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.

What do Bruce Lee and me have in common?

1. We are both very fast and good at Wing Chun.
2. "Lee" rhymes with "me."
3. We are both born in the year of the Dragon.  

As we celebrate the Chinese New Year at our Dojo Chattanooga party Saturday February 4th at 6:00 p.m. I would like to remind you that it is really a celebration of me.  Being the embodiment of the Dragon I am the personification of what to expect this year.

Day 1 of the Year of the Dragon -- I earned* my Green Sash.
*NOTE -- I really earned my Green Sash ages ago but Sifu is sometimes a bit slow in recognizing talent.

Day 2 of the Year of the Dragon -- I mowed the lawn.

Day 3 of the Year of the Dragon -- I opened my third cup cake store (Chattanooga Cup Cakes now in Cleveland!)

I will not bore you with the list of achievements, but I wanted you to know what is possible when you put your mind to it and you are me.

Happy New Year to all and I look forward to seeing you at the party Saturday and keep reading my blog for inspiration on how to follow in the footsteps of me, Howard Reagor, the Dragon.

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!"




 

It takes a village to raise a child -- and it takes a Dojo to create a master. I thought this would be a good time to give a well earned "thank you" to those who have helped me along my path to mastery. 

First, I would like to thank my senior kung-fu brothers.  Although only a couple of you have trained longer than me, without you I could not have learned from your mistakes and avoided the many pitfalls that kept you from becoming as skilled as me.

Second, I would like to thank my peers.  Although in skill I am without peer, if it was not for Fred and Dave I would not have a true measure of how much better I am for the time I have invested compared to the average student.  Thank you guys for letting me know I am exceptional.

Third, I would like to thank the junior students.  I am glad that my example of excellence continues to inspire you and realize that although you will likely never reach my level, in striving to be like me you can certainly surpass your other classmates.

Fourth, I would like to thank my Sifu.  Without Trevor, there would be no Dojo Chattanooga for me to showcase my talents.

Last, I would like to thank Tsui Sheung Ting.  It was early in my training that I noticed his mistakes in the First Set that I realized what I prodigy I truly was.

So this Thanksgiving Day I do not mow lawns, I do not bake cup cakes, but I reflect with a full heart how each of you has contributed to my kung-fu life.  

I would highly recommend that all Wing Chun students attend Sifu's stick fighting seminar.  With you armed with two weapons, it almost makes it an even sparring match against me empty handed.  Although much of the methods will be influenced by the Kenpo, there will also be some skills inspired by the Wing Chun art that I have mastered.  I will probably have to mow the lawn that day, but if not, I will try to drop in and help you learn the basics as well.  Every empty hand art is complimented by weapons training -- truly the icing on the cupcake!

All of these summer Super Hero movies has made me reflect on the super power Wing Chun has given me.  Granted, my results are not typical, but I thought sharing them would motivate my classmates.

Captain America* is strong and has a shield.  I do not rely on external strength (mind force would take the old Captain down!) and Bong Sau is the only shield I need.

Green Lantern* has a ring of power.  Now seriously, any guy relying on jewelry to defeat me I cannot even take serious!  Besides, I do not need CGI for people to feel my special effects!  His Green rear would be grass and I would be the lawn mower.

X-men* are all mutants with a variety of powers due to their genetic superiority.  I can identify with being genetically superior and gifted but I do not have to take orders from a bald guy in a wheelchair nor a refugee camp survivor who insists on wearing a funny looking helmet.  All minor leaguers compared to following the ways of internal powers of Ip Man -- like I have!

Thor* -- he is not even one of the major gods.  He is also willing to throw his weapon?  You kidding me!  He spends half of his screen time trying to be romantic, I would sell him and his girlfriend a Chattanooga Cup Cake and then chain punch him back to his daddy.

So wherever evil or misguided parking enforcement agents are -- beware!  You now face Howard, the new super hero in town.

* Please note that all references to superheros are owned by some company that was bought by some company to be eventually resold to another company for more money.

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.

I may have to break my two week absence (do not think I have lost my touch though!) and come to class today for formal friday.  I usually do not wear my sash because it is the wrong color. Sifu has this blue thing for me to wear when based upon my skill and superiority over my class mates I should be at least a red sash (well, I am being modest by not saying black sash even if it is true).  I should wear my blue sash more often though because then my classmates will underestimate my skill by thinking they are facing someone like Dave or Fred. I still need to wash my kung-fu top from the last time I wore it -- mowing the lawn.

Just a brief post today to say congrats to Chad and Juanita for getting their Purple Sash.  Keep in my though the real test is still ahead of you -- when I am back in class. Then we will see how you hold up against my Wing Chun power in Chi Sau.  I think you should do O.K. as long as you keep reading my blog to stay sharp.  I am hoping to be there Friday providing the world of Cupcakes and mowing lawns will let me stop in and teach a few lessons.