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.

It was good to be back in class tonight.  A little too much time away from my class and private lesson and the rust starts to settle in.  After about 15 minutes of Chi Sau, however, I pretty much got Sifu warmed back up to where he was before I was gone.  I wish my Junior Classmates could push him more so he would not have to worry his skills atrophying in my absence.  I would encourage each of you to remember that by stretching your own abilities a little more we can continue to add to the qualifications and skills of our Sifu. 

Sifu requires each of us to keep a Wing Chun training journal.  In fact, when you evaluate for a sash, he reviews the journal and makes his comments and corrections (does not apply to me) within those pages.  Sometimes I make entries even when I don't go to class.  Here is my last entry to help you along:

"8/1/11.  Opening day of new Chattanooga Cup Cakes location so too busy to make it to class.  Nelson's slight outward energy will go unpunished because I am not there to disengage his misdirected energy.  Michael's over raised traps and slightly forward leaning posture will not be exploited in my absence (though Michael will likely skip class just like me anyways...).  John Powell can relax that since I missed my delay in surpassing him to Black Sash is slightly delayed.  Jerry did not have to worry about getting a black eye because I am gone (though I am sure somebody else may take my place with that one.)  All in all, the guilt I feel in allowing my junior classmates to continue to flounder in their mistakes unpunished do to my absence is great -- but such is the demands of man in the Cup Cake business."

Relaxation and forward intention will make your Chi Sau as light as a feather.  This does not been you are weak but rather so soft and subtle your partner will feel like you are not even there.  This weak I demonstrated this principle with each of my classmates (and even my Sifu).  In fact, my touch was so light that I suspect most of my classmates would swear I was not even at class this week -- such is the mysterious power of Wing Chun!