On behalf of all of us at the AWCA, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.
email2friend Archive for November, 2009
What Is An Effective Order For Learning?
13
Nov
The Crux of Wing Chun Training
Something I get asked frequently is about what forms and curriculums are introduced at what stages, as well as why.
In general, most WC/VT/WT styles teach somewhat the same levels at the same stages, but there are differences. Let’s take a brief look at how the AWCA approaches this and what happens when certain levels are introduced at the appropriate and inappropriate times.
Siu-Nim-Tau
The beginning stage of training is universal amongst the lineages, and this is the Siu-Nim-Tau. Meaning Little-Idea form, this level teaches the practitioner how to create a strong foundation, how to perform work the upper body in basic attack and defense postures, how to breathe, and also how to direct his/her force along the most efficient angles.
Everything in life has a beginning, and in Wing Chun, that beginning is the Siu-Nim-Tau. In fact, it is so important that even after learning the whole system, we continue to rely on the Siu-Nim-Tau for correction and reinforcement, since it is here that the literal foundation of what we do exists.
Chi-dan-sau
During the Siu-Nim-Tau, we engage in Chi-dan-sau, or Single-arm Sticking-hand. Wing Chun movements and applications are very effective in and of themselves, but without Chi-sau, we must still engage the process of having to think about what to do. Because movement responds much faster than seeing it, processing it, and responding to it, Chi-sau removes the “processing it” phase by simply reacting to what the arms feel.
Not all WC/VT/WT methods work single-arm, mind you, but those that do will readily see the importance of getting to spend time learning the intricacies of this phase. It has shown to be an extremely beneficial pre-stage to double arm actions and generally results in learning double-arm concepts quicker and more efficiently.
Chum-Kiu
When a practitioner’s Siu-Nim-Tau and Chi-dan-sau are competent, he/she will begin learning the Chum-Kiu. Meaning Arm-Seeking form, this is the point where we learn angling, creating torque in the body, working elbow attacks/defenses, stepping, pivoting, and learning Wing Chun’s kicking methods.
Some might see the Chum-Kiu as merely a “bridge” to the Biu-Tze, but it is much more than that. Without a thorough study of this level, it will be extremely difficult to engage attackers larger than you. It will also be difficult to respond against non-Wing Chun opponents, as well as those skilled in kicking.
In combination, the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu concepts can be a devastating response to most attackers one would find in today’s world. Add Chi-sau to the mix and you have a very potent response.
Chi-sheung-sau
During the first section of Chum-Kiu, we elevate the single-arm Chi-sau training to now include double-arm. Called Chi-sheung-sau, or Double-arm Sticking-hands, it is this phase that most associate when they see Chi-sau demonstrations.
There are various stages of Chi-sheung-sau, such as Poon-sau (Rolling-arms) and Luk-sau (Rolling-arms with forward energy), as well as Gor-sau, Nuk-sau, and Lat-sau. The latter phases involve sparring qualities in which we can work our skill sets from beginning to advanced levels, varied only by what we want to include. From basic sparring to full-power, plugs-out, anything-goes fighting, it is a controlled session in which we not only work Wing Chun to its fullest but also do so in a way that can be learned from.
At the AWCA, there are seven Chi-sau sections encompassing the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu concepts. In addition, there are six Lap-sau attack and defense sections that compliment and contribute to Chi-sau fighting.
Lap-sau
Lap-sau, or Deflecting-arm, is a supplemental phase that teaches us how to absorb, deflect, and make use of the attacker’s force. In tandem with Chi-sau, it basically puts us on auto-pilot so that any situation is immediately responded to by either going through or creating opportunities for attack. It is so important to the nature of Wing Chun that entire blocks of instruction have been created to take advantage of the qualities it relates.
Biu-Tze
The final empty-hand form is Biu-Tze. Meaning Thrusting-Fingers form, this advanced level assumes that you are in a life-or-death situation and must address it with permanent or fatal response.
Some feel that its primary purpose is to teach how to regain a lost centerline, but these elements were already addressed in the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu, as well as Chi-sau guiding you through them. Instead, the Biu-Tze has one primary purpose: inflict the most damage as possible, even fatal if needed. This is why this curriculum is never taught to another unless that individual has demonstrated a strong and upright moral character.
Like the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu Chi-sau levels, the AWCA also works a Biu-Tze Chi-sau curriculum that takes advantage of even closer distances such as the elbows, knees, grappling, and takedowns.
Muk-Yan-Chong
When the empty-hand curriculums have been shown to be competent, the practitioner graduates to the Muk-Yan-Chong, or Wooden Dummy form. Here we learn to more competently unite the upper and lower bodies, create short-range explosive power, and manuever around a strong, forceful attacker. The wooden dummy is an excellent correctional tool, but only in the hands of one that has completed all training that came before it.
And as with the empty-hand forms, the AWCA includes a Chi-sau level that is applied to the wooden dummy. It is not explicity for expecting the same compression we would feel with a live partner, mind you; instead, it is to learn how to move ourselves around non-movable forces, which mimics engagement with extremely strong and powerful attackers.
Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun
The first formal weapon learning in Wing Chun is the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun, or Six-and-a-Half Point long pole. There are three stages to this weapon: 1. Pre-pole stance training to strengthen the body and learn precision, 2. Strength training with the pole itself, and 3. Chi-kwun, which is the Chi-sau concept applied to the pole. When these areas are competent – which can take 6 months to 1 year to complete – then the actual pole form itself is learned, followed with all drills and applications.
Bart-Cham-Dao
The final level of Wing Chun training culminates with the Bart-Cham-Dao. Meaning Eight-Cutting Broadswords, the double knives are the epitome of Wing Chun fighting because they apply the empty-hand concepts to weapons fighting.
It is with the Bart-Cham-Dao that you will also find the most advanced of Wing Chun footwork, too. Far too many practioners will advance their training to the double knives before they are ready, and in turn they will create a poor skill set that will also directly – and negatively – impact their empty-hand skill sets. This is why it is so important to learn progressively vs. jumping ahead before one is ready.
Conclusion
The system is structured as it is for a reason. If we jump ahead before we are ready, then we set ourselves up for failure. That is why it is so important to remind those at all levels to take your time and progess in a correct manner.
It is very tempting to see an eBook or video that addresses a level we are not ready for, and then engage that training with the mindset that we can still learn effectively. However, that is rarely the case. More often than not, it creates a poor skill set in what we do know.
Think about the overview I described here and use that to gauge where you currently are and where you are going. Take it slowly, work through each phase of training to competence and completion, and then move ahead. Remember that the end result is not the true goal; instead, it is the journey getting there where our real training is embedded.
email2friend Ramping Up for Winter Training
06
Nov
Baby It’s Cold Outside
With winter creeping up on us in the states, now is the time to start getting ready for cold weather training. Not that we are all training outdoors, of course; rather, the time of year just naturally changes a person’s outlook and training habits. Cold and dreary for some, wet and miserable for others.
Even for those like myself who live in Phoenix and do not have to deal with snow and road salt, the weather change still finds a way to change how we train. So regardless of where you are, changes happen when the seasons change, and that is what we are going to look at with this post.
In general, winter is when you want to get the bulk of your “heavy” training in, and during the hotter summer months, we maintain the level. So even though it is colder for most of us, this is actually the time when you want to really get involved and push yourself to improving your skills, as well as learning new ones.
First, determine where your current skills are and where they should be. Life has a way of sometimes slowing us down a bit, and it is easy to get off track from time to time. So take a look at what you did or did not accomplish this year as a motivator.
Second, now that you have an idea of where you are and what you did or did not get to accomplish this year, you can use that to map out what you will accomplish during the winter.
For example, if you wanted to improve your forms, then you will also want to focus on breathing, strength in your foundation, flexibility, and even in focusing on the correct lines of movement. You can spend an inordinate amount of time always improving these areas, and winter is a great time to slow down and focus on all of these elements.
Another example would be if you were looking to improve your physical conditioning for sparring. For most of us, the summer months are so dreadful that it is tough staying motivated to push through the heat and humidity. But now that it’s winter, that is no longer a factor. Therefore, you can really delve into these areas without worrying about it.
Winter time is usually when I ramp up my own fitness training, as well as working on precision-oriented areas such as targeting with the wall bag, foundational training on the dummy, and improving my weapons skill sets. I take advantage of the slower, more “dreary” time of the year to increase all levels of fitness-oriented type of training, and then work to maintain this through the summer.
Next, now it is time to map out your goals. You need to take a good long look at where you are and where you want to be, and set goals for accomplishing them. Literally write down your goals and use a realistic time frame to achieve them, but keep in mind that it has to be realistic. Otherwise, you will not accomplish them and it becomes another year of no improvement.
As an example, one of my goals this year was to improve my overall structure. I wanted to drive into my opponents with power yet remain defensive and protected. I worked a great deal of footwork on the dummy this year, as well as advanced stepping concepts from the knives. And even with my hectic schedule, I still accomplished a great deal.
I set out with a plan and I achieved the goal, which in itself becomes a motivator for achieving even more goals as they are set.
The final stage is getting down to business and working through our plan. We know what we did or did not get accomplish this year, so we know what needs to be done in the coming months to make a difference in our training. We have to be very blunt with things and tell ourselves straight out that there are no more excuses. Regardless of our work or family schedules, we can always do something to improve our skill sets, and it is up to us to make it happen.
I learned a long time ago that it is not the end result that makes it worthwhile; rather, it is the journey. The journey is where we really learn, so enjoy that journey. Plan your goals, make them realistic with the time frames you have available, and just have fun working through it.
email2friend 
