Kung Fu - Self Defense

Good afternoon, we have returned from vacation and I can't wait to return to The Hayabusa Training Centre tonight to continue my training in Jiu Jitsu with Professor Luke Harris, and return to Kung Fu Tuesday night.  Luke has become a mentor to me along with three other training partners that I have come to respect and admire.  All four of my mentors share the same qualities.  They are humble, professional, calm, compassionate, proven through competition, and demonstrate their skill on the mats each class.  I am planning to blog about each one of them in the coming weeks to share the admiration I have for each of them.


My kung fu classes are growing and every student is progressing well.  I make a point to have a discussion with each student either before or after class to ensure that I am doing what I can to help them progress in their martial arts journey. 


First and foremost, our curriculum is designed to ensure that our students are well versed in self defense and we will be increasing the intensity of our sparring to encompass all situations from stand up, to going to the ground, and defending on the ground.  Our goal is to have all students progressing wisely and comfortable in sparring at any time, with any training partner.  We want to build the confidence of each student and have them know that they can adapt to any sparring situation, and in the unfortunate event, be able to protect themselves and families if ever faced with real self defense situation.  We also are focusing on physical and mental conditioning and I have seen amazing results from our new students and am very proud of everyone's progression.  We also are layering the beauty of kung fu with forms training as well.  We are all having fun and all carry a mutual respect for each other and for the training centre.


I want to leave my students with a Bruce Lee quote,


"Too much horsing around with unrealistic stances and classic forms and rituals is just too artificial and mechanical, and doesn't really prepare the student for actual combat. A guy could get clobbered while getting into this classical mess. Classical methods like these, which I consider a form of paralysis, only solidify and constrain what was once fluid. Their practitioners are merely blindly rehearsing routines and stunts that will lead nowhere.
I believe that the only way to teach anyone proper self-defence is to approach each individual personally. Each one of us is different and each one of us should be taught the correct form. By correct form I mean the most useful techniques the person is inclined toward. Find his ability and then develop these techniques. I don't think it is important whether a side kick is performed with the heel higher than the toes, as long as the fundamental principle is not violated. Most classical martial arts training is a mere imitative repetition - a product - and individuality is lost.
When one has reached maturity in the art, one will have a formless form. It is like ice dissolving in water. When one has no form, one can be all forms; when one has no style, he can fit in with any style."


Bruce Lee


As always, "Have a Great Day"


Sifu Allan Gamble
Instructor - Hayabusa Training Centre
Kung Fu Blackbelt