Good morning.

 

Im afraid I haven’t had the chance to post much recently, but I will attempt to catch up this week. I would like to start by following on from my last post and discuss the concept behind grading in martial arts in a little bit more detail. Whenever you raise this conversation between martial artists it tends to brings out a polarised result depending on their background: either they despise the idea or they think that the martial arts could not exist without it. It is quite a lengthy topic, but I will attempt to show, in brief, some of my views, which I hope are a balance somewhere in between these. However, I will first start by discussing some of its limitations.

 

One thing that is clear is that arrival of a grading system in martial arts is mainly due to Western influence; when Wing Tsun came into existence around 300 years ago there was certainly no grading system. Indeed, even as recent as Grandmaster Yip Man this was still the case, simply called ‘Sifu’ by his students. I feel these facts are quite often forgotten or ignored, leading to grading systems frequently being overused and overvalued. This applies not only to Wing Tsun but martial arts in general. It is essential to recognise that a person is not respected just because they have a certain grade; but because of who they are (a concept truly applicable to life)

 

Please don’t misunderstand me; I have a great deal of respect for people who have achieved high levels in the martial (and a number of my personal students have achieved extremely high levels in a variety of martial arts apart from Wing Tsun), but it should be put in context. A person should not train with a master solely because of their level: much more important is a feeling of affinity with that master; belief in him as a person, as well as his deep understanding the art. The grade itself should be a reflection of this, nothing else. After all a grade is simply a piece of paper or a different coloured uniform.

 

The problems with the various grading systems begin with the master issuing the grade. There is nothing to stop anyone calling themselves a ‘Grandmaster’ (and far too many people do). Any grade is only as good as the person representing it and the person it came from. This title means nothing unless what they are representing is also real. The other problems which emanate from this, and regrettably I have witnessed this at first hand, is that the use of grading for the promotion of both egoism and exploitation for the sake of money. Martial arts is no different from the rest of life – where there is good idea with true meaning behind it, many people copy and make ‘empty’ versions of the same thing without the same beliefs, concepts and understanding behind it.

 

However, despite the above, I do believe that the grading does have a place in the Wing Tsun system if the correct approach is taken. I am afraid that, again, I can only speak for myself and my Sifu, but I have hope that other people feel, and act, the same way.

 

For me, the primary purpose of the grading system is to provide a logical and coherent syllabus to enable the student to progress in the most effective way. However, while this provides the structure, I also believe that the grading itself is a test of character. Just because a person can do the required movements does not mean that they pass the grade (I have failed quite a number of people over the years for this reason); they must show the ability to be able to uphold good manners and etiquette and be able to persevere no matter how hard the conditions or how tired that person is.

 

This is particularly true in my schools as the grading only occurs at the end of seminars (which have at least 12 hours of training). Each person will then be graded personally for between 2 and 4 hours, certainly no easy feat both physically and mentally. As a master I can tell you that you can always see the real person inside from how well they react under pressure. This kind of grading is similarly instrumental in building a person stronger inside, giving them the belief and ability to continue where most people would give up. Combined with this is the fact that it is also a basic rule in Chinese Wing Tsun is that as a person progresses through the grade they must also develop as a person.

 

The grading system can also provide from of goal setting, a tangible way of seeing progress. However, this should not be overemphasised, as the motivation should be to learn the art - not simply ‘collect’ another badge or belt. Finally by a student grading it shows dedication to the system and their master, and their intention to progress through the system and not look for the unattainable ‘quick-fix’ solution.

 

Any kind of grading requires a large amount of responsibility and should not be undertaken lightly; not only must you grade in a fair, equitable and appropriate way but high standards for each particular level must always be upheld. For me the reputation of Wing Tsun means far more to me that any material goods. It is better to be poorer person with a clean soul than richer person with a dirty one.

 

Sifu

 

Ps on a separate note the photos from the Biu Jee seminar are now in the gallery and some of the Instructor’s profiles are now on the Instructor page.