I'm a Fighter Not a Lover...

Most say they take karate/BJJ/kung fu/thai boxing so that they learn how to fight. In other words, person A takes karate so that he can fight. What about person B who wants to defend himself?
1) Should he learn how to fight or 2) Should he learn self-defense? The answer is 2.

It has to be realized that self-defense and fighting are two very different beasts. In essence, fighting is all about "being there" while self-defense all about getting "out of there". Because the purposes are different, the perspectives, training and mindset are also different. Many confuse the two as the same, and that is a huge mistake.

Self-defense is not about whether you punch with the first two knuckles or the last three knuckles and fighting is not about running away from an aggressor. Fighting is not a true measure of self-defense, and neither is self-defense a measure of a good fighter.

It's interesting to note that once this is distinguished, the battle between MMA vs. WT (or substitute with any martial art of your choice) takes a very different turn. Neither is superior over the other.

Think about it.

Seminar Part 2

Well last Wednesday we had part 2 of the first 2008 WT seminar. It was another exhausting evening, with the first part of the seminar focusing on repeating certain sections of the chum kiu over and over again. You sure see a wide range of performance even within the same grades. This is expected - some just get it, while others are still on their search.

For the second part of the seminar, I was fortunate enough to be called on for some blind folded chi-sao. My partner was Steve - a personal fitness trainer - who's working on his 1st technician grade. For those of you who say you can't/shouldn't combine weight training and WT, well I would recommend you take a look at Steve (as well Emin Boztepe for that matter...) and reexamine your opinion (you lazy ass).

2 things I came away with from this chi-sao exercise.

1. The attitude of your partner is extremely important in making this drill exciting, encouraging, competitive, yet friendly and mutual
2. So much is "lost" under the stress of not being able to see. Sure you know where your partner's arms may be, but you don't know where you are, what you might trip over, what hits you, etc. All these factors collectively contribute as stressors, over stimulating your senses and distracting your brain from "good Wing Tsun". The result? What shines (actions that you can perform well) under this situation is what you REALLY know.
   

So after all this, what do I know? I know that chain punches are my best friend...and that I need to work harder. It's definitely a good diagnostic test. I highly recommend it. But make sure you have a good partner. If s/he's just killing you all the time, or not giving you the opportunity to return the favour, what good is your time spent with that person? The drill is simply that - a drill and a drill for both partners. Why waste your time with such a selfish partner? You know who I'm talking about - THAT guy who won't take hits and/or let you perform the drill.

Also keep in mind that chi sao is not a measure of fighting skill, much like how the ability to hold one's breath is not a measure of one's swimming ability.

I'd highly recommend you give blind folded chi-sao a go.