Stages of training

[Tholf]

A few questions for members who have been training in HG for a long time:

(a) how would you describe the stages in your HG (and general MA) learning over the years;
(b) what would you do differently if you had that time again; and
(c) what path would you recommend to people in general?

So far in my HG training I've focused on learning new forms and drilling ones already learned, with cross training in boxing and tai chi chi sao. I'm now coming towards the end of the "learning new forms" phase (as there aren't that many left in my school) and thinking about how to adjust my approach to training going forward. I've got some ideas (eg revisiting and re-exploring the "old" forms, drilling those techniques that need improving, focusing more on applying the shapes in forms to sparring situations) and have been discussing this with my sifu. However, I'd be interested in all your experience and views on this as well.

[Asmo]

Don't know whether I should reply at all as I've only been training a few years in HG, but who knows

Last form I learned was Fu Hok which I ended in January last year. Since then no new forms but I've especially been working on improving my structure, methods, etc.
Once the focus is away from practicing forms until they flow naturally without thinking of the moves it becomes much easier for me to dive into the depth rather then the number of forms/techniques.

As was clearly visible in the vid I put online last year I was lacking structure. I've been making a few discoveries about balancing the body while performing techniques, triangles in the bodies structure and how multiples of them work together to maximize force in the technique, breathing (multiple breath outs with fast series of techniques, but also taoist breathing with techniques for added rootness for example), learning to relax muscles not necessary for the technique performed ('hanging' in the stance, only tense ping choi on impact, etc), how to overcome your opponent with the use of triangles and other theories (centerline, etc) etc. etc., theres no end >:)

I think exploring and refining these never ends in our lifetime, and to be honest I have great pleasure discovering new little things that have great influence in the final technique.

Hope to meet up with you in HK!!!! Maybe we should simply take your mobile number with us and discuss some days, we will be packing our days absolute to the top as we don't have that much extra days to visit HK aside for the trip with our dai-sigung.

[PM]

hello Tholf,

i hope we can discuss this and similar topics when i am in HK (i am arriving 22nd of February, and stay for 6 weeks) , but briefly, sneak preview :

a) before - learning of new stuff and practicing it over and over, now practising few selected things and drilling it over and over

b) i would do more pads/focus mitts drills in the past. i was always working with heavy bag a lot, but hitting the pads/mitts is a great help to the development of the hitting power, bodywork, footwork, timing, distance etc. i would also practice less some of the weapons sets and concentrate on others.

c) do not learn so many sets, gjffk and fhsyk (ok, syk) are more than enough. do not learn many weapons, strive for the most important ones. practice drills form the sets, preferably hitting/kicking something - heavy bag, pads, focus mitts. conditioning! - the key to succes. do your stance work regularly, stretching, saam sing, condition your shins. use dit da jau! train your internal work (noi gung). practice application drills- first many different, later just selected few ones. train with as many sparring partners as possible. train with boxers, taijiquan ppl, grapplers etc. but do not box/do taiji/grapple/etc., use other systems to help you to understand your own stuff. crosstrain and put your stuff to test any time possible. 99 times you got hit, but the 100th time you wil succeed and it will open you the dooor to other dimension. do not fall in the "movie gf trap" or "sport sparring trap".

hope it helps!

[Fat Cat]

A great post PM.