To become a high-level athlete, not only you need to train like one but also live and eat like one. It also means eating proper foods that will nourish and fuel you.

This mindset also applies to martial artists in ancient and present times. Martial artists in the past were soldiers, warriors, personal bodyguards, and securities for transportations of goods.

There are six pillars or components to be proficient in a martial art system. There are in the following:

 1) Form (拳)
 2) Principle and Theory(心)
3) Training (功)
4) Application (用)
5) Lifestyle (活)
6) Nutrition/ Diet (食)

In Wing Chun literature and maxim, it states the following. If two equally skilled martial artists are in a duel, the one who is better conditioned physically wins.

If you wish to take yourself into new heights with your fitness and martial art skill level, feel free to send me a message about my private classes.

As the saying goes – it is faster with a master, especially with the one who practices what he preaches.

In Wing Chun a lot of our techniques requires us to have our hands cooperating with one another as well with our legs in cross positions (example left hand moving with the right leg). In Wing Chun, one of our major goals is to attack and defend at the same time, this will allow us to become more efficient with our movements. One example is our Lap Da or Lap Sao techniquen, a counter-movement where one hand sinks the other opponent’s straight attack and the other hand punching. Without being coordinated we wouldn’t have the ability to execute the technique smoothly.

Being well coordinated also mean one is well-balanced. As human beings we already apply the principle of balance while we are walking. Our left hand will swing out, right foot steps forward vice versa. However, as a martial artist sometimes we tend to forget about this basic principle, where we think martial arts movements and everyday movements are two separate entity. One example will be our Tan Gerk (Push Kick), in order to have balance we will need an opposite arm coming forward. For example left hand out, right leg kicks, if we kick and block with the same arm there is a higher chance of falling down as there’s too much weight on side.

Below I have three exercises drills for your own person reference. These are some fundamental movements that I use for my own students.

I was at a workshop at the YMCA the other day on Meditation and Mindfulness. Thought I’ll share with you some exercises and notes that I thought were neat. Hope you enjoy!

What is Mindfulness
A state of active, open attention. Mindfulness is achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thought and bodily sensations.

Simple Meditation Exercise
Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breath. Take a few moments and allow your focus to broaden to your body and the sensations that it’s feeling. Now expand your focus to anything touching your body, noticing those sensations. Lastly expand your awareness to everything you can hear and sense. Now reverse this process and come back, one step at a time to your breath.

Mindful Appreciation Exercise
Notice five things in your day that usually go unappreciated. These things can be objects or people – it is up to you. use a notepad to check off five by the end of the day. Once you have identified your five things, make it your duty to find out everything you can about these things and bring awareness to how they support your life.

Mindful Eating Exercise
Five questions
Before, during and after you eat ask yourself these five questions.
1) Why do I want to eat?
2) What do you want to eat?
3) How much am I enjoying this food?
4) How full am I?
5) Why did I eat that (or that much)?

Why Mindfulness is a Superpower

I came across this article last week “The Death Of The Martial Artist (How To Tell If You Still Are One)” and I recommend it if you’re interested in the article (see link down below). The article basically talks about how a lot of martial art practitioners in modern day aren’t showing a lot of character and the coaches are encouraging more violence and not teaching much about moral and respect. Which sparks the subject of what makes a True Martial Artist.

In my personal opinion, what make a “True Martial Artist” is the value they want to pass to others. Yes, you can’t deny the fact that martial art was created for personal safety or for war, however it’s the value that makes people want to learn it. Soldiers aren’t learning martial arts primary to kill. (At least the sane ones aren’t.) It is a reason but not the main reason. I argue that the main reason is that they want to protect their country, their family, their belief and their freedom.

When you reach a high level of skill or have experience in an age of war or violence, you’ll appreciate the absence of violence and the absence of war. Veterans who have gone through WWII or the Vietnam War will probably tell you how they hate war and violence. True martial arts is suppose to build the person’s character, compassion toward another and to build a better community or nation.

“The greatest victory is one which requires no battle” – The Art of War – Sun Tzu.

Classical martial arts like Ju-jitsu, Aiki-jitsu, Ken-jitsu are now Judo, Aikido, Kendo. The jitsu (killing techniques) are removed. That’s why they called it “Do” meaning how to use martial art as a way of life. A way to cultivate your body, mind and soul. Using martial art principles and core and apply it into your daily living. That’s why Grandmaster Moy Yat will always say Kung Fu Life, how to apply Wing Chun principles into your daily living.

Moral codes aren’t written only for martial hobbyist but also for soldiers. In Chinese culture we called this Wu De (Martial Code of Conduct) or Bushido in Japanese Culture. These are all written by soldiers who train in martial arts. In the end it really boils down the character of the person and this applies to anything in life. If you want to be successful in anything, you need have good character. The same goes with martial arts.

“Only with a Righteous Heart can lead to a Proper Martial Way” – Yip Man

 

https://dynastyclothingstore.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/the-death-of-the-martial-artist-how-to-tell-if-you-are-still-one/

What you think you are paying for:
– Being taught to kick and punch.

What you are actually paying for:
– A Life Coach
– A Psychologist
– A Mentor
– An Inspirer
– A Supporter
– A Friend
– A Problem Solver
– A Stress Reliever
– Being encouraged to believe in yourself
– A Personal Trainer & Dietician
– Strength, Flexibility, and Weight Loss
– Being taught Personal Victory
– Someone on call for you, 24/7
– Someone who encourages you and your children to have Respect, Patience, Humility, Discipline, Perseverance, Empathy, Courtesy, Listening Skills, Loyalty, and Self-Control just to name a few
– Being taught how to work hard and enjoy life
– Being held accountable for your actions
– Being encouraged to set goals AND to reach your goals
– Someone who helps you build emotional strength and mental stability
– Someone who will hug you when you are down, pick you up when you’ve fallen, remind you of your worth, and stand by loyally when you feel like no one else will
– Someone who teaches you to stand up to bullies
– Knowledge, Wisdom, Martial Arts Training, Opportunity, Training Equipment, and a safe Dojo to train in, and someone who puts their heart and soul into you.
– Someone who has spent their entire life in training to assist you

Still think you are paying too much for your ‘’Kicking and Punching’’ class??

Would a doctor, lawyer, plumber, carpenter, dentist, chef, mechanic, dressmaker, shop owner, or psychologist offer all of the above for free in addition to their regular service that they charge for?

Wing Chun is a 300 years old martial art system which was created by a Buddhist nun, named Ng Mui. What makes Wing Chun unique is that it does not rely on any brute strength to overcome an adversary.

Wing Chun is a close-quarter martial art system which focuses on the efficiency and economy of movements, where it defends and attacks simultaneously. Wing Chun emphasizes on proper body mechanics, body structure, timing and relaxation in order to overcome a stronger and bigger adversary.

Wing Chun consists of three empty hand forms, one wooden dummy form and two weapon forms. Each form has their own uniqueness and is used for deeper understanding of the system as the student progress further into the curriculum. Along with the form, another training that is unique to the Wing Chun system is Chi Sao (Sticky hand). This training allows the individual to understand the proper distance and angle during a confrontation as well developing their sensitivity and reflexes when two people collide.

Aside from the combative perspective, the true essence of Wing Chun is developing an individual’s sense of self, confidence and a physical and mental wellbeing. It also to help the individual to tap into the strength that is already within them through self discovery and focus. With these skill assets, an individual can accomplish a lot more than just learning how to throw a heavy punch. Ultimately, Wing Chun is an expression of one self and is the harmonization and unification of the individual’s mind, body and spirit.

From time to time I get the question from people why I’m missing an “s” in Martial Art or if it’s a grammar error. It’s actually on purpose. In my years of studying and research of Wing Chun and other martial arts style, I notice that every style consist the same foundation and principles. Whether it’s hard style, soft style, internal or external style ( which, I don’t believe there’s really a difference, but this will be discuss in another day) the principles and foundation such as proper body alignment with the spine, body should be upright, shoulders and elbows sinking applies to every martial art style.

These are the basic detail if one wants to generate power and most importantly the ability to apply one’s body unit power. As long as we all have two arms, two legs, we will be fighting and moving the same. There’s really a limited amount of movements and patterns you can really do with your body. In the end every style move in the similar shape – circles or straight-lines (triangle or zig zag). In my philosophy of martial arts is that every style is the same. We’re walking to the same finishing point but we just started from a different path. Therefore it is an Art rather than Arts, because everything is the same. There’s a popular martial art saying in Chinese “萬佛歸宗” literally translates to “Ten thousand Buddha returning as one”. Meaning no matter what source or style of martial art you’re training, every style at the end is the same.

Then you may ask why study Wing Chun or any style if everything is the same? You need to pick a style so you can learn how to defend yourself properly. Also, you need to know how to utilize your body more scientifically and systemically, so you can generate proper bodily force. It’s like choosing a car, there’s so many varies to choose from, but just need one that is able to take you from A to B. Of course personal preference is also important as well.

For myself, I chose Wing Chun (sometimes I think Wing Chun choose me instead) and continue to practice Wing Chun because it is a style that solely rely on skills. I don’t need to condition my limbs so that my bones will be more condense when clashing with another person, I don’t need to weight train to build up muscles. In Wing Chun, we already established that we are weaker and fragile and that there will always be someone bigger, stronger and faster. We can only rely on skill (body structure, timing, speed, sensitivity) to overcome a stronger adversary .

To end this blog, I’ll end with a quote by Wing Chun grandmaster Moy Yat – “The purpose of Wing Chun is to lead you to be free and relaxed. This can never be achieved if you are tied physically and emotionally to techniques. You must free yourself from dependence on mechanical expression and trust your body, your own Kung fu to protect yourself.”