Kung Fu Family
March 12, 2009
A special thank you goes out to my Sigong, Pete Pajil and my Sifu, Jay Hitchman for graciously having my adult leadership students and I out for a weekend excursion. We are truely fortunate to have such a strong and well rooted kung fu family that keeps its doors open to all of its generations. It is through the interactions of the generations that allows our root to remain so strong, and insures the successs of future generations. Also I would like to thank my kung fu brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts for treating us with such hospitatilty. We look forward to more visits, and of course will always keep our doors open to them.
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What's in a Name - Ving Tsun, Wing Chun...etc
February 9, 2009
Frequently I get asked the age old question, "What is the difference between Ving Tsun and Wing Chun?" Really, it is just a matter of translation. Ving Tsun is not an English word, and therefore its spelling and even its pronouncation by English speaking natives is at best an approximation.
The V T spelling is the spelling that Grand Master Ip Man selected for his Ving Tsun branch of the family (ie. The Ving Tsun Athletic Association). So in a general sense, it can be assumed that when you see it spelled Ving Tsun, it is most likely an Ip Man lineage school. But not all Ip Man branches use this spelling. Some choose to use the easier to read version of Wing Chun or even other names that they have even gone so far as to trademark. What ever the spelling is, in chinese it is spelled rt but even there, there is some dispute others choose to spell it as it...
But in reality we have to fall back to the idea that a name is just a name. As proud of a name as we might like to be, it is simply a name. And if you research enough...
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spelling of ving tsun, spelling of wing chun, the difference between ving tsun and wing chun, ving tsun, wing chun
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The Value of Forms in the Martial Arts
February 9, 2009
A lot of talk goes on today about the value of forms (or kata) in the martial arts. Some argue that forms are essentially "useles" and others that they are the only way to learn a martial art. Forms are simply a third of the overall picture when it comes to martial arts. The other two include drills and application. However, this post will stick mainly to the validity of forms.
First forms provide a unique package which houses the techniques, principals, theories, natures and ideas of a martial arts system. For instance, in Ving Tsun you first learn the Siu Nim Tau form, but you will always practice the form because its techniques, principals, theories, natures and ideas are always relevent to the overall system. By housing parts of a martial arts system in this way, it can be passed on to future generations intact.
Second, forms provide training for spacial awareness of the practicioner in relationship to him or herself. You must know how to co-ordinate your body to move in an efficient manner. solo forms provide a time to train your body's awareness of itself. It is not the same as swimming out of water (unless someone is doing so...
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forms, martial arts forms, siu nim tau, swimming out of water
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The VT Blog is back
February 7, 2009
Due to popular demand from several emails that I have recieved, I have decided to bring back the VT blog. The point of this blog is to share some ideas and have good discussions about martial arts, especially Ving Tsun. I am open to suggestions for posts and discussions you can email them to me at sifu@academyvingtsun.com.
Please keep in mind that this blog does not allow crude language - (ie. swear words, sexual remarks)- your post will be deleted - no questions asked if it has any of this in it. Also, it does not allow put downs, insults or personal attacks on others. It is for respectful discussions only. We do not discuss Ving Tsun politics here either. While we can discuss the seperate branches of the larger family, it is not an open forum for political discussions about the Ving Tsun (wing chun, wing tsun) families. If any of the above occur, your post or coments will be removed with no further remark.
The goal of this blog is to provide and share information, thoughts and opinions. I would like to hear from you. If you think that you would like to post. Don't delay. Go ahead and post. Just do...
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Wing Chun Wooden Dummy - a tool for learning kung fu
December 10, 2008
Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
The Ving Tsun Wooden Dummy - or Mook Yan Jong is a martial arts training devise specific to the Ving Tsun system of martial arts. Many other systems employ the use of other types of training dummies that are similar - but the mook yan jong is Ving Tsun specific. This is a specific review of a dummy style that is available through our website at www.WarriorsChoice.com feel free to email me at sifu@academyvingtsun.com if you are interested in purchasing the dummy described in this article.
This wooden dummy is known as a “live dummy” because it is mounted on rails that attach to the wall which give it a spring like recoil when it is struck - which gives it a life like feel. At one point in time, wooden dummies were planted in the ground without being suspended on rails, and due to the fact that they did not move when struck are sometimes referred to as dead dummies. However, before the dummies were supported on rails, this distinction would not be necessary. According to Grandmaster Moy Yat in the Mook Yan Jong video, Grandmaster Yip Man invented the “live” dummy because there was...
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Wing Chun Wooden Dummy - a tool for learning kung fu
December 10, 2008
Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
The Ving Tsun Wooden Dummy - or Mook Yan Jong is a martial arts training devise specific to the Ving Tsun system of martial arts. Many other systems employ the use of other types of training dummies that are similar - but the mook yan jong is Ving Tsun specific. This is a specific review of a dummy style that is available through our website at www.WarriorsChoice.com feel free to email me at sifu@academyvingtsun.com if you are interested in purchasing the dummy described in this article.
This wooden dummy is known as a “live dummy” because it is mounted on rails that attach to the wall which give it a spring like recoil when it is struck - which gives it a life like feel. At one point in time, wooden dummies were planted in the ground without being suspended on rails, and due to the fact that they did not move when struck are sometimes referred to as dead dummies. However, before the dummies were supported on rails, this distinction would not be necessary. According to Grandmaster Moy Yat in the Mook Yan Jong video, Grandmaster Yip Man invented the “live” dummy because there was...
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Tags:
kung fu dummy, muk yan jong, ving tsun wooden dummy, wing chun dummy, wooden dumy
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Invest in Yourself!
December 10, 2008
Ving Tsun to me has balanced my life and given me a depth of perspectives that I am not sure if I could have developed in one lifetime without its guidance. Furthermore it has provided me with martial arts connections all over the world. When I guide my students through the process of learning Ving Tsun, I know that what they recieve from Ving Tsun is far more valuable than what they “pay” in tuition to recieve it. But I also know that they student needs to embrace the art in such a way that it allows them to grow in it. It is the same as with anything - if you want to get the most out of something, you must put everything that you got into it. If you play sports, but only half heartedly invest yourself in it you will probably find yourself riding the pine a lot on the sidelines… but if you choose to invest yourself you will probably become a force in it. Martial arts are no different.
Everyone is talking about the economy and the downward spiral that it seems to be locked into. Many people are asking the tough questions such as,...
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Definition of Good in the Martial Arts
February 22, 2008
In another thread Jay asked "What would be your definition of one who is "good" at Martial Arts? " I would like to entertain some discussions about this topic- so I will post the first comment below to answer his question, and then move forward.
Tags:
good, training, what is good
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The Muk Yan Jong, aka Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
February 15, 2008
Many people like to inquire about the muk yan jong, it is an item of intrigue for many. It is such an item of intrigue that many people of other systems of martial arts buy them with the intent of using them to improve their karate, tae kwon do, or other kung fu system. Now the muk yan jong, or jong for short, should not be confused with other dummies used out there such as the one used by Choy Lee Fut, or the one used by the Seven Star Praying Mantis system. Furthermore, the wing chun jong is not a tool to be used specifically to strengthen or harden the limbs of the practitioner, nor is it a glorified heavy bag. It is a training device used to improve ones techniques and ability to "take, control, and penetrate" the center line.
Grand Master Moy Yat compared the Jong to a typewriter in his book A Legend of Kung Fu Masters. He made the point that the jong cannot magically make bad kung fu good anymore than a typewriter can make a bad writer good. In order to understand the jong one must have a strong understanding of the...
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dummy, jong, kung fu dummy, mook yan jong, muk, muk jong, muk yan jong, wing chun dummy, wooden dummy, wooden man, wooden man post
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Welcome to AVTKF's Blog
January 14, 2008
This blog is for any practicioners of Ving Tsun (wing chun, wing tsun) with anything to say concerning wing chun or anyone interested in this great art who would like to learn more about it. This board is not for political discussions and anything of an offensive manner will be removed by me, the site administrator. This site is for mature discussions only. I reseve the right to remove any content that I determine is not appropriate for this discussion. Thank you.
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