Before You Ask Your Sifu, Part 1

First, if you are having problems with a technique, do not ask your sifu.  Figure it out on your own.  Not only will you enhance your understanding of the Ving Tsun system, you will develop your mind and body.

That being said, there are principles in Ving Tsun that you can use as tools when you are learning and perfecting techniques.

This three-part series of blog posts will be different in that each will focus on one word.  Read these posts and take time to think of the concept and how it applies to kung fu.  Meditate on these and generate your own ideas.  Then, if you’re still in, see how you can apply the ideas in your own training.

Centerline

Train hard. Relax hard.

Training Outside of Class

In addition to attending class on a regular basis, diligent kung fu students set aside time to train outside of class.

Finding Time

We live in a busy world.  You need to make time for kung fu if you wish to become proficient in it.  Many things compete for your attention and can divert you away from your goals if you let them.

Find a time to play kung fu that works best for you.  Training first thing in the morning is an excellent time.  As your day unfolds there is less chance of putting it off or having other pressing things take its place.  If you’re not a morning person, find a time during the day and commit to it.  It doesn’t really matter when you choose to do it as long as you stay consistent.

What Do You Need to Work On?

If there is something within kung fu that you are having problems with, don’t understand, or were recently opened  to, these would be good things to play while utilizing your training time.  Playing forms and doing conditioning are good options as well.  Going back to explore the basics always pays off.  If you’re in doubt about what to do during the time you’ve set aside, play Siu Nim Tao.

You can choose one or two things you need to work on and pursue these for several weeks or months, or you may want to practice whatever you feel like doing that day.  You may choose to play your kung fu for a certain length of time or you may choose to do a certain number of repetitions of a form or technique to determine the duration of your practice.  You may employ either of these methods over the course of your training.

There are many different ways you can structure your out-of-class training.  You must find the way that works best for you and be consistent.  This in itself is part of your kung fu journey.

Train hard.  Relax Hard.