INSIGHTS

   from  the              

Ching Yi Kung Fu Association Newsletter

JULY 1992

  by Michael Alan Brown            President -  CYKFA

Edited by W Kraig Stephens CYKFA Black Belt #68

PUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION OF THE CHING YI KUNG FU ASSOCIATION

INSIGHTS: Obvious Skills:  Every time I pick up a magazine dedicated to the martial arts, particularly the Chinese arts, I see article after article full of sniping and infighting between so-called martial artists over whose "style" is the oldest, who really learned from whom, which style is the best, the "original" way of doing a certain technique, etc., etc.  To me, this is ridiculous.

"Styles" are really nothing more than ways of teaching, not ways of fighting.  Every style in existence today stemmed from one exceptional fighter who made up his own way of training, defeated anyone who challenged him, or otherwise demonstrated superior skill, strength, or fighting ability.  Others wanted what he had, so they sought him out, he taught them the things that he felt made him successful, and a "style" was born.  Thereafter, it became institutionalized, with everyone trying their best to mimic what they had seen the founder do, and some achieving good results and some not.

The problem as I see it today is that there is no really feasible way for modern martial artists to gauge their progress in fighting.  It is impractical, usually criminal, to engage in actual combat with others on a regular basis, and the tournament scene - even "full-contact" - is nothing more that a facade of rules, time limits, regulations, and more silly chatter about who "really" won the sports events that bear little more resemblance to actual fighting that a basketball game or bowling.

So how do you know if the way you are practicing is working?  Dr. Wong has steadfastly maintained through all the time I've known him that gongfu is for "health and peace of mind".  I have come to understand  that is precisely the measure one can use to check progress.  I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, ruling out the self-defense aspects of the arts.  On the contrary, I believe that no one can have health or peace of mind if they are walking the streets  in fear or  living life in weakness.

Overcoming opponents in combat can be achieved in a variety of ways, including but not limited to physically crushing the attacker.  A look, a confident and fearless bearing, a simple move restraining the aggressor, withstanding his best blows to your body with no damage, then laughing and walking away, or not being in a confrontation in the first place....I could go on and on.

The bottom line is that regardless of who your teacher was, or whether you do Yang form Taiji or Hung Gar, or whether you bend your knees parallel to the ground or a 45 degree angle, if your practice produces a body that is strong, a mind that is relaxed, a sense of confidence that is unshaken by the trials of daily life, and the ability to protect yourself and the ones you love, then your gongfu is "right".  Otherwise, it is not.