I will do my best to explain this in my view of Teaching, learning and understanding Wing Chun.
The "transliteration", or how the names are spelled using Roman letters i.e. A, B, C - doesn't matter since they're all written the same in Chinese itself.
The different spelling is a result of dialect, accent, and history. People, usually Westerners, wrote what they heard i.e. Peking instead of Beijing. And what they heard differed based on what part of China their sifu came from.
Even up to 50 years ago there was no accepted "transliteration" from Chinese into Roman letters - Romanization. Today, however, Pinyin is the standard accepted transliteration method used.
Yet a problem still exists for many Westerners. Pinyin is used to transliterate the standard Mandarin dialect - known as PuTongHua. In the West, Kung Fu words didn't come from Mandarin speakers. Rather they came from other dialects such as Cantonese, Fujianese, and others.
So if you get confused by all the different spellings and pronunciations and want to get it straight … all you have to do is learn to read Chinese or better yet learn calligraphy)
Remember that much like the system of Wing Chun the Chinese written language uses Characters, the meaning of the character can change with a slight but simple stroke intended or not.
The names may sound the same, but how they’re executed, such as the angle, direction and complete movement will change the meaning of a familuar block, strike, kick etc. Example, Jum sau In Sil Lum tao it is simple to see and be done, but as you advance to more complex movements and combinations, what looks like Jum sau now is called something else. Why? you may ask well......this is where it all gets a bit sticky (no pun intended) from my research, alot of it is a mix of dilect differences, how the movement is done, and above all the idea behind the movement. Idea you ask?, meaning.... that what we call Tan sau for example is only an idea of the movement none specific to a certain strike. Another example of this would be a Tae kwon do outer forarm block, what does this tell you? automatically you think the block is used for an out side attack with the forarm, now to cover an inside attack another name has to be given inner forarm block once again depicting that you must use a different tool for a strike to a different area the list goes on, in contrast sticking with Tan sau this cover (in my Linage of Wing Chun we call it a cover not a block) covers both areas but is not limited, the tool of Tan sau can be used in many ways without using different names. Whats the idea behind it? it all goes back to Wing Chun principles, concepts and ideas.
This does not mean that the blocks of Tae Kwon Do or other arts using this method cannot be used for something other than it's name, but in my opinion it limits thought process and cognative expansion.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Post workout Recovery
You've just finished another Denver Wing Chun gruelling workout.
Now what?
If you’re like most, you’re going to stagger into the change-room change out,get in your car and grab a quick burger, pizza, or some quick fix.
When it comes to getting fit/healthy/buff/ripped/sexy/etc, your workouts are only half the equation.
The other half of the equation is Workout Recovery and what you eat.
And because I love you guys so darn much, here are my top Post-Workout Recovery Techniques.
.
* Post-Workout Carb/Protein Shake
* Hot/Cold Contrast Showers
* Fish Oils
* Meditation / Sleep
* Epsom Salt Baths
* Ice
* Massage
* TENS
* Chiropractic / Acupuncture
* Traumeel
* Yoga
* Magnesium glycinate
.
Post-Workout Carb/Protein Shake
I have talked about this technique before. Simply put, it’s a no-brainer.
Post workout and your muscles are screaming for nutrients.
Ignore that message and your workout recovery goes into slo-mo.
Heed the message and the repair goes into overdrive.
More info here.
Hot/Cold Contrast Showers
Alternate between 30 seconds of cold water and two minutes of hot water. Perform this shrinkage inducing protocol three or four times.
While most of the claims about this recovery technique are anecdotal, there is some research showing that alternating hot/cold showers post-exercise is effective in lowering both heart rate and the levels of lactate in your blood.
Anecdotally, contrast showers have been said to improve athletic recovery via increased blood flow and possible nutrient and waste product elimination (lactate). There may also be a psychological benefit and an increased feeling of alertness and fatigue reduction.
In my personal experience, contrast showers help reduce my post-workout DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) as well as perk me up for the rest of my day.
Fish Oils
Your workouts cause inflammation.
Localized inflammation in joints and muscles. Systemic inflammation throughout your body.
Fish oils are a great, natural, anti-inflammatory.
Add some to your post-workout shake. If you already have issues with chronic inflammation, you may want to consider adding some Turmeric/Curcumin or Zyflamend into the mix.
Meditation / Sleep
High intensity workouts can be tough on the CNS (central nervous system)
And while there are lots of supplements (natural adaptogens & pharmaceutical agents) out there that claim to help repair & restore the CNS, I don’t feel comfortable recommending any of them.
However, I am willing to push meditation & sleep as the two best CNS treatments ever invented.
Sleep – You probably don’t sleep enough already. Add in a tough workout routine and you’re looking for trouble. Get your 7-8 hrs.
Meditation – There are lots of ways to meditate. There are crunchy-granola yoga meditative techniques. There are medical based mindfulness meditation programs. Praying is a form of meditation. There are even mp3s you can buy that claim to help sync your brainwaves into the pattern best suited for meditation. But the simplest method may be to just sit or lie down, put your hands on your belly and focus as your breath flows in and out.
Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom Salts (magnesium sulfate) are another anti-inflammatory agent.
When added to a nice hot bath, they are absorbed through the skin and helps reduce muscular pain and general “achiness”. It also helps increase your levels of magnesium and may help reduce water retention.
Ice Massage
The benefits of ice massage are questionable at best. But, I know a lot of athletes who swear by it, so I figured it best to include it in this review.
Most of the pro-Ice Massage evidence is anecdotal. The main claim is that ice massage is an effective method for reducing localized inflammation and reducing the symptoms of DOMS.
However, the clinical research doesn't agree. In fact, some researchers feel that ice massage should be contraindicated when it comes to preventing post-exercise DOMS.
So, I leave the decision up to you.
Personally, I will skip the post-workout ice massage. If you need more info, click here.
Therapeutic Massage
There are many different types of massage.
Medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief, reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and temporarily reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety.
Plus, it just feels gooooood.
Get a massage every month or so. Your body will thank you.
TENS
TENS is a non-invasive, medically tested, safe nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic.
It’s also the subject of cheesy late night infomercials.
And that’s too bad. Because, in my experience, TENS is a great little tool for reducing muscular pain.
I bought a unit two years ago after a car accident screwed up my neck, back, shoulder & knee. It wasn’t my only treatment modality, but it was convenient, effective and relatively cheap.
For post-workout pain, a TENS unit is probably overkill. But, for those older trainees who have a few chronic aches and pains, a TENS unit might be worth it’s weight in gold.
Acupuncture/ herbology
I group these two treatment modalities together. I don’t get one without the other.
I go two days a week or what ver is needed if I have injured myself.
45 minutes later and I am a new man.
Hebs with this is also a great combo, it helps supplement the treatment and recovery.
Traumeel
Traumeel is a homeopathic anti-inflammatory.
And, according to researchers, it works better than NSAIDS at reducing chronic inflammatory conditions as well as systemic inflammation caused by exercise.
Plus, you get none of the unpleasant side-effects associated with NSAIDS.
Magnesium glycinate
Workout can cause oxygen deprivation to their tissues, Oxygen deprivation can lead to muscle pain and tenderness as well as fatigue. Mag Glycinate helps with the oxygenation to the muscles allowing faster recovery. (Caution to much may cause diarrhea)
Yoga
* Increased circulation, which supports health in myriad ways
* Increased lubrication of joints and connective tissue
* Increased breath capacity
* Detoxification
* Balanced strength and flexibility
Yes, there’s a difference between just stretching and doing yoga. Simply stretching is often something people do without really knowing how to use breath or awareness to make the stretch more effective. Though yoga includes stretches within it, it’s a much more potent practice that can really affect the way you feel.
Well, there you go. There’s my list of Post Workout Recovery Techniques.
I hope this helps!
Sifu Joel
Now what?
If you’re like most, you’re going to stagger into the change-room change out,get in your car and grab a quick burger, pizza, or some quick fix.
When it comes to getting fit/healthy/buff/ripped/sexy/etc, your workouts are only half the equation.
The other half of the equation is Workout Recovery and what you eat.
And because I love you guys so darn much, here are my top Post-Workout Recovery Techniques.
.
* Post-Workout Carb/Protein Shake
* Hot/Cold Contrast Showers
* Fish Oils
* Meditation / Sleep
* Epsom Salt Baths
* Ice
* Massage
* TENS
* Chiropractic / Acupuncture
* Traumeel
* Yoga
* Magnesium glycinate
.
Post-Workout Carb/Protein Shake
I have talked about this technique before. Simply put, it’s a no-brainer.
Post workout and your muscles are screaming for nutrients.
Ignore that message and your workout recovery goes into slo-mo.
Heed the message and the repair goes into overdrive.
More info here.
Hot/Cold Contrast Showers
Alternate between 30 seconds of cold water and two minutes of hot water. Perform this shrinkage inducing protocol three or four times.
While most of the claims about this recovery technique are anecdotal, there is some research showing that alternating hot/cold showers post-exercise is effective in lowering both heart rate and the levels of lactate in your blood.
Anecdotally, contrast showers have been said to improve athletic recovery via increased blood flow and possible nutrient and waste product elimination (lactate). There may also be a psychological benefit and an increased feeling of alertness and fatigue reduction.
In my personal experience, contrast showers help reduce my post-workout DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) as well as perk me up for the rest of my day.
Fish Oils
Your workouts cause inflammation.
Localized inflammation in joints and muscles. Systemic inflammation throughout your body.
Fish oils are a great, natural, anti-inflammatory.
Add some to your post-workout shake. If you already have issues with chronic inflammation, you may want to consider adding some Turmeric/Curcumin or Zyflamend into the mix.
Meditation / Sleep
High intensity workouts can be tough on the CNS (central nervous system)
And while there are lots of supplements (natural adaptogens & pharmaceutical agents) out there that claim to help repair & restore the CNS, I don’t feel comfortable recommending any of them.
However, I am willing to push meditation & sleep as the two best CNS treatments ever invented.
Sleep – You probably don’t sleep enough already. Add in a tough workout routine and you’re looking for trouble. Get your 7-8 hrs.
Meditation – There are lots of ways to meditate. There are crunchy-granola yoga meditative techniques. There are medical based mindfulness meditation programs. Praying is a form of meditation. There are even mp3s you can buy that claim to help sync your brainwaves into the pattern best suited for meditation. But the simplest method may be to just sit or lie down, put your hands on your belly and focus as your breath flows in and out.
Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom Salts (magnesium sulfate) are another anti-inflammatory agent.
When added to a nice hot bath, they are absorbed through the skin and helps reduce muscular pain and general “achiness”. It also helps increase your levels of magnesium and may help reduce water retention.
Ice Massage
The benefits of ice massage are questionable at best. But, I know a lot of athletes who swear by it, so I figured it best to include it in this review.
Most of the pro-Ice Massage evidence is anecdotal. The main claim is that ice massage is an effective method for reducing localized inflammation and reducing the symptoms of DOMS.
However, the clinical research doesn't agree. In fact, some researchers feel that ice massage should be contraindicated when it comes to preventing post-exercise DOMS.
So, I leave the decision up to you.
Personally, I will skip the post-workout ice massage. If you need more info, click here.
Therapeutic Massage
There are many different types of massage.
Medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief, reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and temporarily reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety.
Plus, it just feels gooooood.
Get a massage every month or so. Your body will thank you.
TENS
TENS is a non-invasive, medically tested, safe nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic.
It’s also the subject of cheesy late night infomercials.
And that’s too bad. Because, in my experience, TENS is a great little tool for reducing muscular pain.
I bought a unit two years ago after a car accident screwed up my neck, back, shoulder & knee. It wasn’t my only treatment modality, but it was convenient, effective and relatively cheap.
For post-workout pain, a TENS unit is probably overkill. But, for those older trainees who have a few chronic aches and pains, a TENS unit might be worth it’s weight in gold.
Acupuncture/ herbology
I group these two treatment modalities together. I don’t get one without the other.
I go two days a week or what ver is needed if I have injured myself.
45 minutes later and I am a new man.
Hebs with this is also a great combo, it helps supplement the treatment and recovery.
Traumeel
Traumeel is a homeopathic anti-inflammatory.
And, according to researchers, it works better than NSAIDS at reducing chronic inflammatory conditions as well as systemic inflammation caused by exercise.
Plus, you get none of the unpleasant side-effects associated with NSAIDS.
Magnesium glycinate
Workout can cause oxygen deprivation to their tissues, Oxygen deprivation can lead to muscle pain and tenderness as well as fatigue. Mag Glycinate helps with the oxygenation to the muscles allowing faster recovery. (Caution to much may cause diarrhea)
Yoga
* Increased circulation, which supports health in myriad ways
* Increased lubrication of joints and connective tissue
* Increased breath capacity
* Detoxification
* Balanced strength and flexibility
Yes, there’s a difference between just stretching and doing yoga. Simply stretching is often something people do without really knowing how to use breath or awareness to make the stretch more effective. Though yoga includes stretches within it, it’s a much more potent practice that can really affect the way you feel.
Well, there you go. There’s my list of Post Workout Recovery Techniques.
I hope this helps!
Sifu Joel
Friday, January 28, 2011
An Artical from Sifu Allen Lee
About Wing Chun Kung Fu
Generally, everyone knows learning a martial art helps to improve your physical fitness, develop discipline and gain knowledge of self-defense. However, the main purpose of practicing Wing Chun is to learn practical combat applications for use in dangerous situations.
We must always expect our opponent to have advantages over us, such as size, speed, and power. By using the practical and effective method of Wing Chun we can overcome the adversary.
Wing Chun Kung Fu, a branch of Siu Lum (Shaolin) Kung Fu, is a style that emphasizes economy of movement and combines the practical applications of using both defense and offense simultaneously.
While Wing Chun offers practitioners practical combat skills, the true essence of the style is to develop your character, discipline and dedication to stand firm in all situations. It teaches you how to accept, analyze and understand other ideas and philosophies.
One style of martial arts is not better than another. The most important thing is to gain the skill and proficiency of the style. It all depends on how the instructor guides you through the system and how you adapt the style to fit you.
In a nutshell, all martial artists agree that (1) confidence, (2) power and (3) technique are the three pillars of all martial arts. Our school has all the training to develop these three elements along with many others. Without training in this manner you will never realize the potential of any Kung Fu system.
Learning how to fight is easy; however conquering your fear is difficult. Hitting the opponent is easy, but learning to hit without exchanging blows is hard.
I thought this was a great way to summarize what we all hope to learn from our training.
Generally, everyone knows learning a martial art helps to improve your physical fitness, develop discipline and gain knowledge of self-defense. However, the main purpose of practicing Wing Chun is to learn practical combat applications for use in dangerous situations.
We must always expect our opponent to have advantages over us, such as size, speed, and power. By using the practical and effective method of Wing Chun we can overcome the adversary.
Wing Chun Kung Fu, a branch of Siu Lum (Shaolin) Kung Fu, is a style that emphasizes economy of movement and combines the practical applications of using both defense and offense simultaneously.
While Wing Chun offers practitioners practical combat skills, the true essence of the style is to develop your character, discipline and dedication to stand firm in all situations. It teaches you how to accept, analyze and understand other ideas and philosophies.
One style of martial arts is not better than another. The most important thing is to gain the skill and proficiency of the style. It all depends on how the instructor guides you through the system and how you adapt the style to fit you.
In a nutshell, all martial artists agree that (1) confidence, (2) power and (3) technique are the three pillars of all martial arts. Our school has all the training to develop these three elements along with many others. Without training in this manner you will never realize the potential of any Kung Fu system.
Learning how to fight is easy; however conquering your fear is difficult. Hitting the opponent is easy, but learning to hit without exchanging blows is hard.
I thought this was a great way to summarize what we all hope to learn from our training.
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