Training Trip 2010

[sethmerlin]

Hi guys and gals, been somewhat quiet myself on here as I've been overseas the past few weeks for some much needed training time for myself, away from teaching etc.
So I'll give a bit of a rundown on what I've been up to.

First day I got into Hong Kong was only a brief stopover, as was hopping a bus straight away the following morning into mainland china. We had a group trip organised with my Sigung and his students to Foshan (where our form of Wing Chun was primarily centred before Ip Man moved to HK). We visited the Ip Man Tong (memorial hall for Ip Man) as our main stop in Foshan itself, I also went and had a look at Huang Feihong's Tong as well, which is in the same park. At this first memorial we only stopped over briefly. We moved straight over to the other side of Foshan, to I think Law-Chun, which is Ip Man's birthplace. At this location they've recently errected a new statue, and our group was invited here by the area's local government, there was some filming taking place i believe for a local news network. Sigung was interviewed and we were filmed whilst performing the Siu Nim Tao form infront of the new statue. We were then invited to a nearby sports centre where a new Wing Chun school has recently opened, Sigung wrote them some calligraphy as a gift of good luck.
So that was a flying visit to the mainland, then back to Hong Kong. Apart from the memorials, I didn't really think a great deal of that part of China, jsut one big industrial construction zone. Not really nice.... But was cool to be a part of the events while there. Wing Chun has a renewed polularity in China, thanks to the recent films, so Sigung is somewhat of a celebrity, being the longest training student of Ip Man.

From the next day training started proper. I train at 3 places whilst in Hong Kong.
Every weeknight at my Sigung's school, from around 5pm - 10/11pm. Sigung places enormous importance on fundamental basics, so we primarily work on the Siu Nim Tao form, or even just standing correctly, for the most part. It's extremely mentally taxing training, focusing deeply internally upon yourself correcting minor alignment and relaxation issues of your spine and joints. Really hard work, but enjoyable. It's always great to see just how high the bar is that we're aiming for, daunting in that still nobody can do things to the level that Sigung can.... Makes things so much more exciting when you are reminded just how much further you can take it.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays train at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association (VTAA) in the afternoons, one of my SiSuk's (training uncle) teaches there. Here spend a bit more time practicing Chi Sau and various exercises based on the forms, experimenting with techniques etc. The training is a little more mentally relaxing, as you're not under the shadow of Sigung, so a little less intimidating maybe.
On Tuesday and Friday late evenings (10/11pm-early morning) train at Ving Tsun House Martial Arts Association. The school of another of my SiSuks which is up on the rooftop of a building in Mongkok. More Chi Sau and experimentation, the students here are a little different, in that they also train and fight in San Shou competitions. So they focus a lot more on application and fighting (more like how we train here i guess). Picked up a few new techniques for the San Shou guys, and generally got very sweaty and wet.....

On the middle weekend it was Sigung's birthday party, so had a good time and big banquets with a few hundred people...

So that's what I got up to in general terms. Basically nothing outrageously new or different, morso affirmation that we're doing the right thing, progressing along. Just as always need more time and practice...

There's some pics up here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=185653&id=706617512&l=4bbe20361e

[Matt Jones ISOHEALTH]

Great stuff Seth,

Sounds like you a terrific trip. Glad it went well, great to hear that Sigung got some great recognition with the interview.

Stay well mate,
Matt : )

[flyfire]

Awesome stuff right there!

Makes me want to return to Thailand again for another stint. Seth, I was also looking at doing some BaGua at ErMei Shan, do you have any contacts that can give an accurate description of training there? I'll give it a miss if its another Shaolin Temple 'take you money and give you a certificate after 5 days training' farce.

Shawn, how about a category for overseas training trips/experiences? There's already a bulding data base on here...

[Shawn]

Shawn, how about a category for overseas training trips/experiences? There's already a bulding data base on here...

You got it.... done

[Shawn]

Sounds like it was a great trip Seth! Any plans for the next one?

[sethmerlin]

Sounds like it was a great trip Seth! Any plans for the next one?

Always like to have a return goal in mind, roughly a years time is my normal, give some time to digest what i've done and then check back then to see how it's improved.
if i win the lottery this week, then i'll go back sooner!