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.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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!
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!
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