Pearls of Wisdom

Training for Life by Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong

Off to Asia soon? A lot of people are, with plans to study martial arts in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. You know the old saying - “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” It’s the same in Chinese martial arts. If you plan to learn either forms or fighting abroad, you should know how to show correct cultural respect for your overseas teacher. I cannot speak for the martial arts teachers of other Asian countries, but what follows applies to most Chinese instructors.

There are two ways to learn martial arts in the Orient. One way is through professional teachers who teach martial arts as a livelihood and charge a standard fee. Never bargain with these instructors for their fee. If you do, you will only create a bad impression with the teacher, who probably won’t teach you all you hoped to learn. He might only correct your movements on a shallow level. If you want depth an full consideration in your instruction from professional instructors, you had better make them happy with you.

The other type of instructor is well known and knowledgeable in martial arts, but does not have his own school. He doesn’t have to teach what he knows. You may have to coax his with money or favors. He may want to accept you as a student, but he doesn’t charge a standard tuition. You, of course, are not the only student he has. You are merely a transient student, compared to his regular disciples. You must find a way to be outstanding in his mind. Do that by taking good care of him. Treat him as special as you want him to treat you, with sincere, honest respect and money or a nice gift.

The same principle applies to wushu instructors in Mainland China. As wushu coaches, they are paid little by their government. However, you can still add to that sum, or help them with useful favors.

In the early days of my career, when I traveled overseas for advanced martial training, I found several good people from which to learn. However, they didn’t have schools or charge fees. We did get along well with each other, so they accepted me as a student. Since I was already an instructor and Chinese, I knew the culture. Hence, my overseas teachers considered me a close disciple.

After a while the best thing is be practical and give cash. That’s sometimes difficult, if you don’t know what the difference is between enough cash to be respectful and too cheap.

I put a good amount of cash into a small red Chinese envelope. The Chinese tradition is that red envelopes and their contents bring good luck. Give the envelope to the teacher the first day you arrive. Don’t be surprised when your teacher doesn’t open the envelope in front of you. Tradition dictates that they open it after you leave. From your cash present, your teacher has an idea of how much to teach you the next time you come.

Everything doesn’t revolve around money. Take your teacher out and pay the bill for lunch and dinners whenever you can. Be the one who pours tea for your teacher at restaurants. Serve him first, then pour tea for the others at your table. This shows respect for him and his other students.

If you are in Southern China or Hong Kong, when your teacher or one of the other table guests pours tea for you, tap the table several times with the tips of your first two fingers. This Chinese custom represents thank you. Use it only for pouring tea.

During meals, try to be a good listener. Don’t ask too many questions. Most masters don’t like people who ask too many questions. Take notes during your training period. If you have any questions, clarify what you don’t understand.

If there’s something special you want to learn, it’s all right to let them know your interests. However, don’t demand that training. Instead, give them a couple of choices, letting them know you respect what they think you should learn.

There are a few don’t involving cash dealings with your teacher. Never ask how much they charge for a form. For example, don’t tell your teacher that you want to learn the drunken form, and how much will he charge.

Don’t tell him you’ll give him a specific sum of money if he teaches you a certain form. Don’t try to make a deal with the teacher, such as, if you teach me this, I will do something for you. Those tactics are offensive to Chinese teachers. Occasionally, you’ll get what you want. However, you will lose in future relationships.

Make sure you always carry things, such as suitcases or bags for your teacher. If there’s some small thing your teacher sees and likes while passing a shop, but it for him. It helps build your image in his mind. Do these small things to show you care about him.

Of course, if you have a limited budget, you can find a school that charges a tuition and sign up as a regular student. This approach works well when you have enough time (at least several years) in that country to learn at the same rate as the other regular students. If you don’t have much time you must distinguish yourself as someone special to get any accelerated training.

If you plan to go back for more training, it’s a good idea to send your teacher a gift or money on holidays and birthdays. Then he’ll remember you when you come back.

Inside Kung Fu Magazine November 2010

by Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong

Chan Heung, the founder of choy li fut kung-fu, drafted 10 principles that would act as guidelines for the aspiring student who wanted to reach mastery. These 10 principles impart insight on subjects ranging from diet and training to fighting mentality.

Though all 10 principles are an important supplement in the development of the avid student of choy li fut’s training, the first three provide a strong base for anyone interested in studying the martial arts. The first three principles of choy li fut are; He must have an experienced teacher; he must work hard; and if he has to use his martial knowledge in combat, he should focus all his intent on winning the battle.

• He must have an experienced teacher.
An experienced teacher knows the value an experienced teacher knows the value of passing on the essence and techniques of the martial arts as purely as possible. It’s as if they were transmitted from the past masters themselves. Through years of dedicated training and teaching, an experienced teacher knows what to look for in a

student and delivers detailed corrections and guidance to the student in a safe and appropriate manner.

Today, anyone can look, read a book or watch a video and mimic what he sees. This is one way to learn, but not the best way to learn. An experienced teacher will hand down knowledge of what works as well as why it works. The teacher will also prevent needless injury from mistakes that could put the student’s training on hold for weeks or months. Learning from an experienced teacher increases the potential and efficiency of the student through the depth and knowledge available. It is then up to the student to take from what is available and make it work for him.

• He must work hard.
The teacher, regardless of experience, can only guide the student in his training. Ultimately, it is up to the student to put in the time and hard work necessary to master himself and the martial arts. Under correct guidance, the student must study the system, learn the history and lineage, the philosophy and tactics, and the movements and techniques.The student must practice and process what he has learned until it becomes a part of him.

Training is not something that can just be discussed; it must be done physically and wholeheartedly. The student must learn how to be self-motivated, to practice with full intention, speed and power. The student must commit to practicing without letting his training schedule fall by the wayside even when outside influences distract him. Students in my San Francisco studio read a saying after every class: “Practice makes perfect, we need more practice and patience.” It is a simple motto, but vital for the student’s growth. When the student works hard and practices what he has learned, the experienced teacher will give him more to learn.

• If he has to use his martial knowledge in combat, he should focus all his intent on winning the battle.
When the student has become proficient in martial arts, it is then, upon encountering a combative situation, the student must focus all his knowledge and experience on winning the battle. There is an old saying. “If you have mercy, don’t fight. If you fight, don’t have mercy.”

The martial artist needs to realize that it’s not about beating people up; it’s about avoiding a confrontation at all costs. But when the chips are down, he must be willing to do what it takes to win.
Following these three principles will supply the aspiring student with the concepts necessary to make his goal of mastery obtainable. With an experienced teacher and a good work ethic, the student can effectively grow in the martial arts and prepare himself for the moment when he most needs his training.

Doc-Fai Wong writes a bi-monthly column for Inside Kung-Fu.

November 2010 Inside Kung-Fu