Is the concept of "MASTERING" gung fu LOST on the current generations?
When i first started learning Hung Sing Choy Lee Fut back in the early
1980's I can honestly say i was trained the old school way. That's the
right way, in my opinion. For example, although i knew how to block
kick and punch prior to learning Hung Sing Choy Lee Fut my sifu had me
start out with the basics. First it was horse stance training. There
was about 5 different stances i needed to learn and develop since this
was the foundation to everything I was going to learn. After that I'd
learn the first few opening moves of a hand form. I was then expected
to go find a corner and practice those few moves over and over and over
and over and then practiced them over again.
I can't lie, at first it was boring as all hell. Practicing the same
few techniques repeatedly over the next few months till i could do them
in my sleep. At times i'd even wonder if i was wasting my time. For a
beginner it could be a little rough because he can see what the others
are learning and wants to learn that too. Unfortunately, he's not there
yet so he has to keep practicing those moves. it really can try a
persons patience and make him question why he's learning it in the first
place.
it was always a great feeling when Sifu would give you some new moves.
then it starts all over again and before you know it, you're done
with the form. It usually took about a year to complete a form and a
student is expected to perfect it over the next year before learning
another one. This was the kind of training you get from a true old
fashioned non commercialized gung fu school. In a commercial school
you'd learn it all on a timely schedule and students usually were
promoted regardless of the fact if they deserved it or not.
Today, the current generation of young individuals are undisciplined,
have no loyalty, impatient and possess a sense of entitlement. These
people have no concept of what true gung fu is even if it bit them on
the butt. What the don't realize is that the true meaning of gung fu is
skill earned through hard work over time.
Totally agree with everything you wrote. Thanks for the look into your early days.
ReplyDeletethank you sir.
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