How true!!!

Have a look a this video on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Wspd7GOb8

I especially like what that old long bearded uncle said,

"Learning kungfu is like studying. You will experience it slowly, you will gather the knowledge slowly, and you will understand it slowly, then you can achieve greatness".

And also the chubby brother,

"Chinese kungfu is very unique. Its a total art form. its not just about fighting its a way of life, its philosophical, its spiritual, its physical, its everything!"

I believe these to be really2 true.

In the face of McDojo type certification and training, young people are very much inclined to think of their greatness. I've read many times and met many people saying that they are the best, they're unbeatable, they've found weaknesses in their chosen art so they're coming up with their own style, they've become sifu/master in record time etc. They want to be Bruce Lee in double quick time (They forget Bruce Lee practices 8 to 10 hours a day when he's not acting).

Many do not know that, in the old days, for you to be a martial arts sifu (father) you have to have a few things.

1. Empty hand skills

2. Weapon skills (North China says you must know 18 weapons, while the south says you must know at least 9 weapons)

3. Lion Dance

4. Medicine and Healing

If you a lack even one, you can be an instructor but not a father (the original meaning of Sifu). It is like a check and balance system telling people who are the 'masters' and who are the 'practitioners'.

Some might say it is not relevant these days but I beg to differ. Scroll down this blog so I may remind you that, each time we learn a new weapon, we will experience different sensations/energies in our hands. We learn a totally different and unrelated type of weapon, then our own kungfu will be screwed up.

So when we complete the whole course (empty hands, 9 weapons, lion dance, medicine), imagine the myriad of energies you'll acquire at your disposal. Not only they make some of us invincible, what's more important than that is, they give deeper understanding to what you are learning and practicing, and thus you'll be able to apply those same principles in life to give you total success and thus, make us a true "father" (if we were to teach... that is). Maybe this is the reason why old masters are revered almost like gods (some like Guan Yu actually became a god).

What I'm trying to say here is, "There's always a higher mountain (some even say the mountains are growing! True also!) so LOOK FOR THEM, and climb some more! If we feel we are the best, we only have 2 directions left, sideways or down. Neither works for me. And I feel both shouldn't work for you too.

It's not about being the best now. Its about getting better and better and better and better tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and everyday after that.

Thank you Allah for showing me this path!

Environmental Training

Where is the most exotic place you have ever practiced? What is the most interesting condition that you have put yourself and your martial arts in?

For me, I’ve practiced in very very heavy rain (Last one was 10 minutes ago... hehehe!), In a snow blizzard, on top of mountains, during earthquakes, inside jungles (the mosquitoes make interesting partners), back alleys (where drug addicts roam), on ships, on small suspension bridges, on steps, beaches (sandy and otherwise) and so many other places and adverse conditions.

It’s one training component some people neglect because they might feel shy, not wanting people to see, want to keep his/her art secret and many many different reasons.

However, it’s the most wonderful and fun way to practice! You get to know about yourself and your art. You get to see yourself in action in different settings. You get to learn what to do in different environment. Your senses become heightened because you might not want people to see what you are doing or you do not want trip over an obstacle. You get to practice using your art while wearing different types of shoes or even barefoot on different ground conditions. You might feel great calm due to the beautiful setting (Mountains and sunsets do that to you). A bit of stress in a dangerous surrounding (practicing at a beach with 2 meter waves did that to me. It is scary because I can’t swim at that time!)

MOST IMPORTANTLY! You get to enjoy your chosen art! Have fun with it and let your creativity rule! When we are having fun we will stick to what we are doing and practice more! That’s the key to becoming good at what we do. Practice more!

So, go grab your swimming trunks (or whatever you find comfortable or uncomfortable) go outside and practice! Grab a partner and go outside this holiday! Enjoy you art! ENJOY YOURSELF!!

For all Muslims, Happy Eid Mubarak! For all that reads this blog, forgive me if my words are harsh, insensitive, useless and not caring. Those with intent are done so we can all go forward and improve ourselves. There might be some that unintentionally hurt somebody’s feelings out there, please forgive me. Do leave a comment and tell if it is so.

Discovery!

Its always fun talking to people and making friends. Today I met a 71 years old uncle at my class in SS2. We started talking and he started telling me stories his grandfather told him when he was small. There were stories about Hung Hei Kwun (the founder of Hung Kuen), Fung Sai Yuk, the five ancestors of Shaolin (Ng Mui, Jee Sim, Miu Hin, Pak Mei and the other guy who's name I can never remember), the five families (Hung, Lau, Choy, Li and Mok) and a host of names I cannot remember due to my very little knowledge in Cantonese.

But, one story caught my attention. The uncle told me he grew up in Kuala Pilah and he had many friends and relatives in Bahau. He said in Bahau there is an interesting style which they named "Nam Pai Tai Kik" or simply put "Southern Taijiquan". The master was a person named Lee. The style's lineage can be traced to Leung Yi Tai, Wong Wah Boh and the Red Boat, the 2 most important persons under Yip Man's Lineage!!!

This uncle knows about Hong Kong Wing Chun and he thought that I'm teaching that style. He said that the Southern Taiji's Chi Sau is very different from Hong Kong and their primary weapon is called "Mui Fa Kuan". Their forms are called Siu Lim Tao and some other Chinese name that I cannot remember.

Man am I EXCITED!!!! If we can trace this style we might be able to see the Wong Wah Boh and Leung Yee Tai Lineage before it came to Hong Kong and called Hong Kong Wing Chun.

If any of you who read this blog ever came across this style, please contact me. I'm told that some of the practitioners are living in Cheras while the family of Sifu Lee might still be in Bahau. Please allow me to look for you. Please share the art you have so it can be preserved and transfered to the next generation. Thank you!!!

Where to find Wing Chun Class in Malaysia!

Recently I read a forum in PJNet titled "Looking for Wing Chun class". A group advertised themselves as "The only Ip Man Ving Chun in Malaysia" and that started a big argument on the net which later became a big game of I accuse you of this and that. Even my organization was accused! Hahaha...

First things first. You are ALL giving martial artist a bad name. Everybody accusing everybody else and no one listening to each other. That's not the martial artist way!

For those wanting to find Wing Chun classes, my dear friends Chow Wai Yip (www.pendekars.com) and Jon Dep (A student of Ken Lau. Ken Lau is a certified instructor of Grandmaster Ip Chun's Wing Chun in Singapore. Check out http://www.geocities.com/wingchun_sg/) conducts a Wing Chun meetup session in either Taman Rimba Kiara in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, PJ. or in Jalan Klang Lama almost every Saturday. There, wing chun practitioners of almost every school in Kuala Lumpur goes to practice with each other without prejudice. No politics (nobody saying theirs is the best) and no animosity.

Currently, among others, we have students from Grandmasters Stephen Chan, Wong Shun Leong, Leung Shung, Ip Chun lineages come by. All these grandmasters are respected Ip Man students. This is why, I try to join as much as my time and resources allow. The students are great, friendly and very good at what they do.

However, there have not been students from "The only Ip Man Ving Chun" group come yet. My only hope is they come soon to practice, share and if there are people who come to look for wing chun classes, they can market themselves there.

For information, checkout the following sites: Both groups are on facebook.

The Malaysia Wing Chun/Ving Tsun Kuen Study Group／大馬,馬來西亞詠春网络

Fellowship Of Malaysia Wing Chun 马来西亚永春拳术研究会

So Malaysians don't despair! There are many Yip Man students practicing and teaching here in Malaysia! Join the groups and come to the meet ups! You won't regret it!

P/S: I'm not doing myself much good here promoting other wing chun. Hope sifu don't mind. But, I love my friends and I love ALL martial arts (wing chun especially! and among wing chun, Yip Kin wing chun especially! hehe).

Be Water My Friend!

My good friend and fellow Yip Kin Wing Chun Practitioner Danson Phang recently gave a video of Bruce Lee. The quote was somewhat like this;

"Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless. Like water. When you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. When you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water my friend" Bruce Lee

The big question is "How do we "be water"?". I believe the answer is by understanding and applying the principles of the art we learn. I say this because, water reacts and becomes what it is because of the interaction between its molecules in relation to the stress and pressure put forth by outside forces. So in martial arts, what are the laws that govern it? The answer is, its principles!

For Wing Chun, the principle lies in the interaction of Yin and Yang. For Yip Kin Wing Chun the students are taught of this interaction by learning the forms. The changes within the forms follow the principles of Yin and Yang (i.e. A"Yang" type technique will come after a "Yin" type technique which consequently came from a "Yang" type technique"). After the students understand the relationship and the changes, the continuous change is further drilled using weapons' forms, mok yan jong and a two man form we call "Chi Sau". Students will come to a natural state of change and it comes without thinking.

Taijiquan (especially Chen style Taijiquan) uses the same methods as Yip Kin Wing Chun but their principles and laws are different (well, they are a different martial art and is slightly older than us anyway!). But the basic training principles are the same (empty hand, weapons and later Tui Shou). I see the same principles applied in other Tradional Chinese Martial Arts.

For Hong Kong Wing Chun, the principles are introduced in the form but drilled separately with a partner/(s). The teacher will guide the students through the drills to make sure the students "remember" the principles at muscular level and is able to change at will without thinking.

So understand the basic principles and the LAW that govern or apllied when your martial art was created. Then, YOU CAN BE WATER MY FRIEND!

p/s: If you want to understand more about the basics of becoming water (Wing Chun way), join our 3 days 2 nights training on the 11th to the 13th of September 2009. For details, log on to,

http://yipkinwingchun.blogspot.com

Helping Others!

Helping others! That's what martial arts was created for. In movies and stories from the many different martial arts folklore, students were reminded by their sifus who say:

"This (martial art) was created for helping others! Use it wisely. Do not go and fight others"

I strugled with that idea. I mean, different people learn the arts for different reasons but LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE LEARNING... its a series of movements specifically designed to put the other guy on the floor! Wing Chun is a no nonsense art which people use to make sure the other guy never wake up again in the shortest time and the most minimal number of movements possible! Karate and Taekwondo are empty hand martial arts designed to hit through armour for the 1 hit 1 kill purpose. Aikido, Judo, Jujutsu and those within that family might seem soft but they have many times broken people's arms and legs. Hung Gar, Choy Lay Futt and other Chinese Arts have strikes that are both powerful and continuous coupled with pressure points strikes that really was designed to kill. Most Silat will lock you up in very awkard and very painful positions that the pain itself will knock us out!

For those of us who have been doing this long enough, we understand one thing. It is very easy to hurt and maim. My sifu hit me from a very short distance which caused me to stop breathing almost immediately (talk about POWER!). He also turned me upside down many many times without even using his hands. Taiji people are also powerful enough to throw people around like dolls. Even I was able to stop many of my friends' breathing (for about 1 or 2 days) with zero inch punches.

I guess what the sifus from the old folklore and the movies are trying to say is,

"Once you have conquered a challenge, Look for what's next (the future) and challenge yourself more so you keep becoming better and better. If something has become easy (it was hard to hurt people before but it has become easy right?) then look for a new challenge and conquer it!

So, let's go out there and look for something more challenging, something more fulfilling. I admire Cikgu Hisham Giant of the Lian Padukan for this. He and his team went around helping orphanages around Malaysia by donating stuff and giving free lesson. Check out his blog http://lianpadukanacademy.blogspot.com/ for more info. For those who can contribute, I suggest you do so. I can't wait for my Taman Tun Dr. Ismail to do this.

There are many things that are both challenging and fulfilling out there. Don't just talk. DO IT! (That goes for me too! hehehe)

Comparing Martial Arts

I'm blessed with visitors and calls who wants to learn and know more about wing chun. There are those who just want to watch. And there are also those who come to compare what they've learned to wing chun. I value all three groups of visitors and/or callers. I believe in a small way, this helps create more awareness to wing chun and to what we're doing. I also hope that small time spent calling or visiting benefits them in some way.

However, all these calls and visits have taught me a big lesson. One that I think is and will be useful to my martial travels and will help me understand others and other arts more. Hope this lesson will also help you when you visit other schools.

1. What number of classes is that class/group at?
We can also ask what level they are at (at that moment) but martial arts curriculums are so vastly different, what they focus at are different depending on their own objectives at the different levels.

I recently have a student of a different martial arts come join my class (trial). I was happy because he had a lot of questions but most of the questions was comparing that very first lesson to the 100th lesson of the art he's learning. My question is, is it fair? In my humble opinion, it is not even fair to compare even the first lesson of two different martial arts because their focus is different. However, if you still want to make a comparison, compare the very first class of your own art to their first, your second class to their second and so on.

However, the first few lessons will show the core of the whole art. Those are the ones I want to see. And lessons taught at the fourth year are usually the most advanced level for the basics of the art.

2. Get YOUR ego out of the equation
If you are visiting, this is the utmost importance. If you cannot do this, don't visit other schools. The ego of yours is better, simpler, faster, stronger, older and all the other "...er"s will block any good information that you can get. Or worse, you'll get into a fight.

Sometimes, the person might have great ego and might offend you and/or your art. First thing is, take a deep breath and relax. Remember, you are there to learn. So, focus on learning. If you can't stand you can always come again another time. Right?

However, if you are open, usually the other party will also be open and share. At least, that's my experience.

3. Ask for opinion
Politely ask for their opinion for certain techniques that you are learning or have learned compared to what they are doing. Key word "POLITELY". Remember, ALL martial arts works. ALL martial arts are great. If not they won't exist in the first place! They might not as effective depending on:
1. the teachers knowledge and/or experience

2. the original reason/principals of its creation has been changed or is not taught
(example: an art created for big battlefield has been changed to sports or vice versa. They might not work because the objectives are different and therefore certain principals needed change, thus effecting the techniques).

3. different conditions
(example: an art created to fight on horses might have a hard time fighting on mud. An art requiring a large area might be a little hard to apply in closed spaces)

Understand your own art's requirements by asking for their opinions and analyzing their answers. Understand the above 3 conditions (the teacher's knowledge and experience, the original reason the art was created, and the conditions that makes it work). Keep your opinions to yourself unless asked.

Lastly, always focus on making friends when you visit. By making friends, we would be able to share more and have a deeper look into the art without actually learning it. But be sincere about it.

Friendship is Beautiful

On the second of June, I had the privelage of attending a (to me) historical event. Abot (Mr. Ahmad Nasarudin) of Pertubuhan Gerak Silat Lian Malaysia (you can check their websitewww.pgslm.org) organized a visit to a Gayang Lima class (Pak Atan Air Batu lineage) taught by Tengku Musa (check out gayanglima.blogspot.com). Also in attendance was intructor and students of Gayang Lima (Pak Raja Ali lineage) led by Mr. Sudirman whom we visited 2 weeks before. We would have had a complete Lian representation if Mr. Hisham (Lian PadukanMaster) could come but he was stuck with work. Hope to have you along next time Cikgu!

We started by visiting Grandmaster Dahlan Karim of Seni Silat Setiabakti (checkoutsilatsetiabakti.tripod.com) who is recovering from a mild sickness. Gayang Lima is actually taught at his centre as a collaboration between two masters.

After a brief tea session, we were ushered to the training ground. Students were already training but Tengku Musa was very kind to allow us to watch. The students was practicing their "Lian" or forms as we might call them. They were also doing A LOT of practical applications. Tengku Musa's teaching methods are informal but very detailed. His students are lucky to learn from him.

I've always had much interest and intrigue in the many different styles of Silat Lian and Buah Pukul Mersing. And last night I had the privelage to watch another lineage, up close with detail. I have also seen classes taught by Cikgu Hisham of Lian Padukan and Cikgu Sudirman of Gayang Lima. In terms of technique and footwork, they are all almost exactly like our Yip Kin Wing Chun. In fact, most their techniques resemble those found in our second form (Tai Fa Kuen or Big Flower). And I personally feel Yip Kin Wing Chun has a lot more similarities to Silat Lian and to the older variations of Wing Chun in China than to the Wing Chun in Hong Kong.

The Silat Lian style was brought to Malaysia by Arab traders who came to Malaysia from China in the late 1800s. Yip Kin came to Malaysia in the 1920s and spread his Wing Chun in Malaysia. By looking at the timeline, Lian and Yip Kin Wing Chun might be the older versions of Wing Chun and therefore the similarities. Who knows? And frankly, I advise you not to care though. What's more important is to keep practising and improving whatever it is that you are learning. Only by that way, you'll make your self and your system good.

We ended the session by having a good "teh tarik" session. I was touched looking at the three Lian future grandmasters sitting and talking like they are old friends. They were so engrossed, I couldn't find opening to go into the conversation!!! Well, by being a kungfu guy I was the ODD man out!

Lesson learned was, MAKING FRIENDS IS A LOT MORE FUN AND PRODUCTIVE than letting your ego take over and make enemies. It's also a lot better to have friends who can watch your back than having to look at it your self! (And we can't even see our backs unless we've broken our necks).

I extend my deepest and utmost appreciation to:
1. Mahaguru Dahlan Karim for receiving us at his home and allowing us to visit his training grounds. We wish you a speedy and complete recovery.
2. Cikgu Tengku Musa and his students for receiving us and allowing us to watch their training.
3. Cikgu Sudirman and his students from Gayang Lima (Pak Raja Ali's lineage) for joining us and sharing their valuable time.
4. Cikgu Ahmad Nasarudin (Abot), Cikgu Abdullah and their students from PGSLM for allowing me to tag along.
5. Mr. Fahmi (Lian Padukan student) for letting me hitch a ride.

Treasure your time with your sifu!!!

I just found out that a good friend of my sifu passed away about 4 weeks ago. I know him personally too and I felt a great loss. But his passing is a great loss not just to his family, friends and students, but also to Chinese Martial Arts and Chinese Culture in general.

The late Sifu Lee Wah Kui was the master of Chow Gar Ng Loong Pakua Kuan. Roughly translated it means the Chow Family Ng Loong 8 Triagram Pole (please correct me if I'm wrong). It is a pole form that originated from spear techniques in the Song Dynasty (again correct me if I'm wrong).

I was told that the style comprise of:
5 sets of individual pole forms
1 pole form that combines the elements of the 5 individual pole forms above
2 sets of 2-person pole forms (applications)
2 sets of advanced pole forms

Sifu Lee died just after performing 1 of the 2 sets of advanced pole forms listed above. Unfortunately, it will be last anybody on earth will see the 2 sets of advanced forms as it was so secret it was never taught to anybody. What a big loss that is!

What I'm trying to say is, be loyal to your sifu and spend as much quality time as it is possible with them. Learn as much as you can and share it to the next generation so none will be lost.

Going out your comfort zone!

On Saturday 11 April 2009 I have the privelage of joining a Tai Chi push hand session in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras. It was both a revelation and a humbling experience! But, it reminded me of my brief tai chi experience 18 years ago, where I was thrown 30 feet back by an old man on top of a rooftop.

That skill is alive and well. It is my wish that it will be kept alive for the next generation to enjoy.

The group is made up of a few "old looking young men". I say that because at the end of very short push hand session with each one of them, I was panting and weezing while they walk around with happy faces and strong vigour! Man, I have a lot to learn still!

However, unlike my previous experience being thrown off EVERY time, I'm now able to respond and sometimes stop their attacks. Keyword is "SOMETIMES"! And I'm no longer thrown off far. They felt very heavy but was manageable. Maybe I have done something right the past 18 years. Or maybe they were giving face. Most probably it was the latter.

I guess what I'm trying to say here are:

Go out of your comfort zone
I found out that I'm not rooted enough! In my own class no one could move me except sifu. I was told by members of the taichi push hands group that if I could root my self more, I would be able to use more body weight and project more power. Hey! I thought I was already doing that! This however, proves that I definitely have not done enough. I need more training!

Go out of your comfort zone and try to experience other arts and see where you can improve yourself! I would never know that there are many more steps forward! I mean, I know there's a LOT MORE but couldn't see what it was. Now Ican see.

But, be respectful and practice giving face. We're there to share and maybe learn. Not fight! Not to show we or the martial arts we practice is better. Remember in the end it is not about the martial arts. its about you! So focus on yourself and improve yourself!

P/S: Thank you all the members of the Bandar Tun Razak push hands training group, Mr. Lai, Philip, David and others for allowing me to join in. Hope to have many more good times ahead.

And thank you for your invitation to train me as a taichi push hands competitor and your comments on my performance. Please allow me to learn more after this!

Let's share and improve!

I visited a Wing Chun master in Kota Damansara recently. He trained in Wing Chun for years in Australia and Hong Kong. First look I could see he LOVES Wing Chun and it is more evident in his class, from the way he speaks and his actions.

I believe for those who are looking for a sifu, this is the first criteria. PASSION! Second, his/her love for the martial art he's teaching. Third, his/her love for his students. I could see this sifu has all three criteria and sat there anxiously for the class to finish.

At the end of the class we (the sifu, some of his students and me) sat down for a chat on the theories and philosophies of Wing Chun and why it is effective. He also graciously showed the ideas in a practical manner which are easy to understand. The sifu's passion and love for wing chun brought down any wall or ice which is always prevalent when discussions between styles are conducted.

Because of that, we could present our ideas freely without animosity. What did we find out? We have the same ideas even though our styles (even though both are wing chun) look very different from each other. Our approach, however, are very different. And the good sifu graciously invited me to train with him so we could both practice and see what we can learn from each other. An invitation from a great guy like that, who could say no? I just hope I can make him happy with what I have.

Conclusion. Look for the 3 criterias when choosing your sifu for martial arts. Any martial arts. It will help you in learning the art because of the openness and willingness to share attitude that comes with passion,love for the art and love for the students brings.

P/S: Thank you Sifu Kenneth and students of the Crush MMA Gym, Kota Damansara for receiving me.

I could use it when I'm 90!

There are many reasons why I'm learning martial arts but there are only a few reasons why I choose Chinese martial arts. One of them is, I know I could use it when I'm 90. Here's why I say so,

My first experience in Chinese Martial Arts is with a Sifu who teaches at the Chee Fee Tai Chi Choy Li Fut association. The sifu looked preety old (maybe about 70 or 80). This is already 18 years ago so I can no longer remember his name. But the experience is etched in my memory and hopefully it will never be removed.

I was learning Choy Li Fut while the master teaches Tai Chi at the side. I asked 1 stupid question which was, "How can you use that in a fight?". The master suggested an exchange which totally changed me. Having both Tae Kwon Do (green belt) and a little bit of Choy Li Fut (I started about a month before that) training and my youth to back me up I was cocky and over confident at the very least!. However, I was stopped and thrown before I could finish and BOY was he FAST! I still remember floating backwards with my soles about 1 feet above ground and landing about 3 or 4 metres away from him! I was beaten by a very old man!

That was not the first time I was so called bullied by and old man. I can no longer remember how many times I've been thrown up side down by my sifu. I've sparred and fought many people of many different martial arts, but none, no matter how big, strong and well conditioned they are, who has thrown me up side down. And my sifu is 66 years old this year with a limp on his leg due to an accident.

I have seen Grandmaster Yip Man's son Yip Chun do Chi Sau with people twice his size and half his age. Relaxed and in control. I have seen my Sibak (sifu's elder kungfu brother) who is 81 this year, pick up the 6 and a half point pole and bully my sihengtai (kungfu brothers) with it.

I can use this when I'm 90. My dream is to have many other 90 year olds practicing with me and continue to improve. Care to join me?

Official Yip Kin Wing Chun Blogspot!

At last it's done! Please run through our Official Yip Kin Wing Chun Blogspot by clicking here.