SiSok Haw Kuo is Back in Chicago!

SiSok Haw Kuo is Back in Chicago!

SiSok Haw Kuo of Art of Wing Tsun (www.artofwingtsun.com) was back in Chicago from August 21-23, 2015, to train the WTK Instructors on the Luk Dim Boon Gwan (Long Pole), Classical Wing Tsun forms/movements, and to continue building our foundation of a principle-congruent Wing Tsun.

SiSok Haw 2015 Visit

Long Pole Training:

First, SiSok showed us the body unity exercises we needed in preparation for wielding a long and heavy weapon.  Body Unity is the culmination of balance, looseness and sensitivity working together to properly align your body to work in the most efficient manner possible.   The arm muscles alone will not be able to generate enough power to move the long pole effectively.  Subtle muscle control along with the proper body alignment is the key to explosive power.

Long Pole Training 1

Afterwards, SiSok trained us on the seven (or six-and-a-half) movements which make up the content of the Luk Dim Boon Gwan form.  When all of the proper movement dynamics come together, performing a long pole movement seems effortless (e.g. like hitting through a golf ball, or a tennis ball on the sweet spot of the tennis racket).

Long Pole Training 2

Then SiSok taught us the entire form.  We have seen the form in the past, but this was the first time we actually performed the entire form ourselves.  The Luk Dim Boon Gwan form is short but it requires proper mental focus, control of your own movement and body unity and not allow the long pole to control it for you.  It was great to see SiSok perform the form in such an economical manner that he appeared to glide through the air as he performed each movement.

Long Pole Training 3

Finally, SiSok showed us several partner drills that will help us understand and apply the long pole movements.  There is a movement in the partner drill where we perform a controlled strike against our partner’s long pole and flow immediately into a thrust that must strike within the body width of our partner.  Whenever we don’t have body unity and muscle in the strike against our partner’s long pole, we will either push away our partner’s long pole and then overshoot the strike area when we thrust, or bounce off our partner’s long pole and be forced to recover with additional movements and miss the opportunity to counter immediately and effectively.

Long Pole Training 4

Classical WT:

SiSok helped us fine tune our forms (e.g. SNT, CK, BT) by explaining the proper movement dynamics of each movement in the forms.  We also discussed and drilled the Magnetic Zone, Plum Flower steps, Poon Sau, Pak Da, and multiple CK/BT/WD Chi Sau sections.

Note:  We need to remember to take pictures next time!

Principle-driven WT:

“The challenge is not to act automatically.  It’s to find an action that is not automatic.  Not deliberate, not random.  Some place in between.”

SiSok showed us the next group of partner training methods that will help us continue to develop our base level capabilities.  Then we revisited our Chi Sau sections and were instructed to discard our ready-made techniques and combinations.  We let movements of the moment happen and our form to follow its function.  It was refreshing to be freed from techniques.  It resulted in effortless efficiency that was both fluid and spontaneous! Counterattacks that used to take multiple techniques (e.g. Jum Sau-Lan Sau-Shift-Pak Da-Character Two against 1st CK Chi Sau section entry) is distilled to an efficient way of moving that absorbs the opponent’s attack (e.g. send our arms towards the attack, then flexing slightly, we absorb the pressure with the abdomen and slow it down and transfer it to the front and then the rear leg to give it back).

Since the aim is no longer to carry out specific movements by design, it encourages us to find our own logical, practical and efficient solutions, and frees us from limiting our questions only to those associated with ready-made techniques and combinations.

Note:  We PROMISE to take pictures of this principle-driven WT the next time!  We got so caught up in our training, that it didn’t cross our minds to take pictures until we were writing this blog.

After the training, SiSok held a Q&A session with us to talk about the WT concepts, principles, training methods, and teaching methods.

We would like to thank SiSok for coming back to Chicago and sharing his knowledge and experience with us at WTK!  Again, if you are ever in the Bay Area or have the opportunity to bring him to your martial arts school, we highly recommend training with him.

 

 

Brain Power in Wing Tsun

Wing Tsun is good exercise for not only your body but your brain cells too!

Here are some reasons why:

1. Our footwork is all about using angles to take advantage of our opponents.  For example, when confronted by your opponent in front of you,  stepping at a 45 degree angle away from your opponent may be all you need to get out of harm’s way and allow you to launch your offensive move. So “dust off” those mathematical brain cells and use angles to outwit your attacker.

2. There is no “weaker side” of the body  when it comes to Wing Tsun training. You practice fighting with your right and left limbs so that you can fight your opponent no matter what direction your opponent comes at you. Your brain cells are busy in getting your muscle memory to  handle this type of training. As a result, you learn to be both defensive and offensive simultaneously. Watch your attacker retreat when he finds that he can not handle what you throw at him.

3. Wing Tsun is all about sensitivity and reflex. If your opponent is trying to overtake your protected centerline, your brain neurons will immediately fire as you instantly react to your opponent’s attempts to get through.

Here’s to a fit brain.

For other ideas on self-defense using Wing Tsun, check out some of my tips and techniques in “Wing it, Wing Tsun: Self-Defense for Women” available on https://www.amazon.com

 

Distancing Yourself in Self-Defense

Every woman has an unspoken specific boundary for which no unwanted stranger should cross. If THAT someone gets too close for your comfort, what should you do? Avoiding physical contact is the first line of defense, so use your assertive verbal skills to tell the stranger to stop their advancement into your personal comfort zone. However, If he ignores your request and continues to intimidate, be the one to take the initiative and take control.

In Wing Tsun, we talk about the magnetic circle surrounding us. If an unwanted individual enters it, you have the right to protect yourself. Your opponent will expect you retreat. Don’t! At the very sign of aggression towards you, move forward like a “magnet” to defend yourself. In getting closer to your opponent, you have the ability to kick, punch, elbow, or do what is necessary to protect yourself because you will be in control.

For other ideas on self-defense using Wing Tsun, check out some of my tips and techniques in “Wing it, Wing Tsun: Self-Defense for Women” available on https://www.amazon.com

It’s Those Little Details That Make a Difference

It is the little things that make wing tsun work or not work for you!

When working with a partner, the level of precision in “attacks” dictates how the “responder” will respond. You need to know what response you want to get when you punch in a specific way. For example, If you want a tan sao response from your partner, go for the punch that goes towards the shoulder, not the centerline.

The uncertain punch that is off center will elicit a different response. You will not get the bong sao that you were expecting from your defender because your intentions were not clear.

Similarly, if your punch is high in your partner’s face instead of the intended mid-line, don’t be surprised if you find your soft spot in your ribs are attacked.Your smart partner may detect a “hole”in your attack and take advantage of your misguided punch.

Remember, the devil in Wing Tsun is all about the details!

Training to Become More Aware

The most common piece of self defense advice for women is to be aware of your surroundings. All will agree that this is good advice to follow but how can we train ourselves to become more aware? Becoming more aware is like practicing self-defense. It requires regular training.

A basic principle of wing tsun is training awareness of our body. In self-defense, we talk about our comfort circle. I become aware of “how close is too close” before I feel uncomfortable and feel the need to launch a defensive/offensive attack to protect myself.

In drills, I am consistently think, what is my wu sao (guard hand) doing if my man sao (searching hand) is going for the punch? Am I protecting myself with my wu sao or just hanging out there?

Working with a partner increases my sense of awareness. My awareness is heightened when I get lazy and create a “hole” in my structure in which my partner takes advantage and I have to figure out how to defend against his/her attack.

Footwork is particularly challenging as I have to coordinate my legs and arms. I become much more sensitive and aware on how to move “just so” to get out of way to be safe while launching my attack.

For more wing tsun exercises and ideas on being safe, check out my new book “Wing It Wing Tsun: Self Defense for Women.

https://www.amazon.com/Wing-It-Tsun-Self-Defense-Women/dp/1500119644/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1410644676&sr=8-31&keywords=wing+it+wing+tsun

Punching is a Girl’s Best Self-Defense Friend

One of a woman’s best self-defense move is knowing how to punch. Punching, as we know,  comes naturally to kids, so there is no reason why a women  can not train that natural instinct to use punching as a way to protect herself.

Wing Tsun punching is effective and powerful for those situations where the fight  is close up. In addition, there are other reasons why this type of punching is beneficial for women to learn:

There is only one punch to learn  and practice. There are no jabs, crosses, or uppercuts. Simple punching but very effective!

To learn the punch, you don’t even need to turn your fist. The punch is vertical.

The punch moves in one direction – forward, straight, and to the centerline of the person.  This is very efficient and productive. Since the punch is direct, it is hard to deflect immediately because it is not easily seen by your opponent.

A key element to Wing Tsun punching is using both arms to punch which is called chain punching. With training, you can get your punches to move in rapid succession towards your opponent’s face. This flurry of strikes coming at your opponent will make him want to protect himself or get a lot of pain inflicted.

Give it a shot.