Any forum members trained in more than one lineage?
What benefits/problems have you experienced?
Did you train multiple lineages at the same time or one after another??
Thanks for any feedback, i have the opportunity to study two lineages but want to think long and hard before committing.
Thanks
Nat from UK
Build a foundation
Hello,
I have had the privilege of training in several different lineages as well as working out with various people of different backgrounds. My best advice is to find the method which you enjoy and which suits you and build a firm foundation in that one before branching out into other methods. My reasons for saying this is that some lineages are very different and it can be confusing to try and intergrate them too early on in your training. Footwork, the energy used in Chi Sau and even the forms can be very different. However, if you train in one method and gain a full understanding of the principles and concepts then it is far easier to incorporate things from other lineages. However, it can also be extremely difficult as some differences will seem in complete opposition to what was previously taught. The best example I can give from my own experience is going from Wing Tsun to Chung Kwok Chow. In WT I used a 100% back-weighted stance and the Bic Bo type of stepping. In Chows method I learned a 50/50 method with a Triangle Stance and stepping. I still find myself reverting to the WT method sometimes when pressed. Each appraoch has advantages and disadvantages but it all depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it. As long as you understand what you are doing you can apply it according to your body and your needs. One thing I like about Chow is he has explored quite a bit of Wing Chun. He has taken what he liked from Yip Chun, Francis Fong, Kenneth Chung and others and made it a part of his approach. His method has changed over the years but all of his changes are based on his experience and exposure.
When I teach now I will show my students various ways to do something. I will explain the whys and why nots and insure they understand the pros and cons. I wil then let them explore on their own to find the best method suited to them. For example I teach turning on the heels, center of the foot and balls of the foot. I explain my reasons for doing each one and my preference and then allow the student to explore the options on his/her own. I will show them why I may do it a different way but I at least want them to get a rudimentary understanding of the different methods.
FWIW here is my pedigree 
but my dog has a better one 
Sifu Roy Undem>Augustine Fong Lineage
Sifu Keith Kernsprecht>Leung Ting Lineage
Sifu Alan Fong>Leung Ting Lineage
Sifu Chung Kwok Chow> Sifu Ng Wah Sum (Leung Shueng Lineage)
In addition I have trained with members of William Cheung lineage as well as Moy Yat lineage, Francis Fong lineage through Garrick Edwards, and been able to work out with a student of Eddie Chong. I have attended seminars and met with Yip Chun and Samual Kwok and there is a possibility that while with Alan Fong I visited Robert Chu’s school in NY before he moved to California. Robert and I have discussed it and there was a school Alan took us to visit and Robert and Alan were friends and Robert thinks he remembers us coming by.
Again, there is nothing wrong with checking out other lineages and approaches. My only suggestion is to get a firm understanding of your primary method first.
Peace,
Dave
I’ve had the good fortune to meet people skilled in several lineages, and in the end, I think they’re mostly just different paths up the same mountain. Sure, some paths are longer, some shorter, some few lead to dead ends, some to surprises, some to other paths, some are simple, some have great scenery (and most of all of that will vary on the individual). Trying different lineages can be a good way to find the one that suits you best for whatever stage you are at (some are great for beginners, for advanced, etc.), but I think there also comes a point you spend so much time running around the mountain you stop working your way up (though for some, that might be an enjoyable preference
In the end, I think finding what suits you and sticking with it gives the results, and the rest just helps adding a little perspective here or there.
Rgds,
RR
I have trained in different lineages from different instructors as well as from the same instructor. I have also worked out with people from different lineages.
My take is that you really do need a strong foundation in one system before exploring other options. Then you can compare methods and choose your favorite.
The biggest problem for me is keeping everything separate so that I can fully explore things without cross contamination. Also, it gets frustrating if I want to work on a particular branch but then tendencies creep in from the others.
In application/chi sau, everything has influenced me to some degree and I try to explore the things that each branch has to offer. I do have my preferences and although I don’t consciously try to incorporate everything, I do notice certain things manage to creep in subconsciouly on a regular basis.
Dzu
Hi all.
I have been involved with two lineages, both yip man.
The reason I left the first was because I found things just weren’t
adding up (principles, concepts and such).
Now I’m in my third year in the TST method and I’ve found everything to be validated. The other school has to my mind become even less validated than what led me to leave in the first place.
So my advise to you Nat is if the school you are currently involved with is adding up to Wing Chun standards and adding up to everything you believe Wing Chun is, why leave? Or why deviate?
Stick to your path unless it doesn’t add up. Just as Rene said you can spend your time running around the mountain or you can put in the hard work with a good system and work your way up it.
This may take time.
Thats all from me.
Gary
Because of moving I looked into another lineage. This was different from the one I was doing. The new WC Leung Ting/Steve Brandon/Ip Ching/Ron Heimberger was not what I was looking for. It is better to just stick with one and like what is mentioned previously work your way up in skill. If you are without a teacher practice on your own or find someone to train/teach in your system and continue from there. It is always easy to quit.
I’ve trained at first with austin goh, lee shign lineage, then yip chun lineage (not sure), and a few lessons with a very strong link to yip chun. the lee shing style seemed not to emphasise footwork, and was much more external. i believe austin goh incorporated some shaolin elements into it, backfists, even high kicks sometimes.
gotta dash sorry.
BeiKongHui
I have been exposed to 2 and trained in1 family style of WC.I am most interested in learning more about the family style you trained in.Perhaps we could contact each other off list.
I found that over all the family styles were not much different than Yip Mans WC but did fill some holes and confirm certain things such as stance, footwork, weapons, etc.