It is important to remember that Ving Tsun training is about
developing attributes and internalizing principles, it is not about
accumulation. It is often the case that a junior todai (student) will look at
what his seniors are doing and have a desire to learn it. There’s nothing
wrong with that as long as the student understands that his ability to perform what
his seniors are doing is determined by how well he understands the material he
or she is currently studying. There is really no beginner or advanced training
it’s all just Ving Tsun but we have to start somewhere and we must move forward
in a logical fashion in order for the skills to be developed properly. If the process is rushed or if you are operating under a misapprehension there will be holes
in your Kung Fu that will be difficult to correct later.
Let’s take Pak Sao as an example. Pak Sao doesn’t look like
much yet every essential attribute and principle can be explored via Pak Sao.
The worst thing you can do is to interpret Pak Sao as some sort of combative
drill i.e. “blocking punches”. Pak Sao is essentially a physical discussion of
centerline, energy, and hand replacement. The key to gaining anything out of
the Pak Sao exercise is to understand it in this context. To perform the exercise
in a perfunctory manner while thinking about what comes next is a waste of
time. This is true for all the exercises leading up to Chi-Sao.
If you cannot teach someone Pak Sao beyond the physical choreography
then you do not understand the drill. If at any stage in your training you
cannot explain what you are doing and why you are doing it then by definition
you do not know what you are doing.
Treat each stage of your training like a research project,
try to glean as much insight and skill as you can prior to moving on to the next
phase. Do not be eager to move on prematurely. Even consider not taking the
opportunity to move forward if you know within your heart you are not ready.
It is also very important to help your sidai (juniors), this
will improve your Kung Fu immensely, Once again the best proof that you have a
firm understanding of something is your ability to explain and convey it to
someone else…face to face, mind to mind, heart to heart.
