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Besides working out their combat sequence, Sifu Roland, Nick and Charles are discussing the philosophical points underlying their patterns

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For convenience, kungfu may be classified into four aspects, namely form, skill, application and philosophy. Most kungfu practitioners today neglect philosophy. This is one main reason they do not derive as much benefit as they should given the time and effort they have spent. Philosophy is like a map – it shows us our destination as well as the routes.

This and the following video series show course participants discussing kungfu philosophy in relation to the combat sequences that they formulate. In particular they discuss the reasons for their choice of patterns, whether there are better alternatives, and what advantages and disadvantages are present. Such a discussion not only enhances their kungfu performance but also enrich their daily lives.

Philosophy should serve us, not enslave us – a trap even some masters have fallen into! Some masters, for example, are captivated by the high-sounding terms of kungfu philosophy, but do not really know what the term means or be able to apply the philosophy to enhance their kungfu. The onus of kungfu training is practical benefit, for combat as well as daily living, not merely intellectual pleasure.

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The Importance of Waist Rotation

Grandmaster Wong demonstrates the mechanics and effectiveness of waist rotation in releasing a double hand grip on the arm. Rotating the waist is much emphasized in Taijiquan, though many Taijiquan practitioners fail to realize its importance or even perform the movement correctly. It is equally important in Shaolin Kungfu.
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Importance of Kungfu Philosophy

Philosophy is an important aspect of our kungfu training. Many kungfu practitioners, however, neglect this aspect. This video clip shows course participants discussing the background philosophy of their attacks and responses.
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Making Wise Chose of Attack and Response

We can derive a lot of benefits from understanding and applying kungfu philosophy. One benefit, as shown in this video clip, is that we are aware of different ways to attack and respond, and are able to make a wise choice as well as why we make that choice. Many other practitioners merely attack and defend randomly.
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Philosophical Discussion Enhances Performance

Steve, Andy and Eugene Butterworth are discussing how to apply the Tiger-Claw, while Molly, Sifu Innes, Sifu Eigene Siterman, Wuji and Alex are discussing various ways to counter an organ-seeking kick. Such philosophical discussion enhances their practical performance as well as help them to use kungfu principles to enhance their daily lives.
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Philosophy of Patterns Performed

While the others work in groups, Sifu Anthony has to work alone because he is the only one in this course who specializes in the Shaolin Pakua Set. Does this mean he will miss the benefit of philosophical discussion as well as other team activities? Of course not. In fact this video clip reveals Sifu Anthony working out on his own the philosophy of the patterns he is performing.
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Building up Philosophy from Experience

In the foreground, Sifu Roland, Nicholas Jones and Charles are working out an effective counter against a kick. They analyze various factors involved, like the advantages and disadvantages of this counter, and the possible responses an opponent would make. These points will build up a sound philosophy for these moves.
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Deliberating on the Choice of Patterns

Nicholas Kryder and Peter are working out a combat sequence from their Dragon-Form Set. Their movements are smooth, though they are conserving their force, because they have formalize their sequence after satisfactory philosophical deliberation earlier on. Daniel and George, on the other hand, stop at various points of their sequence to deliberate on the choice of their patterns.
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Practical Experience and Benefits

We must not be tied down by philosophy, as some arm-chair masters have fallen victims to. Some masters attempt to make their arts look grand by highlighting philosophical points, but often without really understanding what these points mean. The fundamentals of any art are practical experience and benefits. Its philosophy is meant to explain and enhance the experience and benefits, not to mystify them.
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Apply Philosophy in Combat Situations

What would you do if an opponent pulls your arm and simultaneously strikes at your ribs? Eugene is able to respond correctly because he understands, consciously or unconsciously, the philosophy of flowing with the opponent’s momentum. Nevertheless, he has to consider how to do effectively, which further contributes to his understanding of kungfu philosophy.
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1. Returning to the Basics
2. Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
3. Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
4. Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
5. Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
6. Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
7. Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
8. Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
9. It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu

11. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
12. The Tiger-Crane Set - Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
13. The Dragon-Tiger Set - Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
14. The Dragon-Form Set - Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
15. Shaolin Monkey Set – Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
16. Shaolin Five-Animal Set – Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
17. Shaolin Pakua Set Set – An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
18. Combat Application pf Pakua – Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
19. Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
20. Refining Techniques in Combat

21. Some Examples of High level Combat
22. Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
23. Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
24. Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
25. One-Finger Shooting Zen – the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
26. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
27. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
28. Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
29. Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
30. Beware of the Monkey Tricks

31. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
32. How to Raise your Level of Combat
33. How you can Defeat your Opponents
34. Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
35. Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
36. Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
37. Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
38. Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
39. Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws
40. The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks

41. A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
42. Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
43. Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
44. Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
45. Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
46. The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy





To be continued

• Intensive Chi Kung Course
• Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course
• Intensive Taijiquan Course

• List of Certified Shaolin Wahnam Instructors

This page has been visited times since 15th January 2008