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  • The Future of Special Intensive Kungfu Courses

    Dear family,


    I have some exciting news to share with you!


    While touring the raw, beautiful north of upper Finnish and Norwegian countryside, I've had the great pleasure of discussing many matters concerning chi kung and kungfu with Sifu. On this trip, Sifu has kindly shared some plans he has for the future.

    As all of you know, the number and scope of special arts in kungfu taught by Sifu has increased dramatically in the recent years. And, like all of us who've attended these courses can tell, this is a fantastic benefit for us, our school and all these arts in general. The number and range of these arts Sifu is handing for us is truly staggering.


    In a slight contrast, the Special Intensive Kungfu courses in Malaysia, where students come to specialize to different kungfu sets, has in the past included the following six options:

    • Tiger and Crane Double Form Set
    • Shaolin Dragon and Tiger Set
    • Shaolin Five-Animal Set
    • Shaolin Dragon Form Set
    • Shaolin Monkey Set
    • Shaolin Pakua Set



    This is about to change: In the future Special Intensive Courses, all these six options will be available. However, Sifu will give us the option to choose also from any arts or styles taught at different specialized courses around the world. These include:

    • Choe Family Wing Choon
    • Eagle Claw
    • The Flower Set
    • Praying Mantis
    • Taming the Tiger
    • Tan Tui
    • The Triple Stretch
    ...and many more to come


    So the number of different sets to specialize in will at least double, and will keep increasing in the future. Interestingly, this development not only touches upon classical Shaolin, but adds also specialized arts derived from Shaolin, like for example Eagle Claw and Wing Choon!


    In my opinion, this is great news for us. I will elaborate soon why, but first I'll give you the opportunity to comment.


    Best wishes,
    Markus Kahila
    Shaolin Nordic Finland

    www.shaolin-nordic.com


  • #2
    Wow this sounds fantastic. It will be an amazing opportunity of learning with such a variety of specializations coming together in one course. And it will be good fun to practice arts or styles learned in special Kungfu courses. Thank you Sisook for sharing your conversation and Sigung for continuously developing and improving your teaching.

    Andrea
    Last edited by Andrea; 6 January 2011, 08:28 PM.
    Enjoy some Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan & Qi Gong!

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    • #3
      Wow, this is indeed great news!
      Tim Franklin

      http://www.theguardianlions.co.uk
      A story of finding Courage and Wisdom

      www.zenarts.co.uk Classes and Courses for Shaolin Kung Fu, Taijiquan and Qigong in Bognor Regis, Chichester, West Sussex

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      • #4
        Fantastic news!!!!
        Daniel Pérez
        http://www.shaolinbcn.es

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        • #5
          Oh Yes!

          Very very cool news

          Robin
          "The Power of Tai Chi Chuan. com"

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          • #6
            Special or fundamental?

            Dear family,


            So what is the benefit of this new, broader specialization? We can look at an answer from the perspective of the aims and objectives:


            From the start, the aim of Shaolin Wahnam has been to help restore the glory of traditional kungfu. For the first stage of this purpose, Sifu has provided us with excellent methods for force and combat training, compiling a comprehensive training program for fundamental kungfu development.

            In our basic training, we have Lifting the Sky, stance training, Art of Flexibility and One Finger Zen for chi kung and force training, and the 16 combat sequences, tactics and strategies for fundamental combat skills.

            However, considering this aim of our school, does the standard curriculum really cover the whole scope what Shaolin Kungfu has to offer?


            The answer, of course, is no - it is easy to discover there is much more to the depth and range in Shaolin Kungfu. Let's take some famous Shaolin arts as an example:
            • no-shadow kicks
            • chin-na
            • dim mak


            Although our basic training offers us the crucial foundation for Shaolin Kungfu development, how would anyone reach mastery in any of these arts without specialization?

            On the other hand, once we broaden our field of specialization, all routes become open. Here's a few examples:
            • Specializing in the Flower Set paves the way to developing "no-shadow kicks"
            • Specializing in Eagle Claw kungfu or the "Taming the Tiger" set paves the way to developing chin-na.
            • Specializing in the Dragon Form paves the way to dim mak


            It bears to mention that the above is not based on my opinion; it is a small example of what Sifu has said he has in store for us.

            For what its worth, my personal opinion is that Sifu is doing what he has always stated: He's giving us the very best.


            Interestingly, there are still many concerns regarding the increasingly available special training in our school. Here's a few of typical issues I've seen raised:
            • "I want to train Shaolin, not Wing Choon or Eagle Claw"
            • "We have an excellent standard kungfu syllabus. Why can't I just specialize on that?"
            • "If I start training special arts or sets, my training of the basics will suffer"
            • "There's too much to train. I don't want to scatter my attention"



            I'd like to invite everyone here to share your point of view. Do you see these as real issues?


            Looking forward to hearing from you!



            Best wishes,
            Markus Kahila
            Shaolin Nordic Finland

            www.shaolin-nordic.com

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Markus Kahila View Post
              "I want to train Shaolin, not Wing Choon or Eagle Claw"
              It's all Shaolin.

              "We have an excellent standard kungfu syllabus. Why can't I just specialize on that?"
              I think you can, but the level attained will be lower.

              Development can be "horizontal" or "vertical'. The former is learning more material, the latter is deepening the skill in material already learned. Normally, deepening skills is the more important, however by broadening the knowledge and then deepening skills a better result can be obtained. Both are important.

              Not all of the standard material is equally beneficial to everyone all other things being equal. This is essentially why there are so many arts, because practitioners are not the same. I feel that specialisation therefore allows a practitioner to find the best path for them, as well as enhancing their knowledge which in turn will help them make a better choice.

              "If I start training special arts or sets, my training of the basics will suffer"
              Only if you neglect the basics when practicing these specialised arts or sets. They are called basics because they are present in all of our training.

              "There's too much to train. I don't want to scatter my attention"
              Similar to above: all training includes common elements and new knowledge can (and should) lead to a better understanding of old knowledge and more efficient practice.

              I look forward to input from others so that I may broaden my own understanding.


              Best wishes,
              George / Юра
              Shaolin Wahnam England

              gate gate pāragate pārasaṁgate bodhi svāhā

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              • #8
                I think its very good news. I have heard a lot of people say something like:
                "I'd like to go on the specialisation course, but because I already know (for example) Tan Tui I'd rather specialise in that I don't want to learn another set too, I just want to know how to train a specialisation, how to compose my own sequences etc."
                I guess those people will be happy!
                I also thought the same thing, I would like to specialise in one of the arts I've learned on courses like Eagle Claw, Wing Choon, or Praying Mantis.

                I have also thought that it would be good if there are some people specialising in each of these arts that Sifu taught so that in future there will be someone to preserve Eagle Claw, Tan Tui, etc, hopefully all the arts.

                Originally posted by Markus Kahila View Post
                "I want to train Shaolin, not Wing Choon or Eagle Claw"
                I guess people have a lot of freedom within this to study whatever they prefer.

                Originally posted by Markus Kahila View Post
                "We have an excellent standard kungfu syllabus. Why can't I just specialize on that?"
                Probably they can but should they master it, then they know there is more.

                Originally posted by Markus Kahila View Post
                "If I start training special arts or sets, my training of the basics will suffer"
                I think George's answer is perfect on this one.

                Originally posted by Markus Kahila View Post
                "There's too much to train. I don't want to scatter my attention"
                I suppose I would share this concern, seeing as I know many forms, but still struggle to use them for fighting. However I don't see a problem with drilling one or two techniques hundreds of times per day, whilst going over other things once, or once a week.

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                • #9
                  my answer is simple: Sifu knows what is best for his students, just trust Sifu. Wahnam family is very fortunate to have chance to learn once jealously guarded treasures of traditional Chinese martial arts! all the best in your training!
                  Pavel Macek Sifu

                  Practical Hung Kyun 實用洪拳

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                  • #10
                    "I want to train Shaolin, not Wing Choon or Eagle Claw"
                    It is like Siheng George says. It's all Shaolin. In our school we believe that the Great General Yue Fei invented Eagle Claw Kung Fu, wich he developed from his teachings from Grandmaster Zhou Tong, a great Shaolin Grandmaster.

                    So Eagle Claw is Shaolin. Same with Wing Chun. Sifu is a Kung Fu Genius, and believes Wing Chun evolved from The Flower Set. My Sifu wouldn't make such a statement if this wasn't the case. Wing Chun has Shaolin roots.

                    People tend to push everything in a corner and everything has to be named, they see things black and white. It's like Sfu states in this article: http://shaolin.org/answers/sp-issues/privilege.html , Wing Chun, Tajiquan, etc. weren't coined terms in the past.

                    We are guided by one of the best Grandmasters in Shaolin history, I think we should all be very happy and proud that these evolvments are happening!
                    We should all take these opportunities, instead of looking at things black and white.
                    Like Sifu Pavel kindly says about Sifu: we should trust our Grandmaster.

                    "We have an excellent standard kungfu syllabus. Why can't I just specialize on that?"
                    Offcourse it's possible to just focus on that, we all make our own choices at the end. But they blend in perfect with the standard material.

                    "If I start training special arts or sets, my training of the basics will suffer"
                    The basics should always be looked at as very important. We can apply these basics to everything. We should note that Sifu is transmitting these Arts, wich means they blend in 100% with the Core syllabus.

                    It's not the same as training styles from different masters who have different methods in their training and might create conflict.

                    "There's too much to train. I don't want to scatter my attention"
                    Setting Aims and Objectives. Organize your training. Follow your Sifu's advice en help to make a great training program for yourself.

                    Offcourse, nobody has to learn it all. We all have a free will right? But isn't it beautiful and great to have these chances and choices?

                    Sifu is writing Shaolin History, we are more blessed then we could ever imagine! Don't take these evolvements for granted!

                    I am very happy to read this fantastic news!!
                    Last edited by Guest; 9 January 2011, 10:45 AM. Reason: typo

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                    • #11
                      "I want to train Shaolin, not Wing Choon or Eagle Claw"
                      "We have an excellent standard kungfu syllabus. Why can't I just specialize on that?"
                      "If I start training special arts or sets, my training of the basics will suffer"
                      "There's too much to train. I don't want to scatter my attention"

                      When I first learnt from Sifu, I was very much guided by a statement he made to me: "in our school, less is more." and for a while I resisted learning too many things at once. But as time passed, I realised that Sifu's statement was meant for me at that point in time. We are not static matter, we are dynamic and adaptable living persons. And so, there is a time and place to become as broad as we are deep.

                      A beginner will get lost and overwhelmed when he is exposed to a multitude of methods, sets, drills, and patterns. But when the beginner has started to internalise the essentials of his art, and developed a core he can draw on, it is helpful to look around be open-minded in learning from the best he can find.

                      Will our attention be scattered? Maybe, if you are still not well-developed. A small cup cannot hold too much water. A large reservoir with different sections can hold more than you can drink in a lifetime. For most of us in Shaolin Wahnam, our capacity (mind and physical ability) has expanded with our training. I was amazed to find out just how much.

                      Recently, I did a mind-map of all the sports, marital arts and other physical activities I have been dabbling in since i began my journey with Sifu. To my great surprise, I listed out more than 10 such activities. How did it all even start? I only have time to practice up to an hour a day on a normal weekday (sometimes not even that), but I somehow managed to do so many sports, which for most normal people would be extremely tiring and draining. (The only limitation is my work schedule, otherwise I suspect I would be doing 20 sports). Whether I was learning Baguazhang or yoga, I found my learning curve cut dramatically compared to a beginner without my Shaolin Wahnam background (of course, other beginners with a wushu or martial arts background also picked up the same skills relatively easily).

                      Because so many of my students come with a yoga or Pilates background, I found myself researching these arts, and I was impressed enough to learn them. I was pleasantly surprised to find common areas that validated what we have been practising in Shaolin qigong all along, such as the importance of exhaling through the mouth. This realisation applies to the many kungfu sets that are being introduced now - fear not the perceived differences and contradictions but instead seek the common path that they all take.

                      There must be systematic progression in all endeavours. Before you specialise, you need to have strong basics (a point I made in the Small Universe thread). You have to be honest to admit that sometimes you are not ready for the Special courses.
                      百德以孝为先
                      Persevere in correct practice

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                      • #12
                        It also occured to me that in these Special courses, there may be less "spoon-feeding" of forms and basically anything else that can be learnt from videos. Unlike a course dedicated to one set, such Special courses would have to assume that the participants already know the form from somewhere, and Sifu would then teach the universal principles applicable to all the sets or applications peculiar to each set. I would imagine it would not be a good use of time to teach the form from beginning to end if there are say, 10 different sets being taught at the course.
                        百德以孝为先
                        Persevere in correct practice

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Zhang Wuji View Post
                          It also occured to me that in these Special courses, there may be less "spoon-feeding" of forms and basically anything else that can be learnt from videos. Unlike a course dedicated to one set, such Special courses would have to assume that the participants already know the form from somewhere, and Sifu would then teach the universal principles applicable to all the sets or applications peculiar to each set. I would imagine it would not be a good use of time to teach the form from beginning to end if there are say, 10 different sets being taught at the course.
                          Exactly what I was thinking!

                          This is, no doubt, a great opportunity. But it is also a much bigger responsibility for the course participants. If you are not prepared with knowing your set and combat sequences, I think a good part of the benefit will be missed.

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                          • #14
                            excellent news

                            Excellent news.
                            Great for the consolidation of these specialised arts in our school.

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                            • #15
                              A New Perspective, a New Stage in the Development of Shaolin Wahnam

                              Dear Family,

                              Originally posted by Markus Kahila
                              As all of you know, the number and scope of special arts in kungfu taught by Sifu has increased dramatically in the recent years. And, like all of us who've attended these courses can tell, this is a fantastic benefit for us, our school and all these arts in general. The number and range of these arts Sifu is handing for us is truly staggering.
                              It's worth echoing the wise words of Sifu Markus. I've met numerous people on the courses at the Winter Camp who, previously being seriously skeptical about whether they could handle specialized training or whether it would be useful for them, are now SO VERY GLAD AND GRATEFUL to be on these Flower Set and Asking Bridge courses after only 2 days. We have 3 more days! How many rich and beautiful skills have we learned in these 2 days?! Sifu is taking us to the next level with these courses, and it's only the intermediate level.

                              I believe this is one of the main reasons that Kung Fu degraded after the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple. There had been a special center where Masters of different styles could share and maintain the vastness of Kung Fu together. With the dissolution, Masters were prone to specialization without the experience of the spread....and after a few generations they forgot the rich spread...which resulted in the degradation of Kung Fu. But here Sifu is, taking us back! Reintroducing the beautiful and enhancing spread and depth of Kung Fu.

                              These special courses and the newly enhanced Special Intensive Courses in Malaysia are a beautiful opportunity to improve all of our Kung Fu, and accelerate us to our goal of restoring the glory of Kung Fu.
                              Last edited by Mark Blohm; 11 January 2011, 11:08 PM.
                              少林華南台灣 Shaolin Wahnam Taiwan

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