Kung Fu Self-Defense Training Summary: 29 September 2007
Montreal, Canada
The first class was held at Rutherford Park on the McGill Campus.
The first lesson consisted of a short introduction by the teacher,
as a general overview of:
Training Philosophy
Proper training is predicated upon learning proper technique, solid basic skills, understanding and mastery of theory, economy of movement and using the body as a weapon.
Methodology
The methodology by which I teach is by using extensive repetition and demonstration, lectures, static postures, slow motion movements, and forms (katas).
Our Style
The style is my family style - “Marquis Style” - which consists of a mixture of Kung-Fu and Tai Chi.
Expectations of the Teacher
I expect the students to commit to their training and be active participants. I expect that the students ask questions, but first that they think through their question prior to asking. Thinking through the question and finding possible solutions helps sharpen the intellect and develop a martial art critique. I expect that the student not do anything that he/she does not feel comfortable doing. I expect that the student communicates and not hesitate to engage in the critiques.
Materials
I suggest that students get a training journal so as to record the moves they learn and note any questions or comments that arise when they train on their own. A journal will help to organize their movements and show their progression.
From time to time, I will be providing information sheets/booklets on various aspects of training. It would be in the students best interest to retain any handouts (in good condition).
Training
Reviewed the Daily Exercise Routine
I demonstrated the exercises and explained how they are done and why they are done in a certain way. Furthermore, I explained their martial arts applications (where applicable).
Introduction to the Basics
STANCES
I modeled the following stances (as basic stances):
Lady Stance (Small Horse Stance), Horse Stance, Bow Stance, Twisted Stance, and Cat Stance.
I also modeled how one transitions from one stance to the next, but did not get into much detail.
The students learned how to do the Lady Stance as well as its practical application.
KICKS
I modeled the basic kick we will learn and how I will teach them.
PUNCHES
I modeled the basic punches we will learn as well as demonstrated some of their practical applications.
BLOCKS
I modeled the basic blocks we will learn as well as demonstrated some of their practical applications.
EVASION/MOVEMENT
A very brief discussion of how to avoid and move.
There were a few questions and the class ended.
Next class to be held at Westmount Park
Sifu Troy Marquis
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense - Auto Defense
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
When are you no longer a Martial Artist?
Montreal, Canada
Last weekend I had to travel to a conference and ran into an interesting person.
During the course of our conversation, I learned that he studied Aikido for 15 years. Apparently, he was taught by some of the best Aikido teachers in North America and used to teach at their school.
This gentleman no longer trains and described himself as no longer being a martial artist. Of course, Aikido is still in his blood but what struck me is how he described himself as no longer being a martial artist.
That conversation makes me wonder – when is one no longer a martial artist?
It it when one leaves training for a while?
Is it when one abandons the martial philosophies?
Is it when one loses the love of martial arts?
In order to answer these questions one must first determine when can one actually consider themselves a martial artist?
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Troy Marquis
The Coach
Martial Arts - Training for Life - The Cross Roads
In my previous post on the Martial Arts - Training for Life, one of the categories of martial artists I identified were those who are people at “the cross roads;” meaning that they had developed enough skill to defend themselves reasonably well and then either lose interest or move beyond the self-defense aspect of martial arts and actually begin to study the art.
Some practitioners take years to reach this point, others less than one year - it depends on the teacher and the student’s aptitude. In any event, once some physical self-defense skills are acquired, and the thirst for knowledge has been satiated, how does one stay motivated to train?
The first thing I would like to point out is that if you are satisfied with what you have accomplished in your training then perhaps it is best that you do move on to something else. Martial arts is the commitment of a lifetime, the self-defense part is probably the shortest segment along the path to mastery. I do not mean to imply that self-defense is not important - because it is critical. It is the engine of your art and it must be built and maintained with care. However, it is useful to take stock of your goals and if your goal is not to uncover the secrets of your art - the stuff that masters are made of, then there is no shame if you move on. Do not feel like you have started something and failed to finish, quite the contrary. You should congratulate yourself that you have attained your goal and now you can feel more confident about your personal safety - but there is a catch.
If you were a dedicated student and trained hard, and if you put a lot of thought into your self-defense and conditioned your body, and if you had a teacher that could cultivate you to at least a minimum level of skill, then most likely you will never lose interest. You may decide not continue to study, but your art will be a part of your DNA and you will be very nostalgic when you remember your training days and you poor old teacher.
If you were not sincere to yourself when you trained, chances are you are not really ready to stop training and you might very well hurt yourself if you were called upon to defend yourself. If you realize that you did not put your all into training then also do not overestimate your abilities - this could save you from a very harsh reality check at the feet of some else. Nevertheless, that one technique you mastered may save your life so do not undervalue what you know. Just be realistic.
In both cases, whether or not you trained hard, if you do not practice a little on a regular basis, your skills will atrophy, wither away and die. The knowledge may remain but the body will forget.
Funny how those things that are of any value must be continually cultivated - relationships, knowledge, spiritualism, the body, the mind…
Troy Marquis
The Coach
Martial Arts/Self-Defense Classes
FOR MONTREAL - CANADA
Beginning on the 29th of September, 2007, I will begin teaching students in the Montreal area.
For more information, please click on the link at the top of the page.
Regards,
Troy Marquis, BA, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Self Defense - The Need for Martial Arts Theory
Employing the Intellect in Martial Arts
No martial artist can really achieve great personal accomplishments unless they have a solid understanding of self-defense, or martial arts, or fighting theory. At the highest level of theory these three are more or less synonyms. Actually, depending on one’s point of view - these three are all the same thing, just pseudonyms that describe the primary product of martial arts: self-defense, or offence.
I agree with those who aggregate these terms for the sake of simplicity; however, a closer look at each term will reveal that they are actually a part of the whole - the complete martial artist. Their relationship can best be described using the “weak link” concept: You are only as strong as your weakest link. Hence, there are great fighters who have no art, great artists who cannot defend themselves, and great self-defense gurus who can neither fight nor express any art.
The 3 Topics: Self-defense, Martial Arts and Fighting
Self-defense, martial arts, and fighting are the major topics of your studies. They are executed physically but governed by the intellect (a part of which is instinct). Many teachers focus on the production of the 3 topics, but few study them along with the development of the martial intellect.
All things being equal between two fighters - the smarter fighter will win.
-and-
Between two fighters, one fighter enjoying a certain advantage over the other fighter - the smarter figher will still win.
In every movement you perform, especially at the learning stage, you should be dissecting it and imagining how it can be employed in different situations and for different effects. This is the difference between using a technique and mastering a technique.
The 3 Intellects: Dissection, Imagination and Alternate Applications
These three dimensions of the martial arts belong and are governed by the intellect - the 3 Intellects. No amount of muscles will develop these three and the student must be taught how to use them properly. This is not an overnight accomplishment, and this can never be accomplished excpet by exercising great personal effort or having an experienced guide/mentor pointing the way.
The Classical Theory of Martial Arts Studies
In this category, I will be taking different passages from various texts and reproducing their wisdoms while proposing certain perspectives and interpretations. Beginners may not grasp some of the implications right away but it is still beneficial. For the advanced practitioners of the 3 Topics - this is where we get together and discuss the core values that belong to all of us.
As always, I encourage comments and discussion.
Troy Marquis
The Coach
The First Text: SunTzu - The Art of War