I have some tea and I want to share it. If you like I will
pour you some tea. It is a strong tea with a distinctive taste, so strong that
you will never forget it. The taste is so strong and so unique that if you
tasted it again you would immediately recognize it. I only have enough tea for
10 people, and cannot make more right now, I simply don’t have the time. I
could add some water to the tea so that more of you could have some, but then
it wouldn’t be as strong or distinctive. You would not get the pure taste, only
a semblance.
If you would like to share this special tea with others then
I can show you how the tea is made, which leaves to pick, what part of the leaf
to use, how to dry the leaves. I can also show you how to prepare the tea to
get the best taste. This requires time, effort, and patience. If you enjoy a
good tea then the effort is worth it. Will you have some tea with me?
In the martial arts one hears the term master quite a bit,
maybe even too much. In the west the term has been cheapened and commercialized
to a certain degree (possibly in the east as well). For the right price there
are people who will give you the title of master in the time it takes you to
write them a check. For those of us who are serious about martial arts what
does the title master really mean?
Typically we think of anyone who can display a sublime level
of skill in their chosen discipline as a master. As martial artist I think we
should add a few more criteria, with physical skill simply being an entry level
requirement. In addition to displaying a high level of skill a master should be
able to articulate in an easy to understand manner the principles on which his
or her art is based, giving his students a pathway to reach the same level of
skill if they are willing to put forth the same level of effort, thought, and
reflection.
Also a master of the martial arts should be an example of
health and vitality. Not necessarily an Olympic level athlete but also not a
professional donut taster. A master should demonstrate a healthy lifestyle and
should be able to share with his or her students how they may also lead a
healthier lifestyle.
Lastly, masters should have a deep level of
understanding that is reflected in how they live their lives. They should have
quality relationships and strive to make a difference in the lives of others.
People value the relationship they have with a true master for how much it
enriches their lives. They are not preachy, over bearing, or cryptic they
simply speak and relate with honesty and integrity and a desire to help us
discover and express our best selves.
Martial arts systems use a variety of training methods. Some
stick to one or two methods while others use a variety. It is important to
understand the various training methods and what can be gained by utilizing
them. It is also important to consider this information in choosing a martial
art to study. Your personal preference and physical limitations may have some
bearing on what training methods you would favor.
Forms Training
Forms training is usually the starting point in most traditional
martial arts systems. Forms are a series a choreographed movements designed to
teach the student the basic principles, concepts, and movements of a particular
system.
Technique Training
In learning a technique you are learning a specific response
to a specific attack. This method of training is good for beginners and people
who have no prior martial arts training. It develops some degree of mind body
connection and definitely improves things such as coordination and balance.
However it will take a long time before any real martial skill is developed
using this method alone.
Sparring
Sparring is an excellent training method but it must be
structured and introduced in levels of difficulty and intensity. The student
must already have a good basic foundation before any sparring is done otherwise
the risk of injuries is very high. Sparring develops stamina and mental
toughness, it will also give the student the opportunity to see at what level
they are able to make their skills work against an uncooperative adversary.
Training using an apparatus
The Wooden Dummy from Wing Chun Kung Fu, a punching bag, a
speed bag, a makiwara, a sao bao, all of these are considered training
apparatus. Using an apparatus functions as supplementary training usually to
develop one or more martial attributes such as speed, power, coordination etc.
The proper use of any apparatus normally requires expert instruction in order
to reap the full benefits of this mode of training.
Using Pads and Shields
These could also be considered training apparatus however
with boxing, kick boxing, MMA, and JKD as well as several other systems there
is very intricate pad and shield work that can only be provided by a skilled
trainer. You can simply use pads and shields to get accustomed to hitting
something but higher level skill development can only be achieved with an
instructor.
Sensitivity Training
What I mean by sensitivity training is the ability to glean
significant information from any limb to limb or body to body contact concerning
intent, direction, force, and balance. There are many systems that utilize
sensitivity training, the depth of the skills acquired and the manner in which
they are used vary from system to system. It is not an easy skill to acquire
but it is one of those skills that distinguishes someone who is just a good
fighter from someone who is a master.
Consider that any decent martial arts system will use at
least three of these 6 training methods. Any one method by itself will produce
a limited skill set with shallow depth. Ideally if you are training for
self-defense you want a solid and broad skill set that is easily adaptable to
any situation you are likely to face on the street. Being an expert within a
very limited set of skills can be detrimental.
The Baht Jahm Do is the last and most advanced skill set
learned in the Ving Tsun Kung Fu system. The Ving Tsun practitioner’s hands
become ten times more deadly as his hands have now become blades. When learning
to use these weapons one must also learn to consider and incorporate a certain
state of mind. A state of mind that will allow you to do what is necessary in a
life or death situation even if it involves killing. This is a lot to consider
and should not be taken lightly. One has to ask themselves the following
questions, are my skills sharp enough that I could kill if necessary. Do I
possess the mental fortitude necessary to kill if needed? Under what
circumstances would I be willing to take a life? Under what circumstances is a
lethal response legally justifiable? This is not our natural state, in our everyday
lives we do not contemplate killing on a regular basis, but it is important to
have the ability to instantly access this frame of mind if the need arises.
We are not speaking of a psychopathic mindset, more akin to resolute
single-mindedness; being fully in the present moment and 100% committed to
doing what must be done. It is not rooted in emotions like anger or fear, it is
rooted in awareness and clarity. As regular people living our everyday day
lives we rarely if ever encounter a set of circumstances that would make this state
of mind necessary. However it is important to know what your mental, physical,
and spiritual limitations are and to be able act fully and efficiently within
those parameters. Spend some time with these ideas and take an honest
assessment of yourself, better now than in a moment of crisis.
1.Get off the line of attack As your opponent initiates his attack, get
out of the way. Do your best to get off of the line of attack. The manner in
which you do this is very important it is not a dodge or a retreat. You should move
just enough so that you do not get hit and there should be a forward component
to your movement but we’ll get into that more a little later.
2.Occupy Centerline As you are moving in reference to your adversary
you must forcefully occupy your centerline. Punches, kicks, and deflections
must be employed with energy and commitment as you break critical distance. Halfhearted
attempts will cause you to lose the opportunity to gain superior position and
put you in danger.
3.Move Forward There are only four ways you can be
physically attacked with a punch or kick as defined by the type of energy being
used in the attack (long or short) and the path that the attack takes through
space (linear or circular). For linear attacks you want to move ever so
slightly off the line and then move forward while occupying centerline. For
circular attacks you can move outside the arc of the attack and deflect it or
move inside the arc of the attack to receive and dissipate it. In either case
it is important to create the opportunity to move forward to engage and land a
finishing blow. Use your sensitivity to problem solve if your attempts to strike
are thwarted. Engage, bridge, and finish as quickly as possible. The longer you
take the higher the probability something can go wrong.
Many people use the term Karate as
a generic term for martial arts. This is incorrect, Karate is a specific term
for a specific martial art. Karate is a Japanese form of unarmed combat
specializing in various punches and kicks. There are also several different
styles of Karate each with unique methods and tactics. It really irritates
serious martial artist when Karate is used as a generic term for all martial
arts, so try not to do that.
2.You have to register your hands as deadly
weapons
There is a very popular urban legend that
trained fighters must register their hands as deadly weapons. This is not true
in any way shape or form. However a trained fighter does have to consider any
legal ramifications if he uses his training on the street. Any use of force that
is greater than what would be necessary to neutralize a perceived threat could
be grounds for prosecution.
3.It’s just for kids
When many people think about
martial arts they think of it as character building and exercise for young
children. As if there aren’t adults that could use some exercise and character
building. Seriously speaking, martial arts practice is a worthy pursuit for
anyone from age 8 to 80. There are hundreds if not thousands of different
martial arts that one could learn. All you have to do is find something that
suits your physicality, level of fitness, and your personality and then get
started. It is by no means just for kids!
4.I
want to learn the ultimate martial art
There is no one martial art that rules them
all. There is no one system that you can learn that will make you invincible.
The effectiveness of any given martial arts depends a great deal on the
individual practitioner. There are some people who are so talented they can
make something that seems totally impractical work every time. There are people
who are so challenged that even the simplest most straight forward technique
may not work for them.
5.UFC/MMA is like street fighting
MMA is a wonderful sport that
requires talent, skill, dedication and many many hours of training. MMA has
rules and regulations meant to insure the safety of its participants and give
them the opportunity to showcase their very impressive skills. It is in no way
nor does it intend to be an approximation of a street fight. Street fights have
no rules, no rounds, often there are no winners, and many losers. Street
fighting is not fair, it is often not one on one mutual combat and very likely
involves weapons. If your primary interest in martial arts is to become a
successful street fighter then there are some other issues you may want to
address prior to beginning your martial arts study.
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.
