The post below was written yesterday morning. However, it was not possible to post it due to the seminar and grading which resulted in a 15 hour day (details to come...). However, despite the slight time lag, I thought it would still be of interest.

Today I would like to discuss this last week. It has been an important one for teachers and students alike. Not only was there an in-depth 5 day study of Chi-Sau (the ‘soul’ of the art of Wing Tsun) but this culminates in the final grading session of the year later today.

This is often a time of trepidation and apprehension for the students; for, without doubt, this exam is the hardest.  In addition to the normal criteria (and, of course, only accepting the highest standards), the exam also tests the whole of the past year’s development. It is also the only time of the year that the highest grades take place – both students and teachers will be taking exams hoping to progress to the next level. With many students hoping to achieve the equivalent of Black Belt and high Dan grades this is certainly an anxious time; for some this has been a wait for a whole year and failure will mean waiting another year...

Taking exams is stressful at the best of times. However, used appropriately it is an important tool for the students. And Chinese Wing Tsun is an excellent example of this. Our art is a very fair one; your level and ability is only ever as good as the time and effort put in. Talent is not enough to get you through and charm does not work on me (even if it’s appreciated). Development in this art requires hard work, regular training and above all determination.

All students are required to take the final exam as it provides a mirror for the students – a ‘reality check’ as to how hard, how often and how effectively they have trained. In particular it allows the students to go into the New Year knowing how they should be looking to improve.

Preparations for this have, naturally, consumed the classes, privates and training days for the last month. This particularly intensified in the last week. The previous Saturday saw selected students have a 3 ½ hour private lesson dedicated to improving the Chum Kiu. This was followed by a 9 ½ hour lesson on the Sunday for the seniors consisting only of poon-sau and the basic attacks. Indeed, this is not the mention the private lessons that I taught after the seminars on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday finishing at midnight.

And later tonight will show whether this training was enough...

Sifu