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Training for Life

Inside Kung Fu Magazine November 1990

If you know much karate history, you know the martial art came to Okinawa by way of traders from China’s Fukien province.  You will also know that, until recently, Japanese and Okinawan karate styles contained only two or three types of kicks: front kick, side kick and sometimes a cross between the two similar to a roundhouse kick.  All the jumping, spinning and hooking kicks seen in present day Korean and Japanese systems didn’t exist.  I mention this because traditional southern Chinese martial arts still have only a few kicks (Fukien is considered southern China).  Even some northern Chinese systems that do have a few more types of kicks do not have the Tae Kwon Do style of roundhouse or jumping and spinning kicks.  Today’s karate and Mainland China’s wushu styles have borrowed those kicks from their Korean neighbors.

The old saying that northern kung-fu styles kick high and southern kung-fu systems kick low is not always true.  We kick just as high in Choy Li Fut as do practitioners of northern shaolin styles.  The real truth is that if you can kick high, you can easily kick low.  However, just because you can administer devastating low kicks doesn’t mean you can successfully kick high.  You don’t need to be flexible to kick well. But you must be flexible to kick high.

Actually many northern kung-fu styles apply their kicks to the lower parts of an opponent’s body. The highest Tai Chi kicks are to the point of an opponent’s hip. Hsing-I and praying mantis also direct their kicks low. It’s just common practice to kick as high as possible in the forms for maximum flexibility and strength development.

There are four basic kicks in the Choy Li Fut Kung-Fu system.  These are versions of the same kicks employed by most traditional Chinese martial arts styles.  The four techniques are front kick, side kick, a kick called ding guek that looks like a short roundhouse kick done with the toe making contact, and a cross between a side and front kick that some call a slant thrust kick.  They are all low kicks, aimed below waist level.

Kung-fu front kicks use the toe for kicks to the opponent’s groin, the ball of the foot for stomach targets, and the heel against the opposition’s hip joint. There are two types of front kicks. One is a straight thrust kick, using the ball of the foot or heel as a striking surface. The other is a lifting kick, such as a groin strike where the toe or top of the foot lifts upwards into the target.

Low side kicks target a sensitive pressure point in the thigh, the opponent’s knee or shin.  Side kicks where the body turns 90 degrees or more become back kicks.  In Choy Li Fut, we call them fu mei guek or tiger tall kicks. These are still basically side kicks.

The semi-roundhouse or ding guek is usually a toe kick to pressure points on the inner thigh or back of the knee.

The slant thrush kick is a kick made with the side of the foot, angling across and in front of the kicker’s stationary foot.  It is a downward kick, aimed at the lower leg.

Although the applications of most traditional Chinese martial art kicks are low, for training purposes we do them as high as possible, while still maintaining maximum power.  Kung-fu tournament competitors and wushu artists often add jumping techniques to their kicks for flashier performances.  There’s nothing wrong with this as long as you realize that it is no longer a kick from the original kung-fu style.

Unlike Tae Kwon Do that relies on kicking techniques before hands, southern Chinese systems only use kicks against an opponent’s lower body when in a grappling situation where the hands are occupied defensively.

Of course, you might ask why not use more kicks, since legs are stronger than hands?

It is true, there is a Chinese martial art saying that translates to, “Hands give 30 percent of your power the legs give you 70 percent.”  However, the saying continues, “The leg gives 70 percent chance of danger.”  This means you have a 70 percent chance of losing your balance while standing on one leg and kicking.  With those odds, most Chinese martial arts choose to kick only as a last resort.

Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong is a columnist for Inside Kung Fu Magazine.

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

Training for Life

Inside Kung Fu Magazine October 1989

by Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong

Everybody has run into the situation where they just don’t have enough time to practice.  Maybe there’s enough time to go to the school and do your forms, but not enough to put any serious thought and work into your martial art.

The good news is, no matter how busy you are, there is a way to creatively put serious workout time into your work.

Remember, there’s a difference between work and workout.  Work is something you must do to earn a living.  Sometimes it’s pleasant, sometimes it’s one of life’s necessities.  A martial art workout is usually pleasure.  So why not combine the two, converting your job into a pleasant productive way to improve your marital arts expertise.  It will make your job more interesting , the time at work go faster, and help your martial arts progress.

Here’s how to combine your workout with your work.  Let’s say you are a laborer, using your body to carry heavy objects.  Make it a personal challenge to pick up each object and put it in the right place with the precision and accuracy you would use doing a form.  Keep your body positioned correctly, using your waist and legs for support.  Time your breathing to make the best use of your energy while lifting and carrying those heavy objects.

When I was a teenager, I paid for my kung fu lessons by working as a busboy in a restaurant.  At a certain hour I had to move quickly, cleaning tables, loading and unloading dishes from the dishwasher, and stacking the clean plates.  Although I would rather have been practicing in the kung fu school than settting up clean tables without breaking anything.  I used my best martial arts footwork (balanced and light footed) while I did my job.  Before long my job became my kung fu practice.

For those who work in offices, be creative while you type and file.  When standing at the files, bend your knees and get some stance training.  Try to be quick and accurate with each file, with the same efficiencey and focus as a well done form.

No matter how much your workload, work efficiently, staying relaxed and calm.  Concentrate on the job, but don’t hold your breath.  These are all martial art principles that you might practice in your school while doing a form or sparring.

Typists who sit most of the time should be erect, with their bodies relaxed and legs positioned solidly on the floor.  As you type, think of each finger movement as a special martial arts finger exercise.  Be aware of each hand an finger movement when you git the keys.  Concentrate your power and energy into your fingertips with each downward stroke.

It doesn’t matter what kind of job you do.  Try to be good at it, exhibiting accuracy and efficiency.  Take the opportunity to make it part of your martial arts training.  The same principles that make you a better martial artist are all present in our job - timing, speed, accuracy, focus, balance, relaxation and a calm mind.  Practice them everyday, then if you’re ever drawn into self-defense or when you spar, you’ll find the right reflexes already present.

Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong is a columnist for Inside Kung Fu