Fist of Legend
This fantastic martial arts film starring Jet Li was screened by our class with Sifu Troy and Sifu Yusuf on Sunday January 13, 2008 as the first of a series of films we are going to review in 2008 to help develop our martial imagination.The sequences involving Chin Na in this film were particularly enjoyable to review given that we had just participated in a workshop on Chin Na that morning. There was also a very interesting tension the film explored between preserving traditional methods of training and modern innovative practices. One of the points that impressed me the most about the film was the necessity to adapt to one’s opponent and not to be blindly dedicated to fighting with one style or technique as opposed to another.I loved every single fight scene but one of my favourite sequences involved Jet Li improvising during a fight by employing his belt against a larger adversary armed with a sword. The film also featured some much appreciated humour–especially between Jet Li and the older Japanese master.Peace.
Add the Film to your Collection
The Plan for 2008 - Tai Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense / Kung Fu Auto-Defense, Montreal, Canada
Montreal, Canada
The end of 2007 was extremely hectic for me, and as such, I was not able to post as much as I had intended. The training continues and the Montreal students are doing very well. If you have been following their progress through the weekend training updates, I am sure that you are amazed not only at how much they have learned, but also how they are able to retain all that information.
The theory has been heavy and I have trained my students to be very precise in their movements. We will pick up our training either this weekend or next and I plan to post training updates for each class. Furthermore, I encourage anyone who has any questions to post them and I will do my utmost to answer with the least possible delay.
One of my priorities for January is to finish “Flying Fist” and begin a new basic routine. Also, I intend to write a few “mini-how-to manuals” so if anyone has any requests, please let me know.
If all goes according to plan, I will streamline my kung fu self-defense classes and get into more practical application, or focused sparring, so as to stimulate the martial (kung fu) imagination. Also, I might begin looking for a permanent location in Montreal, somewhere central, so we can have more classes (perhaps even gendered classes).
I look forward to a more intensive and prosperous 2008.
Train hard and stay focused.
Troy Marquis, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense/ Kung Fu Auto-Defense
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Martial Arts - Training For Life: Those that Teach
Montreal, Canada
In the last post in this series about Training For Life, I discussed some issues surrounding what happens when someone has been training for a little while and has reached the cross roads; meaning that they get that restless feeling and need to make a change in the routine. Sometimes that change may mean changing the focus of the training (i.e. concentrating on a certain aspect of training over others, or getting more spiritual, or trying a different art, or teaching).
In this post, I would like to discuss those, when they arrive at the cross road, decide to begin taking students and teaching what they have learned.
Mechanics
A teacher should have a decent understanding of the mechanics involved in the delivery of the techniques in their style - and how to teach them. Some teachers are great martial arts but terrible teachers, and some teachers are terrible martial artists but great teachers. Obviously it would be hard for a student to attain significant level of skill under one of these two types of teachers.
Normally, if a student commits very little mental energy to their training, it takes quite a few years before they understand enough to teach - let me rephrase that - it takes a few years before they should be allowed to teach. Learning how to kick and punch is no great feat - the line between the layman and the master is understanding.
Having said all this, if you have a rudimentary understanding of the mechanics of self-defense, you can still benefit many people by teaching what you know. However, be honest with yourself, know your limitations, and make sure your students know their limitations. As a teacher, you need to model self-confidence so your student will learn to train with confidence. Pinning your heart to your sleeve and openly point out all your weakness is not wise. The idea of knowing your limitations as a mechanical teacher is that you improve yourself and as you improve your students will benefit more.
If a student has committed a great deal of mental energy to their training, they can begin teaching in a very short period of time, but they must still be aware of all the pitfalls I noted earlier.
Ego
Also, there are teachers who have the best of both skill and teaching abilities but are seized with their own ego. People surrendering their will and elevating the teacher over themselves can be intoxicating - unless the teacher has a sense of perspective and humility.
What Are You Teaching?
By asking what are you teaching, I do not mean what are you calling your style/school. I mean are you teaching a balanced program that will put students in shape and give them some skill? If your focus is on just the production of technique then stop teaching. Eventually, even the weakest teacher will produce some level of competence in their students and their students will develop some degree of power. IF YOU DO NOT TRAIN YOUR STUDENTS’ BODIES TO HANDLE THAT POWER PROPERLY THEY WILL HURT THEMSELVES. They will kick or punch too hard and a muscle will tear or a joint displace and it would be your fault because your program did not include enough strengthening techniques. Just so there is no confusion - I am not talking about pushups, situps and jumping jacks. I am talking about exercises specifically designed for martial arts power and body development.
Theory
If you reach the cross roads and want to try teaching then by all means give it a shot. However, teaching usually slows down your personal training and in many cases the teacher does not grow (but they do reinforce what they already know). If you have only been training for a few years and you feel you know all you need then what can I say.
-but-
In just a few years, it is unlikely that a student develops enough understanding of martial theory to be of much use to any students. I do not want to launch into a discussion about theory (the controversial issue that it is), but great fighters necessarily know their theory, people who can fight great do not necessarily.
-however-
If you do not care about theory then good luck.
Final comments
If you need a change in your training routine, try altering your training focus. If that does not work, then deepen your understanding. If that does not work then teach under your current teacher.
The last thing I would recommend is changing styles, unless you are sure you do not want to progress in your current style (but that does not mean you will be a better fighter or martial artist).
Teaching is a big responsibility. Do not demean yourself by adding your name to the list of nameless teachers that have students when it is obvious that they should still be someone’s student.
(However, even a master needs a teacher - but for reasons other than to learn how to fight).
Sifu Troy Marquis
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense - Autodefense
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