Congratulations. Nice show.
Why I love Kung Fu
If you do not train to fight in kung fu, you are missing out on very valuable benefits of kung fu including sensitivity, reaction, confidence, the list goes on. Sure, there are those who care only about “form” because they are “only studying for the art”. The list of benefits above are lost to those in that frame of thinking. They might as well be taking dance lessons, which actually are more enjoyable.
So why do I love kung fu?
Sensitivity
I had this very novel idea to carry and balance my cameras for quick access to them. Today, as I was walking through the Royal York Hotel, the little flaw in my system became apparent when a strap I used for the system became unravelled. The result was both my SLRs falling simultaneously to the ground. Thanks to my sensitivity, I detected the moment the weight shifted on my shoulders and had lots of time to react. My sensitivity is partly due to genetics (I always have to cut away the rear label on my shirts as I feel them attach to me and it bugs me) and in no small part, sharpened by my kung fu training.
Reaction / Reflexes
Reflexes are ability to react in time. However, proper reaction is also required, not just a random reflex. Thanks to the kung fu training, and my relative ambidextrous abilities, I managed to catch both cameras at the same time before they hit the ground. Thank you kung fu once again.
Kung fu will always remain a big part of my life. Some people might think that training to fight is barbaric, but I think this example illustrates how useful “training to fight” is in everyday non-combat life situations.
Great Sifus
This was originally posted on my old blog. I was reminded of this post and decided to post it here since I have discontinued development of my old blog in favour of this Wordpress site.
Friday, July 1, 2005
Talked to 2 sifu’s today. One said of the other: “I met this sifu, and we fought [friendly sparring I guess], he was pretty good. I was impressed with his techinques. So much speed and power. I respected him, he respected me. We became good friends. I asked some of my students to learn from him.”These sifu’s don’t have their own clubs, just a few closed door students. That is true greatness in the martial arts. You don’t need to promote yourself. You end up finding each other and become great friends and learning a lot. None of them would ever say they’re “master” of this or that, they’re so humble. Neither of them really look like they could or want to fight either.
I don’t think the 1st sifu trains very much either, although I could be wrong, but I was talking to him about his business and he seemed too busy to train. His skill is just so amazing from before that even though he is “out of practice”, his skills stay with him for a lifetime. That is the degree of skill that I would love to have.
In fact, the 2nd sifu looked like some old man I could take with one hand. But I know the 1st sifu’s skill is amazing. I trust instead, that even if I had four hands, the old man would take me with one. Contrast that with other “sifu”s who aren’t that good, yet promote themselves to a high degree.
That, is true greatness in the martial arts. You’re willing and confident enough to test your skill against another sifu. You’re humble enough to recognize the other person’s skill. And at the end of the day, while other sifu’s are promoting themselves, they said, “See you later, we’re going to a restaurant for beers.”
Hahahaha, classic things you see in movies, but in modern day sifu’s. I have the highest degree of respect for those sifus.
The old man sifu looks at me. “Nine years? Wow, you must be really good!” I was ever so fast to reply “Nooo, I suck! The past 3 years I was not training hard!” Just in case he decided to pick me apart. LoL!
One day, I hope I will be as great. But not today. My time has not yet come.
MMA vs Kiai master
This video is sooooo hilarious. I can’t stop laughing.
Sifu who Knows it ALL
A while back, I had a discussion with some people over whether it is ok to have multiple sifus. I thought that it totally was but some other begged to differ. In fact, I’m sure some of the other sifus/senseis that I have learnt from all had their own array of instructors. Afterall, you are only as good as the people you train with. If you think you’re awesome, it’s because you haven’t yet seen better. And if you have not done so, then you will never know to be better.
In any case, what if you could only have one sifu, but learn all the styles? Yes, I scoff at sifu’s who say the know all the styles. Total BS I think. However, this one sifu definitely can know all the styles!
Click on this link and click on Eyetoy Kinetic Kombat! I’m sure that the Hung Gar sifu can be upgraded to each Mantis, Tai Chi, Choy Li Fut, Wing Chun and other styles!
Talk about the total commercialism of martial arts!
Consumer vs. Pro-sumer Commercial Martial Arts
Good teachers should have great students.
Dan’s thought … but really what most, if not everyone thinks
I think in Martial Arts, with regards to schools, there are categories just like a product:
Consumer
Pro-sumer
Professional
Martial arts these days no longer have the kind of confucianist ideology which helped protect the art and hand it down. It is not that I am a fan of all that is confucianism. However, teaching your kung fu family “son” your kung fu and having him respect you as a “teacher father” (师傅）(shi fu) is a great way to pass on your “family” heirloom.
These days, it all goes to the highest bidder. How much significance is this in your life, if it is a product you pay for? Hence, really, martial arts is split into the three afforementioned categories.
The mostly commercial schools, are the consumer products. Tonnes of students, marketing to all. They can produce good students, but the students are generally just better than the average Joe in fighting.
“Not all students learn a martial art to fight.”, they say.
Note that I have included a link to the definition of martial, which you can click on if you do not take my word when I define it as “being suited for war”.
How can you teach an art that is “suited for war” when it cannot be used for war? True, people learn it out of interest and not necessarily to fight. But you cannot call an art “suited for war” if it is not usable when the need does occur.
An article I read previously stated that police statistics indicate that martial artists are most likely to be injured in a confrontation. This time that they spend learning something “suitable for war” mostly from consumer grade schools, give them the false confidence that they can defend themselves in a bad situation. Thus, instead of running, they use their skills, not realizing that they have not been given many of the tools they need to protect themselves.
While it is true that running of giving in would be your best survival option, and fighting should only be initiated in a life or death situation, prosumer or professional schools will at least give you the proper tools you need if that situation should occur. I define the difference between the two to be the amount of time spent on training and honing those tools.
Usually, the instructors or “sifus” are mentors, not advisors. The difference? They know how to use their arts, have used them and are able to defend themselves if the need arises.
In reading a great book on business, I was advised to look for mentors, and not advisors. Mentors are people who have been there, done that and learnt from experience. Advisors are people who have heard what to do, and tell you what they might think is the most suitable solution.
Seek mentors in marital arts. For martial arts that you learn that do not render you “suitable for war”, even if you never use it, are nothing more than just another dance.
I end this with the NBC commentators quote when the Wushu display came up after the 2004 Olympics, to usher in the 2008 China Olympic Games:
“Look at those guys! It’s like a dance with some gymnastics!”
Ghetto Kung Fu
Ghettoest kung fu instruction I’ve ever seen! .. Hahahhahaa
Southern Praying Mantis Master
Ok, this old dude, takes kicks to the nuts from a SOCCER player and feels NO PAIN! Amazing!