Good morning.
I have a few more points that I would like to add to my previous post regarding private lessons.
Like my Sifu, I only teach students that have reached an advanced level. This is not only traditional, but eminently sensible. No matter how skilled a judge of people you are, time always tells a person’s true character. Best intentions can be convincing but actions always provide the proof. As a master if you are going to fulfil your duty to the art you cannot afford to waste much time. The most valuable ‘commodity’ in life is the one you can’t replace – and no amount of money, charm or charisma will ever get back the time and energy you spent teaching the wrong person.
The only exception to teaching advanced students is the apprenticeship. In fact I’m even more careful about accepting apprentices. Despite the significant numbers of applicants, I have so far only accepted one (and this person is subject to continuous reviews - I will write in more detail about the apprenticeship at a later date).
Over the years I have been teaching I can state, without doubt, that only the students that take private lessons reach a significant level. Now this does not mean that students cannot develop from within the normal classes. In fact, classes are an essential part of the learning process. It is not possible for students to substitute classes for privates as it is the combination of interaction with other students, along with person correction, that a person needs. This is no different from any other learning - it is much easier, for example, to learn a language with one-on-one classes in addition to the standard classes. However, the similarities stop there. While it may be possible to learn a language without private lessons it is not possible to be a serious martial artist, and certainly not a master, without them. (Incidentally, I realised this from an early age and by the age of 17 I was taking 5 privates a week...). Self-reflection is not enough, the art of Wing Tsun has so much depth that every person needs personal guidance, correction and leadership to reach to another level. It is another Chinese teaching that a student without a master is a person without a path...
Don’t misunderstand me; it does not need to be every student’s aim to be a serious martial artist. Every person, rightly, has their own reason for training martial arts. However, if your aim is to be a martial artist, teacher or master you need to understand the parameters. Experience also shows that students that do not take private lessons do not stay in the long run.
Taking the above into consideration, a basic student also can have private lessons. This can start at any level and the simple way is to speak to one of the Si-Hings or Si-Meis in class. Obviously I don’t know their respective availability, but if you have patience you will get your chance.
Sifu