Tag Archives: Escrima

You Are the Weapon

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Knife as weapon.

“Everyone talks about it, that the weapons of WingChun would improve the system, but why did no one do it?”
— Sifu Klaus Brand

In popular conception, “wing chun” invokes several mental images. Besides the so-called wooden dummy, it is the iconic weapons. Nearly all lineages of wing chun impart them as the most advanced forms in their teachings.

Form Chinese Transliteration Translation
Fourth 木人樁 Mok Yan Jang Wooden Person Post
Fifth 六點半棍 Lok Dim Buen Gwun Six Point Half Pole
Sixth 八斬刀 Bat Zam Dou Eight Chopping Knives

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My Headquarters Visit 2011, Part 4

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WingChun Escrima Wooden Dummy

Self-Defense with WingChun and Escrima.

Continued from Part 3.

It’s been a week. And quite the week!

I wrapped it up with five more Private Lessons, an Escrima Class, a Regular Class in Bruchsal and another in Karlsruhe tonight. All just over the last few days after the IAW Event.

Does the training madness ever stop? Gladly, not. This is a good thing. Let’s call it a healthy obsession. An illness of wellness. I have been incurably addicted for a while. Sorry if you caught the bug from me! Continue reading →

IAW Headquarters Trip – Day Nine

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My final weekend kicked off with a bang of weapons during our Escrima Class. This was also the sequel to my testing for the Espada y Daga Level, the fourth of nine, along with Sihing Marc. We drew our swords and then sparks flew. It was also a treat to see Sifu transmit Combat Level material. Today he presented staff and spear methods. Imagine warriors of Sparta come alive.

After years of training and hours of testing, Sifu conferred to Sihing Marc and I the Espada y Daga Level certification. This was at once a proud and humbling moment, realizing some attainment as well as much more ahead.

A little break later, we rejoined for a Diploma Class. Continue reading →

IAW Headquarters Trip – Day Seven

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Once again I met up with Sihing Marc today. This morning it was to complete our first testing session for the Fourth Level of Escrima called Espada y Daga, which covers the flexible usage of asymmetric weapons. For a couple searing hours Sifu had us coordinate a sword and shield in numerous attack and defense patterns.

Animating metal is more rigorous than wood or bone. You also quickly determine the exact feel of optimal biomechanics, or the lack thereof, because your skin, muscles and joints soon tell you otherwise.

Then, in the afternoon I had a Double Lesson with Sihing Ralph. Sifu focused on refining a couple parts of the First Section, namely, 7 and 9.2. I have executed these sequences for hundreds of cycles. But never quite like this. To say the least, the simultaneous power and precision we exerted was enlivening.

Finally, I finished off Thursday with another HQ evening class, which I mostly spent training with Sihing Chris. This ended the first week of my trip. It’s been extremely action-packed so far. But perhaps the busiest days are yet to come.

I wonder what enlightening topics await our keen attention at the Special Class and Master Class tomorrow. Will let you know as soon as I do.