Alan Armstrong

Bong Sao is an exception to the Wing Chun, fixed elbow Principle. Second principle regarding Bong Sao, is that it should always be accompanied by the other hand, usally the Wu Sao. Bong Sao can be used as a bridge but without the other hand in use, the bridge becomes available to the opponent. Using the Bong Sao without backup is called Wrong Bong! Also using it incorrectly is called "Bong-Chor-Sao" (Inside gate) The Bong Sao is also known (from what it looks like as) "Chicken Wing Arm" yet Bong Sao's real meaning is "Flanking Arm" correctly used on the (Outside gate) (Sau and Sao mean the same thing as hand or arm) Gary Lamb correct and wrong BONG SAO As all hand movements are multidimensional in Wing Chun and not fix, the combinations are many; for example as, there are no blocks in Wing Chun due to the limitations put upon the movement. This is how and why the hand movements in Wing Chun are practiced to be deceptive and effective. Thefore Bong Gaun or any other hand movement with a Bong doesn't need to be overly emphasized, otherwise Wing Chun will be over complicated instead of its MO of simplifying. If a "Bong Gaun" is a hybrid, then so are these "Bong Bui" "Bong Wu" "Bong Chang" ... Perhaps "advanced Wing Chun" would phrase the mixed ideas without additional confusion, otherwise a hybrid of a hybrid would be a "Bong Bui Wu Chang" From the first Wing Chun form "Sil Lien Tau" Little Idea Form. As what is being called here as a hybrid, is in actuality "Dai Lien Tao" Big idea which is built up from the little ideas in the Sil Lium Tau form. Tao and Tau mean the same thing "The way" usually known as, the right way of doing things. As Bruce Lee used the term JKD, as this is nothing original, it is also %100 Wing Chun. As Wing Chun is the name of a girl using the way of the intercepting fist.

Lock flow can also be used with weapons, when disarming and controlling the opponent. For example: Silat Knife entry and joint dislocations. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vTCb-m61Dps

That's great mkdaggy, learn all you can and apply what you learn, just takes time and patience, you will get to where you want to be.

I'm no body builder, if anything I'm trying to be proportionally stronger, pliable, fast and agile. I also use thick rubber bands for resistance training. Also use other bits and pieces of training paraphernalia including outdoor stair sprinting in subways Ect.

Lock flow practice can also highlight weakness in the body that need strengthening such as the neck/spine and shoulder blades. Also flexibility issues will stand out, that need to be worked on to make them more pliable such as wrists. There is also the idea to be not only stronger but more wirery also, by improving ones own range of motion in all directions possible. I view this as in four stages that can be improved upon. 1) Normal range of motion when doing activities. 2) Assisted range of motion when, from onself or from the help of another, without pain. 3) Hyperextend range of movment, as when pain occurs momentarily by another person without damage 4) When dislocation, fracturing or breakage occurs and there is pain that doesn't stop for an extended amount of time. How we doing, is this all sounding painful or gainfully interesting?

Just wanted to add, that while working out with weights, to gain flexibility, with up to 8 kilos strapped around my calves (only during workouts) for a few years now. I've stepped up my stretching routine to be more demanding, with a considerable amount of more weights. Due to my body has adjusted to 8 kilos per leg, I've included a 10 kilo rock to hold on to while stretching, combined with alot of leg muscle massage, on a regular metal handrail. Was wondering if I could move normally the next day after all that and yes, I survived; with a little discomfort from some injuries, incurred many years ago in the mid 1970's motorcycle accidents and being crushed by a forklift truck. I'm going to do this extreme stretching only twice a week with intermittent stretching and hip circling in between. If anyone else is experimenting with their flexibility exercises, I would like to know what you are doing and how you are progressing with it.

Here is another video explaining martial arts to regular folk. I think it is important, to not loose touch, with the idea, that martial arts is also a way of life, that most people do not adhere to.

Thanks stonecrusher69. What I understand, is that the Fut Sao is an earlier Wing Chun system, which is more softer and internal (pacifist based or Buddha influenced) than the rest that practice Chi Sao? (As Sifu R. Williams has been highly criticized for his lack of sensitivity) (As Ip Man, didn't give his students any control over the center line when doing Chi Sao) This is now considered to not be used while practicing Chi Sao, as both practioners should benefit from this exercise, or the more experienced giving some slack for the inexperienced to build up their speed and sensitivity skills as needed.

Lock transitioning for better control and attacking multiple joints, also taking advantage of resistance opportunities are all good reasons for practicing lock flow manipulation.Lock flow practice (to my mind) is a great way to introduce new students to joint manipulation, throughout the body in doing and also receiving. When comfortable with the lock and flow, if later self defense techniques are introduced to the student, they will have a greater idea in what to expect; when strikes, throws and pressure point applications are available or explained, it will be easier to grasp the finer aspects, against a none consenting, none compliant opponent. Lock flow practice can also be an exercise to carefully loosen up joints, with a little tap out signal to move on to another joint. All the while building up a little tolerance for one person while the other can improve connectivity and discovering new joint locking positions. Just throwing a few ideas your way. What other ideas are viable in practicing lock flow applications? Such as hair, skin, tendons and muscles are also up for grabs!

Exposing regular folk to martial arts is a good thing, as some might think it is just for kids. As there are many different kinds of people that it might actually appeal to and different types of disciplines to choose from. The self-defense and self-development aspects alone are well worth knowing. Confidence building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, is also a great plus for regular folk, that might want to try something different and extraordinary, such as martial arts.

So I would still continue to teach them everything I know. Why? Because either they quit anyway and go on to other things. Or I just might spark something in them to turn them into that enthusiastic student that gives 100%. SOLID POST DWx

Drawn out technical answers are probably going to be very interesting, coming from you sensei8, so please feel free to explain, you know I like to have a rant once and a while myself, as you can testify to that. LOLAnother few aspects of this lock flow are counter measures, systems that focus on using them and for all and any other reasons why and when to use or practice them for health and self defence.

Yes, most definitely!! Constantly, both on the floor and while at home; never ending!! It's very vitally important to my survival!! Without it, there's no survival!! Most assuredly so!! Yes, many times!! No!! It's an intricate part of Shindokan!! Yes, without a doubt!! No!! Son of a gun, you are impressive sensei8Some reminders of what lock flow is from a few different disciplines as there are many others that use this type of information. Karate lock flow Silat lock flow Kali lock flow Koppojutsu lock flow Hapkido lock flow Kenpo lock flow Chin na lock flow JKD Defendo lock flow BJJ lock flow

The Chi Sao in the video looked more like Yiquan, than Wing Chun; is this because Fut Sao Wing Chun is more concerned with the internal aspects or perhaps a White Crane connection? The sticky hands in Wing Chun can cross but not in Yiquan as they consider this to be very dangerous. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiquan

There is alot of superstition and mythology mixed with ancient Chinese understanding. What might look like a demon in the past, can be something easily explained away today. Just try to explain how a mobile phone works to someone a hundred years ago from the past. If Chi makes sense to you, then great; if not, nothing gained then nothing lost. Just because one person understands algebra and another person doesn't, it doesn't mean that algebra doesn't exist. If you feel ill due to being in a polluted environment, this would be consider as sha chi or negative chi. Then perhaps while in a plant shop, you feel good, could call this aromatherapy or positive chi. Could explain a million examples, but to understand the environment hundreds of years ago, to harmonize with it, for happiness and survival, it is easier to understand why chi comprehension answered many of the questions for them. For a person to understand the meaning of chi from the past, is a gift; not all gifts come gift wrapped in a box with a pink bow.

I must admit that have not read everything posted here. From my personal point of view, is that most definitely the customer is not always right. It is advisable to give your expert advice and not to humor clients, in just telling them what they want to hear; this is irresponsible. To be cruel and blunt with answers, isn't going to make you popular, or helpful either. Helping the client to make the right decision, with different levels of options can be beneficial. Not everything is black or white there are many shades of grey. Giving expert advice is paramount to put their requirements first; gaining trust. If and when your advice is ignored (and the client fails) at least you know that you have done your very best.

Bagua in Philadelphia http://phillytaichiteachers.homestead.com/index.html

History vs HollywoodIP Man review:

Exposing martial arts to regular folk, is this a good idea? As here we are on this forum, not so regular folks due to practicing martial arts. Debating from the origin of martial arts to this present day, everything possible to find something new and or interesting Becoming highly critical of the differences from stand up fighting to rolling on the ground. Regular folk have not much of a clue to what martial artists really do. No matter how many years experience you have in matial arts, you have accumulated a huge amount of knowledge, even though you might feel like regular folk, you are not. Due to re-creating yourself recreationally. Here is a video of regular folk being exposed to martial arts. Are you surprised with their reactions?

Flow drills and lock flow could mean the same thing to some martial artists and could also mean two different things. From my perspective, lock flow, is a way to practice how one joint lock can flow in to another, continuously. From doing this lock flow, joint manipulation and control, counter locks can be practiced, whilst also learning about not giving the opponent space for countering maneuvers. A strike can be used between lock flow practice, as this would be closer to reality. Lock flow practice can be further enhanced by incorporating nerve strikes and or nerve holds; which is very beneficial against stong opponents. For some martial artists that practice only striking, by adding lock flow to the mix, is most definitely heading in to a higher level of self defense. Lock flow techniques can be done standing and also on the ground, and anywhere in between. Flow drills for instance, are more often than not, can be used by boxers and those that pratice Tai Chi, among others, that repeat movements that each opponent can do the same taking turns, so to speak, that isn't usually concerned about locking joints.

Highly recommended these Swiss/Physio balls. No matter what type of martial art you practice, this ball will help you in many aspects of your game. From propreceptive training to joint opening exercises, to jujitsu rolling, for low stance strength benefits, to improving balance and flexibility... It is so good in fact, that I cannot think of a negative thing to say about them, could say they are expensive, when in fact they are not. These balls are also used in Pilate and Yoga including Tai Chi. O.K, found a few negative things about these balls, is the name for one, being called a Swiss ball, number two, that they are not given away for free to promote World piece and number three, they can be addictive, and number four, my opponents probably practice on theirs more than I do on mine.

I like Andre Bertel's openness to share his opinions, even though they may or may not be shared by everyone. For instance, karate tournaments are better suited for children.

Is lock flow a part of your curriculum? How much time and effort do you spend practicing your lock flow skills? Why do you practice lock flow? Is the effort put in to practicing lock flow worth while for you? Have you ever used your lock flow skills in a real life situation? Is it the case that lock flow has never been taught to you? Would you be able to give a lock flow demonstration? Is the general none martial art population aware of lock flow?

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. Bruce Lee ----------------------------------------------------- Water can also represents balance in Chinese elements. As in using a spirit level when building anything for a foundation. The pig is considered to represent water for its stability quality. Water takes the longest route to reach the ocean, which represents having patience and perseverance. Water can be deep which represents being knowledgeable and profound. The nature of water is to find the balance but to keep moving keeps it fresh, otherwise once the balance is found, it will go stale. Therefore balance is not a destination, it is maintaining motion in a direction that you want to be heading in.

Those ninjas, some of them get confused in thinking that they are Robin Hood.