Sigung’s Corner

by Sigung David Moylan

While writing, it’s November and our monthly theme is Community, which was specifically chosen as this is the month that we celebrate the Academy’s anniversary. Our Kung Fu community, over our 35 years, has persevered through adversities and experienced the joy that comes from hard work.

This Fall was a jubilant return to our traditions! The end of October saw our Academy once again full of kids as we hosted our big Halloween party. Two weekends later, we celebrated our 35^th anniversary with seminars and Shiai In-House Tournament. Shifu Yuan Jing and his brother, Shifu Wang Bo, shared their knowledge from growing up in the Shaolin Temple, as we were introduced to the Monkey and Drunken Styles of Kung Fu in our Shaolin Kung-Fu Seminar. The next day, we had over 100 competitors, volunteers, lion dancers and Black Sash judges take part in our first Shiai since 2019. At this event, Sifus Sammy and Anne were presented their 2^nd and 3^rd degree Black Sashes, respectively.

Two weeks later, on November 20^th, we conducted our first Advanced (Blue and Brown) Adult Grading since November 2020. The candidates attended many classes working very hard over the months/years leading up to this day and this was certainly evident throughout the almost six hours they were tested on strength, forms, technique, self-defence, sparring and breaking. In the end, the Academy gained four new Brown Sashes: Sihings Jackson, Jordan and Richard and one new Sije (finally), Veronica. Furthermore, after 13 years of training and 16 gradings, Erich MacLean became a Sifu. His preparation and determined attitude were on display the whole day, as he battled through the challenges presented and put in a truly inspiring performance! Sifu Josh finished off the sparring portion of his 2020 grading, completing the probationary period to achieve 1^st degree Black Sash. Congratulations to everyone!

With this joyous return to our traditions, we look ahead to 2023—the Year of the Rabbit. Our Lion Dance Team is already scheduled for several performances around Lunar New Year. Children and Adult Awards Parties will return. Our instructors are planning for the return of our Competition Team season (Feb – May) and Demonstration Team try-outs are already starting this December in anticipation of Spring performances.

Sibok Lloyd quietly announced his intention to retire from weekly teaching. He’s been a part of the Academy for nearly 34 years and has been instructing consistently every week, even before earning his Black Sash in 1995! (He put in hundreds of hours assisting Sigung Bob prior to Black Sash). Truly one of the most legendary and influential members of the Academy, his regular presence will be missed. Thankfully, in his own words, he’s not heading for the “rocking chair” just yet—he will continue to be involved with Black Sash classes, gradings, and as Editor of this newsletter. I very much have appreciated his mentorship over the years and am grateful we will continue to have him in this capacity. All the best with this next phase of the journey, Sibok!

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Editorial

by Sibok Lloyd Fridenburg

After 13 years of training with plenty of highs, lows, and frustrations, we proudly welcome Sifu Erich MacLean to an exclusive group; Black Sash Instructors. It may seem like attaining the rank of Black Sash is a natural progression in your Kung Fu training, but I assure you that it is not. Regardless of how many years you have been training, nobody is owed a black sash; it’s something that must be earned. This is a fact that, even at his relatively young age, Erich understood.

At WKFA we are fortunate to have graduated an abundance of instructors over the life of the school, in spite of the fact that our Black Sash bar is set very high.  Look at the picture below.  A few weeks ago, the tree was thick with leaves and then they began to fall, gradually at first, then faster and faster until only a few tenacious leaves continue to cling to the branches.

Now think of that tree in terms of the number of students that begin Kung Fu training.  Everyone begins with great enthusiasm, but just like the leaves on the tree they begin to drop off, slowly at first, but as time passes they drop faster and faster until only a few steadfast individuals cling to the last branch, the Black Sash branch.

When I began my Kung Fu journey, I simply wanted to learn Kung Fu, I had no grand vision of wearing a black sash or becoming an instructor, in fact it wasn’t until after my blue sash grading that I even thought it might be possible.

After 34 years at WKFA I have seen hundreds of students come and go, but even many of those that did the work necessary to earn their black sash soon fell from the tree.  Did you know that WKFA has promoted 56 students to the rank of Black Sash, with our first being in 1992?  Nearly 50% of them are no longer active at the school. Instructors stop training for a variety of reasons.  Some because they think they have reached the pinnacle of their training; some for a variety of health-related reasons; some pursue other forms of martial arts, and some just lose interest.

In retrospect many of those who left saw the attainment of a Black Sash as a destination rather than just a milestone along the path.  So, you see, just like the abundance of leaves on the tree only a few continue to cling resolutely to the branch.

I gained the bulk of my Kung Fu knowledge in the years after I attained my Black Sash.  Even as a senior instructor, I consider myself to be a student, and always will. I have often commented to other students that “when one person teaches; two people learn”.  Many want to learn Kung Fu; few will become a martial artist, because a martial artist doesn’t think in terms of a destination but in terms of a lifelong journey.

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The post Tips on Making a Grading Checklist appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

by Sifu Charlie Romeo

After another full year of training (or for some of you, your first year of training), it’s important to look back at your progress and accomplishments throughout the year. Perhaps, you finally finished your current form, or earned a medal at the recent Shiai. Looking back is a great way to celebrate these accomplishments, but with the new year approaching, it’s also important to look to the future of your Kung Fu journey. For example, are you looking to test for your next rank sometime soon? Let’s discuss the process of preparing for a grading.

The most important thing to remember is to trust your instructors. We’ve been through the process many times, as teachers and as students – I have tested in 15 gradings throughout my Kung Fu journey. Your teachers will have a good understanding of your progress at your rank and whether you’re ready to move forward, and if you feel that you may be ready and want your instructor’s opinion, it’s important to talk with them. We’re here to help!

So, you’ve talked to your instructors, and they agree you may be ready to grade. Now what? Well, the hard work certainly doesn’t end here. When you’re preparing for a grading, this means that your effort in classes and your practice times at home need to remain high. This is the time to ramp up your training and work on the finer details of your forms, sequences, and other requirements – a good way to do this is to ask questions and request feedback from your instructors. It’s also important to understand exactly what you need to know for your rank. Every student should have a Student Handbook that includes a copy of your Requirements, which lays out everything you need to know at a given rank. If you don’t have this, ask your instructor.

Another important step in preparing for a grading is to test for your forms stripe, which will be assessed in-class by your instructor. This accomplishment doesn’t yet mean that you’re qualified to grade, but it’s a necessary step along the way. Earning your forms stripe tells your instructors that you know your current forms well, and that it may be time to start thinking about grading. Once you have your stripe and your instructor thinks that you’ve been practicing enough, you will be tested on your current and previous forms and sequences in class. If all looks good, you’ll get your name on the grading list!

The last point I want to make is the importance of not rushing to grade. Earning your next rank is exciting, but it’s not something to take lightly. When we say “earn your next rank”, we really do mean “earn”. Nothing in Kung Fu is just given away; earning your next rank takes hard work, practice, and time. If you don’t qualify for a grading that you wanted to test in, there’s always the next one!

Remember to keep working hard, and the results will show.

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by Sifu D’arcy Langois

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” ~ Arthur Ashe

In Kung Fu, as in life, most folks have a plan in their heads of what they’d most like to accomplish. They plan to start at position A and work their way directly to the end point at position B, experiencing nothing but success along the way. Then, it is time to roll the credits, celebrating the wonderful journey that was had. Unfortunately, this type of journey rarely happens outside of books and movies, with reality being a much different thing. What starts off as a straight trip leads through mountains and valleys, across rivers and lakes, to cliff faces and chasms. The journey is rarely as simple as it seems, and often requires some fancy navigation.

This can be a tough pill for a lot of people to swallow, especially when they get hung up on thoughts of where they should be versus where they currently are. When you examine your Grading Requirements sheets, you will see some important information: the forms, and techniques you will be learning at your level, as well as the length of time and the number of classes you are required to spend at that rank. This last piece is where some students begin to lose focus from the journey itself and turn their eyes to the destination. The number of classes and the length of time at a rank are only guidelines, and minimum ones at that. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking “I’ve been at this rank for the proper length of time, therefore I must move onto the next rank”. Fixating on the number of classes attended rather than the skills learned along the way, can sometimes lead to thoughts of failure as a student. Believe me when I say: no instructor will ever judge you for spending extra time at a rank, it’s just not the way we look at things at the Academy.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t have far-reaching goals in Kung Fu. It’s important to think about where you want to go, but it’s equally important to experience (and hopefully enjoy) the process of getting there. Setting non-grading specific goals (e.g. mastering a specific block, kick, or form) is just one way to feel like you are moving along your path, even without the tangible evidence of a new sash. I encourage you to spend more time focusing on your Kung Fu journey over your Kung Fu destination. If you can manage that, you’ll likely come out thinking better of yourself and have more fun along the way.

Happy Journeying!

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by Sifu Laurent Bernardin

With the past few parents’ column articles, I’ve tried to give you an overview of our Kung Fu curriculum. Hopefully this will help you, as parents, better understand what your children are experiencing when they come to class. Perhaps this will help spur conversations and maybe even get you interested in trying out a class yourself! With this, let’s have a look at the fourth pillar of our curriculum; self-defense.

Basic concepts of self-defense are taught at all age levels. A fun warm-up exercise might be designed to instill a sense of being aware of your surroundings. Where are potential threats coming from? Where do you turn to to find a friendly (and safe) face. During sparring and when practicing technique with a partner, we talk about “critical distance”, the concept that, how far away you are from a potential aggressor, determines whether they are in range to hit or kick you. When we practice our stances, we talk about the importance of rooting and of balance, which also represent crucial concepts in self-defense. A solid stance is a prerequisite for being able to effectively respond to a threat. Throughout their training, students are constantly reminded to “keep their guard up”, nurturing an instinct to protect the most vulnerable part of their body, the head.

As they progress through the ranks and age groups, students build a solid base of these fundamental self-defense concepts. In some classes they might also start to learn some basic self-defense releases, giving them options on what to do when, say, someone grabs their wrist.

Once students reach the advanced junior levels or move up into the adult program, self-defense becomes a more formal part of their training. Specific releases are now part of their requirements and will be assessed in gradings. Students learn what to do when grabbed, choked or pinned and frequently practice these situations safely with a partner. However, the emphasis is always on first trying to avoid a confrontation. The best self-defense is to not find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. The second-best option is to get away as quickly as you can. Students are taught to only engage when there is no other option. At that point, we also talk about the “continuum of response”, the concept that the severity of your response must be proportional to the level of threat. A friend grabbing your arm warrants a very different response than a stranger pulling you into an alley.

Just as important as learning the specific self-defense techniques, is to gain the confidence to stay calm in threatening situations, assess your options and respond appropriately but also decisively.

Mastering these skills is potentially lifesaving.

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By Sifu Lorna

One of the obvious things with Kung Fu is that each class and every time we practice, we test our physical abilities. Gradings definitely test our physical stamina and push the limits of what we think our bodies can do. But far more importantly, Kung Fu tests our spirit. Can you keep going when you’re tired; or scared?

So many things in life are quite scary to do, and many of us struggle with anxiety. Maybe one of the scariest things we ask you to do in your journey is to lead a warmup. It really can be quite terrifying to do your first warmup – and perhaps the first of many warmups. Being in front of people is not something that all of us would choose to do in our daily lives.

My question is: isn’t that the point? None of the things we do at Kung Fu are the things we used to do as a part of our daily lives. We are learning to make physical exercise part of our lifestyle, but at the same time, we are learning self-confidence. We learn that we can do pushups; we can learn self-defense; we can stand in a ring and touch gloves. For most of us, these are not things we ever thought we would ever do. Yet here we are.

Leading your first warmup is scary. However, you know how to do a warmup. By the time you are asked to lead a warmup, you will have done hundreds of them. I am quite positive that not once in all those warmups did you ever hear anyone laugh at or belittle the one leading the warmup. You also would receive that same respect. You may forget things, you may say the wrong words, you might say something silly, but none of these things is fatal, and no one will think less of you for getting up there and trying. Each time you do a warmup, you will become more confident in yourself, and it will become easier to remember all the things you want to remember.

Please remember that your purpose in leading a warmup is to help the class get their bodies ready to do Kung Fu. You are not there to entertain everyone and be the best public speaker ever. You can work up a warmup that you repeat every time you lead. It doesn’t have to be new and different every time. Instructors will happily work with you to prepare.

If you should ever need to use your Kung Fu outside of the academy, you will be in a position where you are very scared. Will you freeze, or will you fight? Getting through things like gradings and leading warmups helps us to have the courage to keep fighting. There is a popular comedian who said it best: when she is asked how she conquers her anxiety, she says “I don’t. I just do it scared”.

Courage is not the absence of fear but acting in spite of it.

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by Sifu Daryl Cressman

Many of the best stories and personal tales involve failure. For example; during the first 4 years of Albert Einstein’s life he never spoke. When he was 16, he took an entrance exam to get into a Swiss polytechnic school and failed to earn a passing score. From those failures he bounced back and wrote papers on quantum theory of light and the existence of atoms. His theory of special relativity and perhaps Einstein’s most famous theory Energy=mass/speed of light squared.

J.K. Rowling found herself divorced and having to raise a child at a young age. Then her mother passed away causing her to be depressed. At the same time, she was putting herself through post-secondary school. This saw her finances take a hit. Through that period of time the books she wrote “Harry Potter” were rejected 12 times by publishers. Since then, over 500 million copies have been sold worldwide in over 70 languages.

Bruce Lee at a young age got into fights with different members of gangs. There were encounters with the police. That prompted his parents to sign him up to be taught to defend himself with renowned Wing Chung Master IP Man. Bruce also learned To Cha-Cha and won the Hong Kong championship. Bruce’s drive to create his own martial art saw him incorporate the footwork he learned in the cha-cha, Wing Chun, Judo and fencing. His first school was opened in Seattle then two more in Oakland. At this time the Chinese Martial arts community strongly disagreed with Bruce’s decision to teach non-Asian people. In 1969 Bruce severely injured himself in a routine training section because, “he didn’t warm up properly.” He was told by his doctor he wouldn’t walk or do martial arts again. The time Bruce was recovering saw him research ways to heal his body and produce one of his best-known books: “Tao of Jeet Kune Do”.

I have had my own share of failure and disappointment, but I continue to grow and learn.  Failure is not unique to any individual, we all endure life’s ups and downs, but the difference between success and failure is how you react to the situation.  If you move beyond your challenges and learn from them failure can become success.  Just like sparring at WKFA, you will likely get knocked down at some point.  You can whine and complain about the fact that you got knocked down, or you can get up, carry on and consider yourself wiser as you move forward.

In spite of many personal trials and setbacks I received an award for most improved novice student in my first year of Kung Fu training. In 2007 I was in the first black sash grading since Sigung Bob Schneider passed away (no pressure there) 8 hours later I received my black sash.

So, remember that even through the most trying times on your path, every time you fall, pick yourself up. Build on what you’ve achieved one block, kick, or strike at a time. Sometimes the most rewarding things we do have started out as the most challenging.

As Wayne Gretzky says, “you will always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

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