Jibril
24-05-2008, 09:46
Gutes Interview
Quelle: Combat Journal - Martial Arts :: David Peterson interview (http://www.combat-journal.com/site/awdep.asp?dealer=6246&depnum=25570)
Interview with Sifu David Peterson.
What are the special characteristics of the Wong Shun Leung system?
You can summarise the differences with three words: SIMPLE, DIRECT & EFFICIENT. Whilst many lineages of the Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) system claim to adhere to these principles, by and large they simple DO NOT – they advocate “chasing the hands” using flowery movements, unrealistic applications that generally require set patterns of movement, and tend to see the training patterns of the system only as black & white, fixed responses when the whole intention of the forms is to provide concepts and guidelines for personal adaptation based on flexible, natural responses that can be tailored to the individual. In short, the WSL Method of Wing Chun is all about one thing: how to hit the opponent as quickly and effectively as possible and every aspect of our training is geared to this end.
What is your opinion of cross training in different martial arts?
I see cross training as an effective way of understanding more about one’s own system by delving into the mechanics of another. I DO NOT advocate the “take a bit from here and a bit from there” approach that some people favour, but rather to try to discover one’s own potential, and that of their chosen system, by seeing what others do and understanding their thinking. It’s great to be a beginner again, to feel what it’s like to be uncoordinated, to learn how to learn again. However, I
say this not because I want to add new systems to my repertoire, but rather to understand the “engine” being used by others so as to see more of how my own “engine” can be made to perform. As such, I encourage my students to attend seminars and mess about with their friends in other MA systems so that they can observe first hand how others move and, hopefully, feel more confident about how to deal with such differences with the tools at their disposal. You need to keep in mind that many systems are diametrically opposed to each other by virtue of the techniques or concepts that they utilise, thus trying to add ideas from many systems together is really not a great idea because physically and intellectually, they just don’t gel. However, that doesn’t mean that one can’t adapt another way of thinking or modify one’s own methods so as to become a more well-rounded fighter. That’s why I am in favour of cross-training per se.
How did you get to meet Sifu Wong Shun Leung?
I did the relevant research and discovered that the person whom I would most benefit from studying with (after almost ten years under a teacher who turned out to be a charlatan) was Sifu Wong Shun Leung. As he lived and taught in Hong Kong, there was only one thing to do; go to Hong Kong and knock on his door to ask for permission to train at his school. So, in 1983, that’s exactly what I did and, thankfully, he accepted me as his pupil. For the next fifteen years I travelled back and forth from Australia to train at Sifu’s school, as well as bringing him to Australia five times to stay at my home and teach at my school.
Please tell us about Sifu Wong Shun Leung and his relationship with Bruce Lee and his teacher Grandmaster Yip Man?
From all accounts, my Sifu had a wonderful relationship with his teacher, Yip Man. The late grandmaster loved Wing Chun with a passion and, as a young man, apparently loved to test his knowledge and skills. He saw in my teacher a person just like himself in those regards, and so really enjoyed seeing my Sifu put his Wing Chun to the test so successfully. In addition, Yip man was said to have little time for unintelligent people and as my late Sifu was a very intelligent man with many talents and a great analytical mind, he and Yip Man hit it off very well. My teacher was also a very pragmatic man and said things as he saw them. Yip Man admired this quality very much too.
As for Bruce Lee, my Sifu said that when he first met Bruce Lee, he wasn’t overly impressed with him and considered him something of a lazy fellow who had had a fairly soft upbringing as a child movie star. However, gradually he began to really take to Bruce once he realised that Bruce was prepared to work hard and really make an effort to not only learn, but test his skills. In the end, Sifu felt like a big brother to Bruce Lee whom he described often as a “cheeky, fun-loving boy” and a person whom he considered had achieved his excellent skills through a great deal of hard work. He refused to take credit for Bruce’s ability, despite most people in the Wing Chun clan agreeing that he was very much the inspiration for Bruce’s achievements. They kept in touch right up until Bruce’s death and Sifu always spoke well of him, retelling funny episodes from earlier times involving Bruce, including his penchant for practical jokes and cheeky humour.
What inspires you?
I gain inspiration from many areas in life, but chiefly it is my desire to pass on the legacy of my late Sifu and see that his life’s work lives on is my most powerful inspiration. I get the greatest pleasure from sharing what I have been taught and seeing the excitement in my student’s eyes when they discover new ideas and see improvement in their skills. I am passionate about the WSLVT Method and can talk and train for hours when I have a receptive audience. Whilst I don’t think that I’ll ever reach the level of skill of my teacher, I certainly hope that I honour his memory by doing everything that I can to preserve his wisdom for future generations and that is a very strong source of inspiration for m
What is your teaching methodology?
I am very much a “hands-on” teacher who wants his students to fully understand as much as they can about every single concept, technique, application and strategy of the WSL Method. I use lots of drills, mostly with partner interaction, to develop the skills of my students under as close to realistic as possible conditions at every opportunity. In my classes there is a lot of pad/bag work, “open” attack/defence drills, form breakdown and of course, Chi Sau training on a number of levels of application and complexity. Most of all, I try to make sure that the students learn Wing Chun as a CONCEPT-based martial art, not as a TECHNIQUE-based one, so that they can make it work for them as masters of the art, rather than slaves of it.
Please explain the different types of footwork used in Ving Tsun?
Well, a detailed explanation would take pages to provide (and I’ve already written a very lengthy article on the subject which you can read on my website ƒº ), so I’ll give you a very simple summary instead. Basically, ALL the footwork patterns of the WSL Method are derived from the ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ (“goat-gripping” stance) that is introduced in the ‘Siu Nim Tau’ form. From that balanced, neutral stance, one learns how to move forward aggressively in attack, and also how to collapse into a more serviceable position when overwhelmed (what we call ‘Tui Ma’ or “pushed stance”), as well as pivoting (‘Juen Ma’) which is the most advanced method of shifting the stance AND gaining power for striking. I normally teach my students that in essence, there are FIVE types of footwork in WSLVT. These are: 1. advancing forward (‘Seung Ma’); 2. stepping directly backwards (‘Hau Ma’), which is strongly discouraged unless absolutely unavoidable; 3. side-stepping (‘Tui Ma’) and the two main variants of this (“shuffle-step” and “long-step”); 4. pivoting (‘Juen Ma’), and 5. the combination of pivoting and side-stepping which occurs naturally (the way WSLVT pivots) if the pivot is overpowered or misapplied. That’s it in a nutshell.
What is the purpose of the ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ stance?
As I said previously, it is first and foremost, the basis of ALL Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) footwork, and that includes kicking. Being totally neutral by nature, it favours neither side over the other and allows for mobility in any direction. The “toes-in” foot position allows for the “back leg” of all stances to be practised at the same time, as well as preparing the student to be able to kick and to control both their movement, and that of their opponent. By this, I mean that it places the legs in such a way as to act as a “brake” to control forward motion, whilst at the same time allowing for the trapping and controlling of the opponent’s legs and the deflection of kicks. ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ also creates a strong connection from the ground to the hands by virtue of the angle of the pelvis and alignment of the body. It lowers the centre of gravity and opens the airways, firming the stomach and creating upper and lower body unity. In short, this stance is the foundation for every other aspect of the system.
Please explain body structure in Ving Tsun and its relevance
For me, body structure implies the correct alignment of the body in order to achieve the maximum potential for strength, leverage and power. It is not just limited to the stance, although having said that, a correct stance is the basis of everything else anyway. When we begin to practice the ‘Siu Nim Tau’ form, we are introduced to the concept of body structure, firstly in forming the ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ and then throughout each of the three sections of the form by way of the basic hand techniques. No where else in the form is this more clearly demonstrated than in the first section (what we in the WSLVT family refer to as the ‘Lat Sau Jik Chung’ , or “springy-energy” component of the form), whereby we are shown the optimum combinations of shapes, angles and energies to achieve natural, powerful and spontaneous reactions. So much of the Wing Chun/Ving Tsun being practised around the world is inefficient because those doing it DO NOT understand the importance of body structure as it is taught within the system. Instead, they rely on using ***** strength and clashing force, or else try to “re-invent the wheel”, applying their art in ways that are totally opposed to the basic concepts of the system.
What are some of the misconception that people have of Ving Tsun?
People outside of Wing Chun/Ving Tsun tend to believe that the system has no footwork, no kicking, can only be used at close range and is ineffective against “this kind of fighter” and “that kind of fighter”, etc. They presume that, because there is a legend that suggests that Wing Chun/Ving Tsun was created by a woman, that it only suits women or smaller individuals and is useless for bigger, stronger people. Within Wing Chun/Ving Tsun circles, some think that if all they do is practice ‘Chi Sau’ (“sticking hands”) then they will be great fighters, whilst others see this as a waste of time and rarely, if ever, engage in drilling it. Our own WSLVT Family is often criticised for being “too aggressive” and not following the “traditional path” because we are prepared to adapt the art and train for realism and combat proficiency. The truth is that they are trapped in a time warp, thinking that old must be good, when we are in fact living in a changing environment that requires us to think in and apply concepts, not blindly try to use set sequences and routines. Wing Chun/Ving Tsun is a dynamic, flexible, adaptable and very effective means of personal combat, so long as its practitioners are able to look beyond egos and fixed ideas about fighting. It is not just three forms, a wooden dummy and a pair of weapons – it is a total philosophy of combat based on scientifically provable concepts and the application of an open mind
What is the current state of Ving Tsun?
Well, I am not in any position to speak with authority on all branches of the Wing Chun/Ving Tsun tree, but it is common knowledge that there are several main lineages of what we refer to as “Hong Kong/Yip Man Wing Chun” and all has not been well within these groups due to disagreements between their members and the constant, ugly spectre of politics. Also, I must be frank and say that there is a lot of very poor, in terms of reality-based, Wing Chun/Ving Tsun out there and this has tended to cast a poor light on ALL Wing Chun/Ving Tsun because one bad apple CAN spoil the barrel. However, having said all that, I do feel that by and large, this system is becoming better known and more widely respected amongst the martial arts, and I would have to give a lot of the credit for that to people like Sifu Gary Lam in the USA and Sifu Philipp Bayer in Germany who have played a large role in taking this system to the masses in what I consider a true representation of what effective Wing Chun/Ving Tsun is meant to be. Like them, I too have tried, in my own small but determined way, to share knowledge of what I believe the real message of the art is meant to be. For me, that is embodied in the legacy of Sifu Wong Shun Leung, what he liked to refer to towards the end of his life as ‘Wing Chun Kuen Hok’ or the “Science of Wing Chun Pugilism”.
Please explain some of the open drills that you teach.
By “open drills”, I mean exercises done in conjunction with training partners whereby concepts are explored and developed under natural and very realistic conditions. For example, I might begin by taking students through a “closed drill” involving the application of defensive footwork and a simple counter measure against a straight-line attack. This is done slowly and carefully at first, with an emphasis on detail, correct positioning, etc. Eventually, I take away all the “safety features” that were in place as the idea was being initially taught and practised, allowing for the opponent in the drill to attack full-force, from any position and either hand, to which the partner must now take the original concept and apply it spontaneously against what is as close to an unknown situation as possible. In this way, we elevate the adrenaline factor, add real fear and danger to the drill, and discover whether or not the student can actually APPLY the skills under threat. We do this with a variety of attack/defence scenarios and eventually without any restrictions upon either practitioner. For me, this is far more successful than typical sparring in developing a student’s true ability to respond aggressively and combat-ready to a violent confrontation. He or she either survives the attack and totally shuts it down, …or they don’t. There is no second chance, unlike sparring which tends to become a “tit-for-tat” exchange of blows that ends up more like a game than reality.
Sifu, I am going to mention four of Sifu Wong Shun Leung's students; please explain the distinct approach of each:
David Peterson
Cliff Au Yeung
Chiu Hok Yin
Yuen Yim Keung
This is an extremely difficult question to answer. Obviously, I can give you a pretty good insight into my own approach (as I have been doing in some of my previous answers), but I really do not feel qualified to comment on any of my respected Sihing (martial big brothers), except to say that they are all outstanding exponents of the WSLVT system who do a great job of preserving our teacher’s legacy. They are all based in Hong Kong, with Yuen Yim Keung (who also goes by the English name Tommy Yuen) being the most senior in terms of training time, having learnt under Sifu Wong Shun Leung from the early ‘70s. Tommy was quite a respected fighter in his younger days and runs a great school in Hong Kong where he has produced outstanding students. Au Yeung Kim Man, better known these days as Cliff Au Yeung, was very instrumental in my own training, being a constant source of inspiration and motivation from the moment I first entered the school in 1983, and becoming a life-long friend whom I hold in the highest regard. He gave up his career in a totally different field to devote his life fulltime to Wing Chun and now runs a very successful school of his own which attracts many overseas students due to his excellent command of English and easy-going manner. Of the three, I probably know the least of Chiu Hok Yin as he was not around for a lot of the time that I was in Hong Kong. This was largely because he was actually studying and working in Great Britain for quite a while during that era. However, we did train together and had one very memorable “clash” in which we both earned each others respect and that has continued to this day. I am in awe of the strength that he can muster, especially since he is not a really big guy, and his ability to play the heavy pole (over 12 foot in length) is something that has to be seen to be believed. We last met on the occasion of the 1st World Ving Tsun Conference in 1999 where he demonstrated this skill and the audience was a buzz with awe. He was also a very competitive full-contact fighter who had many victories when younger. I only wish that it was possible to see all of these guys more often, but life tends to get in the way.
What message do you have for people in South Africa that would be attending the seminar?
I would hope that they will come along with an open mind and a willingness to try new ideas. Regardless of whether they have done Wing Chun/Ving Tsun before, or not, I can assure them that they will leave the seminars with a new perspective on combat training and, whilst not expecting them to abandon any knowledge that they already have, I am confident that they will all take something away with them, whether it be an idea or a technique, or even just a better insight into what they already know, which will add to their “combat toolbox”. I believe in lots of “hands-on” practice, rather than having people just sit and take notes, so participants can be sure that they will be physically as well as intellectually challenged by what transpires. The main thing is that I am coming to share my experiences and the wisdom of my late Sifu, not to challenge their egos or their abilities – this is a two-way exchange and I hope to take as much away with me as I leave behind. In short, if anyone can take something from the seminars that will enhance their skills or knowledge base, it is theirs; but if people feel that I have nothing to offer, then so be it. But if that is the case, then I will still have succeeded because I will have helped them to better understand what they already have and that is also a great outcome. First and foremost, I am a teacher and my role is to transmit information, not to prove myself as some great fighter or put down other people’s abilities or knowledge. I just hope that everyone who attends will have an enjoyable time and take something of value away with them from the event.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
To improve myself as much as I can, and to be a better teacher of, and ambassador for the WSLVT Method, assisting anyone in the world who might wish to become a part of the WSLVT Family. As we do this interview, I am a couple of months shy of my ninth trip to the United Kingdom to teach WSLVT, and will also be taking my first seminar trip to Bulgaria. Since the death of my Sifu, I have been fortunate enough to be invited twice to the USA, once to Denmark and once to Holland, as well as the trips to the UK in order to spread the WSLVT Method. Next year, all going well, I will be in South Africa for the very first time, thanks to your invitation, and may also have another chance to visit Sifu Gary Lam, Sifu Ernie Barrios and other Wing Chun/Ving Tsun friends in the USA. Ten years ago I would never have dreamed that my life would be going in this direction and I am as amazed as anyone else because my goal from the very beginning was to learn the system for my own development and to train with a few friends in my little part-time club in Melbourne. Of course, I would gladly pass all that up if I could get my Sifu back – he passed away far too early in his life – but as I cannot do that, the very next and most important thing is to make sure that I play a role in seeing that his legacy is spread far and wide. People have responded very favourably to my articles in many major martial arts journals over the years and also my book on the WSLVT Method, so much so that it is being re-published very soon. In addition to that, I have been persuaded recently (my students are far more confident in my abilities than I tend to be, …bless them) to produce DVDs on the first two forms and these too will be available soon so that those whom I can’t teach personally can still gain access to the system. I am now very keen to make sure that I can do my part to groom the next generation of WSLVT teachers and can proudly say that there are some outstanding practitioners whom I’ve had the honour of training “in the wings” as we speak. I hope that Sifu would be proud and I hope that I can continue to play my part in this unique Wing Chun/Ving Tsun family for a long time yet to come.
Sifu thank you .
You are very welcome and I thank you for giving me such an opportunity!
David Peterson can be reached at wslwingchun.com (http://www.wslwingchun.com)
Quelle: Combat Journal - Martial Arts :: David Peterson interview (http://www.combat-journal.com/site/awdep.asp?dealer=6246&depnum=25570)
Interview with Sifu David Peterson.
What are the special characteristics of the Wong Shun Leung system?
You can summarise the differences with three words: SIMPLE, DIRECT & EFFICIENT. Whilst many lineages of the Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) system claim to adhere to these principles, by and large they simple DO NOT – they advocate “chasing the hands” using flowery movements, unrealistic applications that generally require set patterns of movement, and tend to see the training patterns of the system only as black & white, fixed responses when the whole intention of the forms is to provide concepts and guidelines for personal adaptation based on flexible, natural responses that can be tailored to the individual. In short, the WSL Method of Wing Chun is all about one thing: how to hit the opponent as quickly and effectively as possible and every aspect of our training is geared to this end.
What is your opinion of cross training in different martial arts?
I see cross training as an effective way of understanding more about one’s own system by delving into the mechanics of another. I DO NOT advocate the “take a bit from here and a bit from there” approach that some people favour, but rather to try to discover one’s own potential, and that of their chosen system, by seeing what others do and understanding their thinking. It’s great to be a beginner again, to feel what it’s like to be uncoordinated, to learn how to learn again. However, I
say this not because I want to add new systems to my repertoire, but rather to understand the “engine” being used by others so as to see more of how my own “engine” can be made to perform. As such, I encourage my students to attend seminars and mess about with their friends in other MA systems so that they can observe first hand how others move and, hopefully, feel more confident about how to deal with such differences with the tools at their disposal. You need to keep in mind that many systems are diametrically opposed to each other by virtue of the techniques or concepts that they utilise, thus trying to add ideas from many systems together is really not a great idea because physically and intellectually, they just don’t gel. However, that doesn’t mean that one can’t adapt another way of thinking or modify one’s own methods so as to become a more well-rounded fighter. That’s why I am in favour of cross-training per se.
How did you get to meet Sifu Wong Shun Leung?
I did the relevant research and discovered that the person whom I would most benefit from studying with (after almost ten years under a teacher who turned out to be a charlatan) was Sifu Wong Shun Leung. As he lived and taught in Hong Kong, there was only one thing to do; go to Hong Kong and knock on his door to ask for permission to train at his school. So, in 1983, that’s exactly what I did and, thankfully, he accepted me as his pupil. For the next fifteen years I travelled back and forth from Australia to train at Sifu’s school, as well as bringing him to Australia five times to stay at my home and teach at my school.
Please tell us about Sifu Wong Shun Leung and his relationship with Bruce Lee and his teacher Grandmaster Yip Man?
From all accounts, my Sifu had a wonderful relationship with his teacher, Yip Man. The late grandmaster loved Wing Chun with a passion and, as a young man, apparently loved to test his knowledge and skills. He saw in my teacher a person just like himself in those regards, and so really enjoyed seeing my Sifu put his Wing Chun to the test so successfully. In addition, Yip man was said to have little time for unintelligent people and as my late Sifu was a very intelligent man with many talents and a great analytical mind, he and Yip Man hit it off very well. My teacher was also a very pragmatic man and said things as he saw them. Yip Man admired this quality very much too.
As for Bruce Lee, my Sifu said that when he first met Bruce Lee, he wasn’t overly impressed with him and considered him something of a lazy fellow who had had a fairly soft upbringing as a child movie star. However, gradually he began to really take to Bruce once he realised that Bruce was prepared to work hard and really make an effort to not only learn, but test his skills. In the end, Sifu felt like a big brother to Bruce Lee whom he described often as a “cheeky, fun-loving boy” and a person whom he considered had achieved his excellent skills through a great deal of hard work. He refused to take credit for Bruce’s ability, despite most people in the Wing Chun clan agreeing that he was very much the inspiration for Bruce’s achievements. They kept in touch right up until Bruce’s death and Sifu always spoke well of him, retelling funny episodes from earlier times involving Bruce, including his penchant for practical jokes and cheeky humour.
What inspires you?
I gain inspiration from many areas in life, but chiefly it is my desire to pass on the legacy of my late Sifu and see that his life’s work lives on is my most powerful inspiration. I get the greatest pleasure from sharing what I have been taught and seeing the excitement in my student’s eyes when they discover new ideas and see improvement in their skills. I am passionate about the WSLVT Method and can talk and train for hours when I have a receptive audience. Whilst I don’t think that I’ll ever reach the level of skill of my teacher, I certainly hope that I honour his memory by doing everything that I can to preserve his wisdom for future generations and that is a very strong source of inspiration for m
What is your teaching methodology?
I am very much a “hands-on” teacher who wants his students to fully understand as much as they can about every single concept, technique, application and strategy of the WSL Method. I use lots of drills, mostly with partner interaction, to develop the skills of my students under as close to realistic as possible conditions at every opportunity. In my classes there is a lot of pad/bag work, “open” attack/defence drills, form breakdown and of course, Chi Sau training on a number of levels of application and complexity. Most of all, I try to make sure that the students learn Wing Chun as a CONCEPT-based martial art, not as a TECHNIQUE-based one, so that they can make it work for them as masters of the art, rather than slaves of it.
Please explain the different types of footwork used in Ving Tsun?
Well, a detailed explanation would take pages to provide (and I’ve already written a very lengthy article on the subject which you can read on my website ƒº ), so I’ll give you a very simple summary instead. Basically, ALL the footwork patterns of the WSL Method are derived from the ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ (“goat-gripping” stance) that is introduced in the ‘Siu Nim Tau’ form. From that balanced, neutral stance, one learns how to move forward aggressively in attack, and also how to collapse into a more serviceable position when overwhelmed (what we call ‘Tui Ma’ or “pushed stance”), as well as pivoting (‘Juen Ma’) which is the most advanced method of shifting the stance AND gaining power for striking. I normally teach my students that in essence, there are FIVE types of footwork in WSLVT. These are: 1. advancing forward (‘Seung Ma’); 2. stepping directly backwards (‘Hau Ma’), which is strongly discouraged unless absolutely unavoidable; 3. side-stepping (‘Tui Ma’) and the two main variants of this (“shuffle-step” and “long-step”); 4. pivoting (‘Juen Ma’), and 5. the combination of pivoting and side-stepping which occurs naturally (the way WSLVT pivots) if the pivot is overpowered or misapplied. That’s it in a nutshell.
What is the purpose of the ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ stance?
As I said previously, it is first and foremost, the basis of ALL Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) footwork, and that includes kicking. Being totally neutral by nature, it favours neither side over the other and allows for mobility in any direction. The “toes-in” foot position allows for the “back leg” of all stances to be practised at the same time, as well as preparing the student to be able to kick and to control both their movement, and that of their opponent. By this, I mean that it places the legs in such a way as to act as a “brake” to control forward motion, whilst at the same time allowing for the trapping and controlling of the opponent’s legs and the deflection of kicks. ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ also creates a strong connection from the ground to the hands by virtue of the angle of the pelvis and alignment of the body. It lowers the centre of gravity and opens the airways, firming the stomach and creating upper and lower body unity. In short, this stance is the foundation for every other aspect of the system.
Please explain body structure in Ving Tsun and its relevance
For me, body structure implies the correct alignment of the body in order to achieve the maximum potential for strength, leverage and power. It is not just limited to the stance, although having said that, a correct stance is the basis of everything else anyway. When we begin to practice the ‘Siu Nim Tau’ form, we are introduced to the concept of body structure, firstly in forming the ‘Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma’ and then throughout each of the three sections of the form by way of the basic hand techniques. No where else in the form is this more clearly demonstrated than in the first section (what we in the WSLVT family refer to as the ‘Lat Sau Jik Chung’ , or “springy-energy” component of the form), whereby we are shown the optimum combinations of shapes, angles and energies to achieve natural, powerful and spontaneous reactions. So much of the Wing Chun/Ving Tsun being practised around the world is inefficient because those doing it DO NOT understand the importance of body structure as it is taught within the system. Instead, they rely on using ***** strength and clashing force, or else try to “re-invent the wheel”, applying their art in ways that are totally opposed to the basic concepts of the system.
What are some of the misconception that people have of Ving Tsun?
People outside of Wing Chun/Ving Tsun tend to believe that the system has no footwork, no kicking, can only be used at close range and is ineffective against “this kind of fighter” and “that kind of fighter”, etc. They presume that, because there is a legend that suggests that Wing Chun/Ving Tsun was created by a woman, that it only suits women or smaller individuals and is useless for bigger, stronger people. Within Wing Chun/Ving Tsun circles, some think that if all they do is practice ‘Chi Sau’ (“sticking hands”) then they will be great fighters, whilst others see this as a waste of time and rarely, if ever, engage in drilling it. Our own WSLVT Family is often criticised for being “too aggressive” and not following the “traditional path” because we are prepared to adapt the art and train for realism and combat proficiency. The truth is that they are trapped in a time warp, thinking that old must be good, when we are in fact living in a changing environment that requires us to think in and apply concepts, not blindly try to use set sequences and routines. Wing Chun/Ving Tsun is a dynamic, flexible, adaptable and very effective means of personal combat, so long as its practitioners are able to look beyond egos and fixed ideas about fighting. It is not just three forms, a wooden dummy and a pair of weapons – it is a total philosophy of combat based on scientifically provable concepts and the application of an open mind
What is the current state of Ving Tsun?
Well, I am not in any position to speak with authority on all branches of the Wing Chun/Ving Tsun tree, but it is common knowledge that there are several main lineages of what we refer to as “Hong Kong/Yip Man Wing Chun” and all has not been well within these groups due to disagreements between their members and the constant, ugly spectre of politics. Also, I must be frank and say that there is a lot of very poor, in terms of reality-based, Wing Chun/Ving Tsun out there and this has tended to cast a poor light on ALL Wing Chun/Ving Tsun because one bad apple CAN spoil the barrel. However, having said all that, I do feel that by and large, this system is becoming better known and more widely respected amongst the martial arts, and I would have to give a lot of the credit for that to people like Sifu Gary Lam in the USA and Sifu Philipp Bayer in Germany who have played a large role in taking this system to the masses in what I consider a true representation of what effective Wing Chun/Ving Tsun is meant to be. Like them, I too have tried, in my own small but determined way, to share knowledge of what I believe the real message of the art is meant to be. For me, that is embodied in the legacy of Sifu Wong Shun Leung, what he liked to refer to towards the end of his life as ‘Wing Chun Kuen Hok’ or the “Science of Wing Chun Pugilism”.
Please explain some of the open drills that you teach.
By “open drills”, I mean exercises done in conjunction with training partners whereby concepts are explored and developed under natural and very realistic conditions. For example, I might begin by taking students through a “closed drill” involving the application of defensive footwork and a simple counter measure against a straight-line attack. This is done slowly and carefully at first, with an emphasis on detail, correct positioning, etc. Eventually, I take away all the “safety features” that were in place as the idea was being initially taught and practised, allowing for the opponent in the drill to attack full-force, from any position and either hand, to which the partner must now take the original concept and apply it spontaneously against what is as close to an unknown situation as possible. In this way, we elevate the adrenaline factor, add real fear and danger to the drill, and discover whether or not the student can actually APPLY the skills under threat. We do this with a variety of attack/defence scenarios and eventually without any restrictions upon either practitioner. For me, this is far more successful than typical sparring in developing a student’s true ability to respond aggressively and combat-ready to a violent confrontation. He or she either survives the attack and totally shuts it down, …or they don’t. There is no second chance, unlike sparring which tends to become a “tit-for-tat” exchange of blows that ends up more like a game than reality.
Sifu, I am going to mention four of Sifu Wong Shun Leung's students; please explain the distinct approach of each:
David Peterson
Cliff Au Yeung
Chiu Hok Yin
Yuen Yim Keung
This is an extremely difficult question to answer. Obviously, I can give you a pretty good insight into my own approach (as I have been doing in some of my previous answers), but I really do not feel qualified to comment on any of my respected Sihing (martial big brothers), except to say that they are all outstanding exponents of the WSLVT system who do a great job of preserving our teacher’s legacy. They are all based in Hong Kong, with Yuen Yim Keung (who also goes by the English name Tommy Yuen) being the most senior in terms of training time, having learnt under Sifu Wong Shun Leung from the early ‘70s. Tommy was quite a respected fighter in his younger days and runs a great school in Hong Kong where he has produced outstanding students. Au Yeung Kim Man, better known these days as Cliff Au Yeung, was very instrumental in my own training, being a constant source of inspiration and motivation from the moment I first entered the school in 1983, and becoming a life-long friend whom I hold in the highest regard. He gave up his career in a totally different field to devote his life fulltime to Wing Chun and now runs a very successful school of his own which attracts many overseas students due to his excellent command of English and easy-going manner. Of the three, I probably know the least of Chiu Hok Yin as he was not around for a lot of the time that I was in Hong Kong. This was largely because he was actually studying and working in Great Britain for quite a while during that era. However, we did train together and had one very memorable “clash” in which we both earned each others respect and that has continued to this day. I am in awe of the strength that he can muster, especially since he is not a really big guy, and his ability to play the heavy pole (over 12 foot in length) is something that has to be seen to be believed. We last met on the occasion of the 1st World Ving Tsun Conference in 1999 where he demonstrated this skill and the audience was a buzz with awe. He was also a very competitive full-contact fighter who had many victories when younger. I only wish that it was possible to see all of these guys more often, but life tends to get in the way.
What message do you have for people in South Africa that would be attending the seminar?
I would hope that they will come along with an open mind and a willingness to try new ideas. Regardless of whether they have done Wing Chun/Ving Tsun before, or not, I can assure them that they will leave the seminars with a new perspective on combat training and, whilst not expecting them to abandon any knowledge that they already have, I am confident that they will all take something away with them, whether it be an idea or a technique, or even just a better insight into what they already know, which will add to their “combat toolbox”. I believe in lots of “hands-on” practice, rather than having people just sit and take notes, so participants can be sure that they will be physically as well as intellectually challenged by what transpires. The main thing is that I am coming to share my experiences and the wisdom of my late Sifu, not to challenge their egos or their abilities – this is a two-way exchange and I hope to take as much away with me as I leave behind. In short, if anyone can take something from the seminars that will enhance their skills or knowledge base, it is theirs; but if people feel that I have nothing to offer, then so be it. But if that is the case, then I will still have succeeded because I will have helped them to better understand what they already have and that is also a great outcome. First and foremost, I am a teacher and my role is to transmit information, not to prove myself as some great fighter or put down other people’s abilities or knowledge. I just hope that everyone who attends will have an enjoyable time and take something of value away with them from the event.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
To improve myself as much as I can, and to be a better teacher of, and ambassador for the WSLVT Method, assisting anyone in the world who might wish to become a part of the WSLVT Family. As we do this interview, I am a couple of months shy of my ninth trip to the United Kingdom to teach WSLVT, and will also be taking my first seminar trip to Bulgaria. Since the death of my Sifu, I have been fortunate enough to be invited twice to the USA, once to Denmark and once to Holland, as well as the trips to the UK in order to spread the WSLVT Method. Next year, all going well, I will be in South Africa for the very first time, thanks to your invitation, and may also have another chance to visit Sifu Gary Lam, Sifu Ernie Barrios and other Wing Chun/Ving Tsun friends in the USA. Ten years ago I would never have dreamed that my life would be going in this direction and I am as amazed as anyone else because my goal from the very beginning was to learn the system for my own development and to train with a few friends in my little part-time club in Melbourne. Of course, I would gladly pass all that up if I could get my Sifu back – he passed away far too early in his life – but as I cannot do that, the very next and most important thing is to make sure that I play a role in seeing that his legacy is spread far and wide. People have responded very favourably to my articles in many major martial arts journals over the years and also my book on the WSLVT Method, so much so that it is being re-published very soon. In addition to that, I have been persuaded recently (my students are far more confident in my abilities than I tend to be, …bless them) to produce DVDs on the first two forms and these too will be available soon so that those whom I can’t teach personally can still gain access to the system. I am now very keen to make sure that I can do my part to groom the next generation of WSLVT teachers and can proudly say that there are some outstanding practitioners whom I’ve had the honour of training “in the wings” as we speak. I hope that Sifu would be proud and I hope that I can continue to play my part in this unique Wing Chun/Ving Tsun family for a long time yet to come.
Sifu thank you .
You are very welcome and I thank you for giving me such an opportunity!
David Peterson can be reached at wslwingchun.com (http://www.wslwingchun.com)