Sifu Ralph of WT Vancouver was invited by Sifu German to Calgary WT for the 2010 Spring Seminar from June 11-12th, with a bonus pre-seminar class on June 10th.
This seminar review is not only influenced by the teachings of Sifu Ralph, but also by training with two great WT Kung Fu Brothers, Sihings Tony and Edmond, who also flew in from Vancouver (pictured below).
Before the first night, I met up with Tony and Edmond for a chat over some snacks and coffee/tea. We ordered the “Flatbread with 3 dips”, one of the dips being garlic-flavoured.
Having garlic-breath was part of my secret plan of repelling any close-quarter attacks from any of my training partners that night. But alas, Edmond foiled my plan with his generosity: some refreshing chewing gum before we headed to class.
These visits from WT Vancouver are never disappointing. Day 0, as I call the informal pre-seminar class, was followed by the official 2-day seminar.
All chockfull of WT goodness.
As I usually like to do with seminar reviews, instead of a chronological summary, here are some random thoughts I had:
Purpose
If we don’t understand the purpose of a drill, exercise, or whatever we are training, how can we understand the benefits?
One example is understanding the Lat Sau program.
As mentioned in a previous post, in Lat Sau, we start disconnected from our partner. Then we engage. But, sensitivity and pressure-reaction-training are not the only things we train in Lat Sau. We can learn many things in this program: positioning, footwork, timing, seeing openings, mobility, etc. So many things to think about.
Some may not like the Lat Sau drills because they seem static, but it is likely as static as it was taught. If you find someone like Sifu Ralph who understands the purpose of Lat Sau, and knows the many intricate details within these drills, you have yourself an amazing dynamic training tool that will improve your WT.
We are not just limited to thinking about Lat Sau in this manner. Why not analyze whatever exercise you are doing?
“The usefullness of a cup is in its emptiness”
Scenario:
Instructor shows a new drill to practice. Result: Students do something different.
Instructor gives a reminder about drill both visually and verbally. Students do something different yet again.
Instructor shows what NOT to do. Students train exactly that… what NOT to do!
Why does this happen?!
I think it has a lot to do with being comfortable with familiar surroundings, movements, and reactions. It is never easy to learn something new, especially when it comes to moving differently than how we are accustomed to. So how do we counteract this? After looking within, here are some ideas I came up with…maybe they will apply to others who find themselves in a similar situation.
#1. Empty your cup
(or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NOH6kOr8eY if you can't see the embedded video)
Be open to new ideas. You are still allowed to think about the “whats” and “whys” in the drill. Ask questions!
#2. Don’t be shy
There’s no one really watching you. You won’t make a fool of yourself by moving and wiggling your body or what-not. Just try it!
#3. Look beyond the motions
A bit esoteric I know. But valid I think. We should not only want to learn the specific techniques and methods, but what lies beneath them.
Look beneath to look beyond. Huh?
Observe, think, wonder, imagine, discover. Is there something else that you can learn from the drill that is not visually obvious the first time?
Hopefully, you find these suggestions helpful. Would love to hear your thoughts.
(More in a later post on “Drills and Training Strategies”… still in progress)
Other final thoughts
Edmond’s nickname is “Wooden Arms”, but I think I felt “Cinder Blocks” on my neck.
Tony (Leung) is the one of the most patient WT training partners I have had.
Sifu Tony (Tam) was excited to share more of his thoughts and ideas again, even getting a bit more actively involved during the seminar; it is always very interesting to hear about another lineage of Wing Chun from Fatshan.
Another spring, another seminar, another dinner, another step towards “becoming WT”!
