Comprehensive and In-Depth Course on Wing Choon Kungfu

[Mark Blohm]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The "unveiling of more secrets" is an apt way to describe our first day and a half of course training. One of the main highlights of our first day was the amazing skill of changing chi into jing using Siu Lin Tou. Sifu systematically led us from the form to the chi to the jing level. And Sifu's own skill is so impressive to watch.

And chi sau feels so nice! It's different from what you see on youtube videos when you search "chi sau". Very interesting

[Jeroen]

The best of the internal depths of Wing Choon and Shaolin Kung Fu

Dear all,

I have just finished the second day in Malaysia and I already have my trip worth of insights. Like Mark mentioned, we have learned how to transform Chi into Jin (Internal Force or Crystallized Energy).

Specifically the emphasis on using the Mind I found tremendously beneficial. Sigung also gave us two different approaches towards practicing the Sin Lin Tou, the Hard and the Soft approach. Both create internal force in a different way, where by doing the "hard approach" (which is also very gentle and soft) will really benefit the "soft approach" (which is also hard).

I must admit, I am thrilled to have experienced the above, as I otherwise would have had no clue what this means.

The best part of the course though, is seeing Sigung demonstrating the sets with force. Everybody is just smiling from ear to ear. I always heard people mentioning they could feel Sigung's energy, which I never really felt. Now I feel it crystal clear. Maybe also as one of the skills we learn in chi sau is deeply sensing our opponent chi flow, intention, stance, etc, etc and many more.

What furthermore really amazes me is how Sigung is taking the essences from so many area's of his Kung Fu experience and interweaving the aspects into Wing Choon, which feels very natural. For example using the Sin Lin Tou set techniques to generate chi kung skills, like vigorous chi flow, building force chi flow or spiritual expansion chi flow. This does not only integrate some of the best of shaolin with wing choon, it allows me to tranfer all build up skills from one to another.

Okay, I seem to have the energy to go on for ever, but I'll really stop and go to "rudy's of Penang" for some great hawker centre food.

Thank you so much Sigung for offering this course, and for all your hour and hours and hours and hours of practicing. And all your hours and hours and hours of improving your methodology. Because the amount of skills I feel is being transferred is simple ridiculous, and I honestly have no clue of how lucky I really am to receive these teachings.

With Gratitude (which I am going to practice a lot more )

Jeroen

[George]

Hi all,

Some of my highlights from the course so far:

I feel like a fresh beginner when it comes to learning forms and here's why:

Remember the progression we are all taught as beginners: Form -> Force -> Flow -> Speed. Now, I have another progression to learn: Form -> Chi Flow -> Hard Force -> Soft Force ...

The "Chi Flow" step involves nothing less than using the mind to direct the Chi Flow to perform the forms. While this is an ability I have already developed naturally to some extent, it was something that used to happen occasionally, not something I could do on demand. Well, now I can. Not very well yet, and only for some of the forms, but it's only been 2 days.

The "Hard Force" step involves performing each pattern in Chi Flow, but focusing a lot of Chi to convert it into Jing (or is it Jin - I can't seem to get those two the right way round). Most of the Iron Wire set is actually performed like this, although I previously was not sure how to describe the feeling. With this new understanding, every pattern becomes force training in itself. For fun, I tried out our Combat Sequence #1 in my room a little while ago in this manner and it sure felt different from how I remember it.

The next big highlight is the sensitivity training. To quite one of my seniors: "Sifu, it felt very nice!" Seriously though: it's great. We even did some of the basic attacks and defences with blindfolds and it didn't seem to make much difference - and this was after only a few hours of practice.

On a side note we went to see the new Ip Man movie this evening and I have to say I wasn't too impressed. Flowery fists et al.

Now I wonder who would be able to practice the sensitivity drills with me... (hint hint)


Best wishes,

[Mark Blohm]

Comprehensive and In-Depth Course on Wing Choon Kungfu

I'd like to highlight some main points of the course. Perhaps we could call them them 'The 3 treasures of Wing Choon Chuen'.

The first is Siu Lin Tou and it's main focus is on building "hard" internal force. Interestingly, the hard force of Siu Lin Tou feels different from the hard force of the Iron Wire Set, which many of us have had the pleasure of learn from Sifu Anthony Spinicchia. Although Siu Lin Tou can be trained for combat efficiency, the emphasis is on force training.

The second is Cham Kiew, which has a focus on maintaining contact with the opponent's bridges. It is closely related to chi sau, which is the key practice in developing the skill of sensing your opponent.

Phew Chee focuses on simple but effective (and potentially deadly) techniques for combat. It is my speculation that of all the sets made public by Shaolin Wahnam, this one is most like the special and secretly guarded Flower Set.

But what is clear most of all is that Sifu loves us very much, and gives us the very best.

[Molly]

Thanks for dividing up the thread for us Mark. You're very...uh...nice .

Many of the great things about this course have already been mentioned to varying degrees. I'm completely flabbergasted by the depth and breadth of material Sifu has transmitted to us in only 3 and a half days. I could honestly spend another five years only training these skills and there's still another day and a half left. When I started to hit the boiling point on the very first day, I knew this course was going to be special.

Learning the skill of transforming chi into jing in a few short moments has been one of the biggest highlights thusfar. Even still being only a fresh beginner at it, I'm also blown away at how it has evolved and changed my own Shaolin kungfu practice. And my One Finger Zen...let's just say it will never be the same.

Honestly I could go on and on about everything but instead I'll just sum it all up in the biggest standout highlight of this course- receiving so much information succinctly wrapped up into a neat little package that is easy to absorb on the outside- and then continues on the inside to unfold at an exponential rate by the moment. Being able to go from little success in blindfolded chi sao to consistent success in a few hours was incredible for me. So was feeling totally flustered and lost only to discover 15 minutes later that it was all clear to me already. Which only further reinforces to me Sifu's 3golden rules for practice: don't worry, don't intellectualize, enjoy your practice.

Thanks again Mark, it is clear that Sifu loves us all very much.

In spite of the spot of cleansing and the lack of sleep, I've never felt clearer headed or more charlesed with energy .

See y'all in the cosmos.

Molly

[Charles David]

"Charlesed with energy"? Sounds fantastic! Hey, it IS fantastic!

Thanks for your accounts everybody. Good thing I have been practicing not being jealous of others. I'm very happy to hear about how much you are learning.

Yours,

Charles

P.S.

I have added a few relevant posts from the previous thread.

[Nick_R]

Dear All,

Following an unfortunate difficulty at the airport, I was not able to make it to Malaysia for the course.
Its a bit sad to miss out on all the fun, though I know its for the best.
Thanks for sharing, Im enjoying the posts..
The course sounds incredible! Thankyou for everything Sigung.
Warm wishes to all,
Nick

[Mark Blohm]

Highlights: Hard Force Moments

.....if we paid our course fees and rooms and everything else and only got to see Sifu demonstrating various techniques with Hard Force, it would have all still been worth it. The best I can remember are:

Every technique in Siu Lin Tou.

A few techniques from Wuzu Kung Fu.

That Bagua technique with both palms out.

One Finger Zen.

Seeing One Finger Zen with a focus on Hard Force was tremendous.

It was so incredible and important for us, because we were given a special glimpse into the power that we are aiming for. It's so important to have that goal firmly in mind. Cherish those hard force moments, brothers and sisters!

[Tim]

Tremendous fun! This is not to be underestimated, never has a course I have been on been filled with so much laughter and appreciation together with an incredible depth of learning.

Whilst we increase our depth and skills of the various arts Sigung generously teaches us Sigung has very obviously honed his skills in being able to transmit such in depth knowledge in such a short space of time.

Take the much mentioned transferring chi in to jing. The method is profoundly simple, through mind, chi becomes jing. That's it! But you could read this a thousand times over and never be able to do it. I could say it to you aloud, yet you may never be able to do it. You might think you already know how to do it because you can feel the difference in being able to relax and feel chi flow your body or arm, and the difference when that chi becomes more concentrated and whilst you are still relaxed it feels harder.

But... even though I have experienced my description above in previous training it was NOT THE SAME as when Sigung taught us his method. The results are simply incredible...yes, but Sigung's ability to transmit these skills is beyond words.

Wing Chun has become extremely popular these days thanks to Bruce Lee and Ip Man and other masters of the system and I can see why. But interestingly the Wing Choon we learnt is very different than the other styles I have seen, perhaps because ours have come from a different point in the lineage.

Whilst most, if not all, styles of Wing Choon trace their roots to Shaolin Temple we are most fortunate to be able to experience directly the many secrets and training methods that would have been taught to the select few disciples, not just in Wing Choon, but in other styles as well.

When practicing Siu Lin Tou it is clear to see influences of what we have already been taught within our own system. This helped the Wing Choon feel like an extension to our art instead of something completely different, which of course it is.

Shaolin Salute to Sigung and my brother and sisters who made this course so special.

Tim

[Molly]

Thanks again to everyone for making this course so wonderful. I echo siheng Tim's sentiments that I've never laughed more or had more fun in a course. This is not to say however that I haven't immensely enjoyed every other experience training with my brothers and sisters.

Once again at the graduation dinner I found myself at a loss for words. My aim as I grow as a scholar warrior is to become a better spontaneous public speaker!

I was just blown away at all of the material Sifu transmitted in such a simple manner. I think we'll all be talking about the force demonstrations for some time to come. They were all so near and dear to me because for the first time I started to feel like if I train diligently, I may someday have the great priviledge of attaining a much higher level...

Also this course was very special for me because the efficacy of the techniques we learned are very helpful to dainty lil' ladies like myself kicking butt. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being a toughie, but now I have a vehicle to make my kungfu softer, yet stronger and better.

Finally one of the biggest things that I got out of this course was on a quite personal and special level. I feel as if I'm finally starting to discard my overly competitive attitude that has slowed my progress for so long. In spite of being small, I always tried to muscle around anyone I sparred with who had more force than me. When my techiques didn't work perfectly, I got down on myself. Sad to say my past bad attitude hampered some previous course experiences. But this time I simply accepted the chance to train with partners having more force or better technique as a chance for me to train smarter, not harder. I took mistakes as learning opportunities and was able to get benefit out of everybody of all levels. I feel like a door is opening now .

Once again, thank you a thousand times to Sifu for passing this down to us. I could never begin to express my gratitude. Thanks to Wei Foong for her tireless efforts and organization on our behalfs, and to all my brothers and sisters for making this course one for the record books (as if they all weren't!)

Love to all,

Molly

[Nick Jones]

Finally one of the biggest things that I got out of this course was on a quite personal and special level. I feel as if I'm finally starting to discard my overly competitive attitude that has slowed my progress for so long.

Congratulations, Sigujie. This is no small achievement, I understand how much we can miss when you focus on competing with our brothers and sisters rather than working together.

I'm enjoying reading the accounts of this course, it sounds very special. Looking forward to hearing about it from Max and Paul when they return.

Best wishes to everyone

Nick

[Lara]

Wonderful read.
So happy for all those involved.
Congratulations!



Lara

[Mark CH]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family

Well what else can I say that has not been said already. The course was noting short of amazing. Right from the beginning it was filled with material, teachings and humour that I will cherrish forever.

Sifu performing Siu Lin Tou was the most powerful and heart warming experience I have ever seen. And the amazing thing Sifu talked the whole way through the set performance. I am finding it hard to get words to describe the experience. It was really special.

A huge thank you to Sifu for sharing true Wing Choon to us all, to Anthony for teaching the Iron Wire, Damian for the wonderful trip to the cinema, Wei Foong as always for running everything to perfection and all my brothers and sisters for the training, laughter and enjoyment throughtout the course.

Best wishes to all
Mark

[joko]

The Course Review

Great news!
Sifu has generously uploaded the Wing Choon Course Review videos in his websites.

Thank you, Sifu.

Joko

[Robin]

Amazing

I feel so lucky to have been on that course.


As has been mentioned before, to see Sifu's deomonstration of hard and soft force, while talking! was really incredible.

I've got no doubt you could search your whole life for genuine Kung fu and never see anything like what Sifu demonstrated on the first day, and the best thing is ( and which I still can't beleive) is that Sifu was showing us the road to achieve the same. Though of course the road is decades long for us, it's just a level of generousity expressed by Sifu that is hard to conceptualize.

Apart from the 'Force fest' the highlight for me was definatley the Chi Sau, nothing like trying to execute and defend strikes, kicks, chin-na and throws while being blind folded and sometimes not even having contact with your partner (if only for a split second). What an amazing training tool we have.

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you Sifu


Robin