Broaden Your Horizons

Editorial

by Sibok Lloyd Fridenburg
Fu For You Spring 2023

I have spoken with many people over the years that define themselves as being a martial artist, however, I know relatively few that I consider to be true martial artists. A martial artist cannot be defined merely by the fact that you are studying, or even teaching, Kung Fu. It is not defined by rank, degree, or time; it is defined as those that have a thirst for knowledge, an eagerness to share that knowledge, and the pursuit of excellence in Kung Fu, particularly in their chosen style.

Of course, that all begins with a sound knowledge of our WKFA curriculum, which provides a solid foundation for your Kung Fu journey. Our curriculum is a dynamic set of criteria that must be met to advance in all our programs. But unlike many other disciplines we don’t stop with simply knowing enough to advance, we insist that you are always able to perform previous forms, technique, sparring, and self-defense with an ever-increasing level of competency. By the time you are ready to test for your Black Sash you will have amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience, but it is merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of potential Kung Fu knowledge.

You have often heard me talk of expanding your horizons, learning new skills, and continuously broadening your depth of understanding, however, it is important to remember that our WKFA curriculum is and always will be the foundation of your skills.

Let’s look at the self-defense aspect of WKFA training as an example. By the time you are ready to test for your Black Sash you will have learned more than 75 releases, joint locks, or escapes, not counting variations (which would easily double that number), and you are required to understand, execute, and teach, all of them with a high degree of proficiency. Now remember that what you know is just the tip of the iceberg and for each of those techniques there are literally dozens of defenses, counters, and releases for any given attack.

Does that mean all our SD is the best solution for any given attack? Probably not always, but we have opted to keep our releases simple, easy to remember, and effective. Today there is almost too much information available and it’s up to you to decide what is practical for you, what to avoid, and what makes sense for a deeper investigation.

Kung Fu really is an endless journey so never miss an opportunity to expand your martial arts knowledge. Different styles, disciplines, and instructors all have something unique to offer. Keep that which makes sense and discard that which doesn’t. (PODS at the CKKA convention are a great way to expand your scope of expertise.) But remember that each journey is very personal and regardless of your level of skill, knowledge, or expertise always stick to our core curriculum when training or teaching others at WKFA. Strive to be a true martial artist!