Beginners Mind Every Time.

My SiFu said this is the mind that all should have. I will try to explain it’s importance for you.

Begin each task as if it were the first time you have ever seen it or attempted it. Begin each day as it is meant to be. Do not carry grudges, jealousies or strife. They are negative and dull the senses and point of the Beginners mind.

Beginning shortened is begin. Begin is to Be and Genesis combined. This is the origin/ start of existing or living. This is miraculous in nature, see the world and all you do in this perspective and the knowledge you will gain can not be contained in words… especially negative ones.

SiFu Carroll

 

Brains over Brawn

“The opponent has to fight what he cannot see…He has to fight what I know.”©SiFu Carroll

This quote explains the different approach Wing Chun takes in it’s application. Wing Chun is not about power but overcoming power with knowledge. In Wing Chun knowledge is more powerful than strength. I am reminded of a young Shepard boy that slays a giant sized battle hardened warrior with just a little stone. The size of the boy caused the giant to become overconfident. Brains beat brawn hands down. How else could an art such as Wing Chun survive for so long and be used by so many in real life combat situations? Wing Chun is a fighting art based on concepts not the standard “if he does this and then I do this because my body type is different. But if he is taller I do something different.” garbage. Knowledge is powerful when it is easily accessed and applied and it is worthless when it is not. An encyclopedia of techniques and scenarios will cause you to hesitate. Hesitation will cause you to become a statistic.

Two women created this reflexive combat art form that takes the opponents strength away or “borrows it” and uses it against them. The harder an opponent attacks the more he hurts himself. they were training smarter not harder. They were innovating and scientifically studying, searching and testing what they were creating. I was once told that they actually went out and picked fights to validate what they were training. This is a time tested fighting art form.

My SiFu also taught me to study, search and test what I was learning. I have added the explanations to help others better understand what I had to figure out myself. You could use these same explanations in any endeavor. You will just have to have the goal or end result  in mind just like applying the scientific method.

Study your art- apply the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection and in this case application.

Search your art- to look at or examine carefully in order to find something concealed. Yes, the secrets are in the training. Like an Easter egg that sits in plain sight but everyone can’t see. My SiFu use to say “Learn the lessons of the drills.”

Test your art- the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial. Wing Chun must work for any human that has two arms, two legs, you get the picture. Use logic to determine if what is being learned is genuine or not. It doesn’t matter who teaches you or tells you how “deep your roots” are. If it does not meet the requirements  or lacks logic/ reasoning, don’t waste your time on it.

©SiFu Carroll 2011

 

 

Penmanship and Martial Ability

Yesterday during class I explained that the Chinese culture sees all knowledge as interconnected and not compartmentalized. Writing to them is fighting, or health, or wealth etc. This is why education ranks higher in China than in the U.S. The ideogram (Chinese character) for scholar means 1-10 or a person who knows all from one to ten. Math is may not be the subject of the scholar but the idea is apparent in the character.

In Calligraphy the Chinese student seeks to convey the ‘Chi’ or essence of the character. This goes along with all Chinese arts to include painting, cooking, pottery,  sculpture, etc.  Below is a well written excerpt from  http://www.zein.se/patrick/chinen9p.html

to show what I mean. Please digest it and make it a part of your study. All knowledge is interconnected and interdependent.

Enjoy!

SiFu Carroll

 

The Eight Basic Strokes

Basically you can say that all modern Chinese characters are drawn with a palette consisting of eight basic strokes. Generally all strokes are painted from top to bottom and left to right – with exceptions for characters number six, which is draw upwards. In the following overview each type of stroke is shown (drawn in black colour) within actual characters (drawn in grey colour):

#1 = Dot (dian3):
#2 = Horizontal (heng2):
#3 = Vertical (shu4):
#4 = Slanting to the left (pie3):
#5 = Slanting to the right (na4):
#6 = Rising (ti2):
#7 = Hook (gou1):
#8 = Turning (zhe2):

That was a short walkthrough of the strokes – make sure that you train writing these strokes really well, thus making it a lot easier to continue your studies. After this, you will also need to know in what order the strokes are supposed to be draw to build up characters…

Rules for Stroke Order

The basic rule, when writing Chinese characters, is to always write from top to bottom, from left to right. If a character consists of more than one radical, you always write each included radical as a separate piece.

Within each radical you have six basic rules, which I will now illustrated with sequences of pictures. The complete characters are first shown on a yellow background, and then you see a sequence of pictures from left to right, showing how the character is built up, stroke by stroke, to form the final result:

Rule #1:	Top down.
	Special case: Left side of squares is drawn before the top.
Rule #2:	Left to right.
	Exception: Hook on the right side comes first.
Rule #3:	Horizontal lines and squares before crossing vertical lines.
	Exception: Bottom lines are always drawn last.
Rule #4:	Frames before contents.
	Note: The bottom line of a frame is drawn last.
Rule #5:	Centre before symmetrical sides.
Rule #6:	Secondary dots drawn last.

These rules are based on practical experience – the rules reflect what has been learnt from using brushes in practice. The rules give good guidelines, but to learn to write properly, it’s probably best to find a dictionary or textbook that clearly shows the stroke orders of several characters. In my examples above, I’ve only chose characters that are relatively simple and easy to write – when the number of strokes increases, the risk of the basic rules becoming inadequate will increase. In some special cases it’s even possible that there is more than one correct stroke order…

A Universal Character to Practice!

The character for “eternal” or “eternity” is a classical example of a character where all the basic types of strokes can be found. If you can write this character really nicely, then you’ll probably be able to write all characters well! The numbers and arrows indicate in which order and directions the strokes are written.

 

Music and Kung Fu

Today I was trying to explain  why it is so difficult to learn kung fu from a book. It is like trying to play guitar from a book. Your fingers are where they are suppose to be, your picking and moving your hands correctly but it isn’t sounding right…. That is because your guitar is not tuned properly and you are off tempo or a mirad of things that could be wrong. You need a teacher with a mastery of the skill you seek.

When all is right it is kung fu just like making music.

Music is noise mastered. Kung Fu (Wing Chun) is chaos mastered.

SiFu Carroll copyright 2010

 

The Cook’s Clever Cleaver

Han Xin is one of the best-known generals and military strategists in Chinese history. Often been regarded as the “Alexander the Great” of the East, Han Xin was never defeated and took over all of China almost single-handedly when he was the chief Marshal for Liu Bang, (who later became the first emperor of the Imperial Han). His military talent was unparalleled and his battle tactics were required studies for generals for generations. To a large extent, the invention of board game Xiangqi and the kite were attributed to him, both being devices to help him in developing war stratagem.

Despite Han Xin’s great contribution to the establishment of the dynasty, Liu Bang had always considered him a great threat to the empire which just had to be removed. The opportunity eventually materialized one day when a letter of rebellion from Han Xin to his friend general Chen Xi was intercepted by Empress Liu. Empress Liu instantly demanded prime minister Xiao He, Han Xin’s long time best friend ironically, to head off this crisis. Reluntantly, Xiao He hoaxed Han Xin into the imperial palace, captured him and showed him the letter before executing him for treason.

When the letter was shown to Han Xin, he said, “you always have wins and losses in life. I have only Chen Xi and his incompetence to regret. As far as I am concerned, I’m not who I am without my rebellious heart!” Thereupon, he walked around and looked high and low. Xiao He asked him what was he thinking and he said, “I look up upon the sky (heaven), it shan’t kill Han Xin; I look down upon the earth (the nether world), it shan’t kill Han Xin; I look around people, they shan’t kill Han Xin!” 他道、「我仰观天，天不杀韩信，俯观地，地不杀韩信，中观世人，世人不杀韩信。」– It’s worth mentioning that when Han Xin was a student studying the art of war (as well as the five elements of witchcraft, 五行之術), his mentor, in order to boost Han Xin’s confidence to achieve greatness, promised Hon Xin that he would put a magic spell to seal all the swords and spears in the world so that none can give damage to Han Xin. The mentor also reminded Han Xin again and again that he should never wear clothes in peach colour*.

Right this moment, however, a young lady cook showed up out of the blue and threw down a cleaver on the ground in front of Han Xin. “Prince of Chu,” the cooklady addressed, “you know all the swords and spears of the universe, but do you know what this is?” Hon Xin was shocked – it suddenly occurred to him that while his mentor had sealed all weapons in the world, the cleaver was never in the picture**. He then asked the name of this kitchen lady, to which the woman replied, “my name is Peach***.” His mentor’s warning was now spinning all over Han Xin’s head. Without saying a single word more, he went to pick up he cleaver and cut his own throat with it.

Note*: Han Xin’s mentor is not queer. Outfits for the nobles in ancient China, esp. before the Sung dynasty, were surprisingly way more colorful than those of modern days. If you can turn back the time and go to the Tang dynasty, you can see some dresses on the street that make even premeire whore Bai Ling blush.

Note**: Given that Confucius once said, “a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen,” it is not uncommon for intellectuals and generals to know nothing about kitchenware.

Note***: As idiosyncratic as it seems, Peach (Tao, 桃 in Chinese) is actually a fairly common family name in China. One funny thing is, if you go to visit the grave of Han Xin, which still exists somewhere in the Jingzhou province today, you will see a pair of poetic couplets on the tomb that reads: “生死一知己，存亡兩婦人,” which means “Life and death in one friend, rise and fall by two women.” His best friend Xiao He was the one who gave him new life by tapping his talent and introducing him to Liu Bang; yet it was also Xiao He who plotted his demise. Han Xin lived in poverty when he was young. One time, when he was almost dying of hunger, a old woman took pity on him and fed him for weeks. Contrarily, as shown above, a kitchen lady with a cleaver was partly responsible for the dramatic downfall of this great general.

(From http://chaxiubao.typepad.com/chaxiubao/2006/10/the_chinese_car.html)

(Kitchen, Hiding Place or Birth Place?)

 

I find this story very intriguing because it speaks of cleavers, two women, peaches, cooks, betrayal and rebellion. It also refers to cooks and kitchens that were later  hiding places and disguises  for rebels and Wing Chun Masters. This story has many elements that are similar to the story of Wing Chun. Coincidence?  Coincidence or not this is peculiarly familiar. Maybe this is the true origin of our art. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wing Chun was developed in a kitchen. They are typically small areas that would require in close techniques and are often hotbeds for rebellious conversations even today.

Chinese Kitchens model simplicity and utility. They typically use three main instruments ,the Wok, the Chinese Cleaver, and Chopsticks, to prepare food.  Almost any dish can be prepared with these three mainstays. Furthermore the Chinese table does not have forks or knives because they see it as barbaric to stab and cut food that is already dead. This could be a custom developed for safety as well.

The utility of the wok, cleaver and chopsticks are innumerable. Every part of the knife is used for something such as mincing, slicing, tenderizing, breaking, grinding, mashing and chopping. Chop sticks are used for stirring, piercing, straining oil, and eating. The wok is used for frying, boiling, steaming, deep frying, stir frying, as a bowl , a dishpan and even as a grill and can be used in a hole dug out in the ground or on a stove top. Notice the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Sounds a lot like Wing Chun doesn’t it? They are both simple, efficient, functional, practical, multi-purposed and ingenius in design. These characteristics are the trademarks of Chinese kitchens and Wing Chun.-©SiFu Carroll

 

The Purpose of Training in Martial Arts…

“There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wounds, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time.”- General George Patton Jr.

 

What makes it an effective self defense system?

Everyone needs to know how to defend themselves. If you really want to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones, survive a street attack, or prevail on the battlefield, then you need a strategy and practical techniques that can be applied to any situation.

In a real life confrontation, there are no referees, you can’t “tap out” to save yourself from harm, there are no rules in place to protect you, and it most likely won’t be a one-on-one fight. Wing Chun Kung Fu was designed to teach you to handle the reality of a real life confrontation using techniques that have been proven to work in turbulent times such as today. It doesn’t exclude techniques because they are too dangerous in a competition and it does not take years to effectively master the techniques.

No points, no rules, no tapping out. Just reality-based, combat proven, street tested…

What about the “UFC”, or “MMA”? Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) are not reality-based. They have been modified for sport/competition thus taking away the most lethal and effective techniques in order to prolong the fight and generate greater revenue.

In order to be truly effective, a self- defense system needs to meet the following 10 rules:

1. It must be appropriate for today’s world.
2. It must work on an assailant that is much larger, stronger and faster than you.
3. It must work against both armed and unarmed assailants.
4. It must work against single and multiple assailants.
5. It must work against determined and capable assailants, not just cooperative training partners. Training scenarios and “sparring” must be realistic in nature. (You will rarely encounter a fight against someone using the same style as you on the street, and the days of a one-on-one “fair fight” are over.)
6. It must work when you are surprised.
7. It has to be concept driven to handle all situations.
8. It must work in every possible environment. (The same method must work in snow, sand, parking lot, woods, jungle, your living room, the gym, the office, on carpet etc.)
9. It must become instinctive and convulsive as quickly as possible.
10. It can’t be bound by rules of engagement such as in competition and sport. It must be “All is Fair… Anything Goes… Balls to the wall situation!”

This should be a checklist used when looking into a martial art or school.-©SiFu Carroll

 

 

How To Keep Your Art Effective

Wing Chun is an eastern form of martial art that employs knives, staff and empty hands. People have discussed whether (fencing) double knife methods were taught first which translated into the hand methods or vice versa. Maybe the western art of boxing holds some of the answers.

The word Boxing comes from a Middle English term meaning to strike. It is still used today in the phrase “Boxing someones ears.” This phrase is used in reference to disciplining a person.

The history of Boxing is fascinating and has parallels to Wing Chun in it’s earliest forms.

James Figg, an Englishman, is regarded as the first to adapt fencing and pole fighting to boxing at his academy.  According to news sources, in 1719,  Figg helped popularize boxing by opening a training academy in London. [This is also the time when the word "boxing" first came to be used. It should be noted, that this earliest form of modern boxing was very different. Contests in Mr. Figg's time, in addition to fist-fighting, also contained fencing and cudgeling. Source: Wiki]

His methods later became widespread throughout England and surrounding areas. People of the lower class used Figg’s methods to settle disputes which transformed into a form of entertainment. Butchers were considered lower class at the time and may have influenced many of the terms used in boxing  such as the jab, hook, etc. from their occupational movements and tools. Regardless, the entire nation of England supported and practiced this fighting art. Boxing, or more accurately called pugilism during this time, was more cruel and violent than it was sport. Men would face off, and fight one another using  any variety of rough methods. For example, in a typical match, If the chance presented itself, one fighter might catch hold of his opponent and toss him to the ground or floor, by his ears or by fish hooking him in the nose, eyes or mouth. It was even considered manly and proper to kick a man when he was down.  “Purring”, the term of the period, was how they described kicking the downed man, eye-gouging and other rough methods. These techniques were commonly used by the fighters and hugely enjoyed by those watching.

Later in the history of boxing,  Jim Driscoll tried to explain the origins and changes made to the sport of boxing. Jim Driscoll in his book Outfighting or Long Range Boxing, wrote, “It is practically sword fencing without a sword, and follows all its movements, or rather, should follow, the same principles.” The use of cadence or timing is one that the ardent student of the techniques of boxing history know. Old school boxing master’s who styles developed from the use of fencing used the stop-hit to interrupt an opponent’s attack. This is not uncommon practice it would seem in  martial arts that developed from blade play.

The following definition of a stop hit is found on Wiki- Jeet Kune Do (developed from Wing Chun Principles): “Intercepting an opponent’s attack with an attack of your own instead of a simple block. This strategy is an essential component of European épée fencing…. Stop hits & kicks utilize the principle of economy of motion by combining attack and defense into one movement thus minimizing movement and response time, as well as overwhelming the opponent. This is a Wing Chun must have.

Stop hits and traps were among the techniques that were used frequently in the early form of boxing. The boxing of the late 19th and early 20th centuries also saw a lot more infighting than what is commonly seen today. What changes occurred in boxing that caused practitioners to move away from some of the battle proven techniques that came from quarter staff fighting, fencing and the practice of parrying daggers? Why would you abandon knife fighting techniques that were crucial in the beginning to the hand methods? What happened to boxing if  it was so similar to Wing Chun in it’s earliest stages? Why did it change it’s focus?

It has to do with social acceptance and money. Yes, I said it Money. People do not want to pay for a fight that lasts seconds. The government also wants to regulate anything they feel is harmful to people. Money is the reason why  martial arts today are watered down and less lethal. The rest is gullibility. Those that do not know how to fight, watch these spectator oriented sports and feel that the sport is what is true to life. You can’t convince them otherwise. If you beat the s*** out of them they retort with “That’s because I haven’t trained enough.” If you engage them in debate about it they say “I will fight differently in a real fight.” They actually use the words “Real Fight” nine times out of ten to counter your argument. They have bought into the BS being profited from on TV and in many “gyms” around the world.

To make the fights more profitable and longer, rules were created and safety equipment such as large padded gloves were eventually added. This lead to the horizontal punching structure and bouncing footwork used today. It abandoned the vertical fist structure needed in a bare-knuckle fight and the flatfooted approach to using the whole body in the striking process. It removed highly effective methods that ended fights quickly and promoted techniques that caused wins to take more time and thus make more money.

Some arts remain true to there roots but they become fewer and fewer each and everyday. The watered down versions, of the original fighting arts of days gone by, are shameful in comparison to what they once were like. When you remove the “cutting mindset” you remove the essence of many of the arts.Just look at what the samurai did and how that has become karate point matches. The practitioners don’t really understand that their blocks are hand motions that were needed when using a katana.

It would seem, when based on logic, that regardless of geographic location many of the original fighting arts started with weapons that later translated into empty handed fighting systems of that region. Wing Chun, Boxing, Kali, Karate and other arts from around the world began with weapons and later were transformed into empty handed methods. Regardless we should keep this in mind so we do not travel the road of commercialization and cripple our arts with the sport influence. We can keep our arts effective if we employ the “Cutting Edge” methods that developed them so long ago.

©SiFu Carroll

Improvised Weapons…Using The Little Imagination.

Wing Chun is a street fighting martial art style or reality based combat fighting art. Since there is no ring, no referee, and a big chance that the situation is going to get real ugly real fast, improvising weapons is something you should be thinking of and using.

If you can’t flee and your opponent has a weapon, you have to have an equalizer, period.

Equalizers even out the playing field. They are used when you are in a situation where the perosn you are fighting is in some way better prepared to hurt you, such as having a knife. A  brick, stick, pipe, belt, rock, shard of glass, broken or unbroken bottle, coins in your pocket, keys, pencil or pen, fork, spoon, butter knife, steak knife, chopsticks, sports equipment,  tools of any sort, towel, etc.

Basically anything that helps equalize the situation you are facing. Sometimes you may need to use more than one to get the upper hand on a weapon wielding assailant but that is alright because you have made a decision to ” go home over go to the morgue.”  You can always use car antennas, chains, rope or other items that can be used to “whip” them or tie them up both metally and physically. That’s why they put red horse hair on Chinese spears. Projectiles in combination with other items can confuse the assailant just like the red horse hair and give you the timing edge to counter attack and overwhelm the opponent.

Remember to fight dirty: throw dirt, sand, gravel, oil, hot coffee or tea, maybe a hot fajita plate into the opponents eyes. Boiling water in the face causes trauma and shock to set in.

Anything you have to do to get away safe, “DO”. Just don’t over do anything or you will probably be fighting for your life and ass literally in one of our state prisons.

©SiFu Carroll

Reasons to Train Hard

Why Train Hard?……….Because they do!

© SiFu Carroll

Think About Reality.

These guys are training for real. They aren’t following rules or using referees and when they get out they won’t use them then either. Why are you not training this way?

listen to 4:22 for their purpose and then listen to how they train.

start at 3:09 and listen then listen at 4:24

They become knife fighters not grapplers. Hows that for real?

 

 

How To Be  Street Smart

It can not be stressed enough that there is a world of difference between facing a competitor in the ring and facing an angry, irate, assailant in the street that is determined to cause you serious harm or even death. What you might find useful in a match (where there are weight classes, a ring, referees, rules and emergency personal right there) could get you killed in a real combat situation. Street fights and sport fights call for totally different fighting tactics, techniques, training methods and attitudes. Unlike many gyms today that specialize in tournament fighting or MMA competitions, Our Wing Chun Kung Fu training is strictly for street combat and personal protection. Listed below are some things that every Wing Chun student should know and apply.

 

1. Stay Fit to Fight

You should take time every day to practice what you have learned and mentally review the material you learned in class. You have to “get your mind right to survive a fight.” This is mental fitness. This is “knowing your art.”

You also need to exercise daily to promote your physical abilities to survive a fight. If you can’t breath you can’t fight. Work towards a physically fit lifestyle. Eat right and get a good night’s rest. Stay hydrated. Work out. Exercises should compliment your training not impede it. Remember the convict in prison doesn’t miss a work out why should you?

 

2. Stay Alert

 

Violence erupts in some of the most peaceful situations. Be alert for trouble and be aware of your surroundings. By being aware and alert to potential attackers you can save your life. For instance when going to your car have your keys ready before you leave the building. If walking down an alley stay in the center of the alley and don’t take corners sharply. Many assailants lay in wait to ambush you around corners. When in a public place face the door. Be aware of the exits in the building or room. When around hostile people watch their centers and not their eyes. If they try to attack you it will not be with their eyes. Use all of your senses. If you feel something is wrong…IT IS! Beware and you will be alive.

 

3. Act! Don’t Talk.

If an attack is eminent, Act! Act immediately to threats and don’t try to talk them down. Bullies see talk as a challenge. Others use what you say to get prepared to beat you. They are gathering information on what you might know. Don’t tell them what you know show them. Surprise is on your side when you act. Reaction is slower than action. Don’t “warn” them this only shows them that they need to be more violent to overtake you. You will never see a predator make verbal noise before it attacks it prey. Be predatory in your behavior. Silence and quick violent attacks have won the day more than any other tactic. The element of surprise is used and sought after by the military geniuses of the world. Sun Tzu wrote in the art of war “know your enemy but be unknown.” The best thing to say is I don’t want any trouble or apologize. If this is not enough unleash the animal inside.

4. Keep It Simple

 

The best techniques for the street are simple, basic, direct and use gross motor skills. You will not be able to perform small intricate movements in a real fight because you will be full of adrenaline and things are happening to fast.

In a real life fight for your life situation things happen extremely fast, you are in normal attire and only the simplest techniques executed with ruthlessness can be trusted to save you or your loved ones. All the fancy stretches and high kicks in the world will only get you killed if you try them. Sport or artistic expression can use the high kicks and flowery techniques. You must use the most ruthless and devastating techniques in your arsenal. You must be acutely aware of what works in the street. This means it can’t be the glove wearing, mouth guard chomping flowery, acrobatic garbage seen on T.V. or at sport matches or tournaments. Do your job and get out of dodge.

 

5. The Best Defense is Offense

 

Attack your assailant when he attacks you. The sooner you attack him the sooner you can get to safety. Do Not Hesitate because hesitation kills in a real fight.

 

6. Expect to get hit or kicked

 

When you get in a real knock down drag out street fight the possibility of you getting hit, kicked or whatever is great.  It does no matter the length of time you studied martial arts or the systems you have studied in a real fight you will probably get hit, kicked or even cut. You must be prepared to fight through this. You must train to get kicked and hit and keep fighting. If you do not train this way their blows will shock your system and cause you even more pain in the end.  Just because you are trained doesn’t make you invincible. The point is to not be seriously injured.

 

7. Fight Dirty!

 

Rule #1 of street fighting- THERE ARE NO RULES! It is a dog eat dog situation. It is you or them going home. Which one do you want it to be? Be animalistic. Does a bird hold back when it or its nest is being attacked? All is fair. If there is something that you can use to hit, stab or hurt them with pick it up and use it. Pool balls, pool cues, dirt, change, bricks, rocks, beer bottles, etc. are tools to get you home safely. Learn to use gutter tactics and unfair techniques without mental reservation. It is better to give than receive especially when it comes to an ambulance ride.

 

8. Attack Vital or Inherently Weak Areas

 

Attack the eyes, groin, throat, knees, fingers, etc. of your assailant. Don’t waste time trying to hit them in areas that they can train to become bigger, stronger and more resistant to attack. Forget sparring with them. This isn’t about points or a trophy. Under the stress of a violent situation or when one becomes infuriated the human body become abnormally resistant to pain. But a speck of dust flying into your eyes will cause you to reflexively grab your eyes. You should attack areas that they can not build up with weights. The eyes, groin, joints etc are the best places to attack.

© SiFu Carroll 2004

 

All fights go to the ground, really?

Do you know why many martial artists believe this and declare this to be true? This is  dangerous to believe this “unwritten BS”.

Why do many martial artists and a lot of street fighters still buy into this Bovine Scatology?:

1. MMA perpetuates this BS

2. They hear more experienced martial artists wanting to improve their ground game.

3. Many martial artist’s don’t practice anti-grappling techniques.

4.Beginning fighters lose their balance and over exaggerate their motions leaving them open to a take down.

If you practice  to avoid many grappling attempts you can keep grapplers from taking you down.

What should you practice, to avoid getting dropped to the ground in a street fight?

Practice everything that is illegal or not allowed by their rules.

Have the Right Attitude in a Street Fight

What is the right attitude? It is one of ” I Don’t care what you do, I am going to kill you period.” have a animalistic attitude towards the situation. (animals don’t have inhibitions when in a perilous situation)

What is street fight? Any fight that does not have a referee, a ring or other safety measures.

Fight for your life to survive a street fight. Fear will paralyze you every time and paralysis equals death.

Don’t worry about rules or how you look just make them need plastic surgery.

the way we should practice is using this statement ” 100% of fights end on the ground but not 100% of the fighters do.”

by SiFu Carroll

 

Joint Locking and Wing Chun

Wing Chun is primarily a striking art but it does have Chin-Na incorporated into it. It is after all a Chinese art. I have had students ask about Joint locking and the like. We can do that but instead seek to simplify the situation. We don’t “lock” joints we Break or destroy them . In training we slow down the technique to keep someone from being injured irreparably. However slowed down does not mean watered down.

Most students that begin with us are taken back when we get frustrated that they do not really try to hit us. My SiFu  would always say “Wing Chun works when the other guy is being a true Bad guy!” . Pulled punches and kicks are the downfall of a point sparer. Likewise joint locks are like “pulled” joint breaks.

Does Wing Chun use joint controls etc. yes and no. Yes you can but why train to “pull” punches or anything?

Just my opinion…

SiFu Carroll

 

“GROUND FIGHTING”

NEVER go to the ground in a street fight. The Ground is your enemy. The ground has dangers of it’s own. It limits your mobility. The smaller person dies on the floor or ground. The larger or more powerful person uses it to slow the smaller person down by pinning them and beating the shit out of them. The ground is never a place you want to go when your fighting for your life. There are always more dangers in the street than in the Dojo or the ring/ octagon (there are no mats, gi, referees, rules or emergency personel).  Do whatever it takes to stay off the ground. If you are taken to the ground do whatever it takes to regain your feet. you can’t get away from a situation or defend against multiple attackers from the ground.

A good ground game in a sport will give you a real “grounding” experience in a real fight. 6 feet under “Grounding” experience.

Also don’t believe all the talk from the grapplers about how they would fight differently in a street fight. Martial Arts training is just that … a method of training and movement. It teaches you reflexive actions. Reflexes take over in stressful situations. You will do what you have trained your body to do.  Simple advise- train like you will have to fight.

If that doesn’t make sense then ask why Navy SEALS train to stay on their feet and handle multiple attackers from a standing position? Why don’t they buy into the 9 out of 10 fights end up on the ground? I guess they know that 10 out of 10 fights end on the ground (the attacker on the ground dead with the SEAL boot crushing their neck or face.

Fighting Spirit…

“It is the unconquerable nature of man and not the nature of the weapon he uses that ensures victory.”- General George Patton Jr.

“A lion sleeps in the heart of every brave man.”  Ancient Proverb

This is the indomitable spirit of Wing Chun. This is the Mind as the weapon and everything else as a tool principle.-SiFu Carroll

Fighting versus Combat

There is a difference between fighting and combat. Fighting is somewhat ritualistic and follows a set pattern to gain social power or establish dominance. It is seen in all species to establish mating ground rights and as rites of passage for the young. It most often seen in the males of a species. It usually starts with the stare then goes on to verbal questions or statements that are meant to show courage or dominance. It finalizes itself in two ways either an actual fight where most people will not be mortally wounded or killed or when other males of the species intervene to deescalate the situation. Fighting is more sport oriented or for “show and tell”. Fighting can also be verbal/ social in nature. It can be just not agreeing. there is a difference between trying to kill, or rape you and trying to establish pecking order in society.

Combat is different in that it does not have a progression that leads up to an altercation. It is more ambush oriented and most often is meant to kill the victim as quickly as possible. It uses what some would call ” dirty tricks” and is seen as a critical altercation. This is a quote-unquote  life or death situation. Combat is used by soldiers on battlefields. This is not social in nature it is anti-social in nature. Combat best describes what inmates do to retaliate for an insult real or imagined. Combat is ” fighting for your life.” Soldiers, Law Enforcement Officers, Prison Guards, Ex-Convicts and other survivors of these ordeals will tell you that most of the martial arts teach fighting but very few teach actual combat strategies or strategies that teach you how to recover from an ambushed position and come out on top, alive.

When looking for a school you should think on these things.

©SiFu Carroll

Bag of Bones…

I was taught by my SiFu to never  stand around or walk around with my hands in my pockets or wear a watch plus many other little things that could save your life. How will this save your life? well hands in your pockets are just a bag of bones. They are easily attacked and then you become a statistic.

What time is it? Then when you look your get knocked out. Both activities tie up your hands or mind in other activities. Hey you got a dollar? If you touch your pocket you do! Just think about it. the military doesn’t allow hands in their pocket. These are fighting men that have been ordered not to tie up their hands. What are you being taught or not being taught?-SiFu Carroll

 

MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES

“Courage is poorly housed that dwells in numbers; the lion never counts the herd that are about him, nor weighs how many flocks he has to scatter.”-Aaron Hill

Think on this and apply it when fighting more than one attacker. “The number of attackers is always one. The one that attacks is many. This is a matter of organization.”©SiFu Carroll

The Prepared Mind…

“The Mind is a weapon that must be sharpened on the whet stone of thought.”- SiFu Carroll

The masters of old understood that weapons created by hand are inferior to a prepared mind. Sun Tzu spoke of this continually in his masterpiece on warfare. Musashi embodied this in his duels. A prepared mind is a hard thing to conquer. To prepare your mind you must study. Study does not mean accept what is taught.

Study is defined as

stud·y

[stuhd-ee]  noun, plural stud·ies,verb, stud·ied, stud·y·ing.

“The Mind is the true weapon of Wing Chun. Everything else is a tool.” -© SiFu Carroll

 

 

Know Your Art.

Be present in the present.

Artfully practice your art.

As a Pupil, look and see.

As a Student, study.

As a Seeker,  seek.

In sitting, sit.

In breathing, breath.

As a Patient have patience.

In Fighting, fight.

In Living, live.© SiFu Carroll

Knowledge begins the path that creativity perfects.

Enlightenment is creativity.

Creativity is art.

Art  is knowledge.

Knowledge is enlightenment.© SiFu Carroll

 

 

 

Robbie Lawler’s Ruthless Wing Chun

An Article From Martialdevelopement.com

Tags: EliteXC, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), rules, self-defense, Wing Chun

I’ve always known that, sooner or later, the Chinese art of Wing Chun Kuen would be represented in a professional mixed martial arts bout. I just didn’t expect to see it in MMA’s historic prime-time debut.
Robbie Lawler

On May 31, 2008, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler forever settled any reasonable doubts about Wing Chun’s viability in real combat. And he did it by accident.

Robbie Lawler faced Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith in the inaugural broadcast of CBS’ Saturday Night Fights. During the first two rounds of this title bout, both men fought according to New Jersey’s Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts: no headbutts, biting, groin attacks, or rabbit punches; no hair-pulling or small joint manipulation; no fish-hooking or strikes to the trachea.

For more than ten minutes, Lawler and Smith used their training in boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and BJJ to soften each other up. Neither fighter held a clear advantage, and so the exchange continued. Then “Ruthless” Lawler stuck his fingers in Smith’s eye.

Referee Dan Miragliotta halted the fight immediately. Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith hoped to continue after a five-minute rest to regain his vision, but the doctor forbid it. The match was called: no contest.

Lawler’s eye poke, unintentional though it was, ended the bout in seconds. There is little doubt in my mind that, if the referee had allowed it, Lawler could have followed up with an uncontested knockout.
Robbie Lawler fingers Scott Smith in round 3

Ring Fighting vs. Real-World Self-Defense

As a professional fighter, Scott Smith followed the match rules, and he was reasonable to assume that Robbie Lawler would do the same. However, it would also be reasonable to assume that, in a five-round fight with fingerless gloves, a stray finger could land in your eye, and to defend against such an accident.

If only such a thing were possible. The eyes are the most sensitive area on the body, and especially difficult to protect. If the opponent can so much as touch your eyes, they can damage them permanently, so the threat demands a conservative game. (The same principle applies, to a lesser degree, to defending the throat and genitals.)

Effective defense of vital areas cannot be an afterthought; it must be integrated into a fighting strategy from the outset, and supported by coherent tactics. The approach must be conservative, but also vicious, in order to eliminate the threat as rapidly as possible.

Does any of this sound familiar? These are the precepts of Wing Chun Kuen, Bruce Lee’s original martial art. Wing Chun starts where MMA ends; it is brutal and direct. Rules, community standards, and basic human decency prevent it from being fully applied in the competitive arena, but as Robbie Lawler reminded us yesterday, the ruthless hands of Wing Chun should not be discounted.

 

G r a c i e C o n f e s s e s

By SGT. Laurence Snell (US ARMY, Ret.)

From Close Quarter Combat Magazine – Page 13, August/Sept 2003, Issue 20

 

“Hidden in this CYA statement there is a confession.”

“When I tour the country and give seminars, I am surprised by how many people who are experts in sport jujitsu but do not know the most basic self-defense techniques of ju-jitsu. The problem with this is that you can get a false sense of security from what you know. Just because you can handle yourself on the mat doesn’t mean you’ll know what to do when attacked. In that case, sport ju-jitsu can actually be a detriment because you’ll be overconfident. We were shocked by how many longtime students had completely forgotten, or even worse never learned, the very important self-defense aspects. For my father Helio, the self-defense moves are far more important than the sport moves. Every time I see him, he always tells me that students are not being taught enough self-defense moves.”

– Royce Gracie,

Grapple Magazine

Isn’t it a little late to be telling us this? They are the number one initiator and breeders of modern sport wrestling. After all these years of making undefeatable claims and brainwashing thousands of students into believing they are in some kind of an undefeatable system, he tells us this, now? Questionable marketing and early UFC  shenanigans (trampoline ring floors and that fighter named Kimo that really had only one month of training–not a 4th degree black belt!) had left their deep impression in the early 1990’s. This Gracie style of sport wrestling, which has confused and misled so many as being some kind of ultimate self-defense, has infected the world. So many martial artists feel compelled to offer groundwrestling courses in their programs that the Gracie family name appears coast-tocoast.

So much so, that a few key, naïve, military insiders have embraced it. I am a retired U.S. Army Sergeant and former old-school, Karate black belt. I stood by through the years as I watched my beloved Japanese arts turn into “children citizenship schools” that produce little more than sport kick-boxers. And I am ashamed to say I also stood by as just a few people in “this-man’s-Army” twisted our hand-to-hand combat manuals into some kind of high school wrestling program.

Powerless to interfere again, I watched the process, which started with a small team of Rangers going to Brazil, bringing the criteria back. Next, the material somehow spread into Army doctrine. Newer manuals cover an abundance of sport, wrestling techniques. I spoke with a graduate of these courses and he told me, “…during the randori (freestyle wrestling) work-outs, I would pretend that the real enemy was trying to get me, or that an attacker was after my family and I had to break free and win.” When I reminded him that stabbing your finger into the eye of these killers was just one of many survival techniques missing from their doctrine, he seemed to miss the point.

“Ever wrestle with your backpack on? With an M-16? Wearing a pistol and a knife? Can you? Even as an escaping and unarmed prisoner, is wrestling your first choice? “ I asked him? “I just really like it,” was the only answer. For some, the brainwashing runs deep.

For others in a growing trend, the brainwashing doesn’t run so deep. Early on, the newer UFC fighters, with their emphasis on hardcore striking and kicking, have learned to defeat these sport wrestlers. A recent Tennessee police officer wrote a review of a police-based, Gracie seminar he attended for a major law enforcement magazine. The officer reported that much of what Gracie teaches must be “taken with a grain of salt,” because he lacks experience in the realworld problems of police combat.

I think the Gracies have seen the modern movement toward reality in martial arts and are doing public relations / CYA (cover your ass), actually blaming their students for not knowing what they haven’t been teaching them for 15 years now. But hidden in this CYA statement there is a confession. When will we hear something similar from the Army? I wonder now what these shortsighted, Army H2H manual writers think now, after Gracie’s admission. We will be stuck with this manual for years, maybe even a decade!

By SGT. Laurence Snell (US ARMY, Ret.)

Why are we teaching these (our) troops to wrestle?

 

 

“It is all a matter of degrees.” ©SiFu Carroll

Definitions of degree
n. – A step, stair, or staircase. ²
n. – One of a series of progressive steps upward or downward, in quality, rank, acquirement, and the like; a stage in progression; grade; gradation; as, degrees of vice and virtue; to advance by slow degrees; degree of comparison. ²
n. – The point or step of progression to which a person has arrived; rank or station in life; position. ²
n. – Measure of advancement; quality; extent; as, tastes differ in kind as well as in degree. ²
n. – Grade or rank to which scholars are admitted by a college or university, in recognition of their attainments; as, the degree of bachelor of arts, master, doctor, etc. ²
n. – A certain distance or remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of blood; one remove in the chain of relationship; as, a relation in the third or fourth degree. ²
n. – Three figures taken together in numeration; thus, 140 is one degree, 222,140 two degrees. ²
n. – State as indicated by sum of exponents; more particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a2b3c is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown quantities in any term; thus, ax4 + bx2 = c, and mx2y2 + nyx = p, are both equations of the fourth degree. ²
n. – A 360th part of the circumference of a circle, which part is taken as the principal unit of measure for arcs and angles. The degree is divided into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds. ²
n. – A division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical or other instrument, as on a thermometer. ²
n. – A line or space of the staff. ²

 

The Illusion…Stagnates the Flow.

Stillness is impossible. Everything is moving inside nothing. The Earth is  revolving, rotating and wobbling. The Sun is flaring, pushing and pulling. The Moon is orbiting, waxing and waning. The waters are flowing or evaporating from their beds, cycling, circulating.  You can but breath. Your heart must beat. Each is numbered. With movement of something there is movement of nothing. Transforming is natural.  transforming is Real. To remain, to contain, to abide is an illusion.  Unchanging is unknowing. Maintaining is straining. Keeping is seeping. sand is not grasped long. Mountains sustain the beaches. What you see now is past. What you will see is past.  Think too long on this and you will have missed what you have already missed. Enjoy your one life! Energy is given for a time only, waste not yours.-©SiFu Carroll

 

Quote on Mental Attitude

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
-Thomas Jefferson

What is Courage?

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear” - Quote by Sifu Duncan Leung October 1977.

 

A Key to Learning

“Keep to the formulas and you will find new things in the old and old things in the new.” © SiFu Carroll

This is one of the keys to learning.

 

Truth is a requirement.

Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.-Albert Einstein

This is true in everything you engage in with humans.

SiFu  Carroll

 

Be Engaged…

 ”Wing Chun is engaged but not committed.”- © SiFu Carroll

Be flexible and adaptable.

Flexibility…

willing or disposed to yield; pliable:

The essence of don’t fight force with force.

“When one is flexible things become less pressing. F.L.O.W. Forget Losing Or Winning. Just flow.”- © SiFu Carroll

Adaptability…

“The only constant is change.”- anonymous

“Those that are adept, adapt.”- © SiFu Carroll

 

LEARNING A NEW SKILL

There are three phases in learning a new skill. The first phase is developing the skill in it’s rudimentary components, this is the see it and try to replicate it phase. The second phase is to sharpen or fine tune the skill into a fluid motion. This phase like the first phase requires an attentive eye to help perfect the skill to this state. The third phase is the most advanced because it is when the skill become automatic and involves little or no thinking to perform it. At phase three the skill is reflexive.

1. Acquire the tools

2. Hone the tools

3.  Flow

This is Art. Think about a champion at any sport or activity. They talk of being in the zone. This is phase three because they are just doing what is now natural to them after acquiring and honing the skills needed. Imitation is just phase one and two. Not all performers or athletes make it to phase three. Phase three is for those who become artists.

-SiFu Carroll

Progress can’t be forced.

There is a story about a farmer in ancient china  (The Sung Dynasty Farmer)who wanted his crops to grow faster. He went out one night and pull them up one inch to make them look bigger the next day. When he awoke he saw that the whole crop was dead. He had attempted to force progress. The patience required is often more than some can bare.

“Patience, Persistence and Practice lead to Progress.”- © SiFu Carroll

 

Relaxation…

“Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are.”- Chinese Proverb

This says a lot about what goes on in ourselves and others. Apply this and you will grow.

“Any experience that has not been lived will hang around you, will persist: “Finish me! Live me! Complete me!” There is an intrinsic quality in every experience that it tends and wants to be finished, completed. Once completed, it evaporates; incomplete, it persists, it tortures you, it haunts you, it attracts your attention. It says, “What are you going to do about me? I am still incomplete – fulfill me!”

“Your whole past hangs around you with nothing completed – because nothing has been lived really, everything somehow bypassed, partially lived, only so-so, in a lukewarm way. There has been no intensity, no passion. You have been moving like a somnambulist, a sleepwalker. So that past hangs, and the future creates fear. And between the past and the future is crushed your present, the only reality.

“You will have to relax from the circumference.” OSHO

 

This is a prison you build for yourself with the tension to achieve and perfect. Achievement is only a step in a journey and perfection only an item to keep you seeking what you already have, like glasses on your head. After they are found, the appeal is gone and the humbling really begins.

 

 

Little is BIG

“Little things have profound meaning.”- SiFu Carroll

The little motions in Wing Chun are often overlooked but they are very important. the details are the reason that wing Chun is so effective.

“small loss, small gain; BIG LOSS, BIG GAIN.”- T.T. Liang

He went on to say that “Investing in loss , or learning how to lose, are statements which primarily mean not using force against force. When energy comes to your body, do not resist.”

I surrender… I lose… I yield… I give up myself… I withdraw… I let go…

Possessions possess you like demons, they torment your mind and devour your happiness. Do not become attached to things.-SiFu Carroll

 

Quotes on Simplifying

1. “Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”- Albert Einstein

2.  Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.  ~Confucius

3. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”- Leonardo DaVinci

4. “Everything should be made a s simple as possible, but not simpler”- Albert Einstein

5. “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”-Henry David Thoreau

6. “Simply put Wing Chun simplifies things…”- ©SiFu Carroll

 

 

 

To win without fighting is best…

-a quote from Master Sun Tzu

a war that does not happen is achieved by whom?…The doctor that cures before the illness is apparent, is he or she known?… Fame does not equal skill… Ability is often unknown… Those that seek fame are not seeking what the masters sought.

to try to measure ones roots, one must only look at their fruit. Depth does not mean nourishment.

The path is not an interstate highway; it is often a trail.

Just my thoughts…

 

 

 

“WING CHUN IS SWIFT AND INTENSE FORCE.”

quote form SiFu Carroll when asked to define Wing Chun.

This definition is copyrighted material. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010

 

JKD and Wing Chun

I have trained in both and now only teach Wing Chun Kung Fu for many reasons but the main one being that Bruce was once asked what he would use in a real life or death fight and his answer was not JKD it was Wing Chun. Now that I have learned the art of Wing Chun I know why.  My SiGong, Duncan Leung, posted something regarding Bruce and JKD and it rings so true.

Here is what he posted on the thread Potential Grasshopper

Posted by: SiFu Leung – October 7, 2004 (11:31 p.m.) – 68.10.116.153 By Bruce Lee’s own account, he applied Wing Chun principles and theory in the light of his personal experience as a fighter in a manner that was most appropriate for himself. However, that is what a martial artist is supposed to do –personalize the system. Bruce Lee called this “new” system Jeet Kune Do. It is really not significantly different from Wing Chun.

If you are seeking a method of relieving stress and attaining emotional balance, you might also consider tai chi, which is excellent for this purpose.

I questioned the differences when I was training in JKD and what I was told could be summed up with the statement I use today for my students to understand: “Wing Chun does not need JKD but JKD needs Wing Chun.”

Question the obvious… and the statements that are used to blow smoke and confuse you. Common Sense and Hard Work are the secrets.

SiFu Carroll

 

“WING CHUN -

An art that is born of waiting knives…  (Wait and Ambush)

With persistent practice, you will gain wisdom…(Tenacity and Purpose)

Train with these things in mind… ” © SiFu Carroll

 

“WING CHUN IS A CUTTING ART.”-SiFu Carroll

It cuts time, energy,  and movement down to a minimum which in turn maximizes the results sought after. It gives you an edge on your opponent. It does not seek to impress but does so in it’s simplicity and practicality. It is truly a thinking man’s art.  Continue to study and minimize the junk in your life maximizing the things that matter the most.”- SiFu Carroll

 

A WOMAN’S ART

“Wing Chun speaks of being like a clever young woman that is pleasing… This is ‘receive what comes’ Deception  ETC.

It  speaks of being in harmony with nature- going with the flow or ‘ follow what goes’

It also speaks of cultivating Heaven’s Way… this is to be in constant change, like the weather or like lightening in that it ‘hits what let’s go.’ These little ideas should be pondered and applied in your training. They mean more than what I have given in my examples but these things open doors for you.”

© SiFu Carroll

 

 

Wing Chun is noted for …

Relentlessness

Lightning like speed

Aggressiveness

Explosiveness

Simplicity

 

DON’T BE A DUMMY ABOUT DUMMIES (or DON’T GET THE WRONG JONG)

Recently my students wanted to buy their first Wooden Dummy…They had alot of questions as did I when my SiFu taught me in private about how to build them. He said that there are no three legged dummies, five armed dummies, spring loaded dummies, etc. He explained that that was just a gimmick to try to get peoples money.  He went on to say that they changed when Master Yip Man could not plant his dummy in the ground to a hanging or Floating Dummy. Everyone is trying to get money and you have to watch what you get. The slightest thing wrong on the dummy can cause you to totally miss sight of the arts true applications. It in essence teaches you to be open where you should not be and closed where you should be open. It changes your footwork, your energy and your art.

My SiFu  said “the Wooden Man carves you. It is a jello mold for you to be formed by. You don’t train the dummy,  it trains you.”

I explain it to my students like this… The wooden man is tuning fork for your energy and application of Wing Chun. I have never seen a 3 pronged, silver spooned or 4 handled tuning fork.

“Don’t fix what ain’t broken. if you try you’ll F it up.”  SiFu Carroll’s SiFu  2003

 

 

Teachers Beware…

To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society. -Theodore Roosevelt

 

The Teachers Standard…

A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.  ~Author Unknown

 

The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without his teacher. -Elbert Hubbard

 

The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, “The children are now working as if I did not exist.” -Maria Montessori

If every teacher teaches to this “standard” the quality will always be apparent. Just What my teacher taught me, written in another persons words.

SiFu Carroll

 

Because your students are treasures beyond your knowledge…

This is a writing  all teachers should remember… Be mindful of your interactions because they either make you worthy or not of this title.

As we prepare for each day, when our students enter and we encounter their attitudes, ranging from eager, enthusiastic anticipation to uncomfortable, uncertain apathy, recall the powers we have within…from poet to philosopher…and present ourselves to those students as a person worthy of the noble title TEACHER.

TEACHER - you are a poet, as you weave with your colorful magic language a passion for your subject. You create a vast and grand mosaic of curiosities to imagine, secrets to unfold, connections only to begin the cycle of learning.

TEACHER - you are a physicist, as you bring magic, logic, reason, and wonder to the properties, changes, and interactions of our universe.

TEACHER - you are a maestro, a master of composing, as you conduct and orchestrate individual’s thoughts and actions from discordant cacophony into harmonic resonance.

TEACHER - you are an architect, as you provide each student a solid foundation, but always with a vision of the magnificent structure that is about to emerge.

TEACHER - you are a gymnast, as you encourage the contortions and gyrations of thoughts and the flexing and strengthening of ideas.

TEACHER - you are a diplomat and the ambassador of tact and sensitivity, as you facilitate productive, positive interactions among the multiplicity of personalities and cultures, beliefs, and ideals.

TEACHER - you are a philosopher, as your actions and ethics convey meaning and hope to young people who look to you for guidance and example.

- by Trish Marcuzzo (Omaha Public Schools)

 

Teaching is not for everyone. Everyone is not meant to Teach.

Get over the fact that the martial arts industry is an unregulated game of “I’m a master”. It’s great to have credentials, but it’s largely a waste of time pursuing “rank” for the sake of how it appears in a yellow pages ad. Again, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care (and they never care much for instructors who are more concerned with the “alphabet soup” at the end of their name than giving their students the best possible instruction. Besides, although all instructors should be Black Belts — not all black belts should be instructors.

This is true in all things. There are teachers and then there are practitioners trying to teach.  A teacher that can not accept loss is a person who has never understood teaching.

Teachers have certain qualities.

1. They genuinely care about their students
2. They are competent in instructing others
3. They are patient and tenacious at the same time when teaching a student.
4. They are question generators not question answerers.
5. They are poetic, philosophic, artistic, organized, and idealistic ETC.
6. They lower themselves to lift others up.
7. They know their material or content.

8. They can convey their knowledge to a diverse population in ways unimaginable by others.

 

My approach to Teaching…

Steal My Art! this is because it does not belong to me. It belongs to those that will sacrifice the time, resources and sweat to get it.

The greatest gift a teacher can give a student is themselves…

the focus is on the future when the focus is on the student. This can be found in the Wing Chun poem on this page. the tree produces many plums but asks nothing of them. This is Nature teaching us about sacrifice and growth.

My teacher understood this very valuable aspect of teaching.

 What is the worth of my art?

It is the value of my students futures… it is the value of their lives. To teach below this level is a crime.

-SiFu Carroll

Truth is a Teacher…that few will find.

Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more.  ~Bob Talbert

A (good) teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary. ~Thomas Carruthers

 

Think about this. My SiFu echoed these same words by asking ” Do you know Einstein’s Teacher? How about Micheal Jordan’s coach?”

Yip Man’s fame was brought on by Bruce Lee’s fame. Without Yip Man there would be no Bruce Lee. Without Bruce Lee who would know of Yip Man?

 

The great teachers are unknown but their work is immortal.

A quote I heard from my SiFu ” Seek not to be like the masters. Seek what they sought.”

What were they seeking? I don’t think it was students. Most were very private even to the point of anonymity.

Point of Origin… The Teacher.

To become the center of the circle you must first empower the circumference. The Center is known because the circumference is known. This is diametrically radiant.

-SiFu Carroll

 

 Independent Thinkers Needed.

 

Why do people call others wrong thinkers or dogmatic if they do not hold the same beliefs as them? maybe it is because they wish to change others to feel more secure in themselves.

My SiFu said “To have no way as way is to get lost.”

Seek what is right, just, and beyond their grasp…the truth.

Keep in mind, if man made the knowledge the errors are already beyond count. self- awareness should be more self- bewareness because we are most often our own worst enemies. Those that seek to help others are enlightened. A Chinese student in my 8th grade class brought me a calligraphy piece one day and shared it with me. It read “The purpose of Life is to help others.”

would  that be dogma? I guess it would. I just know that others around me don’t mind it at all. I have found it only bothers those that are seeking the pleasures of the self at the expense of others.

Selfish people feel greater than those around them and make mention of it every time they get a chance. This helps no one.

Help one another and preserve the proper spirit.

-SiFu Dustan Carroll

A Zen belief is that the faults we find in others are our own.

This is why we should avoid speaking ill of anyone else. create harmony from discord. The truth corrects the falisies eventually. Do not waste time on anything that is not useful or beautiful. Treasure what can not be taken from you… things you do not have.  This is truly being unattached. The destiny of another lies within them, not in your words. “Live simply, Live honestly, and Live peacefully.”- ©SiFu Carroll

 

Imagination

“Imagination is the tap root to the tree of knowledge.”

-© SiFu Carroll

 

Sing the arriving of plum blossoms,

Heaven’s wonderful way,

Spring births a fragrant forest of peaches and plums artfully.

(this is the literal translation…)

Defining moments…

http://www.martial-arts-info.com/comment/139/91799

when I started defining what I teach.

Visitor comment: SiFu Carroll commented to Wing Chun · October 27th, 2007 @ 11:32 pm

Wing Chun is a no B/S martial art that has no sport or competition element in it. Bruce Lee’s fame caused this art to be watered down by most modern day “masters”. Everyone started schools even if they did not learn the entire art. Some even learned from tapes and then proclaimed themselves instructors.
Most arts that are eclectic (i.e. Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do) draw heavily on the core principles of Wing Chun. These principles are Don’t fight force with force, Protect the centerline, Simultaneous attack and defense, fight for your life etc.
Wing Chun is a combat art that does not give quarter. It is about minimum effort for maximum damage. Eliminate the threat by all means possible.

copyright 2007

The Root is the Source.

“When drinking from the water remember the source.”-quote from Yip Man

Yip Man is the source. Without him SiGung Leung would not have attained his skill. Without SiGung Leung, my SiFu would not have attained his skill. Without my SiFu…

This is why I am deeply grateful to my SiFu and seek to honor the Wing Chun Kung Fu Art he has entrusted to me.

Thank you SiFu Doc.

Relationships Define A SiFu

“You can’t be taught simultaneously to bow and stand your ground.”- Rory Miller. Mr. Miller goes on to say ” The habit of obedience is one short step away from submission. That if you do what your instructor says when you know in your heart it is wrong, you will also obey a rapist.” (The word rapist could be interchanged with any other word used to define a person meaning you harm.) Mr. Miller has a valid point. You have sought out a person to help you with preserving or bettering your life when you have sought out a SiFu.  I think that is why it is important that your SiFu be a master of his trade, teaching martial knowledge and skills, and your father in the art of Wing Chun. He shouldn’t lord over you and demand more and more from you. If he is a father he should be giving and generous.  As it was asked by one greater than I (Luke 11:11) “What father among you, if his child asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a viper.” As a teacher he should be one that wants others to learn all they can. He should delight in your achievement and support you as a father would.

The title of SiFu came up on My SiGungs website and is being discussed about what it means.

The title is not one of rank. The title is just that a title. “Skill takes care of itself.”- Tai Chi Song.

“Father and teacher are titles of respect. Respect that is given based on relationships.  Both titles are earned because they inspire others to be more than they are already. A father must sacrifice more than a child. A teacher must out give a student. My SiFu, Doc Savage, taught this to me and has earned the title SiFu in my eyes. All that call themselves “SiFu” should remember that they have taken on a huge responsibility not a financial enterprise and that what they sow they shall also reap. Their students trust them like their lives depend on it… and they do.”- SiFu Carroll

 

Chinese proverb

 

The ultimate form of submission is imitation…

Students are students because they lack the ability of those (Teachers) that they try to copy. This is true in all aspects.

quote from SiFu Carroll

copyright all rights reserved August 8, 2011.

 

視卒如愛子，故可與之俱死。

• Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
• Ch. 10, Art of War, Sun Tzu
• “Treat others well and they will make you victorious.”

The more ripe a cluster of rice becomes, the lower it bows down its head.
-A Japanese proverb

(In essence the lower something is the higher it is valued in Zen. That is why an insult is the greatest compliment.)

 

Shin Buddhism, or the teachings of Shinran (1173-1262), teaches us the importance of humility, the most important universal virtue. Many people think that the ultimate goal in Buddhism as well as human life is to become good. But according to Shinran, it is to become humble. Being good is not good enough; we must become humble persons. We must know our evilness, the existence of our ineradicable egoism. We must know our ignorance, the limitations of our intellects. We must become humble persons who can say, “I’m evil and ignorant.” In order to explain that Shin Buddhism teaches us the importance of humility, let me first discuss the two stages of life that Shinran experienced.

go to the following address to read the rest of it.

By Dr. Nobuo Haneda
Reprinted by permission of the The Maida Center of Buddhism, 2609 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94704, (510) 843-8515

 

How to select a Martial Arts School and Teacher

Martial Arts is a commitment. You will have to commit time, money and pain to learn how to effectively protect yourself and your loved ones.

You should never believe what a teacher tells you. You should always use common sense and logic. You must question the premise of the art you are evaluating to make sure it is what you are looking for and are willing to commit to. Some arts ( alot) are sport or tournament driven these days. If you are looking for a physical workout or a place that wants to compete in fights that have rules and trophies then you need to seek out individuals that already have those things to teach you.

You must understand that you as a buyer should beware because Martial Arts  and MMA gyms are the parade grounds for many con artists that are motivated by money. Most will impress you with things that don’t actually work when your adrenaline is kicking in and you can only use reflexive actions. The person that teaches you must be able to teach you to actually do what they are doing. They must teach you how to do it efficiently with nothing left to chance and so that every motion becomes instinctive and reflexive.

Remember You must commit TIME, MONEY and Pain to learning an actual fighting art. You don’t want to waste any of those resources on something that will not work.

In ancient times SiFu’s that had great knowledge hid themselves in remote areas such as swamps, mountains, rural villages or in plain site as an average person with an average occupation. They were very secretive of what they knew and could do. They were not always considered “personable” or people friendly.  Some disquised themselves as cooks or beggars and kept people at a distance. That still holds true to this day in many cases. Just because the instructor has a nice school and nice uniforms and everyone likes them does not mean that they know how to teach you. Remeber a great fighter is not always a great teacher.

References from law enforcement officers and military members are a good sign that a teacher and art are practical. Remember all arts are different based on their theories and focus. Make sure you find the one that matches your purpose.

The goal of a good teacher is to make their student better than themselves. Is you teacher willing to do that? How long are they saying it will take and can you commit to that length of time?

Remember picking a good teacher is easier than a teacher picking a good student.

Happy Hunting.

SiFu Carroll

 

The Teacher-Student Relationship

The teacher student relationship is one that is difficult to describe. The saying goes…” The student must be willing to move Heaven and Earth but the teacher must move Heaven and Earth.” This means that it requires more from the teacher than the student. Students that are not humble, loyal, and willing are a waste of the teachers time.

Time is the one thing that a teacher can not get back. They can not make more time and they should invest what they have wisely. Students should note this very basic idea.  To steal from your SiFu is very dishonorable and should be avoided at all cost.  Ways that you steal from your SiFu are sometimes overlooked… 1. stealing their Time. 2. stealing there trust and 3. stealing their art (misusing it).

The Teacher and Student relationship is one of respect. The teacher is the key for the student and the student is the hope of the teacher.

Be Careful in how you cultivate this relationship. Use care and diligence in nurturing this bond otherwise you could be lost. Remember  one degree off here means miles off down the line; the Sifu is the compass that draws the angle for you.

SiFu Carroll

 

WUDE

 

Blood, Sweat and Tears…

Recently, I have had students ask me what it takes to be good at Wing Chun. I have explained that it is hard to learn Wing Chun because first you must have several things before you can actually learn what you are seeking. 1st thing is you have to have a highly qualified and experienced teacher that is willing to teach you.

2nd. you will need money because “you pay for what you get.” Free or cheap Kung Fu often has a good reason for being free or cheap.

3rd you will need time to train and practice.

4th you will need to be able to take pain to learn. “Wing Chun is Pounded Down Not Passed Down.”

5th you will need dedication. without dedication you will never finish anything.

What this all amounts to is sacrifices. I can honestly say I have shed blood, sweat and tears to get what I have. But without a teacher that knew the art I would have been wasting my money, time, health and life. Thank you SiFu Doc.

If you have a good teacher, you have a treasure…

 

 

 

Wing Chun in Hong Kong

Flight attendants learn kung fu to deal with unruly passengers

3:41 PM, May 2, 2011  |   comments

(USA Today) — Hong Kong Airlines is asking its flight crews to learn a form of kung fu, something the carrier hopes will help its staff deal with drunk and unruly passengers, AFP reports.

AFP writes “Hong Kong Airlines said all staff had been invited to undergo training in wing chun — a form of kung fu used in close-range combat — but it was only compulsory for cabin crew, the Sunday Morning Post (of Hong Kong) reported.”

The airline deals with about three disruptive passengers a week, according to Hong Kong Airlines spokeswoman Eva Chan.

She says the benefits of adding martial arts training came into focus two weeks ago after a flight attendant used her previous training to help resolve an incident on a Beijing-to-Hong Kong flight.

“One of the passengers was sick but he was probably drunk and felt unwell. The crew member attended to him and she realized her fitness was helping her, especially because the guy was quite heavy,” Chan told the Morning Post.

One of the airline’s newest attendants, 22-year-old Lumpy Tang, tells the Morning Post the martial arts training came as a surprising — but welcome — addition to her job description.

“You cannot predict what will happen on the plane, so wing chun is good because it’s so fast,” Tang said to the paper. “I feel safer because I can defend myself and I’m happy to be one of the first cabin crew to learn wing chun in the world.”

(USA Today)

The Wing Chun Workbook will help anyone supplement their training or accelerate their current abilities !

Learn how and why Wing Chun is the backbone of most modern reality based martial arts.

Learn how to generate more power in punches and kicks.

Learn how to simultaneously attack and defend- the key to hitting someone and not getting hit!

Learn how to stop a larger attacker in their tracks.

The first 12 months focus on basics…the foundation that will create the openings for you on your opponent.

Don’t waste your time reading magazine articles filled with advertisements, read actual lessons and learn something besides history.

Read below to see why it is different.

Wing Chun Workbook™

of SKILLS AND DRILLS

12 monthly issues for only $24.97

Introductory price. Price may change after first year based on demand.

In an attempt to document and demonstrate our family’s interpretation of the simple, effective and devastating art of Wing Chun, SiFu Carroll has created a series of informative lessons that will include pictures and examples for those wishing to learn this art but can not find a credible instructor. Each issue will focus on one or more skills, drills or concepts.

This is not your ordinary recital of Wing Chun History or “Why we have the real art and they don’t” rhetoric. It is an attempt by SiFu Carroll to preserve this fighting art. Here is what SiFu Carroll has to say about why he created the WING CHUN WORKBOOK OF SKILLS AND DRILLS  program.

“After suffering from injuries in a car accident and the slow recovery afterward, I began to worry about my ability to pass this art on to my children. This series is the beginning of my efforts to make it possible for my children to receive this art that I have spent countless amounts of money and many years to obtain. I know that my level is not that of my SiFu’s or my SiGong’s and that with more time in the art I could do a better job but I do not know if I will have that time or ability to pass this art on to my children.

You will need to Study, Search and test the drills within these articles to fully grasp the art. “The best hiding place for anything is in plain sight, that is what Wing Chun truly does.”

I also want it to be known that I am not into politics. I do not expect everyone in the general public to agree with the material that is contained in this series. I can only teach what I was taught and what I have learned over time actually using Wing Chun.

Sincerely,

SiFu Dustan Carroll”

I have an established trademark using the above logo and the name of the Wing Chun Boxing Academy. Any use of the name or logo will be pursued legally in order to maintain my property. All materials from this website are copyrighted and are not to be used without Written permission from myself.

I am writing this statement since a logo that greatly resembled my own and my schools name were located on craigs list. I understand that others will attempt to use my schools reputation to build their own.

Those that attempt to do this should understand that it will not be tolerated. Be forewarned.

SiFu Carroll

NOTICE TO IMPOSTORS AND IDENTITY THIEVES!

Any  use of materials  to include but not limited to my trademarks, logos, and written materials from my site, school or otherwise will meet with legal ramifications.

 

The Last is First?…

(From a book SiFu Carroll  wrote to honor his teacher and document his training.)

 

( an excerpt from my poetic book on learning Wing Chun, Visiting The Mountain Sage)

 

“The most advanced is taught first so that you can eventually accomplish it.” – Mountain Sage

 

Little Ideas

 

Student, watch me as I play the Little Ideas.

 

Student watches and tries to follow along.

 

No, student, watch…

 

The idea is to watch then follow…wait then go… stabilize then mobilize.

 

The student then watches focusing on the Sage as he sinks, pivots, and becomes unified with his horse.

 

The form plays with no sound.

 

The form plays with no thought.

 

The form plays with no expectations.

 

The form plays with no emotion.

 

The form plays with no ambition.

 

The form plays like leaves in motion against the unseen breeze.

 

The form plays like water lapping over stones.

 

The form plays like the stretching of a cat.

 

The form plays like the opening of a fan.

 

The Ideas are seamless like the surface of a puddle but deep like a canyon.

 

The journey has begun.

 

“To know that what you do is Wing Chun use the Three Measures.” Mountain Sage

 

The Three Measures

 

( an excerpt from my poetic book on learning Wing Chun, Visiting The Mountain Sage)

 

The First Measure: Yield to force.

 

The Second Measure: Protect the Centerline

 

The Third Measure:  Attack and Defend as One

 

Without the Three there is none.

 

(More to come in the future…)

© SiFu Carroll