The Future of Shaolin Kung Fu

[Antonius]

The future of Shaolin Kung Fu is looking bright.

I just watched the "Free Sparring Galore" videos from the UK Summer Camp. Many thanks to Sifu for putting them up so quickly.

As many of you already know, I am not easily impressed. Like my teacher, I have very high standards for Shaolin Kung Fu. More than a few times, I have been known to turn my nose up at videos of well-known masters. Let's face it -- I'm a kung fu snob.

Nevertheless, after watching those videos, I must say that I am impressed.

As a teacher, I can really appreciate the bigger picture shown in those videos. Although many of you probably think that your performances weren't particularly impressive, that is because you cannot see the bigger picture. You cannot project ahead and see where you will be 5 years down the road, or 10 years, or 15 years.

I can. And what I see is very exciting. Having watched Sifu tirellessly pursue his dream for almost ten years, I must say that it is thrilling to see the next phase starting to take shape. Keep up the good work, and all of you will all be instrumental in helping to restore the former glory of Shaolin Kung Fu.

Okay. Enough with the compliments. Now get back to your horse stance, all of you!

[Luo Lang]

I totally agree with my Siheng!!
And as I am also not very easy impressed I would like to congratulate some people here:
Congatulations to:

- My beloved Sifu: as a former coach I know what it's like to teach people. At least I thought it It's simply amazing how Sifu's teaching lift student's performance up to a very high level within a time which is incredible. I don't know what to tell.....It's just inspiring many thanks to you Sifu!!

- To my brothers Marcus, Darryl, Jordan, Ronan Michael and Robin:
You do an amazing job! I could really observe that your students enjoy Genuine Kung Fu!

Respectfully,

Roland

[Robin]

Likewise

Hi guys,

I was lucky enough to witness in person a hall of 35 students all sparring with traditional Kung-fu patterns!!

It is my honest belief that a sight like that has not been around for about 75-100 years. Some of the participants had never even done a martial art before this four day course!

Well done and all the best

Robin

[thomas m]

Anthony Sipak,

Your words are very comforting. I was a little disappointed, although not surprised, to observe my performance in the videos. I certainly don't think that my finest moments were captured However, your post, and those that follow, have enabled me to further see the positive side. As Sigung so eloquently explained to us yesterday: there are two ways to view these things, the negative way, and the Wahnam way.

Indeed, I must practice more horse stance!

Regards to all,
Tom

[Jonny Say]

My sentiments exactly

I was lucky enough to witness this course first hand and whole heartedly agree with what my seniors have written.

I witnessed so much progress and potential in such a short space of time. It was especially heart warming to see students who had no kung fu experience utilising stances and kung fu patterns so proficiently. I saw people go from struggling one day to looking relaxed and fluid over night which is testament to the high level of Sigung's teaching.

Everyone was joyous and happy throughout the training and energised afterwards. The course moved at quite a fast pace and everyone had the calmness and mental clarity to follow it. Well done to all!!

I completely agree that after a few more months of horse stance there will be many more Shaolin Warriors to look out for!

All the best

[FluffElemental]

I too found the videos initially depressing. Looking at them I could see that I had got so much wrong and had so far to go. Then I sat back and realised that I did have so far to go, which made it all seem far more reasonable than expecting perfection after 4 days.

I very much enjoyed the course and if I enjoyed those 4 days so much and improved to the extent I did, just imagine how many days I have to look forward to.

Thanks to Sifu for posting these pictures with spectacular promptness.

Andrea

[cnholmes]

there are two ways to view these things, the negative way, and the Wahnam way.

Thanks for sharing that, Tom. Its great

I looked at the sparring videos - they're excellent. Congratulations to Sifu on what was evidently an excellent course. Well done to you students in applying your skills so well after such a short time.

Perhaps some people haven't read Sifu's website & books and so don't know what they're seeing. They don't understand the valuable foundation that has been built. Well, there's an obvious and easy way to remedy that!

I always find when I'm on a course that I'm concentrating so much that I don't realise until I get home just how much I've learnt (hence my effusive thanks afterwards on here). Sometimes it can be many months before a lesson really sinks in.

Seeing videos of yourself can be a bit cringeworthy at first, but its a very useful tool to spot areas that need practice. And its a very useful demonstration.

Treasure these videos. In twenty years time you'll look back and see how far you've come. Smile from the heart.

Many Regards,
Chris.

[Antonius]

I like that word, Chris. "Cringeworthy." And, of course, I know what that feels like. I've cringed many a time while watching videos of myself. Even now, I often watch videos of myself and think, "I need to work on _________."

Don't think that I don't see the mistakes. I do. All of them. I have a highly critical eye, and I see everything, as my students well know. However, there is a differences between seeing the micro, and seeing the macro. Seeing the macro is about seeing the bigger picture. It's about putting everything in its proper context.

What I see is a bunch of students who have, at most, a handful of years with Shaolin Kung Fu. Some of you, like Claire, have only a few months experience. On average, it seems that most of you have about a year or two experience.

And that is what impresses me. I've been teaching martial arts for over a decade, so I know what typical students can or can't do after a year or two of practice. Because I can see the macro, I can project ahead and see the future. And it is bright.

You'll see.

[Mark CH]

I looked at the sparring videos - they're excellent. Congratulations to Sifu on what was evidently an excellent course. Well done to you students in applying your skills so well after such a short time.

Perhaps some people haven't read Sifu's website & books and so don't know what they're seeing. They don't understand the valuable foundation that has been built. Well, there's an obvious and easy way to remedy that!

I always find when I'm on a course that I'm concentrating so much that I don't realise until I get home just how much I've learnt (hence my effusive thanks afterwards on here). Sometimes it can be many months before a lesson really sinks in.

Seeing videos of yourself can be a bit cringeworthy at first, but its a very useful tool to spot areas that need practice. And its a very useful demonstration.

Treasure these videos. In twenty years time you'll look back and see how far you've come. Smile from the heart.

Many Regards,
Chris.

Well said Chris

[George]

Dear Sifu and Seniors. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I know that you are well aware of how much they mean to someone like myself.

For those students who feel disappointed with their performance on video - don't be.

If Sifu says that you have done well and you disagree, then you are wrong. Accept the praise as respectfully as you accept all of Sifu's instructions, without trying to be smarter than the master.

Enjoy the benefits of the First Shaolin Law.

Thank you Sifu.

[HugoDarien]

The Future of Shaolin Kung Fu

Thank you Sifu Anthony Korahais - Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam USA for a very good and beautiful thread!

I pray that The Future of Shaolin Kung Fu : flower, bloom, blossom ...

[Claire]

Yes indeed, thank you Anthony Sipak.

Your words give beginners like me hope, hope that we can one day make SiGung, all you dedicated Sifus and Shaolin Wahnam as proud of us as we are to be a part of you

Claire
x

[Molly]

I must say, in spite of those of you who cringe at the videos of yourselves sparring, that it's awesome to see so many people with only a year (or far less in some cases!!) sparring so well. It's a testament to Sifu's great teaching abilities that he can take scant beginners and have them sparring so smoothly in a matter of days. Great job everyone. Okay, so you cringe, so some of you were embarrassed. The funny thing is, as you progress and get better, you'll probably still cringe. When I first watched the videos from my intensive course with Sifu, I was so proud and fired up for what I had accomplished. And at the time, it was great for where I was at. Months passed, I trained more, I spent far too much time at work and had no time to finish cataloging all the videos from my course, so I didn't even see them for almost half a year. Then I went back a few weeks ago to start cataloging the rest of the videos. You know what I did? I totally cringed!! I thought, that stance is so lazy! That technique lacks any intent! I gotta do this better and this and so on. I imagine I'll repeat this experience many many more times. I think many of you will too. No worries on what's not perfect, just use those videos to help assess what needs to be worked on. AND...recognize that you achieved in only a few days what many martial arts practicioners don't achieve in years, and that is truly commendable!
Best Regards,
Molly