It is wonderful how the three 'ultimates' of kungfu or any martial art are authentically taught in Shaolin Wahnam
...while the actual spectrum of the Shaolin arts in Shaolin Wahnam goes even farther
...while the actual spectrum of the Shaolin arts in Shaolin Wahnam goes even farther
Here's the second part of Sifu's answer:
Answer 1, part 2
The Art of Lightness not only enables an expert to jump high but also enables him to avoid dangerous falls – within reasonable limits. But I don’t think these abilities apply when the heights and falls are extreme, like jumping up to a flyting airplane or falling from one.
It us worthy of note that no matter how hard some people may perceive an art to be realized, if the “three requirements” are present, that art art can be realized. The “three requirements” are the method, the teacher and the student. The method must lead to an accomplishment of the art. The teacher must be competent. The student must be ready and willing to learn.
I am happy to say that all the 72 Shaolin arts listed in our Shaolin Wahnam version can be accomplished. Although personally I am not accomplished in a few of the arts, like I have not tried poking my finger through thick buffalo’s hide in One-Finger Gold, or hurting an opponent 108 steps away in Marvelous Fist, I can teach a willing student to accomplish the task. The question is whether it is worth his time and effort, especially when we have better alternatives.
Hence, for us in Shaolin Wahnam, the question of the “hardest” art in terms of most difficult to accomplish, does not arise as all the arts can be accomplished. But in terms of “hardest” in the sense that it is the most difficult to practice, I would state the Art of Lightness. It is “hardest” because it takes the most time and effort as well as needs to most demanding requirements to be accomplished. It should be noted here that “hardest” is relative. Personally I do not find it “hard” is we have the determination to do it.
At present I do not see any need nor room for improving our current teaching methodology, nor push our bar higher. In fact, now we have to slow down our teaching methodology or lower our bar so as not to over-train.
Yes, being the best arts, Smiling from the Heart, Entering Silence and Chi flow are the arts that contribute more holistically in learning the remaining arts, and should preferably be learnt fisrt. This is exactly what we are doing. These three arts are what we teach all our students when they learn from us in Shaolin Wahnam. This is following the Shaolin tradition as passed down by my sifu, Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, that the best arts are taught first.
At the least, Smiling from the Heart calms students, apart from making them happy. Students who are calm and happy progress better than those who are not. Students who are angry, agitated, nervous and sad may not progress at all.
Entering silence is a basic requirement for practicing any internal art. The highest of the Shaolin arts, are internal. Without Entering Silence, students cannot practice any internal art.
Chi Flow is also another requirement for any internal art, though many masters who have accomplished themselves in internal art may not realize it. How could they accomplish the art if they did not, and still do not, realize that chi flow is a basic requirement? They had chi flow, but they were not consciously aware of their chi flow. Hence, they need much longer time to accomplish the art.
We are elite and practice a priceless art. Although we practice Smiling from the Heart, Entering Silence and Chi Flow right at the very start of our art, the 72 Shaolin Arts course provides invaluable skills and techniques for us to get more rom our practice.
The Art of Lightness not only enables an expert to jump high but also enables him to avoid dangerous falls – within reasonable limits. But I don’t think these abilities apply when the heights and falls are extreme, like jumping up to a flyting airplane or falling from one.
It us worthy of note that no matter how hard some people may perceive an art to be realized, if the “three requirements” are present, that art art can be realized. The “three requirements” are the method, the teacher and the student. The method must lead to an accomplishment of the art. The teacher must be competent. The student must be ready and willing to learn.
I am happy to say that all the 72 Shaolin arts listed in our Shaolin Wahnam version can be accomplished. Although personally I am not accomplished in a few of the arts, like I have not tried poking my finger through thick buffalo’s hide in One-Finger Gold, or hurting an opponent 108 steps away in Marvelous Fist, I can teach a willing student to accomplish the task. The question is whether it is worth his time and effort, especially when we have better alternatives.
Hence, for us in Shaolin Wahnam, the question of the “hardest” art in terms of most difficult to accomplish, does not arise as all the arts can be accomplished. But in terms of “hardest” in the sense that it is the most difficult to practice, I would state the Art of Lightness. It is “hardest” because it takes the most time and effort as well as needs to most demanding requirements to be accomplished. It should be noted here that “hardest” is relative. Personally I do not find it “hard” is we have the determination to do it.
At present I do not see any need nor room for improving our current teaching methodology, nor push our bar higher. In fact, now we have to slow down our teaching methodology or lower our bar so as not to over-train.
Yes, being the best arts, Smiling from the Heart, Entering Silence and Chi flow are the arts that contribute more holistically in learning the remaining arts, and should preferably be learnt fisrt. This is exactly what we are doing. These three arts are what we teach all our students when they learn from us in Shaolin Wahnam. This is following the Shaolin tradition as passed down by my sifu, Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, that the best arts are taught first.
At the least, Smiling from the Heart calms students, apart from making them happy. Students who are calm and happy progress better than those who are not. Students who are angry, agitated, nervous and sad may not progress at all.
Entering silence is a basic requirement for practicing any internal art. The highest of the Shaolin arts, are internal. Without Entering Silence, students cannot practice any internal art.
Chi Flow is also another requirement for any internal art, though many masters who have accomplished themselves in internal art may not realize it. How could they accomplish the art if they did not, and still do not, realize that chi flow is a basic requirement? They had chi flow, but they were not consciously aware of their chi flow. Hence, they need much longer time to accomplish the art.
We are elite and practice a priceless art. Although we practice Smiling from the Heart, Entering Silence and Chi Flow right at the very start of our art, the 72 Shaolin Arts course provides invaluable skills and techniques for us to get more rom our practice.
Comment