Developing an Open Minded Training Mentality

Pictured: Bruce Lee in 'Enter the Dragon' Pak Sau scene


In 2011 I have decided to adopt an even more open minded, dynamic approach to my personal training and teaching within the 'Next Level Academy'.
I am in agreement with the modern martial thinking that cross training is nigh essential if you wish to become a fully accomplished martial artist and worthy of teaching an effective method.
There are still in my opinion too many with the traditionalist mindset that choose to stay nicely within their bubble and not risk getting their feet wet by even trying other arts or looking at alternative perspectives to modern day combat methods.
Although my main passion will always be Wing Chun Kung Fu and I do see it as a complete system that amply covers many potential street situations of danger to us, I have discovered first hand in recent years by dropping any ego and fanciful ideas that Chi Sau will miraculously save us from a violent encounter, that by cross training it enhances our base skill set and keeps us in a beginners perspective, eager to continue our studies and further our skills.

This coming year I will be returning to cross train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to broaden my knowledge of grappling and fighting from the ground as well as stepping back into the realm of Muay Thai classes for fitness conditioning and fight training and even trying out some Jeet Kune Do classes and seminars as they more than anyone are open minded to varied ideas and methods of close quarter combat...

In my classes in 2011 I am planning to break the common Wing Chun traditions found in many schools and aim to cover and teach ALL aspects of the Wing Chun system including Wooden Dummy (pictured above) - Long Pole (right performed by Ng Wah Sum) and Butterfly knives (below) to all levels - opening up the teaching and making these so called 'advanced' areas available so that students can appreciate a full flavour of what Wing Chun has to offer!!

Some will gain much from this attitude, others not so much but at least you will have had the opportunity to see how the system fits together like a puzzle and then choose for yourselves if cross training may enhance some areas of practice as I feel it has done to mine or whether you remain loyal to Wing Chun - its your choice, best to make an informed choice once you better understand what the options are.

I will also be teaching various empty hand energy flow drills to improve speed, reaction time and co-ordination learnt over my 15 years experience that I had put to the back of my mind but now see as potentially very beneficial to you as students and myself as a teacher.

On top of this we have visiting Instructors from various Wing Chun lineages coming to our club in Bury St Edmunds to hold workshops/seminars on their methods to help us better understand the diversity available in training our art...more details to follow...

Have a great Christmas and New Year and be prepared for a hectic, fun and dynamic training year ahead!!


''If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them''.
Bruce Lee 

Dates for your diary

Hi all, with Christmas fast approaching please make note of some upcoming important dates for our club:

Unfortunately the Seminar held by Sifu Michael Yan Choi Seminar (Gary Lam Wing Chun) on 19/12/10 had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions and will be re-scheduled for the new year as and when the weather improves and is safe for driving.

Tuesday 21st December - Last 'Next Level Wing Chun Academy' class of 2010 - Xmas drinks afterwards at Benson Blakes, up the road from the hall - this is not a big event just a get together for those who wish to attend..this is again subject to the snow/ice as we've had a very heavy snowfall in Sudbury...please feel free to attend the drink/meet should you wish regardless of whether I can make it safely.

Sunday 9th January 2011 - First class of the new year and we have at least 4 Seminars booked at our club during the year, the first being held on Sunday 27th February 4pm - 6.30pm Sifu Jon Abdey, the only UK Representative of Sifu Wan Kam Leung, again £25 per student...and in the following months visits also from Sifu Ged Kennerk a representative of WSLVT under Sifu David Peterson and Alan Gibson is due to return again too...as well as other events which we may attend in London and Southampton.

We will also get together for a meal for Chinese New Year early February, most likely at the Canton Chinese Restaurant in Bury St Edmunds more details to come.

An exciting year ahead for us im sure!!! You'd be a fool to miss out!!

In the meantime I hope you all have a very merry Christmas holiday and New Year celebrations and return in 2011 ready for an action packed year!!

Training exchange

Pictured above: Sifu Chris Thompson (Grandmaster Sam Lau lineage) and a selection of his students visited our club on Tuesday 16th November 2010 to experience how we practice our Ving Tsun.


Southend based, Sifu Chris Thompson and myself have similar training backgrounds being linked with James Sinclair and Kwok Cheung  during our Wing Chun history but also both decided to explore other areas and methods and both now have settled with lineages that suit our ideas about Wing Chun practice and teaching.

We have been in touch via e-mail and phone contact since the Summer and he asked to visit our club so his students could experience a taste of different approaches to Wing Chun and I was happy to accept them up to take them through a class of exploring WSLVT ideas.

I began by taking them through our version of Siu Nim Tau as a group then worked through some of our base level drills which emphasize certain conceptual ideas and structures found within the form.
First on the list was the 'Sei Mun Da' - 4 Gate Hitting drill to work the Chiu Ying 'facing' concept, disruption  and attacking the attack, also covering the differences in our low Gaan action which covers in a straight line enabling us to strike directly should we have to use it and  also structurally stronger than if the elbow faces out.

After this we moved onto the continuous Paak Sau drill, ensuring students were not chasing the hands but the centre and working in the Lien Siu Dai Da concept 'Linking defence to bring in offence' and following the attack moving, closing and staying in VT range and therefore control.

Lastly we addressed regaining a lost facing position using the structures and sharp energy tied in with waist power (Yiu Lik) to regain an attack line and again following the attack and closing in on the centre of mass.

Sifu Chris's group were very open minded to the differences, asked lots of questions and were a joy to teach.

We intend to return the exchange in 2011 by taking some people down to Southend to see how their group train Wing Chun.

To round the evening off, one of Chris's youngest students, a girl of 12 called Ripley demonstrated a very sharp, accurate version of the Cham Kiu form and I engaged in some Chi Sau with her...she has 6 years of experience in Wing Chun to date and has already completed the 3 empty hand forms and dummy and is commencing the pole training..very skilled indeed!..(wish she was my student!!) :-) - Pictured below...

'Gary Lam WSLVT Seminar' - Sifu Michael Yan Choi

(Pictured Sifu Michael Yan Choi)

It is with great pleasure that I can confirm the visit to our Bury St Edmunds club of Sifu Michael Yan Choi, a UK Representative of a household WSL Ving Tsun Master, Gary Lam.

Sifu Choi was honoured when I considered him to visit us to hold a seminar on the Ving Tsun methods of his Sifu and this will mark the first of many other workshops due to be held by various members linked to the lineage of Wong Shun Leung in the coming year, as well as the twice yearly visits from Wing Chun Federation Coach Alan Gibson whom we have built a very positive working relationship with already.

Sifu Choi's visit will be held on:

Sunday 27th March 2011 - 3.30pm - 6.30pm at our Sunday venue of Moreton Hall Health Club, Mount Road, Bury st Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7BL at a cost of £25 per student.

Please make payment asap to confirm your place as numbers may be limited.


As my students know, I feel it is important to see and experience different  interpretations of Wing Chun and make friendships within the Wing Chun community and to avoid the politics which can be rife in the martial arts world. No-one has all the answers and there will always be something to learn from someone, im sure we will offer him a warm welcome and learn a great deal from his experiences.

For more information please visit Sifu Choi's website - http://chisau.com

''Killing Two Birds With One Stone''

Efficiency = (def) The ratio of the energy delivered (or work done) by a machine to the energy needed (or work required) in operating the machine. The efficiency of any machine is always less than one due to forces such as friction that use up energy unproductively.

 WSLVT Coach Ernie Barrios cutting off a student's actions with one move

In our Wing Chun practice we often hear or read about the effectivness of our system, its directness in dealing with an opponents attack and its inherent efficiency in the process of doing so....but have you ever considered and analysed the methods YOU actually use or have been taught to use in your own practice and actively tried to understand how and why they work (hopefully!) and perhaps if they could be more streamlined and direct???

The reason I ask is because I have - due to my own personal research, both into alternative Wing Chun methods and lineages and also into my own understanding and abilities as a practitioner and teacher of Wing Chun Kung Fu - a choice which has both shocked me and enlightened me and certainly has enriched my understanding of this facinating close quarter fighting system.

Firstly, I must say this article is NOT a political onslaught towards certain lineages or methods employed nor a promotion of any others, im simply documenting my own thoughts and personal findings and your own opinions and/or experiences may differ greatly.

After over 12 years of study and practice into Wing Chun, predominantly with the Ip Chun system, I completed my Baat Jaam Dao (eight cutting knives) form and application training and felt elated that I had reached the end of my formal training into the system.
Daily I practiced my new found knife skills until my shoulders burned and my wrists and forearms could take no more!! I had reached the peak, the end - the two years of Wing Chun Long Pole training (Luk Dim Boon Gwun) preceding this was undoubtably the toughest training I had endured since starting and id come through to finish with the knives....BUT......

 Paul Blissett drilling Biu Gwun 2008

I still had more questions...ALOT more questions!!! - some things simply didnt add up or correlate with what id read in Wing Chun publications and articles....the Wing Chun system advocates simple, direct actions to deal with an attack...agreed??

Though I was teaching and being taught aspects such as countering a single straight punch or grab with, say, a Bong Sau  bridging technique deflection, with a turn or side-step then a Laap Sau to pull the attcker forward then a Fak Sau, chopping action with the elbow high above their shoulder level to attack the throat...with a whole host of potential follow up techniques

So...including footwork/stance changes my attacker does 1 action - I reply initially with 4 actions before I even follow my counter up!! Hmmmm???...not very direct is it?

Firstly I research the written Wing Chun sayings, concepts and theories (Kuen Kuit - Wing Chun was said to passed on orally in its early development) which are the backbone of genuine Wing Chun...I find;

1/ Bong Sau should only occur when there is a force sufficient to create its need - as ive used it as my first bridging technique im not following this one :-/

2/ Face the Opponents Centreline with your Own - Chiu Ying (Facing) a basic Siu Nim Tau concept - though as I turn and drop the weight onto my rear anchor leg or side-step offline my 'facing' is temporarily lost to deflect the attack

3/ Laap Sau - Cantonese for Deflecting or Warding off hands - im not warding him off, im pulling him onto me!

4/ Mai Jaang - sink elbow structures where possible to maintain triangulation and connection with the hip and stance, conversely with the ground 'rooting' - a core concept in all Chinese Kung Fu - nope! - my elbow is up at ear level and I feel vunerable even though im attacking, but not always aware due to the compliancy of my partner who lets me hit him

5/ ''Strike your opponents strike - kick your opponents kick'' - or Attack the Attack a concept known in a broader form as 'Lien Siu Dai Da' linking defence to bring in offence - it also states; often poorly translated as simultaneous defend and attack...ie; Taan Sau and Punch - or 2 actions to deal with 1 action - good...but not as direct as it could be.

Further into the system we also find concepts relating to directness in the  weapons practice: ''Gwun Mo Leung Heung'' the pole does not make two sounds - meaning the attack and defence is 1 action, not stopping the pole (or other weapon) then attacking the person wielding it, not stopping the pole then sliding down to attack the hands - but attack and defend in one motion
Also ''Dao Mo Seung Faat'' - the moves/methods of the knives are not repeated - a reminder again to economize our actions by attacking and defending in one move wherever possible.

Secondly I began my own practical research into the Wong Shun Leung methods of Wing Chun which are highly regarded amongst many followers of Wing Chun around the world...I still am just as open minded to all approaches to teaching Wing Chun but needless to say in the 18 months ive been putting these methods into practice lightbulbs have gone off almost daily!!... and the methods have shown me a way to 'streamline' my Wing Chun making it simpler, more direct and more efficient in all areas.

In the Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun system this direct approach to combat is drilled in from Day 1 in the form of the 'Siu Nim Tau' concepts of the Fook Sau and Taan Sau concept punches - here with 1 basic action, in many cases a punch, employs Chiu Ying facing, triangulation of the bridge and structures, simplicity and directness by either 'subduing' (fook) the attacking bridge from an outside gate position or 'dispersing' (taan) from an inside gate position to attack the centre of mass of the attacker - actions or tools such as Taan, Paak, Jut, Jum, Bong etc...are only needed if the attacking line gets blocked and become secondary to the more basic punch, facing and stance - thus dealing with an attack in the most simple direct and efficient way possible killing TWO birds (the attack and attacker) with ONE stone (our attack which is also a defensive action)

Alan Gibson's 3rd WSLVT Introduction Seminar in Bury St Edmunds

(Pictured 'The Wing Chun Federation's' Head Coach - Alan Gibson)

Following on from his two previous successful seminar visits to our club in Bury St Edmunds, I have invited Alan Gibson back for yet another installment into the ways of Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun.

Although we have an open view towards the practice and development of our Wing Chun, we are finding ourselves more and more intrigued with the direct methods of the WSL approach and constantly seem to be simplifying and refining our skills following on from Alan's workshops.

Alan has a seemingly endless supply of various drills and exercises to enhance attributes and broaden understanding and although these 'Introduction to WSLVT' seminars are fairly basic in level there is something to gain for all levels of competence and from any lineage of Wing Chun.

The seminar will be held at: Moreton Hall Health Club, Mount Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7BL on SUNDAY 17th OCTOBER 2010 from 3.30 - 6.30pm - at a cost of £25 per student.

Please pay in advance to book a place by October 1st or inform me directly if you wish to attend and pay on the day.

Paul Blissett - Next Level Wing Chun Academy

Kamon Wing Chun - A Progressive Approach

In these modern times I feel it is important that todays Martial Artist approaches their training in an open minded manner and is aware of the very real dangers they may face at street level.

As well as running my own classes which look at the methods involved primarily with the Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun lineage and based around my personal Wing Chun path over the years, I also am a registered Instructor of 'Kamon Wing Chun' under the guidence of Kamon Founder  Master Kevin Chan.

Since I began my Wing Chun journey in the mid 90's (and over 10 years of Boxing beforehand) I have attended many seminars, workshops and personal training with a large number of Wing Chun Masters, Grandmasters and experts in various forms of close quarter combat and I can say with absolute positivety that Kevin Chan is without doubt the most well rounded, adaptable and inspiring martial artist I have ever had the pleasure to learn from and represent.

Realising over 15 years ago that there were potential weaknesses that were not being addressed in Traditional Wing Chun training, Kevin set about looking at other arts from Muay Thai and Boxing to Greco Roman Wrestling and Russian Sambo before settling with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Mauriciao Gomes and Roger Gracie earning himself a BJJ Black belt within 10 years and becoming a recognised name the world over in Grappling and BJJ tournaments - this more than caters for the risk of being taken down at street level and he doesnt attempt to incorporate groundfighting into his Wing Chun but offers workshops for students to gain a basic level understanding should they wish to supplement their martial arts journey.

The training drills Kamon work on ranging from Clinchwork to Boxing sparring and base level grappling enhance the Wing Chun training of the Kamon students making them very well rounded and experienced in a wide range of skill sets.

Although I feel (for me) the WSLVT is the most 'direct' Wing Chun method ive seen/felt to date, Kamon also offers a very high level of close quarter combat skills to build self confidence and ability to rival any martial art out there.

For more details and class locations take a visit to their comprehensive website

www.kamonwingchun.com

(Kevin Chan demonstrating Mang Geng Sau (neck pulling hand) on a student)

Chi Sau Seminar - 24th July 2010 - 3pm - 6pm

I will be holding another 'Chi Sau' (sticking hands) Seminar in Bury St Edmunds for all levels on:

Saturday 24th July - 3pm - 6pm at St Johns Chruch Hall, St Johns Street, BSE.

£20 to be paid before the event.

This seminar will build on the first one held in March and will be focused on Seung Chi Sau (double sticking hands)  with the idea being to cross hands with different people and learn how to apply the Wing Chun concepts to this practice method.

The seminar will cover the different hand postitions and energies, one attack/one defend practice and leading onto Gor Sau - free application to test your own skills against others in a controlled manner.

Please inform me asap if you intend to participate and pay as soon as you can to reserve your place.

(pictured is Sifu David Peterson having his defence undone in Chi Sau by late Grandmaster Wong Shun Leung)

Sifu

WSLVT - International Multi-Seminar - Southampton - May 2010

Pictured from left to right : Ernie Barrios, Kevin Bell, Adam Cope, John Smith, Ged Kennerk, Alan Gibson, David Peterson.

Over the weekend of May 15th and 16th 2010, myself and over 80 others from countries as far ranging as Canada, Germany, USA, Denmark, Belgium, Australia and obviously the UK, got together for a 'Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun' Seminar weekend in sunny Southampton.

There was a real buzz in the room from the beginning and we were not disappointed!! Kevin Bell began by stating that there would be no ego's allowed and anybody losing control or drawing blood from over enthusiasm and point scoring would be shown the door immediately as this event was a skill and idea sharing occasion.
Kevin went on to begin procedings with various drills demonstrating the power aspect of the WSL approach when punching, starting as a recovery exercise when a position was lost and utilising speed, power, timing, intention and structure impressively got his points accross.
It was obvious from the off that this is a pure no nonsense 'fighting system' method of Wing Chun and not an esoteric, flowery look at the art...they pride themselves by referring to their lineage as 'Chinese Boxing or Pugilism' and you can see why!! - all drills were taught with a fighting intention behind them and a single minded focus bourne out of their insistence on pressure testing their skills with REAL fighters from both the Boxing and MMA world who are actually trying to hit you - not a simple complient partner who  delivers a punch and kindly leaves their arm out there.

Second to take the stage was Ernie Barrios, a previous student of Sifu Gary Lam and certified also to teach under Sifu David Peterson. Ernie's emphasis was to get us to disconnect our thinking and emotions and work on springy, forward energy (Lat Sau Jik Chung) and testing this with various resistance exercises with a partner found within Siu Nim Tau.
We then looked at Daan Chi Sau with a step which has a totally different purpose and footwork methodology to many others lineages - the ideas are simple but highly effective and it is clear how so many other groups pay lip service to the Wing Chun concepts and needlessly 'chase the hands' in these drills.

WSL coach Alan Gibson rounded off the day with a look at developing waist/core rotational power with various boxing type partner drills which progressed in a direct manner to more Wing Chun conceptual ideas working on disruption, uprooting, Lien Siu Dai Da (linking defence to bring in offence) and Chiu Ying (square on facing concept).
With day one drawing to a close and arms bruised and battered but adrenaline and inspiration flowing, David Peterson summed up the intensive 6 hour day with a reminder that everything we had looked at could be found in the first section of Siu Nim Tau both practically and conceptually.

After a good evening in Southampton with close friends, beers and a pub meal we headed to one Alan's students house to watch some boxing and talk Wing Chun, it was good to see the senior WSL represetatives relaying stories from their past experiences with Wong Shun Leung himself and informally answering any questions people had over a drink and with good humour - again not an inflated ego in sight!!

Day 2 began with big Aussie John Smith who trained directly under Wong Shun Leung and David Peterson and is a bear of a man but highly skilled and knowledgeable. John led us through Siu Nim Tau as a group and explained various energies and intentions throughout.
Drills were introduced showing the need and use of the Tui Ma (push step) through Daan Chi Sau and Seung Chi Sau and also practical partner exercises using a shove - what had made a big impact on me was the high level of skill by so many and even after many years of practice myself and my colleagues openly admitted to feeling out their depth on several occasions with many people our junior in both age and experience simply due to the fact that they were better versed in the Wing Chun concepts and direct approach - one Belgian student of Clive Potter, a young man named Christophe Germain who attended was around 8 stone wringing wet I would estimate and under 5ft 5 and I found impossible to deal with (or even move!!) and he didnt even attempt to strike me but controlled my every move with ease which for me was truly inspirational!

Sifu David Peterson rounded off this amazing two day event with a detailed look at Chi Sau, footwork and the WSL approach to Chi Gerk whlist tying all the previous lessons and points together in a package that we could take away and develop - there was no showboating here, it was pure skill development exercises for the benefit of all and I can honestly say without doubt I cannot imagine a single Wing Chun practitioner the world over, regardless of level that would have failed to get something from this weekend.

I have made countless friends, learnt an incredible ammount, gained masses of information and inspiration and feel strongly that my future training will be with the WSLVT lineage.

The Devils in the Detail! - Alan Gibson's 2nd Seminar - 18th April 2010

Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun Coach and Chief Instructor of The Wing Chun Federation, Alan Gibson, visited our club in Bury St Edmunds for the second time in six months to deliver a workshop on helping us understand the foundation of their lineage and approach of 'Wing Chun'. Alan was assisted by his student Sean Collison, who with under 3 years Wing Chun experience has an exceptional grasp of the WSL methods and was a great assistance to all.

(pictured Paul Blissett, Alan Gibson & Massimo Gaetani from Carisma Kickboxing - Cambs)

The seminar content began with the foundation of all Wing Chun - the Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma (basic stance), setting the stance correctly for your body frame and dropping the bodyweight on the thighs to enable a strong base. Then a look at how the stance works in motion and the importance of maintaining the power chain through correct joint alignment and keeping the heels rooted to derive power, hence support from the ground, employing the larger muscle groups (glutes, quads, core and back) so the smaller groups (arms, shoulders, feet) can relax.
Several exercises followed testing core strength, the power chain and aligning the body in the strongest structure whilst static and moving, leaving the students huffing and puffing and aware of the weaknesses in their basic postions.

The main focus from then on was Daan Chi Sau (single sticking hands) both from a static stance and followed with stepping motions using the Tui Ma (push step) - a WSL practitioner doesn't step back through choice but only goes back if they are forced back if their stance is compromised and then only to take a better angle in which to re-attack..a simpler idea to this is the weaker basic stance, collapses under too much pressure to the stronger front stance -
This tied in with the energy concepts of Loi Lau Hoi Sung - Lat Sau Jik Chung (receive what comes, escort what leaves - hand lost attack without reserve) makes the Daan Chi Sau exercise a simple but profound one and it is clear how much many other groups simply 'play' with the hands not employing any of these basic fundamentals in their regular practice, hence unnecessary additions, changes, attacks etc..when really the simple ideas contained within Siu Nim Tau form are more than sufficient to drill in the core Wing Chun conceptual approach, all of which is carried on into the advanced levels.

The group was split now with the more advanced working the Single Stick ideas in the Double Handed Chi Sau roll and the more junior students further understanding the basics of Chi Sau and using one hand to defend two by utilising small motions, positive intention and disruption techniques with todays seminar rounded off with the Siu Nim Tau form and a full explanation of how all the aspects drilled and discussed were basic ideas from the form.

Another very enjoyable day and we look forward to welcoming Alan back again in the future.

(Sean Collison tests structural alignment and rooting of the stance with student Steve Harris)

Easter Closure

Just a reminader to all that there is no class this Sunday 4th April as the Moreton Hall Centre closes for easter holidays...also the Alan Gibson seminar on Sunday 18th needs to be paid for on 11th at class to secure your place. Sifu

Alan Gibson is back!

The 'Wing Chun Federation' Head Coach - Alan Gibson is visiting our club in Bury St Edmunds for the 2nd time in 6 months to hold another seminar based at increasing our understanding and skill development of the Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun methods.

His first visit was a real eye opener to how much more direct we could make certain aspects of our Wing Chun practice and the feedback was very positive, mainly due to the fact of his genuine nature and passion for passing on the system correctly, without the need to sell it or put down other interpretatations, the WSL system seems to reflect the Wing Chun core concepts in a clearer way and all of a sudden everything makes more sense and has more depth and I for one am very much looking forward to learning more of this simple, direct approach.

Sunday 18th April 2010 - 3pm - 6pm

Moreton Hall Health Club, Mount Road, BSE, IP32 7BL

£25 per student - (we need 10 minimum to secure the seminar)
Please pre-pay in class to secure your place.

For Wing Chun Federation information please go to www.wingchun.org.uk

Sifu

Chi Sau Seminar - Saturday 20th March 3pm - 6pm

I am pleased to announce that I shall be holding a  'Next Level Wing Chun' - 'Chi Sau' (sticking/clinging arms) Seminar for all levels on - Saturday 20th March 2010

3pm - 6pm

Venue: St Johns Church Hall, St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds - Limited parking so I recommend you park in town car parks - 5 mins walk from the hall.

This day is also 'International Wing Chun Day' - where practitioners around the world will be celebrating their art and crossing hands at all corners of the globe!!

This is a great opportunity to learn:

* How to apply correct hand positioning and energies learnt in the forms
* Learn how the concepts of Wing Chun can be drilled in Chi Sau
* Economy of Motion principle
* Defending and Attacking using your base and much much more!!

This seminar will be a very hands on look at the unique Wing Chun sparring exercise known as Chi Sau.

Seminar Fee - £20 if paid before the date - £25 on the day

Sifu Paul Blissett

'Next Level Wing Chun Grading Syllabus'

 

The 'Next Level Wing Chun' Grading Syllabus is now complete and consists of 7 Levels in total based around the stepping stone method of the Wing Chun forms - 6 forms - 6 main levels with supplementary pracice drills and exercises to represent each level.

Grading is highly recommended as a developmental guideline for the student on the path of Wing Chun and following the Level 1 grading which requires at least 6 months of regular study - Level's will be a minimum of one training year apart with consistant hard work, correct attitude and attendence in class required to qualify for each grading.

The level following number 6 is the 'Next Level Wing Chun' Master grade in which all of the Wing Chun forms must be demonstrated to a high standard and understanding along with Blindfolded Chi Sau and Advanced Street Applications and can only be taken a minimum of 2 years following the successful completion of Level 6 - the Baat Jaam Dao (eight slashing knives form)

With diligent practice a talented, dedicated student will be able to complete the 'Next Level Wing Chun' system in around 8 years - although many may take much longer - it is not the desination but the journey that is important.

If you are a current student and wish to have a copy of the grading syllabus for your information please ask me in class.

The first grading date will be released shortly.

Sifu

Chinese New Year - 2010 - Year of the Tiger

 

Sunday 14th February marks the start of this years Chinese New Year celebrations which run all week...an auspiscious one for us as a club as it also marks the first time we have celebrated this annual event under the 'Next Level Wing Chun' banner.

As our class runs on a Sunday I propose to teach this weeks lesson with an hours emphasis on 'Street Applications of Wing Chun' and the 2nd hour on the skills of 'Chi Sau' or sticking hands, Wing Chun's unique sensitivity training exercise and the ideas behind the practice.

We can also discuss a mutually agreeable date to hold a social event out of class hours to enjoy a Chinese meal in a local restaurant to further celebrate the new year.

I look forward to seeing you all in class.

Sifu

New Venue

Our new second class venue, in Bury St Edmunds town centre, St Johns Church Hall, St Johns Street, BSE will now begin from Tuesday 2nd March 2010 - 7pm - 8.30pm (£7 a session or free for those paying £35 monthly tuition fees).
Unfortunately we had to delay the starting of this class due to Insurance documentaion not coming through in time.

I hope all members and friends had a good Christmas and New year and look forward to a progressive, action packed training year ahead in 2010.

See you all in class soon - first class of the new year is Sunday 10th January - 4 - 6pm at Moreton Hall Health Club, Mount Road, BSE

Sifu