Spring weather has arrived early in Chattanooga -- and not a moment too soon.  The Wing Chun system (pay attention to this part Nelson...) was named after a teenage girl Yim WIng Chun.  Yim is the family name, Wing Chun was her first name.  Translated (yes, I am also a linguist among my many talents) "Wing Chun" means "Beautiful Springtime."  It would be equivalent to a lady in western culture being named "April."  

A deeper meaning to this namesake of the system can be applied.  To properly load your forward intention in the back of your elbow (and not hammering down like Michael McConnell) it is useful to visualize your arm is like a loaded spring ready to go forward the moment an absence is detected.  This loading allows mind intent to animate your structure instead of contractive force.  This is one of the reasons I am able to maintain a constant superiority in Chi Sau over my peers.

However, the most profound implication of "Beautiful Springtime" refers to my secret (disclosed only through select writings in this blog) training method -- Lawn Mowing Kung-fu.  As the grass grows at rapid rates in the spring my opportunity to use this training method exponentially increases.  Below is a summary of my methods.

1. Apply final bending movement of Biu Jee form and unscrew gas cap. Finger training is also benefitted as you apply full bridging concept.  Make sure you turn counter-clockwse. Safety note -- Chad should put his hair in bun first or it could become entagled in the mower blade or other mechanisms.

2. Rise from bend and shift to your right (Chum Kiu Form training).  Apply Lap Sau (grabbing hand) to gas can.  Shift back to left (remember to use waist to initiate the action!) while casting arm in Lan Sau (bar arm) as the Lap Sau continues to hold gas can.  Transition to low bong sau (as applied in the Wooden Dummy Form) and pour gasoline from can into mower's gas tank. When complete return can up to Lan Sau and shift back and return can and release Lap Sau (letting go of can.)

3. Reapply step 1 but now turn the cap clockwise to secure it back into position.  (Note: Chad's hair should still be in a bun.)

4. Reach forward with right hand and grab (lap sau) the pull cord of mover.  Rapidly return hand to chambered position (as applied in the returning actions of Siu Nim Tau.)  If mower starts, proceed to step 5.  If not, repeat step 4 until mower starts.

5. This part of the training is the most critical to properly learn how to transfer the force of your body into your frame (bridge arms).  With good posture, tail bone tucked, knees gently relaxed, and anus slightly contracted, you will position both hands on the mower's horizontal handle bar and walk.*  The arms must stay casted!   Any collapse in frame trains improper structure.  You must also concentrate on not leaning forward on the mower.  No rush, walk slowly.  Of course, follow a straight line down the path of the lawn.  When reaching the end (having fully occupied that zone) you will reposition the mower and repeat until the entire lawn has been mowed.

Although many more details (perhaps in future blogs) exist in the methods and benefits of Lawn Mowing Kung-fu, I hope this will at least get you started in this specialized training method that has contributed to my greatness in Wing Chun Kung-fu.

"The grass may always be greener on the other side but you must still mow it all." 
Howard Reagor, Dojo's First Master.

* Power assisted mowers will reduce the benefits of this training exercise.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the school
All the students were training, accept one fool.
The bags were hung by the rafters with care,
In hopes that Howard soon would be there.

The students were nestled all snug in their stances,
While visions of chain punches in their head dances.
And Sifu in full uniform with black sash a flowing,
helps others be like Howard - kung fu all knowing.

When out on the lawn arose such a clatter,
the students sprang out to see what was the matter.
Off the mat and past the dummy they flew,
And out the back door they left as a crew.

The moon on the breast of the newly-laid gravel,
Gave order to mid-day like a judges gavel. 
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But Howard on a riding mower -- a John Deer!

With a hair challenged driver, so lively and skilled,
I knew in a moment, my kung fu was fulfilled.
More rapid then eagles his strikes finally came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

"Now Bong Sau! now, Wu!  now, Jut Sau and Huen!
On, Lap Sau! On, Jeet! on, on Tan Sau and Kuen!
To the bridge of the nose! to the side of the head!
Center line! Center line! Especially on Fred!

As dry leaves driven by a Stihl blower do fly,
Howard's flurry caused the students to cry.
So down the center line he did pursue,
with nothing his classmates could manage to do.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on Dave's chest,
the sound of a Howard palm coming to rest.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
the last thing I saw, was Dave falling to the ground.

Howard was dressed in all black, except for his sash,
Though outranked by some, not in this clash!
A bundle of skill he hid in those sleeves,
kung fu greatness Howard achieves.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his fist so merry!
His punches made their noses as red as a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
To trash talk, insult, and generally crow.

The last bite of cupcake he held tight in his teeth,
As the lawnmower's smoke encircled him in a wreath.
He had a bald head and the sweat made him smelly,
But his power turned their structure completely into jelly!

He could run vast distances, though not very fast,
Nathan laughed when he saw him, and now wears a cast!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know, I was soon to be dead.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to work.
He countered every strike, and then went berserk.
After twenty punches landing to my nose,
I forgot my Wing Chun and simply froze!

He sprang to his mower, and put it in gear,
His classmates he left, inspiring fear.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Someday like me, you might learn to fight!"




 

Rumor has it (I have not been to class, but I still hear the buzz around town) that Sifu is very excited about his new book by Chu Shong Tin (Tsui Sheung Ting).  After last Monday's lesson with me I can understand him reaching out looking for a new edge.  I am a little concerned that Sifu did not have proof this translation first because as many of you may remember it was me who noticed a couple of errors by Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin when watching the DVD.  I do think Grandmaster's outfit is pretty cool though -- I hope he wears it to Formal Fridays sometime. I have provided a few translations of Wing Chun terms of my own to help everyone out:

"Woo Sau"  -- Some call this guarding hand but I think they pronounce it wrong.  It is not Woo (Wu) but should be "Woah Hand" because that is the sound my parnter makes whenever I use it.

"Bong Sau" -- Some call it Wing Hand.  Another miss translation and mis-pronounciation.  I call it "Bonk Sau" because I collapse my parter's structure and "bonk" them at will.

"Lan Sau" I agree with the pronunciation but not the spelling.
"Lawn Sau" spelling encourages the accurate pronunciation while revealing an important Wing Chun Secret -- that the arm should be like the bar of the handle of a lawn mower.

Keep training and my regards to Sifu and Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin for their efforts.

Your feet should be shoulder width apart. Center dropped but not forced.  Imagine standing behind your lawn mower and that is the right stance.  Now when you step, imagine pushing your lawn mower.  If you can master pushing the lawn mower (arms stay fixed, it is your center that moves the mower!) then you have attained the first level of stance and footwork understanding.  Of course, when facing a master like me, your stance may crumble at first.  Do not be discouraged because I too experienced this my first two classes.