Different Specializations

[Jonny Say]

Hey Guys,

It'd be really great to hear some other specialists if there's anyone out there!!

[Antonius]

Five Animals are better than one.

[Jordan]

Ah.. so it comes down to Maths



Five Animals has 3 more (animals) than the next best (2 animals)

[Darryl]

One Banquet is better than five sandwiches

[Andrew]

Indeed Darryl ... but try to visit a banquet with less than 5 courses

Andrew

[Darryl]

In Shaolin Wahnam, every meal is a banquet, every day is full of joy and everything is as good as everything else (except Monkey, which is even better ).

"I find your lack of courses most disturbring"
Star Wars: A New Hope (ish)

[YunXiang]

Dear Jonny,

Thank you for starting this interesting thread. I've enjoyed read everyone's comments on their own specialised set. I'd like to share my perspective on the set I specialised in, the Dragon Form Set.

There are two noticeable characteristics of the Dragon Form Set. Firstly, the techniques in this set utilise swerving body movement and agile, strong stances. Secondly, there is the emphasis and importance of chi flow and internal force in this set.

The swerving body movement and agile stances of the Dragon Form are very effective in both attack and defense. For example, the technique, "Swimming Dragon Plays with Water" uses the swerving body to avoid/neutralise the incoming force or place the exponent in an advantageous position for more countering. Thus, a skillful exponent will be able to defend and strike simultaneously!

The chi flow and internal force is very important to the Dragon Form. Sifu has mentioned that a master of the "Dragon Force" may be able to injure an opponent with any part of his/her body and I've had first hand experience of this. At the Toronto Shaolin Kungfu Course in April 2004, Sifu was demonstrating the application of “Dragon Expresses Marvelous Powers” (a very apropos name!). Sifu told me to grab onto him tightly and I did so. When Sifu applied this technique, I felt his internal force coming from all parts of his body! It felt like a pulse or wave of energy rushing from his body and striking mine. As a result, I landed several feet away from him.

Another aspect to consider is the "mind" aspect of training the Dragon. For me, it has not only helped me to hone and bring more clarity to my mind, but assisted in healing a broken spirit. Personally speaking, it is my belief that these specialise sets are our "teachers" in a way. They both help our strengths and weaknesses.

I hope that my perspective on the Dragon Form Set helps. Many best wishes to those selecting their specialise sets and attending the course in September.

Many blessings,
Mike

[Jonny Say]

Dear Mike Sisook/Sipac,

Thank you for giving your experiences of the Dragon form, it was facinating especially as I was just training with Emiko Sije yesterday and she was also giving her views on the Dragon set.

Very nice to hear the different levels which the sets work on.

All the best

[karasu]

Hello Every one

Just a few quick thoughts
Each set is representative of certain animals as you all know - more importantly is that these sets also reflect a certain type of energy development, which is often reflectd in our personality and perhaps to some degree in our physical form, all of which affect how we express ourlselves through movement.
I was surprised though by how much the sets are a reflection of the practioner - especially of myself. One of my kung fu brothers looked at me once and said "of course you are a dragon and tiger" which surprised the heck out of me.
For those viewing the videos - you will notice that there is a broad range of techniques included in each set. Each set is representative of a complete system
If you have a few minutes, you can compare how each animal set handles high, middle and low attacks for example to get a better understanding and character of each respective set

I agree with Marcus's oberservations about taking our training to the next level by giving us an opportunuty to look deeper into the vastness that kung fu has to offer. It is a very exciting challenge and it something that I will be working on for the years to come.
While it is very exciting to contemplate what it would be like to be given a specialized set by grandmaster Wong, keep in mind that the greater your skill in the fundamental sets 1-16, the greater the benefits your will derive from an animal set once you have reached the stage in your learning.

In fact in order to advance in my animal set, i find myself having to go back repeatedly to the fundamental sets/sequences and refine my skill and understanding of them, often before I can get to where I want to be with my dragong-tiger set

Having said all that, it is very exciting thing to expereince those moments in practice where I get aglimpse of what it means to capture the "spirit" of the dragon and the tiger when practicing my sets /sequences.

I have to run
All the best
Gord

[Luo Lang]

Dear Gordon Siheng,
Thanks for sharing your very interessting insight into the Dragon-Tiger Set.

Darryl Siheng:
I was thinking about what the Monkey charactistic is staying for. I mean, the Dragon is staying for Shen, teh Tiger for internal force and so one...
If I am right you were telling me at the Review course something about the heart? Could you please tell more about that?
Then I was thinking about the heart. The heart is literally staying for the mind and spirit. Not only in the Chinese phylosophie, also in other cultures. In which sence would that be different to the "Shen" - mind aspect, which the Dragon is working on? I aws just wondering, as you told that the Mindset of a Monkey practicioner is very important.

Many thanks in advance,

Respectfully

Roland