Last week I continued to teach the classes, giving all the students the chance to have a focused start to the year. One of the classes, however, deserves a particular mention, not just for the material taught, but for how it was trained.

 

Diversity of knowledge and depth of study has always been one of the blessings of Chinese Wing Tsun. However, even the greatest knowledge is useless if it cannot be utilised. In Chinese Wing Tsun the aim is not to learn applications, but instead to train our body to be a weapon, able to move and react seamlessly without thought. In physical terms the forms, chi-sau, lat-sau and applications are a means to achieve this result.

 

There are many ways that this can be achieved, and there is not one right method - although there are certainly incorrect ones. The class in question was notable because the students practised the same technique for 2 whole hours. We did literally thousands of repetitions, finishing drenched in sweat and the room in mist. Whilst this kind of singular focus is not necessary for every class, it has its place. When trained correctly, as in this case, the effect is distinct; not only was the technique involved better but the improvement on the whole range of the students skills was marked – speed, dynamics, power, co-ordination and footwork were all substantially enhanced. It does take determination and a certain mindset to push though this training (and I've even had quite a few military personnel comment that they have never sweated so much!), but the results cannot be argued with.

 

What was particularly interesting was that no student felt that they had ‘mastered' the technique involved. Without doubt everybody could feel the improvements, but they also learnt more about what they needed to improve. In my time I have come across too many arrogant, and frankly lazy, students and teachers who think that because they have ‘learnt’ it once they don’t need to seriously practise it. Ultimately they are the ones that suffer, but you would be well advised to learn from their mistakes. Remember learning is different from applying – it is not just what you do but how you do it...

 

Sifu