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 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 know I have not written in a long time.  The truth the matter is I have had no new comments because every class has been the same basic experience:  My superior skill collapsing the structure of my less capable classmates.  Finally I have a partner who has the structure to match my power and thus the boredom of my superiority has been lifted! The wooden dummy is a great training partner I am so glad to finally be learning the set.  I am a little disappointed that its forward intention is not as good as mine, but at least we have the same cool haircut.

Sil Lim Tao, the first set in Wing Chun, translated means "Little Idea."  Some think this is because it gives you a little idea of what Wing Chun is about -- a small sampler of the moves.  Sifu Trevor teaches that the "idea" is mind intention and that the goal of Sil Lim Tao is to link mind intent with your structure so that when you move it is always with intent.  This is not wrong, but I want to expand this concept to how I have trained in "Little Idea" form.  Although I attend Wing Chun class only once a week or so, I have far exceeded my classmates because of the following principle:  Away from class I am always thinking about Wing Chun!  I keep this little idea in my head from the moment I wake, on my drive to work, when I frost a Chattanooga Cup Cake (2nd Location in E. Brainerd Opening in August!), and of course when I am mowing the lawn.  This is why the form is really called little idea because you can come to class just a little and if you keep the idea in your head all day you can achieve mastery, like me.