Greetings on this quintessentially English day.

 

I was recently asked by a student about the requirements for attending my instructor class on a Saturday, so I thought I would say a few words about it. Firstly it is a separate class from the normal weekday ones and is only available by personal invitation by myself (and on recommendation to me by the Si-Hings and Si-Meis). Oddly enough attendance is not dependant on the individual level of the student. Of course it is not appropriate for beginners – but far more important than any grade or skill level is the person’s attitude.

 

For me the Saturday class is for those who want to go deep into the art of Wing Tsun. As I have stated before, this goes further than simply learning self defence skills (although just mastering this is by no means an unworthy goal). It takes some time as a master to realise that not everyone wishes to do this – nor indeed is it appropriate for everyone. To learn the art in depth requires the desire to push yourself as hard as you can, and the willpower not to give in – no matter how tired you are. However, it also requires an understanding of the responsibility to uphold the principles, rules and etiquette of Wing Tsun. No amount of money can buy this understanding – this desire has to come from within. Crucially, therefore, to attend this class a student must show that he or she has a genuine desire to improve him/herself. I realise that the way I have said this makes it sound like there is a strict audition just to train a martial art, but in fact this is the only way the art has survived so many years. As you understand more about people and Wing Tsun you realise two things: 1. the art has a special feeling behind it. It may not tangible, but it doesn’t mean its not there. Without this feeling it the art has no soul, just like an empty puppet; 2. Although it is a fighting art the aim of Wing Tsun was always to improve life – to be constructive not destructive. However, if an inappropriate person ‘teaches’ the art it not only affects the reputation of the art but people’s lives. As a teacher, people have to trust you to help them – especially in Wing Tsun where the whole system is concerned about the development of an individual. Teaching is not a decision that should be undertaken lightly and once accepted should not be neglected or abused.

 

Although the class is taught by either myself or Si-Hing Russell without fail every Saturday, instead of the normal class this week I taught 6 of the seniors 8 hours of private lessons – from 9am-6pm (with an hour for lunch). This was, of course, followed by a run. During this time I taught non-stop on the topic of the 2^nd section of Chi-Sau. As most people will have realised by now I am a perfectionist, particularly regarding the correct understanding and application of Wing Tsun principles and techniques. At the risk of repeating myself, I cannot overestimate the importance of repeated training – on Saturday the seniors must have the various parts of the section at least 6,000 times and I do mean 6,000. This is in addition to all the corrections, theory, notes and the appropriate understanding of nau sau. Although not all of them are professional Wing Tsun practitioners (in the sense of it being their full-time job) I never want any of my students to train like amateurs. If you wish to do something, you should do it properly. Old fashioned I know, but I still believe in it.

 

Sifu