Kung Fu is Hard Work

An important distinction exists between learning kung fu and learning about kung fu.  Many times people get the two confused.  While they can support one another, the distinction remains.  To learn kung fu, one must put forth physical and mental energy, one must put forth hard work.  To learn about kung fu, one need only pick up a book or look on the internet.  No matter how many youtube videos, movies, documentaries, books, or website articles you view or read, do not think that knowing about kung fu equates to knowing kung fu.

If you know it in your head but not your body, it will do little good in a physical confrontation.  To learn it in your body, you need to play a lot of kung fu.  Have faith in the system, relax, and your body will come to know kung fu.

Train hard. Relax hard.

Before You Ask Your Sifu, Part 3

This is the third post in a series.  To understand the concept behind this series, please refer to Part 1.

Efficiency

Train hard.  Relax hard.

Before You Ask Your Sifu, Part 2

This is the second post in a series.  To understand the concept behind the series, refer back to Part 1.

Relaxation

Train hard. Relax hard.

The Kung Fu Journey

Embarking on the path of kung fu is embarking on a journey.  This could be said for any martial art.  All martial arts aspire to take you to great heights with the highest point akin to the top of a mountain.  Different martial arts have different paths, all leading to the same peak.  Some are short and treacherous, others are long and flowing, some are very difficult.

No two people follow exactly the same path.  Different individuals will have different obstacles to overcome and some may need to linger on certain parts of the path longer than others.  Sometimes people may co-travel but eventually their paths diverge.  Some change paths many times.  Many never make it to the top of the mountain.  That’s OK as the view from halfway up is satisfactory to them.  Reaching the point of mastery is a goal that few who start on the journey ever achieve.

It is important to enjoy your Ving Tsun journey: the friendships and camaraderie that develop, the physical skills and relaxation you cultivate, and the improvements that unfold in your life.  Kung fu takes people on different journeys.  These journeys take people where they need to go.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu

Train hard.  Relax hard.

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.

WWYVTD?

According to legend, Ng Mui, an abbess from the Shaolin temple took pity on a beautiful young woman who was being forced to marry a local warlord. The woman had an agreement with the warlord that if she could defeat him in battle, she would not have to marry him. Ng Mui designed a system of kung fu and taught it to Yim Ving Tsun enabling her to defeat him. Ng Mui named her new system after her first student. A more detailed account of the legend as spoken by Grandmaster Ip Man can be found here.

The legend of Ving Tsun can be utilized to help our training.

What would Yim Ving Tsun do?

One may assume that Yim Ving Tsun was smaller in stature than the warlord. If a technique you’re playing is not working because you seem to be expending a large amount of energy, ask yourself, “What would Yim Ving Tsun do?”

The Ving Tsun system enables a smaller person to defeat a larger opponent without using strength. If you’re larger than your partner, are you using your size or muscle to force the technique to work? If you’re smaller than your partner, are you using strength to compensate? Would Yim Ving Tsun have done it that way?

Train hard, relax hard.

What do you do in your spare time?

I had the pleasure of attending the Detroit school’s anniversary seminar over Memorial Day weekend this year.  On Friday night, Sigung Moy Tung gave an excellent kung fu lecture.    During his discourse, he said, “If you want to master kung fu, there’s no such thing as practicing kung fu in your spare time because in your spare time, you will be resting.”  This statement caused me to reevaluate how I train kung fu.

To achieve mastery in any given endeavor requires discipline, dedication, and hard work.  It may not be convenient to practice kung fu everyday.  Those who are on the path to becoming masters will do it anyway.  They will make it a normal routine in their lives.  Therefore, they will rest in their spare time, as their training has already been completed.  The hobbyists pursue kung fu in their spare time.  If it is not convenient for them to attend class on a particular day, they may take that day off.  Training is much more flexible.

Is it bad to practice kung fu as a hobbyist?  Not at all.  A multitude of benefits can be derived from the pursuit of kung fu that will enrich your life and a high level of kung fu can be cultivated over time.  By attending kung fu class multiple times a week, you’re already way ahead of most people and you’re developing a great skill set to boot.  But can one expect to rival the skills of the greatest masters by attending kung fu class 3 times a week for a couple of hours as one’s sole training?  Do Olympic athletes compete after spending an average of six hours a week training?

By distinguishing levels of training and commitment, you can choose to step up to a higher level of dedication.  Follow your own kung fu path and it will show you where you need to go.