2007/2008 Kung Fu Self-Defense Class Winter Session - Conclusion
The 2007/2008 Winter session officially ended at the end of March 2008.
Overall, the students had come a very long way and their knowledge of theory and conceptual application of several core self-defense movements is impressive - considering the fact that they were all beginners when we started.
Looking the posts and the tone of the discussions entertained during the session gives one a good indication of the students progression. Unfortunately, some students could not stay to the very end and as such, did not get to complete the “Flying Fist” routine. However, in the 2008 Summer Intensive, I will be refining “Flying Fist” for those who have it and most likely introducing it to the new students.
I had purposely not posted very much, if at all, as we got closer to the end of the Winter Session because I felt that the students, themselves, should have participated in preserving the knowledge and the details I was giving them. I know what I know and it was up to them to make a record of class contents for their own personal reference.
Over the course of time, I plan to flesh out some of the concepts that I taught at the end of the Winter Session when they resurface during the 2008 Summer Intensive.
The Summer Intensive will be a lot more dense than the 2007/2008 Winter Session was. Also, I plan to focus quite a bit on physical training. To that end, by the end of the summer, the students should be in good “martial arts” shape which, as they learned today (14 June 2008), is not the same as being aerobically, or weight-training fit.
There is still time for students to register, but students MUST register by sending me an email. The venue changes so if one wants to know where the training will be held for a particular lesson then they must be told in advance (obviously, or how will one know where to go).
Finally, the chronicle of this Summer Intensive will be as detailed as the students want it to be. If they do not write, then very little may be revealed/contained on this site in relation to what is explained in class. Nevertheless, I will post on different martial arts topics for the general public. Non-students are welcome wish to participate in the discussions but they must register on the site.
Best Regards,
Troy Marquis, Sifu
Kung Fu Self-Defense Training Summary: December 15th, 2007
Montreal, Canada
Part One:
We began class with a blocking drill: in lady stance with the right hand, outward block, cross-body block, downward block and then the same drill with the left hand.
Making a transition with two half-circles to horse stance, we mixed fists and blocks. From horse stance with the right hand, we threw a straight punch, pulled back with an outward block (with some torque), then let fly a sun-fist, followed by a downward block, and then we made a small circling motion with our hand turning our wrist and the flat of our palm outward and making a gathering motion (as though we were digging into some sand and gathering it up in our hand) and as our fist closed, we lifted it swiftly in an uppercut which stopped around our ears. After doing this with the right hand, we did this with the left hand. Then we alternated a few times.
In the next sequence, we remained in horse stance and used both hands. First, we did double straight punch, then double outward block, then double sun-fist, then double downward block, then uppercut. With our uppercut stopping around our ears, we turned our fists so that our elbows circled out until we were in position to let fly a double straight punch again. We repeated this several times.
In the next sequence, we switched to bow stance and practiced advancing on an opponent while executing these punches and blocks. From bow stance we took a small step forward with our lead foot and then launched the double straight punch. Then we leaned back slightly and let our lead toes rise from the ground a bit as we executed a double outward block with our elbows close to our core and the flat palms with fingers together held a bit out and torqued in preparation for stepping forward slight with the lead foot again and at the same time launching the double sun fist. We then stepped slightly again as we executed a double downward block with attention paid to simply dropping our body into a lower stance rather than leaning forward. Our stance was at that point modified from bow stance to a modified twisted stance with the back heel off the ground the back leg’s knee dropped lower to the ground. From the downward block position, we took another slight step and then launched the double uppercut. This sequence was repeated several times.
Part Two:
After a five minute water break, we resumed training by practicing rolling backfist. From a modified high cat or bow stance, with flat open palm hands held at should length height, we practiced dropping the lead hand and forming a fist while at the same time advancing the other hand in a “brushing the eyes” motion to camouflage the backfist that followed it almost instantaneously in one fluid motion. Initially we practiced this in segments and then we sped it up to execute it in one motion. We followed that by practicing advancing on an opponent with it. First, in lines and then with partners, we practiced stepped forward as let our reverse hand brush the eyes of the opponent. As we stepped forward, we made light contact with the other person’s raised arms held at fighting/blocking readiness and allowed our forward motion with the arm to not only obscure the vision of the opponent but slightly lean/drop our body weight on the other person’s extended arms in preparation for releasing the backfist, e.g. to the side of the opponent’s head. This was repeated for awhile.
To end the class we practiced “monkey walking.” In lines, we crouched low to the ground with a lead leg perpendicular to the ground and the other collapsed beneath our body, so low that we could rest our weight on the one leg below us. Without rising significantly, we practiced advancing forward in this crouched position alternating which leg most of our weight was on staying low with our arms loosely held at our sides imagining how a monkey moves. We first advanced one step at a time on Sifu’s count. Then we reversed backward one step at a time on Sifu’s count. Then we advanced forward two quick steps at a time on Sifu’s count. Then we reversed backward two quick steps at a time on Sifu’s count. Then we advanced forward from one end of the room to the other as fast as we could. Immediately reaching the end, without warning, Sifu called everybody to reverse backward to the other end of the room as fast as we could. At that point, most of us were struggling enough to continue moving in the monkey walk that Sifu gave us permission to stop.
We ended the class with questions and clarifications.
Summary prepared by RM
Kung Fu Self-Defense Training Class Summary - 17 & 18 November 2007
Montreal, Canada
The following summary was produced by my student EA. My comments are in italics:
BLOCKING
Execution: With your fist at your side, extend diagonally across your body at waist level, open hand and palm facing up, and then up to the side such that your forearm is perpendicular to the floor, palm facing you like you’re reading a book, and your hand slightly twisted away from your body. Your palm should be close to your face vis a vis distance from your body, but positioned in front of your shoulder (ie don’t block out too far). This is the front block.
This is called outward block and it covers the upper two quadrants of the upper body. The block must be effected from the outer quadrant, across the center line, to rest at the quadrant blocked. i.e. A right outward block must pass through the left somewhat in order to cover and protect the center line. The shoulders should shift slightly to add more protection for the block; meaning that you move your upper body so as to make any hits which penetrate your block, glancing blows rather than solid strikes.
From here you can do a cross body block by simply moving your forearm across with your hand turned such that your thumb is the closest finger to you and then block with the bottom side of your forearm. Let your upper body carry it, and you can lean back slightly for artistic appeal.
The cross body block is one of the most important blocks because it proceeds so naturally from a defender, and in many cases, is the first block of choice for fending off hand attacks. It is also an effective strike. The key to this block is positioning your body so that you can block with the maximum amount of forearm. A common error is to assume that the cross body block is done with the hand, and to teach it that way is sheer treachery. The goal of blocking is to not get hit. If the hand block happens to realize that goal then so be it. However, it stands to reason that the forearm, being longer, can cover a longer area for the block, so it is wiser to use this longer area to effect the block. Perhaps others would like to comment on this?
From here we moved to a lower block (I forget what it’s called)down-ward block. Just swing your arm down from the cross body block back to its side, palm facing down, fingers pointing in the direction of the opposite arm.
The palm faces down and back across the body so as to correctly position your forearm for the block, and to flip the attack should one desire (but You have not learned that yet). i.e. if you are blocking down to the right then your palm should be down and your fingers pointing to the left. I encourage people to try different hand positions to see how the forearm works and how the blocking surface changes
Some other notes on blocking:
-make sure your thumb isn’t sticking out
-move your shoulder back slightly in the upper block so whatever it is you’re blocking doesn’t touch you
-as we upper block, the other hand can execute a punch at the same time. This is a natural movement that’s catalyzed by your block and shoulder moving forward, which swings out your other arm anyway.
-when you to go to a sunfist punch with your hand that you just blocked with, don’t raise your elbow/forearm as you punch out because that’s easier to be blocked by your opponent. Remember with the sunfist you’re punching with your upper two knuckles, so your hand should be adjusted appropriately.
-some reference to a cartoon that I didn’t get but it’s suppose to help with your blocks
the cartoon was just a mnemonic to assist in remembering the technique… it does not matter;
however, for those interested it was a Looney Toons character called Egbert part of the Foghorn Leghorn show
MOVEMENTS
We added another movement to the flying fist routine, the name of which escapes me [Rising punch]. But basically from the upside-down-uppercut (whose proper name also escapes me) [Sinking punch] you move back into horse stance while bringing your uppercut hand down and swinging your other arm out from the side and up where it finally smacks into your open palm (formerly the upside-down-uppercut fist). The part that does the smacking is the inner side of the fist. You’re in bow stance now. From here we moved back into the upside-down-uppercut with the swing of the other arm moving back to its position helping the move along.
Just remember to keep the elbow bent a bit or you might break it
-Upper leg up first, and then lower leg kicks out, lower leg comes back in, and then bring the rest of the leg back (this is the structure but it should be executed more smoothly).
-Bring your leg back in with control instead of letting it flop down in front of you, unless you do that purposely
-Kick with the heel, which entails pulling your toes back
OTHER
With partners, we practiced a three block routine, punching and blocking, kicking and being kicked, as well as giving each other concussions. We also learned how to slice the windpipe [using your fingers, but I will not explain that here] Excellent summary EA.
Kung Fu Self-Defense Training Class Summary - November 10th, 2007
Montreal, Canada
WARM UP
Today we spent a little more time warming up with strengthening exercises and stance training. The open palms out to the side, standing on one leg is a good exercise for balance and body control. We did a good review of the stances, except twisted stance, and discussed the concept of stance perceptions: standing with legs close together, 1) knees angled in slightly, and 2) knees angled out slightly. Your body will instinctively recognize the difference in each posture as being either lady or horse stance and you will fight according to the stance your have adopted.
STANCES
No new stances were introduced.
We did practice how to go from standing in front of an opponent, then stepping back into horse stance (from where we threw longfist). We examined several advantages of the “shallow hyperboly” method and how that can assist you in stopping anytime during the stance so as to address an opponent. We discussed the disadvantages of the step back, long fist combination and then I left you to practice with a partner.
MOVEMENTS
Today I added another move to the flying fist routine - the uppercut. I will leave someone to fill in the details of the uppercut, its purpose, its strengths and weaknesses, and its power curve and application.
OTHER
We spent a lot of time in partners practice and practical demonstrations.
There were a few questions asked after class and I will leave those who asked the questions to comment if they wish.
Troy Marquis, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Kung Fu Self-Defense Training Class Summary - November 3 and 4th, 2007
Montreal, Canada
SUMMARY
Your skill level is growing very quickly and you should feel stronger and more confident.
I do not see a need to give a detailed summary of what was studied unless I introduce a new technique and you seem to be having problems, or it is complicated. However, it still remains in your best interests to complete as much as I leave out, so you have a record of your training to refer to in the future.
This weekend I reviwed waterpunch, advancing and retreating horse stances as well as bow stance. I introduced a new stance: twisted stance and we worked through routines to familiarize you with the stance - how to use it and how it moves. Also, I introduced the crane stance and placed it in the context of a knee attack as well as the introduction of the Marquis style front kick - which moves from the back foot along the hypotenuse to the target. Although we did not extend the kick, the framework is in place to work the technique. The advantage of this style of kick is that from the moment it is launched, it becomes a live weapon, ready to strike a target anywhere along the point of attack.
Remember to practice the knee attack from an advancing target by the side step method. Bending your knee is important and you must not strike with the point of the knee - rather use the area just above the knee cap and just below mid thigh.
I also reviewed the flying fist technique and now that you have twisted stance, I can add on the next set of fists.
Remember to practice static stance training for the resons I explained in class, as well as the jumping twisted retreat (if you have space). Try to practice your stances without moving your hands around. It is important that you maintain your balance with your leg strength. We do not train using compensation for weak movements - this damages your art.
You are really improving and soon I will start introducing blocks and kicks.
If there are any questions, please post them to this summary and I will respond.
Troy Marquis, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense
Montreal, Quebec, Canada