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

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.

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?

Empty hand techniques in traditional weapons.

Last week Friday I had a nice time training (and fortunately LEARNING) something from my sifu. I was half fooling around with my kungfu brothers while practicing one of our forms. I explained certain concepts within the form while sifu watched from the side. I hope I got all of it right :) He didn't say anything about it so hopefully they were correct :D

Then he did something I am very thankful now. He gave concepts, techniques and principles to counter all the concepts and principles I just shared with my kungfu brothers, and ALL of them came from the 6 and half point pole form!

Sifu showed the Yin and Yang side of applications, according to the positioning, body posture, strength and size of the opponent. Again the emphasis was on "Using 4 ounces to defeat 1,000 catties". You can be at any size and age to apply all these. He then proceeded to give counters to the counters he taught, and ALL came from the 6 and a half point pole form!

Years ago Sifu showed us how to use the Yong Mui Pang as an empty hand form. I believe if I continue further, I'm gonna learn the empty hand applications and principles for all the weapons, and vice versa! This shows the unlimited depths of Yip Kin Wing Chun. As my kungfu brother Zaf said in the Yip Kin Wing Chun knol, "Each and every form contains the entire system".

We've said many MANY times, how lucky we are to learn this particular Wing Chun system! My only wish is more people can learn it and get the whole benefits. If only I had more time to practice. :(

P/S:
I just found out that I'm a 6th Generation practitioner of another Wing Chun and my name is included in their list of practitioners. I learned it for 1 or 2 odd months 11 years ago, haven't practiced it since then and I'm included in their list! WOW! and LoL!

The first wall!

People all over the world has always been attracted to the beautiful movements, speed and power of the martial arts. Taiji and Silat with their graceful flowing movements, Taekwondo's fantastic kicks, Karate's and Boxing's punches, Wing Chun's speed and short range techniques and many many others.

With those ideals in mind they join a martial arts class so they can do the same things. Here many encounters their first wall, "stance training". Imagine walking into a class, expecting to do the wonderful stuff others do and then we're asked to STAND and HOLD the position until the instructor says otherwise! I have seen many come and go soon after the first lesson, and I'd like to start my blog with this lesson.

After doing this for 17 years, I will say that this is the single most important training any master can teach you! Stance training will benefit you several ways:

1. When we are standing, running, walking or sitting down our body subconsciously collects information from the surrounding (foot pressure, distance with other objects, touch, feeling, sway and anything else). By standing still in a position, our brain screams for information which causes it to heighten all our senses. The longer we do so, the more natural this heightened sense will become to us.

I can only use my limited English and martial experience to explain this. Surf the net and you'll be able to find articles that better explain stances and structure.

2. Body Structure is the most important thing in life. It helps in stability, improves blood circulation, increases focus and a whole lot of other things. The proper stance practice will give you a better body structure that will give rise to many other good things in life.

3. Power comes from the correct body structure. I believe, the power in martial arts (by that I mean Wing Chun because I've only done those), comes when you are able to "throw" your body weight forward. There are two components to this. First is acceleration and the second is weight. When you can connect your body weight to your fist and accelerate to top speed in the least amount of time, you have attained full power.

4. Proper structure will also help us defuse any strikes and/or energy applied on us.

I didn't like my first three months of Wing Chun classes either because we only stood in one position at every class! But now, I wish I had done longer...

Now practice that stance!

A need to improve along with others...

Hello world!

My name is Kahar and it is my sincere hope that by sharing my vision, ideas, experience and research, I would be able to learn and see more and also possibly give ideas and help others improve in the martial world.

Due to my experiences when I was small and at high school, I became a timid, shy and introverted person who is fearful of most things. I was even afraid to go into shops and places I am not familiar of! I couldn't talk to people and even look at anybody in the eye. It was a miserable feeling that I wouldn't wish on anybody, even my foes.

My father is a Silat master who learned silat (mostly Javanese origin) from 30 masters! He had the same problem as me when he was small and he conquered his fear by learning any silat he could put his hands on and then confront everything he feared, head on, by beating everybody and everything up. Even his masters!!! When he was older he told me, that if he were to do everything again, he would learn Traditional Chinese Kungfu.

That came as a surprise, but it became a starting point in my journey. After high school I looked everywhere in Kuala Lumpur for a Traditional Chinese Martial Arts teacher. Anybody I could I met, despite the fear. I am lucky to find my Kungfu Father, Grandmaster Yip Fook Choy and a fantastically wonderful journey started!

The style I practice is Yip Kin Wing Chun Kungfu. I wrote a rough history and methods in my knol (http://knol.google.com/k/kahar-saidun/yip-kin-wing-chun-kung-fu/2kqkwsq8k58s9/2#) which I am still trying to improve and would appreciate comments and views.

This blog will correspond with Zaf Abbas' blog Wing Chun Diaries and also soon to be released blog on Yip Kin Wing Chun. By reading all three you would be able to understand the Yip Kin Wing Chun martial arts system and at the same time see a student's and an instructor's point of view of the training and discipline. I would also input my thoughts, findings and experiences in Yip Kin Wing Chun together with experiences with other truly wonderful people and their styles in the Martial Arts World.

I welcome any comments and thoughts that you might have, and by sharing I hope we can all improve ourselves and our arts better!

Now follow me in this journey... towards martial excellence!