Alan Armstrong

Everyone should be suitable to learn martial arts. Weaker people becoming stronger and strong people helping weaker people. Many of my instructors were borderline abusive (40 years ago); but only from my perspective as a skinny kid. The body building type class mates probably felt normal about the hard knocks. In my last class, I halfway knocked a student out, he needed some time out to recover. Some techniques are simply devastating for a person that is not physically or emotionally ready or conditioned to receive them. The student now knows with training and the right technique that it is very easy to defend oneself against a very strong or bigger opponent, whereas it would never apparently seem possible. The technique used is called 'Mang Geng Sau' neck pulling hand. In short it is a jolt action to the opponents neck using one's full body weight, (on the student I used about 5 kilos of pressure) as I am 80 kilos, would be equivalent to being hit in neck with 80 kilos. I believe the student moved up another level by experiencing this technique first hand. The idea on combining multiple concepts in a single movement. Vietnamese Wing Chun masters have this down to a real art form. Simultaneously using a combination of 'fook, pak, jum, jut and lap' all Wing Chun concepts. The best example of this (from my experience) would be from viewing (a Grecian Wing Chun Master) Sifu Tassos; he can be seen on YouTube, using many such examples. Many martial artist will never experience the dangerous aspects of martial arts; perhaps if they did it would dissipate much of their ego. Martial arts in reality is very dangerous, playing martial arts boosts egos (confidence) for the weak and strong, martial arts in the wrong hands is asking for trouble. Once upon a time, it would be that martial artists would need to earn the respect of the teacher first before being taught anything; this tradition has been lost, due to monetary gain; perhaps it's the teacher not suited to martial arts and not the student.

Thanks for sharing.

Hope you keep us updated wisky147 on how you are doing with the class; all the best.

Tai returned to his master and ask for his next assignment. The master asked Tai to dig five holes and place a tree in each hole to form the shape of a plum blossom. Each tree post forming the shape of a hexagon. The posts were sunk in to the ground at half of there length, shoulder length apart. The master also wanted Tai to dig another five holes shoulder width apart in the shape of a plum blossom this time however with each post higher than the next, so as to create a step up on five levels. Tai aked his master what these posts were intended for, his master replied "For your stance training" Tai built the two stance training devices near the river, so as to look at the Eagle as they feed upon the fish. Tai asked his master for another assignment. Tai's master told him to meditate while on the posts about the three claws, those creatures that have feathers, those that have fur and those that have scales. Tai asked his master "To which creatures are you referring to?" The master replied "The Eagle, the Tiger and the Dragon" Tai returned to his stance training posts contemplating on his new assignment. Ok he thought, I need to think about the Eagles claws and the Tigers claws and the Dragons claws... Many hours turned into days that turned into weeks that in no time at all turned into a month. Tai was getting very bored with his new assignment. Yes Eagles live nearby but not Tigers and Dragons, Tai thought to himself. Well perhaps if I watch the neighborhood cats and observe the lizards, he thought, perhaps they could give me some clues; because the master would be very disappointed with me, if to return without knowing or learning anything and wouldn't want that to happen. Very optimistic, Tai set off to observe the cats. Tai closely observed their claws Ohh! Cats claws are retractable and not usually visible. Cats climb trees with the help of their claws also very handy to catch small animals with also cats use their claws when playing. Luckily enough for Tai a lizard was passing by; Ohh! Lizards claws are fixed so must be the same for the claws of Dragons, not retractable like a Cat and not piercing as Eagle claws. Tai observed the Lizard using it's claws to dig a hole into the ground for buried worms and insects, then realized why it's claws were fixed to help in digging, whereas the Eagle's claws were better equipped for catching fish and carrying branches to build nests; while cats liked to play with their food also to hunt and fight. There must be more to this assignment Tai thought, I had better investigate further. Tai returned to his plum blossom stance training platforms and contemplated more on the differences of the three types of claws. Later that evening Tai built a small fire cooked some fish over it and gentle fell asleep. Round and around in his head, he thought about Eagles, Tigers and Dragon claws, till he fell into a deep sleep. Tai started to imagine in his dream of what it would be like to live an entire life like and Eagle, then as a Tiger, then as a Dragon. Tai returned to his master the very next day. The master asked Tai "Have you grasped the meaning of claws by feathers, claws by fur and claws by scales?" Tai answered "All creatures have survival tools and each creature behaves according to it's nature" The master asked Tai "Is it your nature to fear these creatures?" Tai replied "No fear; only inspiration to learn from those that have feathers, fur or scales" The master asked Tai "How can you use what you have just recently learned from these three different types of claws?" Tai replied "I now have more options with the use of my hands" The master asks Tai "What vitues does the Eagle, Tiger and Dragon posses regarding Yin/Yang? Return to me after contemplating this question" Tai asked "What is Yin/Yang" The master replied "Yin/Yang can be many things such as the string on a guitar" Tai bowed to his master and walked away, shaking his head, thinking to him self "Ask a straight question, one would expect at straight answer; suppose not!" Walking back towards the river, a musician was tuning his guitar, Tai introduced himself and asked the question "Could you please explain to me why a guitar string is a Yin/Yang thing?" The musician shouted at Tai "Leave me alone, asking me stupid questions about Yin/Yang, look at what you have made me do, I've broken my guitar string by over tightening it; now my guitar is useless, till I get a replacement, you are going to pay for this!!!"

I believe conditioning oneself with exercises that enhance my martial arts no matter the art is priority over the style. Then it doesn't matter the style if you are conditioned for them all. Some styles don't emphasize conditioning and strengthening enough and it can easily be over looked. Bruce Lee's training for example, conditioning and strengthening with coordination and speed allowed him to rise above the mediocre martial artists of his time. We know more now than Bruce Lee's time of how and what to train but few are able to surpass his abilities and those that do condition themselves relentlessly, these few ultimately enjoy the rewards. (Just be 100% decisive about conditioning)

Tai returned back to his Shaolin master, having full support from his home village, he was feeling optimistic once again. Tai's master sent him on a new task down by the river, to catch fish and fill the Calderon with them. Tai' liked the idea of catching fish and asked his master what bate he should use, his master said "No bate" So Tai thought that he would use a net, the master said "No net" Tai thought that he could catch fish with a pointed stick to spear them with, the master said "no stick" The master told Tai to catch the fish with his hands. So off Tai went to catch fish with his hands down by the river. All day Tai tried to catch fish with his hands, he came back to the master empty handed; Tai didn't see any fish at all that day. Tai told the master what had happened. The master remaked that the fish have outwitted the hunter, the master said "Use Kung Fu" Tai asked "How?" The master answered "Find a quite shallow area next to the river bank and set a trap with thick bamboo rods, place the rods in to the water that form a V shape, just leave enough space for the fish to fit through the V and they will funnel themselves in to your shallow area very easily; then use your hands to catch them; and bring them back here alive" The very next day, Tai went to the river and caught many fish and eventually filled the cauldron, he was exhausted, the master said "Very good work Tai, before you go to sleep tonight, bring all of the fish back to the river and release them" Tai did what his master asked, he fell asleep by the river, tired hungry and exhausted. In the morning Tai was awoken by screaming Eagles plucking out fish from the river, they moved with incredible speed and accuracy, something Tai had never seen before. The Eagles were fast and focused, a lesson Tai would never forget. Tai returned back to the monastery to see his master. The master asked Tai "What have you learned since we last met?" Tai replied "Have learned that Eagles don't need to set traps to catch fish, so neither will I" The master told Tai to get cleaned up and have breakfast, then return back to him for another assignment. Tai obeyed his master and returned immediately. The master looked at Tai's hands, they were soft and not very strong. Tai was given an axe and was asked to chop down ten trees with it. After chopping the trees down remove all the branches. After all the branches are removed chop the trees into equal sizes of his own hight. Approximately one month later, Tai returned to his master and said to him "Master I have done as you have asked, what is my next task?" The master replied "Remove all the bark from the trees that you have chopped down" Tai asked "How?" The master replied with a smile "The same way you catch fish, with you bear hands of course!" Tai bowed to his master and was overjoyed with his new assignment, as the trees he chopped down were not very big at all. What Tai was really doing with his time instead of chopping down big trees, he was secretly watching and copying what the other Kung Fu students were doing and having plenty of time enjoying catching fish and barbecue them, and swimming down by the river, at the same time observing nature; especially the Eagles.

Another way of understanding martial arts is using the laws of physics. Example: Newtons Cradle. You know, the little toy executives like to have sitting on their desk, that have chrome balls attached to strings all hanging in a row and when smashing one ball from one end it pops up a chrome ball from the other end passing energy through the center balls; fascinating! Back and forth, well you can test the Newton's Cradle with your front kicks first against a hanging punching bag then on a live opponent. Kick the bag when it is stationary and once again when it is swinging back towards you; what happens? On the second kick you will be propelled backwards. Now imgine you are the bag on the second kick when a live opponent kicks you, that person will fly backward just like in Newton's Cradle. By learning Newton's Cradle (physics) and relating it to giving and receiving front kicks for example, with practice, I wouldn't want to get on the receiving end of what you could potentially do! Everything in martial arts is related to physic's, next chapter psychology.

My martial art skill at this present time is my personal best. I don't use or depend on past glorys for marketing porpoises, I don't hold it against anyone that needs to or does. I've lost my certificates and trophys over time; what matters for me is my skill level at this very second and how I can improve the next second in my martial at journey. My martial art skills have changed dramatically from one decade to the next, having practiced the major Asian martial art styles, I wouldn't know where one style starts and the other ends. I don't hang certificates on walls or display trophys and or place pictures of Sifus or Senseis for marketing or decorating. Martial arts has changed considerably over the last forty years, heck the last ten years alone would be enough! Perhaps chasing a carrot black belt isn't for me, neither a master behind me with a stick to propel me forward isn't motivationally enough either. My martial art motivation comes from within from simply practicing and continually learning new skills. Wearing decorative martial art clothing with emblems and decals or colored belts with stripes or bands is akin to decorating weapons ornately; something I believe to be wrong. A car, a house, a title also a wife in my case could be considered trophies; a year with complete health is worth celebrating and not paper certificates and plastic trophies; In my humble opinion.

From a Chinese Kung Fu perspective; each student is like a blank piece of paper; just waiting to be imprinted upon. Also each student is also like a water lily, where most just stay on the water level and not many rise above the water line, while others never ever manage to rise above the water line and live totally submerged never experiencing sunlight. A short story about a Kung Fu student. A young Chinese boy named Tai Gwe wanted to learn Kung Fu; however he lived in a very small obscure village. His parents (with great difficulty) eventually made the boy's wishes come true, by signing him up with a Shaolin Kung Fu school. The Shaolin monastery was very far from the village, so Tai would need to live and stay there for some time, as commuting on a daily basis would be impossible. Tai was assigned to a Shaolin monk Kung Fu master; a legal contract was signed that he would obey without question. Tai's master assigned him to go to the river with a pole with two buckets attached to either end and fill them with water, then return to the monastery and fill a large cauldron. Once the cauldron was full; Tai's task was to slap the water until it was empty. Once the cauldron was empty he would go back down to the river to fetch more water to fill and slap the water. After the first week of fetching and slapping water, Tai was wondering when he would be joining in with the other students that were practicing forms and using weapons. Weeks past for Tai doing the same thing day after day week after week, filling the cauldron and slapping the water out of it. Tai watched and observed the other students, wondering when it would be his turn to learn and practice Kung fu. Tai remembered how everyone was so proud of hm to be accepted at the monastery and how his parents helped make his dream come true. The weeks turned in to months, after three months of doing the same thing day after day, Tai started to become depressed. Tai's Kung Fu master gave him the weekend off to go home to visit his parents. Happy to go home and equally depressed at not learning any Kung fu. When Tai returned to the village, everyone there were very happy to see him, they quickly arranged a picknick in his honor. During the picnic everyone was very interested in seeing what he had learned. Tai was answering their questions with "I didn't really learn much" People in the village were very impressed with Tai's answer, in thinking how modest he has become. Tai on the other hand was very embarrassed with the questions "Come on Tai show us some Kung Fu" Tai was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and embarrassed with the situation; being bombarded with requests to show something, anything!!! Tai with hours of constant requests to do some kung fu could not control his embarrassment and anger any longer. Tai stood up from his chair and slammed his hand down on to the solid slab pick nick table and screamed out as loud as he could "I didn't learn anything!!!" The solid slab pick nick table, now broken in two with Tai standing over it. The villagers gasped at what Tai had done. Then one person said "So it's true about what Shaolin monks can do"

Training on hard floors and then on padded mats will be a challenge. Doing Aikido on a hard surface is not for everyone. Practicing Aikido rolls on concrete or marble flooring can boost a maists confidence. Your Wing Chun combined with Aikido is a harmonious blend with both arts having a good understanding of being on line and off line when simultaneously attacking and defending. Also keeping physical (controlling) contact with the opponent is also associated with Wing Chun and Aikido. Aikido and Karate both go together like Yin/Yang giving you more options depending on the combative situation.

You have hit upon a very important subject. Could possibly be the most important topic on KF.Com Being like a ship ploughing through water yet leaving the water unbroken. Teaching neutral is something Ip Man from Wing Chun understood very well; now with two million descents. To be neutral in combat is being totally aware in the moment and reacting accordingly. Being neutral is using only what you need nothing more nothing less; practicing efficiency. Being neutral helps to be more open minded and tolerant. Being neutral is related to mobility having options open to you. Being neutral also means to have a high IQ. Being neutral is a great way to be, even if no one notices probably being neutral is the most difficult path to travel on as there are not many traveling companions that can truly understand why. Being neutral is being humble, how many humble people are there in the world; not many. Therefore stay special by continuing to be neutral. Being neutral implies readiness and not following others blindly. Being neutral helps a person to choose their actions appropriately. Always being neutral is the most difficult thing to do because it implies making difficult decisions and there is not always clear easy solutions or actions at hand, yet staying neutral could be the best answer...

Just a suggestion to improve your kicks. Practice with Therma bands or thick resistance rubber bands. Everyone are using them now in Yoga, Pilate, Ballet and of course those that like to kick banana trees. Good luck neoravencroft.

I regard the Huen Sao movement as a way to strengthen the wrists. As we don't wrap the wrist or wear protective gloves. How important is the Huen Sao? Very! How many transitional hand movements and shapes are generated from the Huen Sao movement? Many! Jum sao, Jut sao, Kau sao, Fook sao, Woo sao, Mun sao, Biu sao, Bong sao, Kuen sao, Tan sao, Gum sao, Gang sao, Kuan sao, Tut sao, Pak sao, Tok sao, Lan sao, Lap sao, Fut sao, Jip sao, Got sao, Chune sao, Man geng sao, Tie Sao, Cha jee sao, Chang sao, charp sau, Chum sao, Dai bong sao, Ding sao, Fak sau, Faan sao, Fuun sao, Kiu sao, kwak sao, Luk sao, Lut sao, Ngou sao, Poon sau, San sao ... Sao meaning hand or arm; in between is the wrist with a turning circular movement the 'Huen sao' All of these terms relate to the movements of "Wing Chun" Bruce Lee's use of techniques in the movies; back in the 70s. He was moving incredibly fast, just can't imagine anyone stopping to asking him "Hey Bruce! What is the name of that thing you do when it is impossible to see what you are doing?" BL answer: Intercepting fist!

People inside a cult are viewing from the inside out and don't recognize that they belong to a cult or sub culture. While one cult views the other group as a cult and don't recognize it of themselves. Idols are cult figures for the rest of us to look up to and admire or worship. Martial arts can be a way to look through all of the moneymaking hype surrounding us if we choose, for most we buy in to it willingly. Martial artists with recognized credentials as mentioned earlier are no guarantee to be good teachers but what else is there to help make good choices? Not much! Usally a student walks in to and joins a martial art club on blind faith, sounds like becoming a cult member to me. Cults Clubs or Clans what's the difference? Time usually helps to reveal all for the good and bad.

Usually in a club setting members help each other out with the dos and don'ts. Private attention from a CI on specifics that you need to know are invaluable. Vital information missing from a style could make all the difference in becoming good at it or not. The weakest link in a student's abilities needs to be recognized and improved upon from a CI. Hard work dedication and perseverance from a student still needs plenty of individual guidance from a CI. Students can pass on bad habits to other students in spite of their good intentions; a good CI will try to prevent this from happening with plenty of good advice. Private MA lessons should focus a student towards perfection and bring out the best from within. Many things can be practiced in a group setting but the transference of information of certain aspects need to be done on a one to one basis, otherwise the student will ultimately suffer the consequences...

I have had many MA teachers. The one that sticks out in my mind is the Tai Chi teacher and his wife that taught alongside him; they came from Hong Kong. He had been practicing and teaching Tai Chi for forty years. He was very humble about his skills. What he transferred to me with his teachings has been with me for more than twenty years. His wife privately told me a story about him. She had just finished cleaning the kitchen floor and her husband showed up. She told him that he cannot come in because the floor had just been cleaned. Instead of going around the house to get inside, he walked across the kitchen in the upright hand stand position. My first impression of my Tai Chi teacher will always be that he is full of surprises. As he put it "I must know something by now" He was however full of martial art treasures with his stories of ancient China and Tai Chi Chuan practice of coordination with meditation through harmonious body movements.

If for instance two people are "grappling" and one has another in a position that is impossible to get out of, it's done! To start slapping the opponent's head or face (waiting for a tap out) in to submission is pointless, point if fact, because they want a rematch and perhaps another... Some people don't know or understand when they have lost or have and beaten, as they are full of emotion void of any reasoning.

The element of surprise works both ways; from the attaker and the defender. How many fights have been won from a single "sucker punch?" no style needed. Is there no style in self-defense? I'm posing the question because perhaps it is possible to teach some self defense without turning someone in to a martial artist. I believe it is possible to teach self defence to an individual without spending countless hours trying to turn that person in to a martial artist. As each individual is different and knowing some of their past athleticism, it could be possible to channel what they already know in to self defense. People that play or have played soccer for instance could use many of the skills inherent in the game for self defense without much adjustment. Tennis, swimming, horse riding, dance, gymnastics, volleyball, many people walk around with these skills and many more, how difficult would it be to tweak what they are already capable of in to self defense maneuvers; with out slapping a martial art designer name tag to it?

personally I don't agree with the tough way of learning martial arts, my preference is good tried and proven techniques with repetitive practice; not necessarily with fully resistant partners or opponents. The toughness is developed from the inside out and not imposed from the outside in IMHO. Jujitsu practice weeds out people like myself for Spartan warrior types HOOO ! HOOO! HOOO! I'm not wanting to dine in hell tonight.

If someone was teaching water treading as swimming there would be many very disappointed students. Yet treading water is a vital method of survival depending on the situation, not depending on a style but minimal movement. Also relaxation can be a survival method, by floating on one's back, no style necessary. So it seems there are vital ways of surviving in water with out the need for swimming styles.

My goal for 2017 is to make better sense out of the terminology and pronunciations in Cantonese of Wing Chun Kung Fu. There are far too many conflicting opinions on this subject that I find fascinating, something worth spending the time to investigate thoroughly.

Had a conversation just a few days ago with a BJJ friend. He explained to me that many people show up and only end up taking the one class. The reason for the one class wonders is because the people showing up are trying to hard to compete, ego takes over and they are discouraged and humiliated due to being beaten, never wanting to show up for a second class. None martial artist that have fighting experience are not sure how to behave or conduct themselves in a dojo environment. It is if they have something to prove by being over aggressive or unrealistically over confident, putting themselves in an unexpected predicament. Perhaps these people that end up in a challenge match isn't really what they want, perhaps they are just trying to see if they have some skill in the area.

If you are a superior fighter then slapping the opponent to submission isn't necessary. Just tell the opponent that "Continuing isn't an option for you, so please tap out" Constraining the opponent is sufficient enough with Chinese styles; without adding any insult to injury. Slapping my martial art brother or sister isn't gaining any respect from the opponent neither is it showing any type of consideration. Going beyond what is necessary when the bout has already been won is lacking benevolence and crosses the line in to cruelty and egotistical sadism. Winning a bout is the time to be able to recruit that person in to your realm of expertise and not the time for punishment and unnecessary humiliation. Who wants to join a group that prefers punishment over enlightenment? Troops that were captured and tortured in the last century during war didn't hate their captors, they did however have pity for them due to the lack of humility and consideration for fellow humans. Kindness is always surprising no matter the circumstances.

As a kicking training exercise it is excellent but for fighting, it is obviously impractical. Calling what he is doing as kicking looks more like tapping than anything else. For martial artists this isn't generally considered as valid kicking but as an exhibition for the entertainment value targeted for none martial art spectators and their naivety as it looks very impressive, without much thought beyond that.

If your Sensei thinks you are ready then you are ready. Why are you second guessing yourself or allowing hesitations to creep in, self doubt and all other negative thoughts haven't stopped you thus far so why bother giving more unnecessary importance to them. ANTS Automatic Negative Thought-S Feeling the Synchronicity of mind body and spirit (inner glow) with martial arts takes time, perhaps your Sensei can see your glow before you feel it, perhaps some positive thoughts and feelings are enough to let the electrical impulses connect. Stay positive, be optimistic, trust in yourself and your abilities.