One of the questions I occasionally get from a prospective student is, "Is the style pure"?
I smile to myself, and then, although I know the answer, ask them what are they referring to as "pure"?
The last caller that asked this replied, "You know, pure, as in the exact same way it was studied in China, and can trace its roots back a long way".
My response, "By that definition, no it is not, but then by that same definition I don't believe there is a single art you will find that is".
"Well, I'm from so-and-so, and we had several schools in the area that taught pure styles. Its near impossible to find any pure styles in the southern U.S."
"Oh, I see. What styles did you learn there?"
"Well, I did Choy-li-fut for about a year, and a five animal style for awhile, but we also had a Wing Chun school nearby".
"Well then you were fortunate to have so many schools to choose from, however, I would argue that there is no such thing as a pure style".
silence....
"Are you familiar with the history of Choy Li Fut"?
"Well, no, but...."
A transcript of the dialogue followed along the lines of my explaining to him that all arts evolve and change to some degree. Even his shining example of purity, Choy Li Fut, was created by a man who combined the teachings of his three different teachers to create a new system, hence the name.
We adapt.
So to clarify, I do not teach a pure system. In fact, its pretty far from it. Our system originated in China, picked up influences from Korea, and eventually Japan when the inheritor went there for medical care. It also has influences from the styles of Wing Chun and Hung Chuen. It has further gained influence from my studies in Chang Chuen (long fist) and other Shaolin styles. In addition, I try to apply modern training ideas like strength training and conditioning into our studies to compensate for the differences in lifestyles of past generations of students to present day. For example, generations ago, students led fairly tough lives. They farmed, worked machinary, and basically scratched out a living. Nowadays, we watch several hours of TV per week, work in offices, and eat high sugar/high fat foods. We have to train differently in order to make an ancient art work for the modern times.
Pure is a very relative term. Instead, focus on the quality of training and the quality of your instructor, wherever you may go to learn. A fancy pedigree and a pretty studio can't guarantee you either. Go in, ask questions, do some trial lessons, and observe how the instructor interacts with the students.
Sifu's Sound Off
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Why I hate MMA
Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, is the still the "big thing" in the martial arts world. Many said it would just be a flash in the pan, and then go away, but then simply isn't the case. I think its here to stay...and I hate it.
I don't hate it for the reasons you might think. Running a traditional style martial arts school, I know that I am missing out on a pretty big demographic (males, age 18-32 ) that watch the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter. They usually have no desire to train in a traditional martial art (kung fu, karate, etc). But that's not why I hate MMA.
Why I hate MMA
1) Standing on the shoulders of giants - much of the techniques used in MMA have roots in traditional arts like Jiujitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Kempo, etc. Those techniques deserve respect because they have been tested, practiced, and honed for hundreds of years. The teenage kid who walks into an MMA gym will not give it any respect, or realize where it came from. They will then likely attempt to explain to me why MMA is so superior to "XYZ" style of martial arts. No respect for the heritage or history.
2) MMA makes TMA (traditional martial arts) look bad. Let's face it, the MMA crowed often gets into the ring with a kung fu, TKD, karate practicioner and owns them. Watch the first handful of UFC bouts, back in the early 90's. It gives the TMA's a bad name. We get owned, but not because MMA technique is better. Quite simply, they intensity with which they train makes them outclass most TMA fighters with regards to strength, endurance, muscle/technique memory, and perseverence. If TMA students trained as hard and as long as these guys, I think there would be more balance in the matchups.
3) The average MMA guy's attitude truly sucks. I once heard a funny bit of advice, "You know the guy in the car in front of you is an A-hole if he has a "TAPOUT" sticker on his back window".
Now, there are obvious exceptions to the rule (George St. Pierre comes to mind), but by and large, you see an overwhelming number of these guys acting agressive towards others, losing their temper, and sometimes picking bar fights in an effort to test their grit. They also tend to shout as loud as they can to the world "Traditional Martial Arts suck and are worthless!" Values and Character Development is not something that is taught in the MMA's as part of the curriculum. It sometimes seems like quite the opposite.
so that's it. I hate MMA, but I sure do like to watch it.
I don't hate it for the reasons you might think. Running a traditional style martial arts school, I know that I am missing out on a pretty big demographic (males, age 18-32 ) that watch the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter. They usually have no desire to train in a traditional martial art (kung fu, karate, etc). But that's not why I hate MMA.
Why I hate MMA
1) Standing on the shoulders of giants - much of the techniques used in MMA have roots in traditional arts like Jiujitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Kempo, etc. Those techniques deserve respect because they have been tested, practiced, and honed for hundreds of years. The teenage kid who walks into an MMA gym will not give it any respect, or realize where it came from. They will then likely attempt to explain to me why MMA is so superior to "XYZ" style of martial arts. No respect for the heritage or history.
2) MMA makes TMA (traditional martial arts) look bad. Let's face it, the MMA crowed often gets into the ring with a kung fu, TKD, karate practicioner and owns them. Watch the first handful of UFC bouts, back in the early 90's. It gives the TMA's a bad name. We get owned, but not because MMA technique is better. Quite simply, they intensity with which they train makes them outclass most TMA fighters with regards to strength, endurance, muscle/technique memory, and perseverence. If TMA students trained as hard and as long as these guys, I think there would be more balance in the matchups.
3) The average MMA guy's attitude truly sucks. I once heard a funny bit of advice, "You know the guy in the car in front of you is an A-hole if he has a "TAPOUT" sticker on his back window".
Now, there are obvious exceptions to the rule (George St. Pierre comes to mind), but by and large, you see an overwhelming number of these guys acting agressive towards others, losing their temper, and sometimes picking bar fights in an effort to test their grit. They also tend to shout as loud as they can to the world "Traditional Martial Arts suck and are worthless!" Values and Character Development is not something that is taught in the MMA's as part of the curriculum. It sometimes seems like quite the opposite.
so that's it. I hate MMA, but I sure do like to watch it.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Good advice I never listened to
When I was young, my father had this to say with regards to fighting, "Don't start fights, but if you have to fight, hit first and hit hard". Of course, I didn't follow it. Nearly every fight I got into growing up, I waited for them to punch at me, then I would block and counter. Only when I was confronted by someone with a baseball bat did I finally "get it". I never waited for him to raise the bat. I went home with a new bat that day. I think my mother still has it in her basement.
Ol' Dad has some of the best advice I can share with regards to defense. I'm not talking about scuffles on the playground or crazy Uncle Eddie getting rowdy at the family reunion. I'm talking about real predators looking to beat, mug, rape, maim, or kill you. Its not exactly PC, but then again trying to be PC while defending yourself can make the difference between walking away and being carried away.
You don't have to wait until someone throws a punch at you, pulls a knife or gun, or grabs your throat. If you wait that long, you are already losing.
Hit first, hit hard. When someone starts to raise their fist, go ahead and hit 'em. Reaching for that knife clip you noticed sticking out of their pocket? Hit 'em. Reaching for your throat? Yup, you guessed it.
For those of you who cry that it isn't fair? Life's tough. Get over it.
You have a right to protect yourself from the moment that you feel an imminent threat, i.e., raised fist, a reach for the knife. So its o.k. to hit first.
Still crying about "fighting fair"? Then you won't like this either. I strongly advocate sticking fingers in the eyes, punching throats, grabbing balls, and every other dirty trick in the book.
Remember, the goal in a true self-defense situation is not to play fair, its to be able to get back home to your family; so go ahead, shove a finger in their eye and then go home and sleep well. ; )
Ol' Dad has some of the best advice I can share with regards to defense. I'm not talking about scuffles on the playground or crazy Uncle Eddie getting rowdy at the family reunion. I'm talking about real predators looking to beat, mug, rape, maim, or kill you. Its not exactly PC, but then again trying to be PC while defending yourself can make the difference between walking away and being carried away.
You don't have to wait until someone throws a punch at you, pulls a knife or gun, or grabs your throat. If you wait that long, you are already losing.
Hit first, hit hard. When someone starts to raise their fist, go ahead and hit 'em. Reaching for that knife clip you noticed sticking out of their pocket? Hit 'em. Reaching for your throat? Yup, you guessed it.
For those of you who cry that it isn't fair? Life's tough. Get over it.
You have a right to protect yourself from the moment that you feel an imminent threat, i.e., raised fist, a reach for the knife. So its o.k. to hit first.
Still crying about "fighting fair"? Then you won't like this either. I strongly advocate sticking fingers in the eyes, punching throats, grabbing balls, and every other dirty trick in the book.
Remember, the goal in a true self-defense situation is not to play fair, its to be able to get back home to your family; so go ahead, shove a finger in their eye and then go home and sleep well. ; )
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Fast Forward 10 Years (thoughts on 9/11)
It was 9:00am when the teacher in the classroom next to mine burst in the door, "Turn the T.V. on - NOW!" The confusion on my face must have been apparent. "Just do it, there's been an accident".
I turned on the T.V. to see an image that is forever burned into the minds of many people around the world. I saw the top quarter of the North tower enveloped in black smoke. At that time, nobody knew what was going on. It appeared to have been an accident, and the reporters were struggling to describe what was happening as well. My classroom was buzzing. The kids in my class were talking to each other, asking questions, a couple of boys were even laughing. I could only say "I don't know, a plane must have lost control".
About a minute or so later (9:03), I watched the second plane fly into view, and promptly slam into the South tower.
In that second or two during and after, my mind had already processed what I had seen, ran through the logical possibilities of what was happening, and just that quickly...I remember quietly uttering, "we're being attacked".
The kids got very quiet. We all watched in horror as people began jumping out of the burning tower, to what they must have known was certain death. Some of my more vocal students asked why they were jumping. I replied, "because they would rather take the risk of dieing from the fall rather than stay and burn alive". One boy, Matthew ____, laughed out loud, and said, "They'll just rebuild that building anyway". At that moment, I wanted to squeeze his neck until his head popped off. I gave him a very nasty look and said, "Matt, we are watching people die. A lot of people die." I didn't hear from him anymore that day.
I turned off the T.V. for awhile. My planning period was coming up soon, and I knew that the kids had already seen too much for them to be able to process. I think they went to their next class, P.E., at 9:27am.
I turned the T.V. back on.
Over the next hour, we heard about the plane flying into the Pentagon, and then the report of a plane going down in Pennsylvania. Soemwhere in there, I watched the towers collapse. We were under full attack. My thoughts turned inward, trying to do a quick mental scan of where all my family, friends, and relatives worked, and might any of them be in high risk area.
Today, for the first time in years, I thought about the students in that class. They would be about 21 years old now. I wonder how they think of that day. What do they remember about that time? What do they remember about me, how I acted, what I said? Did I show them too much? Do they feel the same way I do now about that day? I may never know. I can only hope that I run into one of them some day and have the courage to ask.
Maybe it will be Matt -that would be nice. I owe him an apology. I later realized that his laughing and uncaring remark was just a reaction to not being able to understand what he was seeing. Nervousness, ignorance, and fear can manifest themselves in different ways. Some people say seemingly stupid things, others stand frozen in thought...and some fly planes into buildings.
Sorry Matt.
NEVER FORGET. STAY VIGILANT.
I turned on the T.V. to see an image that is forever burned into the minds of many people around the world. I saw the top quarter of the North tower enveloped in black smoke. At that time, nobody knew what was going on. It appeared to have been an accident, and the reporters were struggling to describe what was happening as well. My classroom was buzzing. The kids in my class were talking to each other, asking questions, a couple of boys were even laughing. I could only say "I don't know, a plane must have lost control".
About a minute or so later (9:03), I watched the second plane fly into view, and promptly slam into the South tower.
In that second or two during and after, my mind had already processed what I had seen, ran through the logical possibilities of what was happening, and just that quickly...I remember quietly uttering, "we're being attacked".
The kids got very quiet. We all watched in horror as people began jumping out of the burning tower, to what they must have known was certain death. Some of my more vocal students asked why they were jumping. I replied, "because they would rather take the risk of dieing from the fall rather than stay and burn alive". One boy, Matthew ____, laughed out loud, and said, "They'll just rebuild that building anyway". At that moment, I wanted to squeeze his neck until his head popped off. I gave him a very nasty look and said, "Matt, we are watching people die. A lot of people die." I didn't hear from him anymore that day.
I turned off the T.V. for awhile. My planning period was coming up soon, and I knew that the kids had already seen too much for them to be able to process. I think they went to their next class, P.E., at 9:27am.
I turned the T.V. back on.
Over the next hour, we heard about the plane flying into the Pentagon, and then the report of a plane going down in Pennsylvania. Soemwhere in there, I watched the towers collapse. We were under full attack. My thoughts turned inward, trying to do a quick mental scan of where all my family, friends, and relatives worked, and might any of them be in high risk area.
Today, for the first time in years, I thought about the students in that class. They would be about 21 years old now. I wonder how they think of that day. What do they remember about that time? What do they remember about me, how I acted, what I said? Did I show them too much? Do they feel the same way I do now about that day? I may never know. I can only hope that I run into one of them some day and have the courage to ask.
Maybe it will be Matt -that would be nice. I owe him an apology. I later realized that his laughing and uncaring remark was just a reaction to not being able to understand what he was seeing. Nervousness, ignorance, and fear can manifest themselves in different ways. Some people say seemingly stupid things, others stand frozen in thought...and some fly planes into buildings.
Sorry Matt.
NEVER FORGET. STAY VIGILANT.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Public Education - time for a hard look
Is our educational system preparing our children for greatness or failing them miserably?
I recently listened to a story on NPR regarding our state's public schools, retention/failure rates, graduation rates, etc. During the story, our current budgetary and financial woes were brought up as reasons for some of our problems. In particular, Charlotte-Meck schools were singled out because they are cutting hundreds (or was it thousands?) of teaching, assistant, and support staff positions. Schools being closed and sold off.
I'm sure some of this is necessary, but at the same time I get really ticked off. I've seen firsthand some of the ridiculous things that school systems spend money on. Computer programs that help with reading scores that costs thousands of dollars per year to keep a license current. My very first "teaching" position was as a ComputerReading lab monitor. Not teacher. Monitor. All I did was load the program and make sure the kids sat in front of the computer. I've also frequently seen consultants hired to come do workshops - not on teaching - but rather on how to teach your kids to "beat" the EOG test. One principal I worked for spent thousands on workbooks that taught EOG test taking strategies to the kids via Overhead Sheets.
The focus becomes on teaching to the test. But then can you blame them? The teacher's salary and evaluations all hang on that test. Nevermind that we are dealing with whatever problems the child brings from home, or from a poor performance in another teacher's class the year before, or two years before.
This all disgusts me.
It has been proven time and time again that the single most important factor in the classroom/school is the teacher. Period. Want better test scores and student achievement? Hire more teachers and reduce your class teacher-student ratios. Get rid of the ridiculous things that we spend money on to try and slap a band-aid on the problem. Instead, we cutting teaching positions and cramming more kids in each classroom. I can guarantee you that just as much time will be spent managing behavior as teaching.
Administrators will tell you that they can't spend that money on teaching positions because its been "earmarked" by the state as other types of funds that have to be used for technology standards, remediation, or whatever. I've heard it all before. Just a bunch of excuses. We are in a budget crisis, right? Change the darn earmarks - or better yet, remove them altogether. Allow the local governments and admins the power to allocate funds as they see fit.
Remove the excuse. Then demand results.
I recently listened to a story on NPR regarding our state's public schools, retention/failure rates, graduation rates, etc. During the story, our current budgetary and financial woes were brought up as reasons for some of our problems. In particular, Charlotte-Meck schools were singled out because they are cutting hundreds (or was it thousands?) of teaching, assistant, and support staff positions. Schools being closed and sold off.
I'm sure some of this is necessary, but at the same time I get really ticked off. I've seen firsthand some of the ridiculous things that school systems spend money on. Computer programs that help with reading scores that costs thousands of dollars per year to keep a license current. My very first "teaching" position was as a ComputerReading lab monitor. Not teacher. Monitor. All I did was load the program and make sure the kids sat in front of the computer. I've also frequently seen consultants hired to come do workshops - not on teaching - but rather on how to teach your kids to "beat" the EOG test. One principal I worked for spent thousands on workbooks that taught EOG test taking strategies to the kids via Overhead Sheets.
The focus becomes on teaching to the test. But then can you blame them? The teacher's salary and evaluations all hang on that test. Nevermind that we are dealing with whatever problems the child brings from home, or from a poor performance in another teacher's class the year before, or two years before.
This all disgusts me.
It has been proven time and time again that the single most important factor in the classroom/school is the teacher. Period. Want better test scores and student achievement? Hire more teachers and reduce your class teacher-student ratios. Get rid of the ridiculous things that we spend money on to try and slap a band-aid on the problem. Instead, we cutting teaching positions and cramming more kids in each classroom. I can guarantee you that just as much time will be spent managing behavior as teaching.
Administrators will tell you that they can't spend that money on teaching positions because its been "earmarked" by the state as other types of funds that have to be used for technology standards, remediation, or whatever. I've heard it all before. Just a bunch of excuses. We are in a budget crisis, right? Change the darn earmarks - or better yet, remove them altogether. Allow the local governments and admins the power to allocate funds as they see fit.
Remove the excuse. Then demand results.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sizzle? or Steak?
Which would you rather have? The steak or the sizzle? Flashy, showy, fancy martial arts or direct, effective, no-nonsense approach to training?
For a couple of years, I worked with a pretty large headwear company. They made ball caps and other hats. They were of pretty decent quality, but they spent a fortune on their packaging. Very thick corrugated cardboard, printed in multiple colors (gets pretty expensive for a box), nice tags, etc. The owner of the company was quoted as saying "We don't sell the steak, we sell the sizzle!" (its why I just can't work in sales)
I've studied quite a few martial arts styles over the years. Some were very flashy, to the point of causing me concern. I mean really, do you want to have a student go out and try to defend themselves with technique that has absolutely no chance of working unless you have a willing partner? You may as well send them to slaughter. Another style was a simple "combat" style, which was absolutely no-nonsense. Techniques were simple, and were repeated over and over. Honestly, it was kind of boring. I mean, how many times can you practice a palm strike to the face and groin before its time to move on?
People typically seek out Traditional Martial Arts like Kung Fu, Karate, TKD, etc., because they are interested in the expressive aspects of the style, as well as the self-defense. There is a satisfaction to be had by performing forms and sets that have been done for hundreds of years. There is also the need to express one's self, which can be found by performing and through training. Pulling off some of the flashy moves just feels good. I admit it. It looks cool.
At Corey Family Martial Arts, I feel there needs to be a balance in training. I will teach the traditional aspects, but also focus on self-defense...and once in awhile I'll through in some flashy moves. What is important is to distinguish between what is solid technique and what is "sizzle". My favorite teacher shows such techniques and then makes a point to identify it as "Hollywood". So, we know what is done for real fighting and defense, and what is just sizzle.
Come on down and train. Have a nice big helping of steak, with just a little bit of sizzle.
For a couple of years, I worked with a pretty large headwear company. They made ball caps and other hats. They were of pretty decent quality, but they spent a fortune on their packaging. Very thick corrugated cardboard, printed in multiple colors (gets pretty expensive for a box), nice tags, etc. The owner of the company was quoted as saying "We don't sell the steak, we sell the sizzle!" (its why I just can't work in sales)
I've studied quite a few martial arts styles over the years. Some were very flashy, to the point of causing me concern. I mean really, do you want to have a student go out and try to defend themselves with technique that has absolutely no chance of working unless you have a willing partner? You may as well send them to slaughter. Another style was a simple "combat" style, which was absolutely no-nonsense. Techniques were simple, and were repeated over and over. Honestly, it was kind of boring. I mean, how many times can you practice a palm strike to the face and groin before its time to move on?
People typically seek out Traditional Martial Arts like Kung Fu, Karate, TKD, etc., because they are interested in the expressive aspects of the style, as well as the self-defense. There is a satisfaction to be had by performing forms and sets that have been done for hundreds of years. There is also the need to express one's self, which can be found by performing and through training. Pulling off some of the flashy moves just feels good. I admit it. It looks cool.
At Corey Family Martial Arts, I feel there needs to be a balance in training. I will teach the traditional aspects, but also focus on self-defense...and once in awhile I'll through in some flashy moves. What is important is to distinguish between what is solid technique and what is "sizzle". My favorite teacher shows such techniques and then makes a point to identify it as "Hollywood". So, we know what is done for real fighting and defense, and what is just sizzle.
Come on down and train. Have a nice big helping of steak, with just a little bit of sizzle.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
When can I test, Sifu?
I get asked this question on occasion, by students and parents of students. I recently had a student ask that has only been taking kung fu classes for 1 month. They explained to me that they had a _____ belt at their last school in only 6 months. I have to say that my reply isn't usually what they are looking for.
I'd love to say, "Wow!, Your technique is so sharp, let's test tomorrow!". But I won't. Its just not true.
Instead, I have to gently explain that I don't test students for sash promotions until they are ready. Students won't fail a sash test with me because I won't let them test until I know that they understand the requirements and can show a suitable level of mastery of those skills.
Now, let me explain why your child, who has been training for several months, still isn't ready for their first sash. Remember, I'm speaking in generalities...
1. No emphasis on technique. If your child performs the forms and training exercises without any intensity whatsoever, then they aren't ready. You can't just go through the motions. To quote one of my favorite martial arts stars...."You need emotional content". If you don't know what I'm talking about please check out this clip from Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon".
2. Still struggling to remember our basic curriculum material? Not ready. The truth is that 2 classes a week is not enough to make advancements in rank that fast. You get out of your training what you put in. Your child needs to practice their requirements at home once in awhile. Its just like learning to play piano, guitar, or learn another language - you have to practice.
The bottom line is this. I don't run a "McDojo".(google it) I don't give out rank advancements just so that we can have a case of the warm fuzzies. Rank must be earned, not given as a gift. If I tell you its time to test for rank, its actually because you have shown me that you already are performing at that level - now its just time to show off what you know. The test is more like a demonstration.
Now go practice.
I'd love to say, "Wow!, Your technique is so sharp, let's test tomorrow!". But I won't. Its just not true.
Instead, I have to gently explain that I don't test students for sash promotions until they are ready. Students won't fail a sash test with me because I won't let them test until I know that they understand the requirements and can show a suitable level of mastery of those skills.
Now, let me explain why your child, who has been training for several months, still isn't ready for their first sash. Remember, I'm speaking in generalities...
1. No emphasis on technique. If your child performs the forms and training exercises without any intensity whatsoever, then they aren't ready. You can't just go through the motions. To quote one of my favorite martial arts stars...."You need emotional content". If you don't know what I'm talking about please check out this clip from Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon".
2. Still struggling to remember our basic curriculum material? Not ready. The truth is that 2 classes a week is not enough to make advancements in rank that fast. You get out of your training what you put in. Your child needs to practice their requirements at home once in awhile. Its just like learning to play piano, guitar, or learn another language - you have to practice.
The bottom line is this. I don't run a "McDojo".(google it) I don't give out rank advancements just so that we can have a case of the warm fuzzies. Rank must be earned, not given as a gift. If I tell you its time to test for rank, its actually because you have shown me that you already are performing at that level - now its just time to show off what you know. The test is more like a demonstration.
Now go practice.
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