! Go for it!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sleepy Times

This is sort of one of those brag things! Many times during my Wing Chun journey, I would not get much sleep the night before the travel. I have one of those things like a bad bladder or large prostate (don't know which yet) that keep me up at night (sometimes). I usually had to make a quick decision when awaking whether or not I would be making the trip, but usually I did make it. Many times, once the trip would start, usually on the Interstate 49, I would get very sleepy. I would have to use many "tricks" to stay awake, like singing out loud, or thumping on the steering wheel, etc. Invariably, I would resort to using Wing Chun techniques or "hands" to stay awake and at the same time, practice the art. One of those is Huen Sao using the steering wheel. Try it sometimes; it is very interesting and fun! Anyway, once I would get to New Iberia and start my hours of practice and learning, I usually forgot about being tired. That is, until I would get in the car to come home, a two hour trip! Of course, I usually had some coffee left in my thermos to help keep me awake. And here I am, so it helped!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

2 of my favorite Martial books

Of course I have many, many favorite (and not so favorite) Wing Chun books, but more about some of them in a later post. Today, just to mention a few (2) of other martial books that have been favorites over the years. They are: Martial Power, by Steven Pearlman (and) Fighting Science, by Martina Sprague. She, of course, has written many other famous books, including "Complete Kickboxing" and others. I will start with her book, Fighting Science. It is basically the "Laws of Physics for Martial Artists" as explained on the front cover. I'm not going to go into the specifics other than it is a terrific read not only for martial artists but, I think, for anyone interested in physics and the way things work, especially the human body.
The other book, Martial Power, is basicallly divided into "principles" including physiokinetic principles. Take it from me; it is well worth the read and even a second and third read. It is a keeper just like Fighting Science is a keeper. I recommend both of them highly.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Tapes and DVD's

Just a few thoughts on the old Wing Chun tapes that now have been pulled out of the attic, dust and all. More than one cobweb included! I have accumulated many of these over the years because I learned a great deal about Wing Chun from them (which is not necessarily the same as "learning Wing Chun"). The great thing about tapes and dvd's is that you can re-wind over and over again. If you miss something the first time, look at it again. I have insomnia fairly bad (the price you pay for a large prostate gland) so have awakened many times at 3 in the morning, gone to the old TV and watched my Wing Chun tapes over and over. A few of them were practically memorized! Of course I realize that all of them are not completely accurate. I learned this the hard way when taking private lessons with Sifu Dan. He pointed out numerous errors to me when I said something about a particular technique or possible principle that I had "learned" while watching the tapes. I do sort of know what to look for now though, so that is a good thing! There are a great deal of good things, including techniques and principles on these tapes. I have learned countless drills by watching and can teach them. I find absolutely nothing wrong with that! Stay tuned.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sifu Fong

I first met Sifu Francis Fong not long after I started training Wing Chun under Sifu Dan. Sifu Dan said that there was to be a seminar in the park in New Iberia coming up with Sifu Francis Fong. At the time, I did not know who Francis Fong was but I soon found out. We all met in a concrete block building in the park and there were probably about 30 or so participant "students" in attendance. I think Sifu Fong concentrated mostly on SLT that day which was great because it was what I was trying to learn at the time. We all did the form by following another of Sifu Dan's students. I thought that was great because it was difficult to see when a single person was making a mistake and I'm sure I made plenty of them. Sifu Fong took over and really made the seminar interesting. He told many stories of his past and present and made everyone happy to be there. He demonstrated a few things that seemed to everyone to be basically impossible. I won't go into that here because I don't have permission, but suffice it to say that it was terrific! Over the years, I went to many of Sifu Fong's seminars, many in different places and I thouroughly enjoyed every one of them. I'm just sorry to say that I never made the trip to the Atlanta, Georgia area to go to a seminar at his school. Maybe one day!?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Putting together a manual

I always said that if you are going to teach Wing Chun (or any other art) you should have a manual available to give or sell the student. The student may be a very good listener and there are many out there who have great powers of concentration. Maybe they don't need a manual, but most do. Of course, as I have discovered, it is not easy putting together one of these descriptive and "living" manuals. But since I have opened my big mouth, it is time for me to put one together. I have thus started the beginnings of doing just that. I am sifting through old manuals, clippings that I have saved over the years (I have volumns), and even some old videos that I have collected over the years. It takes a great deal of time because, just when you think that you have a chapter or part down, you discover a whole new section that should have been added. If you did not save space on your processor for this contingency, it is somewhat difficult to add the new material. But I will do it. I do plan to share some of this/these manuals when I feel that it is somewhat complete. So stand by.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Rample/Teaching

Boy, did I do some rambling last post? I'm sure you noticed! Anyway, I will try to plan better for the next big post.
One thing I thought about since the last post; Bruce Lee started teaching in the U.S. although he had finished only part of the Wing Chun curriculum with Yip Man. From what I read, he had gotten through the SLT, CK, forms and half of the 108 Wooden Dummy form. Of course, I would NEVER claim to have anywhere neer the attributes of Bruce Lee. He also practiced for hours every day and most people just cannot do that for one reason or another. Basically, though what I am saying is that you don't have to go through the entire Wing Chun curriculum in order to teach. Of course, as I mentioned, I feel that it is basically up to your Sifu to give his/her ok for you to go ahead and teach the traditional method as taught by him/her and of the "Grandmaster" over him/her. I don't (again) feel that you must get permission to teach non-traditional Wing Chun. I don't necessarily feel that non-traditional is inferior to traditional, it's just different and perhaps does not always include the intracasies of the head of the system that you are in. A student of non-traditional could easily learn the basics and intermediate parts of the non-traditional system. The non-traditional system that I would teach is taken from many areas. I have learned a great deal from videos and books and I have learned generically from my 10 years of private lessons. I would use the generic form when teaching, tied in with what I have learned in the other methods. Comments?

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Some thoughts on teaching and learning

This may take more than one post! It is my feeling and belief that when a qualified Kung Fu (or otherwise) person wants to teach (at least in America), it is fine. I don't see any problem with it, although there are many out there that do. There is even talk of "regulating" the martial arts teaching profession...boy, that would kill it fast! Yes, there are charlatains out there who would simply make things up or half-way teach, or those that just have not had a lot of instruction. It could also be those who are just not good teachers or who simply don't know enough to teach. That is naturally a thing of perception with some. Some long-time teachers may not want the competition or they may never feel that a student is "ready" to teach "his" art. Frankly, I know a karate person in my area (Cenla) that sort of inherited his dojo when he was a green belt. He was basically learning as he was teaching and he did a terrific job. Today, he not only has a large martial art school, but is a great fighter and successful mma promoter in the area. My own Sensei started teaching when he was 14 and a brown belt. His teacher, the Grandmaster, was either not there a lot or he just wanted others to teach in order to learn. This, I think, can be a legitimate way to learn. I think most would agree that a person learns a lot more when teaching because he/she is forced to learn it and learn it fast. On another slightly different subject, when searching for a Kung Fu or Wing Chun school (or any martial school for that matter), I have some things I think a person should look for: First, when you first meet with the Sifu or Sensei, ask if the Sifu or school has some sort of written book or document that spells out exactly what will be taught and hopefully learned. My Sensei in Tiogo (Dan Guilliland) put together a terrific booklet that not only explained the techniques, but indicated exactly what was needed to graduate from one level to the next and about how long it should take. It was very explicit so a student knew exactly what it would take to make blue belt or brown belt or whatever. Of course, I realize that our karate art is and was technique driven (there are many somewhat hidden therories though in the kata so its not all technique). I also understand that arts like Wing Chun are "principle" oriented and that it is somewhat difficult to put together that sort of book or booklet. It does basically no good though to just come out with a booklet that has almost nothing in it that can be simply understood and that will show the student exactly what is needed to go from one level to another. I think it is somewhat shameless for a teacher to add something to the curriculum that may add years to the students time to advance when these things are generally not in traditional Wing Chun. Many dollars are made that way because many Wing Chun students are "hooked" on the art and will do almost anything to stay with it. I am not accusing anyone here. Maybe, if the Sifu or Sensei wants to add or use his version of the art (a portion), he/she should first let the student advance the traditional way and THEN require the added material to become a "advanced" practitioner. Again, in American, it is US who decides when we feel we are ready to teach, not others. I would never teach my Sifu's art as a traditional art unless my Sifu gave me the go-ahead to do that. I would, can, and do teach the art as non-traditional Wing Chun and I feel that I am good at it. If I have a student (private) who wants to learn all of the traditional aspects of the art, I would certainly send or bring him/her to my Sifu. The next post will add to this discussion. Comments are welcomed (even angry ones).

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Pet Peeves

Just wanted to mention one of my major pet peeves! I really hate it when I email someone and weeks (or even months) go by before that person gets back to me...even if it's just to say "thank you" or, thanks, I got it, or even just OK!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Shameless Advertising

I guess it's time to do a little "shameless advertising"...if interested, you can google my tiny website by just typing "Wing Chun Kung Fu" in the search and the third or fourth one to come up will be Cenla Wing Chun. Basically, it has just directions, cell number and email address. It is basically a non-profit club but donations can be accepted to pay for equipment costs, etc. I have to teach out of my home at this time because space cost too much as a part-time thing and that is the only way I can do it right now. I teach non-traditional Wing Chun only and do not claim any other method or lineage related to this teaching. I'm sure that there may be others out there who don't agree with this way of doing things, but we just can't please all. The way I feel about it is; this is not China, it is America and we can do this the way we want to do it. Naturally, if a person/student wants to study traditionally, I could either refer them to Sifu Dan, or actually take the person to New Iberia, This assuming that Sifu Dan would accept them as a student. Anyway, here goes the shameless advertising: Jim Vance, cell number is: 318-446-1236. My email is: vanceap3@suddenlink.net. If you can't get me on the cell, the home number is: 318-640-2599. I don't know if you have to dail the 318. It depends on where you are calling from. I teach the basic Wing Chun which is the 3 hand forms, 108 Wooden Dummy and Chi Sao. For more advanced students, I would make recommendations. Give me a call!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Ran in to him in the mall

I ran into my original martial arts teacher (Sensei), Dan Guilliland in the Alexandria Mall this past Saturday. At first, I thought he was there for some sort of special event at "Bulls Gym" which is a terrific martial art and mixed (mma) martial arts establishment that has been around under a few different names for awhile. Kirk Bulloch is the founder and Sensei of "Bulls Gym" and is also a terrific guy. He started in Karate under George Johnson who broke from "Grandmaster Karl Marx. He started a school (dojo) in or near Glenmora, Louisiana many years ago and as far as I know, it is still running. He has been intrumental in promoting many mma fights in the central Louisiana area and also numerous Karate tournaments over the years. Getting back to Dan Guilliland; when I saw him in the mall, he said he was just there with his girlfriend who was shopping at the time. He was headed to Bull's Gym though. My wife and I talked to him for a few minutes then off to our daily walk. As I talked about before, my kids (Sarah and Ian) started martial arts at Rapides Karate under Sensei Dan Guilliland when the kids were young. We all eventually ended up there and all became Black Belts under the system, which included Karate, Judo, and Jiujitsu. Frankly, it was one of the best times of my life. After several years of all of us being in the dojo, Dan generously treated us to free lessons. By that time, Sarah was teaching there too. I started teaching a short time after that (mostly as part of the requirements for 2nd degree black belt). I did enjoy it though! Anyway, I just wanted to point out one of the many fine qualities of a great guy and teacher, Dan Guilliland of Tioga, Louisiana. By the way, Dan is now also a promoter and includes mma as part of his teaching. He is one of the best grappling teachers I know.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Wing Chun put-downs

I'm fairly certain that most of you have had the experience of others in the martial arts putting down your art or others. I really hate to see that! It is one of my pet peeves! Sifu Dan always talks about this indicating that "all arts have value" and I certainly agree with the statement. I have noticed a few of the people that do this and it really disturbs me. One of the persons who does put down Wing Chun has a blog that is associated with a fairly large organization. I suspect that this person is worried that others will pick Wing Chun over his art. I think that people end up in the art that they find themselves and like. It took me a number years to "find" Wing Chun and I found it somewhat by accident I was just reading "Bruce Lee's Fighting Arts" and he recommended learning Wing Chun before delving into his art of Jeet Kune Do. I felt that it was worth looking into and I did. Boy, am I glad I did! Another person who puts down Wing Chun is very famous and writes an article so has much power in that sense. This person compares his/her art with Wing Chun in a netative way. I certainly do not read this persons works anymore and I am positive that many others also do not read them. I took Karate for many years and learned a great deal in these studies. I became a 2nd level Black Belt in the art so was quite good at it. I do, however, understand that it is different from Wing Chun. One is not necessarily better than the other. All arts are good and the Karate I took helped me a great deal. I still use some of the techniques I learned and would never put that art down. Please post and give some of your own examples.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Basics 2--Chi Sao

It has been said that "without Chi Sao, there is no Wing Chun" and I believe this to be true. Chi Sao, or "sticky hands" is unique to Wing Chun. Other arts have some sort of hand play but none (as far as I know), have the interactive two hand play that Wing Chun has. Wing Chun uses both hands working simultaneously. Usually, a student starts learning Single Chi Sao, which is sticking with one hand and progresses to full Chi Sao. I will get more into single later. Chi Sao normally teaches a student to be sensitive to very small movements of the opponent. He can react to exactly what is going on at the time. Some Wing Chun people call Chi Sao "contact reflexes", which is actually a very good name for it. Basically, what happens in Chi Sao is "the forearms, hands, and fingers are very sensitive to movement and can be taught control in a very subtle way." The purpose then is to show a learning link between forms and fighting and this is easily accomplished after learning the basics of rolling hands and hand changes (two types of changing the hands in rolling hands).
After the basic skills of Poon Sao (rolling arms) has been learned and mastered, the student can progress to the basic shapes of Chi Sao, i.e, Bong, Tan, and Fuk Sao. Then the student can progress into full Chi Sao. The student should learn the basic push hand changes and then free hands. The idea is that when a hand is pushed off the center, it has to return to the center as smoothly and fast as possible. These techniques can be taught from rolling arms on individual hands at first but should be brought together as soon as he/she is familiar with rolling arms. All of this will be discussed later in detail. These are just the basics. Please feel free to post if you want to add to or discuss in any way (even to disagree)!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Wing Chun Basics

Well, here we are! It's about time I started talking about Wing Chun itself and concepts! Of course, the blog IS about the journey, mostly, but as mentioned before, we are doing some branching out. Since I know more about Wing Chun, we will start with it. Later, we will also discuss some concepts of "Attack Proof" and others. Basically, Wing Chun is a "close-in" fighting art that has been with us via China for about 300 years. It is a survivor A few names associated with Wing Chun are Bruce Lee, Yip Man (Lee's teacher), and perhaps you have heard of Robert Downey, Jr.? Bruce Lee is probably the most famous. Lee worked his way through 2 of the Wing Chun hand forms and at least part of the 108 Wooden Dummy form (Yip Man changed it to 116 movements). This is really where and how Lee "learned" to fight!
Generally, Wing Chun has 6 forms and hundreds of drills. These drills are extremely important. The forms are: Sil Lim Tao, which is the basic and, some say, the advanced form. Chum Kiu is the second hand form and is generally akin to Searching or Seeking the Bridge (which can be considered the forearm). It also introduces many kicks within the system. Next in line is the Muk Chong (Jong) or Wooden Dummy form. It teaches Structure and Positioning within the Wing Chun system and also doubles as a partner when a student has none. The Dummy also is widely associated with many aspects of the Chum Kiu form. An advanced form, Biu Tze (spelling varies due to association of 2 countries-Mainland China and Hong Kong) is next. I am learning Biu Tze now and having a blast learning and trying to understand it! Two weapons forms are: Luk Dim Boon Quan, which is the 6.5 point pole which was added to Wing Chun during the "Red Boat Opera" days in the 1800's AND the Bart Cham Dao, which is the double sword or knife form of Wing Chun. Some schools of Wing Chun have other or different requirements. My school has a "matrix" which is vast and basically took me 4 years (every other Sunday) to learn. At the time, I did not like it very much but now that I understand and practice it, it is a tremendous addition to the "traditional" Wing Chun skills learned. We also have another Dummy form which is called Sil Lim Tao on the Dummy. This basic description of Wing Chun is just that, basic. A student could study it all his life and still not know all of the ins and outs of the system. Next blog will begin to break some of the concepts down, both from the forms and from drills. I look forward to it!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Relaxation Station

The reason I call this post "relaxation station" is that I can't think of anything else to call it! Actually, what I want to do is break down the relaxation response in order to use a bit of the whole relaxation "method" and to shorten it so it can be useful for our purpose which is to stay alive in a conflict or attack. Since I have never been in that situation I must imagine it. I must come up with many different senarios of attack (or of being attacked) and devise a way to relax in the moment. I'm sure you have heard this many times but...if someone who is intoxicated is in an automobile accident (is it an accident?), that person has a much better chance of fewer injuries due to them being "drunk relaxed" which may also help them live through it. Of course I am not suggesting that anyone drinks before or while driving. It could also "cause" an accident an it usually does that. What I am suggesting is that we practice our method of relaxation every day so that we know it very well. It would then be necessary to "shorten" the method because, obviously, we don't have lots of time in an altercation. I fight is usually very quick (not like the movies). What I like to do to shorten the method is practice imagining different aspects of the total relaxation response. I then attempt to pick it apart to determine which parts can be shortened without harming the total response. For instance, I might use my five stairs to shorten the method. I would think of how I feel in the relaxation station, then go directly to my "stairs" and use the five stairs to quickly relax. I could even shorten that to, say, three stairs. Or, if I want something even quicker, I might go directly to my relaxation room after a brief relaxation of body "short method" which I must practice. Practice can be achieved by using something in my life that may make me somewhat tense (maybe a boss yells at me :) or whatever you want to use to achieve this relaxation within a tense period. There are many other methods to practice, maybe you can come up with some if you want to come up with a post? Hope you do!