Glad to Be Back
Column by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong
INSIDE KUNG-FU MAGAZINE
March 2000 Issue
Several years ago, I reluctantly put aside writing my training For
Life column because of requests from students and martial artists who
wanted me to take the time to build my Plum Blossom Federation
throughout the world. I found myself traveling almost every month
throughout the United States, Europe and other locations.
Although I am still traveling a lot when I'm not on the road I teach
three hours of Choy Li Fut and Yang Tai Chi every weekday morning for
the San Francisco City College. This is a large class with over 100
people coming each day since 1974. After lunch I practice acupuncture in
my two acupuncture studios three days a week in San Francisco and two
days in Sausalito, Ca. I personally teach three Tai Chi classes each
week at the San Francisco and Sausalito schools. On weekends I am
interning and practicing the Chinese art of Feng Shui with my Feng Shui
master.
Plum Blossom Federation Choy Li Fut and Tai Chi schools around the world
are now located in Tahiti, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Holland, Spain
and Poland, with a new group starting in Hungary. Each country has
different branches located throughout that country. In Spain alone there
are 20 different schools. Poland now has over 12 schools.
Now those same people who called on me to train them and help them open
schools across the globe are requesting that I provide them with
training information through my training For Life column.
It is with great pleasure that I resume my association with Inside Kung
Fu magazine to provide as much information to martial artists in the
United States and throughout the world. I will try my best to share my
own knowledge and experience with you.
Let me start this month with three basic but very important pointers for
success in your martial arts training.
Practice your martial art persistently.
Never stop training. Your training is for yourself to keep in good physical shape and maintain
your ability and martial arts standards. Remember, if you are a teacher
you are the one to set examples for your students and their students.
Whatever martial art you start with, learn it well before you start
something else, Give whatever you are studying your full attention until
you are proficient at it. Think of this as similar to planting a tree
that you want to bear good fruit. Nourish that one tree until it grows
to maturity and produces your fruit. If you plant too many trees
together with clutter none grow right.
It's the same with your martial art studies. If you start learning
another martial art, without fully understanding and being proficient in
your first art, you won't be good at either.
Stay humble. Remember, you may think you are good but there's always
someone better than you. If you flaunt your ability that person can
easily haunt you when you least expect it.
My teacher, Hu Yuen Chou always said, "Take note from the upper rank,
compare notes with the same level, and help the lower rank
people only if they ask for help."
This means that you should treat your martial art elders with respect
for their years of study and their ability. Those on your own level are
also treated with respect, by considering their ability the same as
yours. Students of lower rank or training deserve respect and
consideration, in that you always help them when they ask for help
not just if you want to make yourself feel important.
If you start with these basics you can't go wrong with your studies.
Your practice advances your physical condition and ability: Your focus
on whatever you are studying insures you will understand and be
proficient at your art. Your humble attitude guarantees others will
happily share their knowledge with you.
Doc-Fai Wong writes a bi-monthly column for Inside Kung-Fu.
March 2000 Inside Kung-Fu