dreamer38f

We purchase sparring gear at the yellow/green stripe level(9ish months), then the Grand master wishes you to have 5-6 tourneys by Black Belt level.

Any comments? The Way of Power By Dr. Leung Ting The biceps and triceps The biceps and triceps are voluntary muscles of the body that enable us to move e.g. Punching as in fighting. In moving the forearm, the work is done by the muscles of the upper arm using the elbow as the fulcrum. The two groups of muscles in the upper arm are namely the biceps and triceps. The upper group, the biceps controls the withdrawing, and the lower group, the triceps control the extending of the forearm. The biceps are the contractor muscles, and the triceps are the extensor muscles. When the biceps are tightening the triceps are relaxing and the whole forearm is bent at the elbow. Simultaneously, the two groups of muscles are performing exactly the opposite function. Mass and Velocity and their relevancy to a Straight punch We can generalise that there are two kinds of punches, straight and curving. The whole process of delivering a straight punch involves the straightening of the arm in a very short space of time. This "speedy" process is of great significance as in physics: Force=Mass x Velocity i.e. the weight of the fist if multiplied by the speed of delivery and we have a force of destruction. Of course, the 'weight' of the fist is fixed, and for a powerful punch, we have one variable i.e., the speed of delivery. The faster the punch, the more powerful it becomes. The power as in a heavy punch So the power of a straight-line punch depends on it's speed. The speed of a straight-line punch depends on the triceps' sudden extension. Better built triceps have a better extension ability, and the speed of the punch is also increased. In summary, well developed triceps gives rise to powerful blows. Weight lifting and it's irrelevance to WT The straight-line punch is the most important attacking punch, others such as the palm, finger, elbow and shoulder are only secondary to it. The punching fist is held in front of the chest. In execution, the back muscles (lats) initiate the move, secondly the triceps are utilised, the forearm and finally the fist. The whole procedure involves the tightening of the extensor muscles. As the contractor muscles and extensor muscles perform the opposite task at the same time, it would be naturally better to have less well developed contractor muscles to hinder the extensor muscles. The WingTsun system eliminated the need for weight lifting, pulling chest expander, etc., so as not to over develop the contractor muscles i.e., biceps. Power generated at joint between bones In executing a straight-line punch, it is done without reservations; the whole arm is thrust forward. This is not to say the shoulder is also carried forward. On the contrary, the shoulder even jerks back slightly as a Reaction to the forward force, to give the punch a shattering impact at it's limit. To test this theory, we can try throwing a wet Handkerchief forward, then abruptly pull it back. The result is a shattering force at the tip of the handkerchief. The late Grandmaster Yip Man mentioned that the more joints between bones, the more places there are to generate power. Using a snake as an example, there is a bone with Many joints running the whole length of the snake. A chain reaction of these joints and muscles push the snake forward at incredible speed in its unusual forward motion. What is meant by power generated a the joint between bones? The ligaments are a tough fibrous tissue binding bones together, which also has an elastic, flexible quality when the fist is in full flight and the whole arm is relaxed in the course it will come to a sudden rest at the limit of the arm's length. This does not mean everything stops. As the momentum carries the fist forward there is a stretching of the ligaments at the joints i.e., the joints at the shoulder, elbow and the wrist, then the retracting to it's normal state. This action is very similar to the example of a wet handkerchief. Exert force late, the force is at the fist So far we have discussed the throwing of a punch with the greatest of speed. As the fist is held in the front of the chest, it's on a Short,straight line, it loses very little of its impetus on its course to the target. For optimum result in the punch, we must come to the finer point of "exert force late, the force is at the fist." It implies that in Making a punch, the impetus is held back until the target is hit. This is like a secondary explosion, it Maximises the destructive power and the power is also penetrating to the body. Exert force early, the force is at the arm There is a saying in WingTsun which freely translates as "exert the force early, the force is at the arm. Exert the force late, the force is at thefist." The essence of a straight-line punch is in it's destructive power. It should take no more than one punch to annihilate an opponent in actual fighting. What is meant by "exert the force early, the force is at the arm?" If in executing a punch, all the power is exercised at once, it is noticeable that the punch is power-packed at the beginning, but in the moment of Connection, there is disparity between power at delivery and connection. Even though the punch homes in on its target, it may do the damage as anticipated. Is WingTsun short bridge (hand)? Some styles of kung fu favour showy Flourishes, broad horse stances, attacking well away from the enemy and extravagant movements. Some people also call WingTsun a style that favours short bridge (hands not fully outstretched) and a narrow horse stance. This is an erroneous assumption. True, the horse stance is not wide, but the hands are certainly not restrained in attack. A more Correct way of putting it is that WingTsun favours close to body attacks. In this method of attack, often the opponent can't make use of his room-consuming movements. In observing WingTsun in action, people also assume the style favours combat in confined space or deadened lane. Again, this is fallacious for WingTsun is equally effective whether in a small or broad area. What makes WingTsun so special is its long bridge striking method, which means the hands can punch with destructive power given only a short distance between the target and the fist. Even in day to day training, the hands and feet are usually extended in punching and kicking moves. Distance reached when in actual combat is far greater than those with extravagant movements because they restricted the hands. Their restriction was on the wrong belief that fully stretched hands are liable to be broken by the opponent.

This was sent to me by a buddy, that is trying to convice me to switch to WT What's so different about the WingTsun system? Part 1 Simultaneous defence and attack, the inch-punch and chain-punches Whenever I am in conversation with martial artists from other styles I tend to hear the same thing: "All of us have only two arms and two legs, your WingTsun or Leung Ting system can't be that different!" When I give them my honest opinion, namely that I see hardly any similarities between Leung Ting WingTsun and other martial arts styles, except for the fact that we too use two arms and two legs, I usually encounter blank looks. But how do you explain a system as complex and fundamentally different as WingTsun (WT) to a follower of karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu or Thai-boxing without appearing dogmatic, arrogant and one-sided? In the early seventies, when I first introduced the WingTsun (of my Master Leung Ting) in Germany and then in the rest of Europe, I was able to simplify things and illustrate what is so unique with a few easily understandable aspects which even those unfamiliar with the system would quickly find logical. I therefore referred to the concept of simultaneous defence and counter-attack, which was complete news to karate or taekwondo followers at the time (although old forms (katas, hyongs), which generally come from China and not from Japan or Korea, sometimes contained such mysterious elements, but not even the Japanese and Korean national instructors in the west were aware of their specific applications). In fact the Oyama karate style was the first to incorporate simultaneous defence and counter-attack as exemplified by the Chinese into its programme, at least in the books by Masutatsu Oyama himself. Nowadays however, almost every self-respecting Japanese karate sensei who has his picture taken for some magazine or other wondrously exhibits WingTsun-like simultaneity, although the typical karate stance is hardly suitable for this. And if I bring the unique WingTsun inch-punch (or more correctly, the "long-bridge punch") into the discussion as an argument for WingTsun? Then thousands of people attending so-called Jeet Kune Do or similar courses will quite rightly say that Jeet Kune Do also has this technique and is able to deliver effective punches from a very short distance. Indeed, Bruce Lee learned this WingTsun juwel from his teacher, the late Wing Tsun Grand Master Yip Man, though he simplified its execution by using his bodyweight to reinforce it and pushing his shoulder forward, which can always lead to balance problems if the punch misses its target. Some time ago, when I mentioned the ingenious WingTsun chain-punches against which most defensive techniques regularly prove ineffective, a jiu-jitsu student who was present proved to me that his association had even included the WingTsun chain-punch in its grading programme (without revealing its origin of course) - after I had taught it during several jiu-jitsu blackbelt seminars in Germany. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, however it leaves me with one strong argument less which might help me to illustrate the different nature of WingTsun. And the more my missionary zeal led me to preach the message of WingTsun and travel from Germany to the far corners of Europe, but also to Thailand and the Philippines, the more individual elements of WingTsun were pushed like sultanas into the cakes of other styles and cited to me some years later as proof that our WingTsun is not so unique after all. In fact there is not a single individual technique which WingTsun executes in the same way as conventional styles. Some may see vague visual similarities, but that is about all. The deciding factor that really constitutes the core of WingTsun is the all-encompassing concept. As I have tried to show - on no less than 360pages - in my book "On Single Combat", WingTsun is not the sum of its individual techniques, as brilliant as they might be. What really makes WingTsun so ingenious - and I am now speaking specifically about the Leung Ting system of WingTsun - and so effective that a weaker person (perhaps a woman) can use it to defend himself or herself against somebody much stronger, is the overall concept which can be summarised in the form of just 4 logical, progressive fighting principles and 4 so-called "strength principles", but is still not as easy to explain as WingTsun highlights such as "simultaneous defence and attack", "inch-punch" or "chain-punches". Next month I will try to present my own understanding of WingTsun on behalf of Grand Master Leung Ting. Keith R. Kernspecht 10th Level MOC WingTsun

the fish..i cant spell it tho..lol. And I do fit the profile pretty much, artistic, like the water

Thanks all for the bday wishes...they say 40 is when u have to go to the eye doctor, so I am now wondering if i should go ahead and make the appt I really dont feel old till I think about the fact that my oldest turned 18 3 days before, and after a good work out...boy that heating pad feels good

bout 15 minutes to get there and $60 month US dollars not sure how that works with the exchange rates. 2 classes a week and before testing or a tourney usually 2 open sessions are added _________________ If you think you can't, then you must. If you must, you will. [ This Message was edited by: dreamer38f on 2002-03-03 07:01 ]

Well, today was the big 40 for me , I really didnt advertise it cause just didnt want a lot of attention. I am however enjoying a nice glass of wine tonite. I do like to do things for other ppl on their bdays tho.

awesome gumby...what an experience you will have to enjoy...good luck and happy training

I started formal MA training at 39. In our adult class we have 14 year olds to a 63 year old. As all the others have said, don't worry bout weight, flexability, etc...it will all come as you continue your MA journey. Good luck in which ever art you choose

flute and tenor sax for bout 10 years when i was younger

Back to the front with this one. Pictures, Pictures

Elliott17, In Chong-ji that I did, it was low block-middle punch in 4 direction and back stance, middle block then middle punch in 4 directions. Always turn the direction of the hand punching. All together showing the heaven and earth meaning of the form in 19 movements. Is there a video or handout available to purchase? This helped me a lot. When I learn a new form, It takes me bout a month or so for it to sink in! Just dont give up...it will happen! becki

Jack, that is exactly what i am trying to figure out. Actually I have found a coupla things in WingTsun that I am hoping to work into my TKD studies. Not just the Chi-Sao but the leg work and excercises as well. Aikidoka, there is a saying in WingTsun, something that basically is that ur arms are like springs and glue, u dont happen to know it do you? I believe it has 3 parts to it.

EXERCISE PROGRAM: For those of us getting on in years; I thought I would let you, my friends, in on a little secret I've found for building my arm and shoulder muscles. You might wish to adopt this regimen - 3 days a week works well. I start by standing outside behind the house and, with a 5 pound potato sack in each hand, extend my arms straight out to my sides and hold them there a long as I can. After a few weeks I moved up to 10 pound potato sacks, then 50 pound potato sacks and finally I got to where I could lift a 100 pound potato sack in each hand and hold my arms straight out for more than a full minute! Next, I started putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but I would caution you not to overdo it at this level.

A doctor at an insane asylum decided to take his patients to a baseball game. For weeks in advance, he coached his patients to respond to his commands. When the day of the game arrived, everything seemed to be going well. As the National Anthem started, the doctor yelled, "Up Nuts." And the patients complied by standing up. After the anthem he yelled, "Down Nuts." And they all sat back down in their seats. After a home run was hit, the doctor yelled, "Cheer Nuts". They all broke out into applause and cheers. Thinking things were going very well. so the doctor decided to go get a beer and a hot dog leaving his assistant in charge. When he returned there was a riot in progress. Finding his assistant, the doctor asked, "What happened?" The assistant replied, "Well...everything was going just fine until this guy walked by and yelled... "PEANUTS!!!"