Bennys description also fits many who think they are qualified to change wing chun for the “better”.
Benny
Of the five or so who are said to have been taught the entire system (all forms) from Yip Man, which studied for 16 hrs a day (!), and for how long where they active students doing so?
Master Ho Kam Ming is old and semi retired now. He had real estate in Macao and Hong Kong- learned privately from Yip Man paid the tuition and practised constantly all day. Yip man would teach the next step after he masterd the previous one. Regular instruction for about 8 years.. then regular contact till YM’s death.
HKM taught some of YM’s private students. Like YM he doesnt give out freebies. And he is not into marketing or being a hale fellow well met. Doesnt really speak English. he is one of the last of the great YM students who really studied in depth with YM.
He didnt even send in his pic for the so called lineage book…his picture was pasted on in the book. There is a pic of him correcting yours truly on my site.
The original question was asked whether to practice Knife Forms from other Wing Chun camps (other than my own) to improve footwork.
Your question implies that you feel your Wing Tsun lineage is not providing you with a complete system. Is this Wing Tsun or your particular sifu/school? Have you touched base with other WT schools/practicioners? Have you asked to improve footwork with your Sifu? Sihings? A lot of things you should consider before seeking outside of where you train.
Kung Fu training is a process that uses various methods to seek a result called Kung Fu. Kung Fu is not compartmentalized into modules that “one size fits all”. The Sifu puts you on the path and you must find what becomes “your Kung Fu”. There is no this grandmasters way or that which is cast in stone for you to copy. There is, however, the Grandmasters foundation and interpretation, which should be supported by the principles of Wing Chun and understandable use. All forms are expressions of a persons character and interpretation.
If you are not playing the knives, then they are not a tool for which you can “copy” for some result. If your question is truly “how can I improve my footwork?”, your forum family has provided appropriate suggestions such as using the Muk Jong and training your Chum Kiu.
As I mentioned in a previous subject, very few truly understand the Wing Chun weapons and even fewer are masters of them. A true Kung Fu guy from any lineage would not just “show you” the knife form. But instead help you with the base of what you want to do.
Good luck in your Kung Fu
dusk and her embrace
hey i feel like spamming to for my si gung.
leung sheung was a already aged and experianced kung fu sifu. he had learned weng chun from tang suen and had learned pai mai from ?, which he specialized in the dragon techniques contained in the pai mai system. leung sheung was big and strong but found that the slight built yip man controled him like a rag doll. leung sheung became yip mans first student in H.K. leung sheung lived with a learned from yip man for over 5 years. in which time he also helped instruct the new students such as chu shong tin and wong shun long. leung sheung, chu shong tin, and lok yiu were the first students who represented yip man in dah tien hah(fight to take over whats below heaven).
so its rather obvious that yip man held nothing back when teaching leung sheung who had the expireance of other southern kung fu’s to know the real from the flower brocade. even though he had a large frame he was know for his soft approach to wc. strssing relaxation was the key to success. he made sure the students knew the power he generated was not from his size or speed but from his relaxation and his root.
Lindley57
Thanks for the replies all
Lindley57
This thread got a little hung up on the knives what I originally asked was
“I was wondering, is there any equipment that people can recommend for solo training (other than the dummy), I heard the footwork particularly in the knives is new and useful”
What I was asking was far more general than the replies have been. I was trying to include things like wrist weights, or balance beams, or the martial arm (from Immortal Creations). I hope I did not give the impression I was trying to rush through the system or was dissatisfied with my teacher, I am very happy where I am and with the training I receive, the intention was for tips on solo training aids, I just used the knives as an example, perhaps unwisely.
Anyway thank you all for your replies
Peace