Pin Sun Wing Chun-Master Sifu Fung Chun "Wong Wah Bo & Seung Dao"

Master Fung Chun being interviewed at his home in Gulao village, Heshan, China. Respect to Master Fung!

1) Was Wong Wah Bo from Gulao?

2) Did Leung Jan teach Dbl Knives in Gulao?

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Pin Sun Wing Chun - Master Sifu Fung Chun "Yiu & Kwa Lik"

Master Fung discusses being attacked on the street and the importance of Yiu and Kwa Lik at his home in Gulao Village, Heshen, China. Yat Pai "One Family"!


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Qi Vitality from Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

     A major functional concept from traditonal Chinese medicine is qi. A vital essence found in all things, qi has aspects of both matter and energy. We will refer primarily to its expression as energy, keeping in mind that energy and matter are convertible into one another. The theories of modern physics showing matter and energy to be alternate descriptions of one reality are very much in accord with the concept of qi and other facets of Eastern philosophy.
     The qi concept gives us a measure for the vitality of a person, object, or state. If the qi of a certain food is of good quality, then the food will taste better and impart more qi to the individual who consumes it. In a person, good qi is manifested as an ability to accomplish things, lack of obstruction in the body, better functioning of the internal organs, and so on. To further understand qi, which itself is a yang quality, it is helpful to understand its yin counterpart----blood. Blood is yin and the "mother of qi", since the nutrients in blood support and nurture qi. At the same time qi leads and directs the blood. Furthermore, digestive and circulative qi must be sufficient in order for the blood to be formed and to circulate.
     Whatever manifests in a person does so with that type of qi. Someone who is graceful, for instance, has harmonious qi; weak people lack qi; those who are strong have abundant qi; people with pure, clear minds have "refined" as opposed to "confused" qi. Thus qi is not only the energy behind these states of being but the intrinsic energy/substance of these states. The qi concept, then, provides a way to describe every aspect of life.
     From a therapeutic standpoint, there are several functional aspects of qi. It is warming and is the source of all movement; it protects the body, flows through the acupuncture channels, and maintains the activity of the body systems and organs. Sources of qi in the body are three-fold: 1) from food; 2) from the air we breathe; and 3) from the essence of the kidneys, some part of which we are born with.
     How well we utilize qi from these sources depends on how we live and on our attitudes. Qi is also transferred between people in interactions of every kind. The qi of the cfook permeates the food. Exercise, herbal therapy, acupuncture, and awareness practices such as meditation are traditional ways of clearing obstructions and maximizing qi flow.
     Qi that stagnates causes accumulations resulting in obesity, tumors, cysts, cancers, and the multitude of viral and yeast-related diseases that plague those with sedentary lives and refined, rich diets.
     The qi of the body can be accurately measured and regulated by the diagnostic and therapeutic methods of Chinese medicine. In nutritional therapy, improving the "digestive qi" of the spleen-pancreas is a priority to be discussed in the Earth Element chapter. In other chapters we will discuss "protective qi" as an aspect of immunity, qi deficiencies of various organs, qi stagnation of the liver, and the practices that improve or damage qi in food and the body.
    

Traditional vs. Commercial

The Difference between a traditional Gung Fu Gwoon and a Commercial Gung Fu Club

By Yun Hoi

There are many differences between a traditional gung fu gwoon and a commercial gung fu club. The main difference is that a traditional gwoon exists to pass down the traditional art whilst the commercial club exists to make a profit. Any thinking person reflecting on this will realise that these two orientations inevitably lead to very different experiences for the student. 

The commercial club has to provide a visible index of progress. This led to the development of grade levels and uniform syllabi across the different branches of commercial organisations. This presents at least some semblance of uniformity and encourages students to continue training. Also, commercial clubs are able to use tournament wins in their marketing. Thus they will sponsor and support the sportification of gung fu. The whole “champion” ethos has thus developed and is fostered by those who practice gung fu as a sport.

The proprietor of the commercial club realises that training cannot be so difficult as to be beyond the abilities of the average weekend participant. This leads inevitably to either, or both, lower standards or longer learning periods. Longer training periods because of slow progress is acommercially a “good thing” – because it means more fees! It also leads to a deliberate two tiered club – those who are fit athletes and able to compete for the club (and recruit new members) and those who are simply filling out the ranks. The latter usually make no, or minimal, progress and are deluded into believing that they might be able to apply their art in real world self defence.

Another difference between the traditional gwoon and the commercial club is evident at the outset. Approaching a traditional gwoon for membership does not mean the student simply walks in the door and slaps down the fee, demanding membership. I call this the “supermarket model”. With the commercial club, this is all you have to do – “buy” the art. (Actually this is an illusion as it is impossible to buy genuine skill or knowledge). In the case of the traditional gwoon, you approach the sifu with the right respectful attitude and ask him to consider you for membership. The sifu makes the decision – as he ought to, because he knows best who to teach and who not to! The “supermarket model” is “come one, come all”. The traditional gwoon is like a university in that you have to earn entry. Entry cannot be bought. The commercial club is financially transactional – buying something. The traditional gwoon is based on relationship. The former is a commercial commitment. The latter is a personal commitment.

So, the question is: which do you think is going to teach you genuine gung fu?