Persistence Pays Off

Persistence is the key to learning any form and making your goals in kung fu in general. In today’s world, learning kung fu the way the monks did, eight hours a day is impractical, if not impossible, because of work and family demands. I am sure that some do find the time to do this however.

As with everything, one must keep a happy balance of yin and yang. We must work to support our family. We must allow time for our families. We also must allow time for ourselves. This is the one thing that generally gets put on the backburner. For most, kung fu training would fall into this last category and, if all else is not in balance, will tend to suffer.

The problem is a lot of times that one looks at their martial training as something that one does with his/her spare time. For kung fu practitioners, one must look at kung fu as a way of life. Something that enhances and blends with our lives not something that takes away from it.

The number one reason one takes kung fu is for good health. This is a very important reason and one that truly shows that kung fu training is an integral part of our daily lives.

I often ask my beginners at their first test; “When do you use your Kung Fu?” I often get many answers. “To defend myself”, “because I like the art of it”, “before I go to school”, etc. are just some of the things I have heard. The answer to this question is "every second of every minute of every hour of every day." In other words, we use our kung fu in everything we do. It helps us pass the math test, solve problems at work, handle stressful situations, deal with overwhelming odds, helps us stay alert and aware, and keeps us healthy on a day by day basis. These are just some examples. Many beginners are unable to see this fact outright and, even then, may be unable to understand it fully. Thus, we as Sifu, see a lot of beginners struggling to be consistent. (As a side note, I recommend coming to class as much as possible. But, if you are limited, try to get to class at least twice in one week. This has been proven to be the least one should attend classes in the martial arts and be able to progress sufficiently. However this is not to say a one-day a week person cannot achieve his/her goals. It will just take longer.)

To achieve any goal one sets forth, one must be persistent. It is essential to master a kung fu style. It is essential to master one form…one move even. One must work toward clearing the mind and focusing on the task at hand and be persistent to finishing it.

The payoff? You will be able to master a move, a form and even your kung fu style one day. Be persistent and do not let up. Your Sifu will know where you are in your training and will be there to give you the extra push and motivation if you need it. Trust in your Sifu! For he is more knowledgeable of what you are doing than you are and is experienced in guiding you to your goal.

I am sure your Sifu will be persistent in his quest to make you a great student of your style of Kung Fu.

        Sifu Anthony Stephenson
        August 31, 2009

FIGHTING ON THE INSIDE?

One thing unique about Lai Tong Pai Kung Fu is its combinations of long stances with short hand techniques and its short stances with long hand techniques. If one just views our beginner forms, Sil Poon Sau, Dai Poon Sau, and Kuen Jong, one might decide that our style is strictly a short hand style and sometimes even confused with Wing Chun. Lai Tong Pai, however, has the ability to be both long fist and short fist and has distinct differences from Wing Chun as evident in an intermediate form Low Kuen and our more advanced forms like Lau Ying and Saam Bil Sau/ Sup Sei Lo.

In this article, I would like to focus on the inside fighting techniques that Lai Tong brings to the practitioner. As in a lot of styles, the centerline is very important. When on the inside it becomes especially important. You need to keep the location of your opponent locked in at all times. Things happen very fast on the inside. If your opponent is not use to this kind of fighting, it can be to a great advantage for you. Most opponents not use to inside fighting want to immediately back up when you invade their space of comfort. Your advantage is staying where they are at a disadvantage...the inside.

Hand techniques are important. One again must realize that things happen faster on the inside...distances are shorter. Lai Tong uses the 1 and 3 inch punch, as well as, methods of Lai Tong Pai Look Sao (different from the Chi Sao of the Wing Chun style you may have seen) to help with the demands of the inside. Sticking and feeling your opponent's movements are key. Fast movements, so close to your opponent, are hard to see, but techniques, other than sticking, can be learned to help with this. Watching the elbow for movement is one of these. One does not have to stay stuck at all times. Lai Tong gives its practitioners the ability to move from the inside out and the outside in, at will. Your style may do the same.

When on the inside, you must be in control of things. You must be able to sense your opponent and react accordingly. Speed is also of the essence. The snake can be used along with dragon style to develop the skills you need on the inside. Trapping with the dragon and striking like the snake is a useful application on the inside.

We also cannot ignore the lower extremities. When inside and close you must realize that you are not immune to being attacked by the lower body. Some styles practice kicks for close proximity. Your lower body is especially vulnerable. Look Girk, sticky legs, is a wonderful defense here and allows you to continue your defense or attack with your upper body. Not breaking off your attack or letting down your defense to retreat could be devastating.

Radial movement and footwork. Remember, you do not have to stand toe to toe...in front of your opponent all the time even though you are fighting inside. Being able to move around your opponent in close proximity is very important. It may allow you to attack other vital areas or simply apply some type of restraint that disables your opponent. Lai Tong Pai has a simple stance turn that could evade a punch or kick without having to use your arms or legs in defense.

There are many more things to consider on the inside. These mentioned are but just a few and could be explored in your own style or added to your repertoire of attacks and defenses in case you are strictly a distance fighter.

Sifu Anthony Stephenson
Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Sil Lum Mountain
Kings Mountain, NC
CACMA President
sifuanthon@konghoikungfu.com