Developing an Open Minded Training Mentality

Pictured: Bruce Lee in 'Enter the Dragon' Pak Sau scene


In 2011 I have decided to adopt an even more open minded, dynamic approach to my personal training and teaching within the 'Next Level Academy'.
I am in agreement with the modern martial thinking that cross training is nigh essential if you wish to become a fully accomplished martial artist and worthy of teaching an effective method.
There are still in my opinion too many with the traditionalist mindset that choose to stay nicely within their bubble and not risk getting their feet wet by even trying other arts or looking at alternative perspectives to modern day combat methods.
Although my main passion will always be Wing Chun Kung Fu and I do see it as a complete system that amply covers many potential street situations of danger to us, I have discovered first hand in recent years by dropping any ego and fanciful ideas that Chi Sau will miraculously save us from a violent encounter, that by cross training it enhances our base skill set and keeps us in a beginners perspective, eager to continue our studies and further our skills.

This coming year I will be returning to cross train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to broaden my knowledge of grappling and fighting from the ground as well as stepping back into the realm of Muay Thai classes for fitness conditioning and fight training and even trying out some Jeet Kune Do classes and seminars as they more than anyone are open minded to varied ideas and methods of close quarter combat...

In my classes in 2011 I am planning to break the common Wing Chun traditions found in many schools and aim to cover and teach ALL aspects of the Wing Chun system including Wooden Dummy (pictured above) - Long Pole (right performed by Ng Wah Sum) and Butterfly knives (below) to all levels - opening up the teaching and making these so called 'advanced' areas available so that students can appreciate a full flavour of what Wing Chun has to offer!!

Some will gain much from this attitude, others not so much but at least you will have had the opportunity to see how the system fits together like a puzzle and then choose for yourselves if cross training may enhance some areas of practice as I feel it has done to mine or whether you remain loyal to Wing Chun - its your choice, best to make an informed choice once you better understand what the options are.

I will also be teaching various empty hand energy flow drills to improve speed, reaction time and co-ordination learnt over my 15 years experience that I had put to the back of my mind but now see as potentially very beneficial to you as students and myself as a teacher.

On top of this we have visiting Instructors from various Wing Chun lineages coming to our club in Bury St Edmunds to hold workshops/seminars on their methods to help us better understand the diversity available in training our art...more details to follow...

Have a great Christmas and New Year and be prepared for a hectic, fun and dynamic training year ahead!!


''If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them''.
Bruce Lee