5 Techniques to Improve Your Technique

High-Tech Arm.

Technique is your basis in WingChun. By technique I mean the accuracy, efficacy and quality of your movements. It displays as being clear in your intention and clean in your action. This depends on right knowledge and ample practice.

If you are swimming, precise technique allows you to glide faster and longer through the water. Swinging a high-tech titanium bat lets you hit harder and farther than a wooden one. In Self-Defense, poor technique decreases the likelihood and increases the difficulty of successful application, which is dangerous in a survival context. Such sloppiness is often due to forcing and rushing. You can amplify, rather than substitute, technique with power and speed.

There are consequential visual, tactile and, especially, functional differences between merely good and extremely great technical performance. How do you hone the latter? Here are several suggestions I’d like to share with you: Continue reading

My Headquarters Visit 2011, Part 2

Continued from Part 1.

On Friday, Sifu and I went to check out the site for the Sunday IAW Event in Bruchsal. It’s at a local school gymnasium.

I always get excited walking onto these indoor courts. Play is imminent and eminent. Brings me back to my fun pickup volleyball and junior varsity basketball days. In this case, let the WingChun games begin! Continue reading

IAW Headquarters Trip – Day Four

The day began early with a sequence of five Private Lessons planned with Sihing Ralph, Sihing Tobias, Sihing Chris and Sihing Martin. Because of the mental and physical intensity of these sessions, it was nice of Sifu to schedule a break so we could refuel. I filled up with a big salad and small coffee.

We are all working on the Fourth Technician Grade. Of course, it is essential to note that this not only includes Section 13-17 based on the Mok Yan Jang form, but equal treatment of all Programs to date.

I really like this characteristic equanimity throughout the entire IAW system, where no one and no thing is more important than another. There is no best concept or movement, perhaps save for that which you actually train to do, let alone magical secrets and shortcuts. Continue reading

Kayak Day

SifuKayak1

After a couple weeks of intensive Special Events and Private Lessons, Sifu and I planned a lovely day of kayaking. A first for both of us. Turns out we even train on leisure. That is perhaps the life of WingChun warriors who are always ready to enjoy a challenge. Not to say it wasn’t relaxing to paddle and peddle a few hours and seven miles. But we joked about it being a prolonged aquatic Escrima Dos Manos (Double Hands) session. Nice rejuvenation in the fresh air and salt water among the seals, sea lions, otters, ergets, seagulls, cormorants, pelicans, and terns. We look forward to our next outing.

SifuKayak2