Career Day Presentation on Kung Fu

Perez Elementary in La Joya was treated to a career day presentation for Wing Chun Kung Fu.  Martial Arts is one way to make a living, but like anything else, the kids were told, it takes “hard work” which is exactly what Kung Fu is.

The kids were treated to various portions of the Wing Chun forms including the Baat Jam Do form which is something that is rarely shown outside of Wing Chun circles.  All of the kids were reminded of the importance and necessity of skills like reading and writing, mathematics, sciences, etc…and how they pertain to a career in the martial arts.  As an example of the importance of reading and writing, I was able to tell them about Grandmaster Kwok’s latest book. The students were also told that just as in Kung Fu, one does not become a master overnight, so it is with their learning in school.  It takes “hard work” to be able to achieve proficiency and mastery at something. 

 

Thanks to Perez Elementary Kindergarten staff for the invitation. 

Sifu Moses

Arizona Seminar a HUGE success!!!

 

Well, I recently got back from Phoenix, Arizona where I was able to spend the weekend with my Kung Fu uncle, Sifu Nick Minerva and my Sigung, Samuel Kwok.  I had a blast at the seminar!!!

In the seminar, Master Kwok pretty much took all the students through the beginnings of Chi Sao to how to actually use the training of Chi Sao in real fighting.  There were many students in attendance who were still new to Wing Chun altogether and had know idea what chi sao was, and some who had been in wing chun but had not leveled up to that particular training. Master Kwok started us off with drills to get us to understandt he proper use of energy. Without that understanding, he said, all other techniques may not work or may even be taken advantage of by someone who knows what they are doing with their energy and the opponents energy as well. 

We did several exercises in which we were able to get a feel of what it was like to feel an opponents energy to be able to know how to react to it. We did some Ip Chun methods for this including the famous “upside down tan sao” and many others.

From there, we moved on to understanding correct positioning and sensitivity. We did part of this with the dan Chi Sao exercise and then worked a LOT of footwork drills. Foot work is very important as it is the transportation for  your hands to get them where they need to be.

Finally, we talked about proper hand techniques at the end.  We worked on a few different hand techniques including Tan Sao to better understand how the proper hand techniques can help us to achieve our goal of ending the fight as quickly as possible and efficiently as we can.

At the end, we were all able to roll some Chi Sao with each other and Master Kwok was able to go around and offer corrective advice and doctor up people’s wing chun.

What i really enjoyed was meeting other Kung Fu practitioners of other lineages who were open minded enough to come and learn from Master Kwok. This included Sifu Don Grose  and Sifu Phil Bradley who each have their own respective network of students that they brought to come and listen to the teachings of a true Master of Wing Chun.  I was happy to meet and work with all of them and hope to see and train with them all again someday in Wing Chun fellowship. 

Video of the seminar should be available soon as well as pictures discs!!

God bless,

 

Sifu Moses

 

Standards of Wing Chun

Recently, the Ving Tsun Athletic Association released a statement saying that many Ip Man branches of Wing Chun were not up to par in their instructor assessments and that these standards must be maintained or else.  Here is the video from the association.

 

In the steps of the Grandmaster…

 

I recently attended another Gracie Jiu Jitsu seminar hosted by Rodrigo Gracie.  The Gracies are responsible for pretty much putting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the forefront of most popular martial arts in the world today.  It was not too long ago that Grandmaster Samuel Kwok and Master Carlson Gracie teamed up for a “Double Impact” seminar in which each master brought students with them to taste and see what each art brought to the table in terms of combat and self-defense.  It was not about “which style is better…” but “how can I use each style to help me become a better fighter”? 

In the footsteps of Grandmaster Kwok, I myself have become good friends with an instructor for a Royce Gracie Network school and we have exchanged some techniques and ideas about self-defense and fighting without trying to convince each other out of our respective arts.  We both recognize the value that each of us bring to different aspects of fighting.  I would argue that the Wing Chun person who is not familiar with the ground should learn what it is like to be on the ground as well as the person who is comfortable on the ground, learn what it is like to have to be on your feet.  There might be instances where going to the ground might be ok, but there are also instances where it is not (like in a club, in a parking lot with broken glass or weapons of convenience around or when your taking on multiple opponents).

Needless to say, I enjoyed the seminar very much.  We learned many things revolving around a series of movements starting from a stand-up position, learning a take down, some defensive maneuvering, an arm-bar, how to get out of an armbar (my favorite part!) and reversing somebody who gets out of an armbar into submission.  There is some terminology that I an completely unfamiliar with like “Kumora” and “something plata” but boy do they hurt!!! 

 

Sifu Moses

Grandmaster Kwok Seminar Postponed

I am sorry to announce that the seminar with Grandmaster Kwok has been postponed until further notice.  I am sorry for this news. However, those still wanting to train with Master Kwok are welcomed to attend his seminar in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 25th .  Click on the Phoenix Wing Chun link located to the right  of this post.

 

Regards,

 

Sifu Moses

MMA and Kimbo Slice…proof that simple techniques can work

Kimbo Slice has long been a feared and revered figure in street fighting tales and recently in the MMA ring.  Saturday night he LOST to a complete underdog and last minute replacement for Ken Shamrock.  The technique?  Well, it was similar to a Wing Chun “lifting kick” in which you use to let the rushing opponent walk in to….Kimbo walks into it and his momentum carries his torso forward. While his torso is falling forward, his head is naturally coming with it…at this instant, Petruzelli gives a quick short powered strike right across Kimbo’s left eye stunning the big man and dropping him in disbelief.  The rest was just wild and rapid punches toward Kimbo’s head – many of them missing the mark.

What does this prove?  SIZE DOESN’T MATTER!!!  Everbody has their “button” that if you can press, they are going to go down no matter what!  Obviously, MMA has rules to limit the “buttons” that you can press but, street situations do not.  Eyes? Poke ’em!! Throat?  Faak it!!! Knees? Break ’em!!! 

 

Here’s the fight

 

Sifu Moses