Round up of 2015 and Christmas/New Year Classes

So, the training year for our club is coming to a close in the next few weeks so I thought I'd write a quick post to recap the year, give you the Christmas and New Year class times and a reminder of what's to come in 2016.

2015 started on a really positive note with my approach to Philipp Bayer and his UK based students with the intention of joining forces with their organisation.

Unfortunately this never came about due to logistical reasons mainly but they say things happen for a reason and it certainly fired me up to look around for further inspiration to develop our current Wing Chun/Ving Tsun training base.

In April I returned for a few months to cross training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Carlson Gracie Essex and absolutely loved it, hard genuine training which pushes you to the limit and beyond but I found even with a fairly comprehensive level of fitness which stood me in good stead against the monsters on the mats, I was picking up injuries almost every session even by being sensible and tapping out when I had to (the CGBJJ group don't hold back I can tell you!)

This was beginning to adversely affect my Wing Chun so I took the choice to stop cross training and start to look at the root cause of what led me there again in the first place...which was I needed to be accountable for my training and be pushed for my own development, taken out of my comfort zone..

Fast forward to October and I wrote a email to Ernie Barrios of Applied Body Mechanics Ving Tsun enquiring into the method they train and how to go about learning more, I explained I wanted to be accountable and pushed but mainly that I had begun to reach a saturation point in my own training and coaching and with my group in mind wanted to provide them with a good chance of realising their full potential in their own training via a legitimate group that are getting results without the political infighting and squabbling.

I knew Jason Gowan from previous Wing Chun connections and so I hooked up with him at a training session in Sutton the two weeks after followed by our clubs ABMVT Discovery Day which is documented in my previous post.

I cannot tell you what an impact this decision has had in transforming the way I look at, train and coach VT already, but its clear to see improvement literally across the board in all students within the first month, moving better, hitting harder and recovering sharply in balance after barely scratching the surface of the Module 1 content. The support from all the coaches and Ernie has been outstanding and i've almost been in contact with him and/or Jason on a daily basis since approaching them.

2016 is shaping up already to be a cracking year of self development and VT skills training,

Ernie Barrios is due to come over to the UK from California the first weekend of June to hold a weekend ABMVT Training Camp in either Manchester or Salisbury that I would like as many of you to attend and experience as possible, 6 months notice should be enough time to save money, book babysitters, get a weekend off work, divorce your wife (joke) etc to make the most of this opportunity as well as Jason and one or two of his crew coming to us in Bury St Edmunds to take a session Feb/March time and I am arranging to hook up with Adam Gerken (ABMVT Salisbury coach) to go through some of the training cycles and method hopefully in January and I'm sure there will be more to add to this list in due course throughout the year as well as myself getting down to train in London as often as I can.

ABMVT is not trying to reinvent the wheel with its approach to Ving Tsun/Wing Chun, it is a perfect blend of traditional concepts being developed by modern training methods with a results based focus.

All the tools are there to be learnt and worked from the forms and drills to dummy, pole and blades with an key emphasis on individual body mechanics, hand skills and mobility, the engine driving it is pure WSLVT (Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun Kuen Hok) - simple, direct and efficient science of VT.

Lastly...

Our Ving Tsun sessions in Bury St Edmunds finish on Sunday 20th December and the last Sudbury session is Monday 21st December.

I may be available for private tuition over the Christmas period should anyone want a lesson, please message me directly.

Classes resume from Monday 4th January and Wednesday 6th (Sudbury) and Sunday 10th January 2016 in Bury St Edmunds.

Our Christmas end of year meal is this coming Sunday 13th December 6.30pm at Full House Chinese Buffet BSE, from 6.30pm onwards..so far we have 12 attending with space for more if you want to join us last minute and fill yer boots ;)

I would like to thank all students/friends for their continued training, support and attendance this year and I cant wait to get 2016 up and running! Not to be missed!!!

Happy Christmas and heres to a busy training year ahead - Coach Paul Blissett

Quick write up on our ABMVT Discovery Camp

On Saturday 14th November 2015 - six of our group including myself travelled to the ABMVT London HQ in Sutton for our "Next Level Wing Chun - ABMVT Discovery Camp" - a 5 hour basic look into their training approach and modules/training cycles to give us a chance to see how they train their method in comparison to how we are are used to training and learn how and why it is different.

Although the journey there was a long 4 and a half hour trip via bus replacements and trains we all arrived ready to absorb as much as we could and were not disappointed.

We began with a brief full body warm up, mainly targeting the core and legs as these are used with a greater emphasis in every way than most Wing Chun/Ving Tsun I've experienced in the past.

The first element which was explored and coached was, as any VT class, the stance and guard but the way this is individual to each of us and tested through a series of checks highlighted instantly a difference from a more traditional set up to one which follows pure science and body physiology and full explanations were provided to back this up and then tested so we could feel that science wasn't simply "opinion" but proven fact.

Punch mechanics and power release using references to the kinetic chain and muscle irradiation were then covered and again tested (a painful, shocking but necessary test) utilising a "zipping up" body connection to absorb a powerful strike as well as deliver one.

This fed in nicely to Siu Lim Tau (Little/young idea) form again individualised with personal leverage lines with checks/balances with a partner to assess if we were using the correct "body mechanics" for ourselves while training the form actions. 

Dan Chi (single stick) was then the focus with the ABMVT method of training this area of the foundation (Module 1) which followed naturally what we had been introduced to in SLT - terms such as scissor/spiral/shield/sink/send are used and less Chinese terms making it immediately more accessible to anyone not up to par on their Cantonese.

Footwork drills followed to fire up the engine and work the legs, short fast, balanced steps and use of the upper body frame being delivered (in a similar vein to Laan Sau/Barring arm) to move the body as one unit whether advancing or retreating without upper body force being applied

Following a five minute water break we then had a comprehensive introduction to a basic focus mitt flow and how to lead and feed the mitts (or hands) to develop mobility/timing and balance/leverage/targeting/recycling or recovery while in motion starting with the basic step hit and one/two using a full body geometric triangle and light fast footwork to deliver the hits and recycle back to a safe distance - there is a much stronger partner training relationship being fostered in this method throughout all the training cycles and especially in the mitt work with both parties working equally towards the goal of improvement, much in the same way a boxer and his coach would operate in the lead up to a fight. The mitt work is also setting us up with the tools, footwork and mindset required for controlled, progressive isolated sparring which is introduced in module 1 and built upon and developed as we progress through the modules.

Lastly we had a brief insight into the way they (now we) train their Laap Sau and Chi Sau/Poon Sau which are referred to as CPT or Connected Partner Training - these are simply used as pure attribute development and not the endless tying and trapping, jamming and subduing, chasing hand focus, fighting Chi Sau vs Chi Sau unrealistic lines of attack that are normally par for the course in most WC/VT sessions

Overall a very insightful day and a pleasure to see everyone measurably improve within the first 2 hours, all moving better, hitting harder and more accurate, recovering position quicker even without barely scratching the surface of this method. I can really feel how the ABMVT methods bring your VT to life from day one and already I feel the difference and realism within my training and coaching.

Thanks again to Jason Gowan and all the ABMVT London crew for their help, coaching and support and of course Ernie Barrios for his ever present online advice, help and support and opening his arms to welcome us into the family.

Onwards and upwards with 2016 looming and lots of training opportunities, fun, friendships and VT self development to look forward to.

Our ABMVT Discovery Day/Training Camp - 14th November 2015

Ernie Barrios coaching a mitt flow with Jason Gowan

On Saturday 14th November 2015, I have arranged for some of our team to go down to ABMVT London (Sutton) to experience the Applied Body Mechanics Ving Tsun method first hand via one of their "Discovery Days"  

The camp will begin around 12.30pm and run until around 5pm giving Jason and his guys a good time period to run us through some of their modules and training cycles, how they train their VT in comparison to what we have been used to and what to expect in training from now on.

It will also give us opportunity to ask any questions we have regarding their approach and the transition to this method and get to experience a typical training session.

I myself have been down to train with Jason Gowan and their crew the last two weeks and am 100% certain already I have made the correct choice in joining the ABMVT family, both for my own growth and development as a martial artist and coach but also to give my guys the very best opportunity to develop to their full potential in VT.

Jason has a wealth of martial arts experience and many years of Wing Chun/VT training and coaching behind him. Following him leaving Kamon after experiencing a WSLVT weekend gathering seminar (on my recommendation ;) -  he learnt the hard way, privately with Kev Bell for over two years and was certified to teach WSLVT under David Peterson before himself transitioning to the ABMVT method under Ernie Barrios and has not looked back since. I can vouch that Jason is now a very good, thorough coach indeed.

This method of Ving Tsun "needs" to be felt to be fully understood, its all too easy to view a clip or two and convince yourself this is nothing original and that most schools are doing this, but you are very wrong. In over 20 years I have never experienced such a high level of skills and coaching nor an environment that fosters those skills and gets near instant results with everyone who takes time to open up, let go of their ego and preconceived ideas and work with these guys.

It should be an enlightening day for those who travel down for sure.

Jason has also agreed to come up to us one Sunday and coach a session for us in the new year (Feb/March time) for anyone who cannot make this Discovery Day, and im hoping Ged Kennerk, Adam Gerken and Adam Cope may also pay us a visit in the next year or so also.

Heres to a bright and promising future and as always remember, you get out what you put in..no more no less. Work hard, have fun and we can develop as a team of friends whilst gaining some real world skills that may save our skin one day!!

ABMVT - (Applied Body Mechanics Ving Tsun) - Coming Soon

"Applied Body Mechanics Ving Tsun"

Following conversations this week with the Founder and Head Coach of ABMVT - Ernie Barrios and old training colleague and Head Coach of ABMVT London - Jason Gowan I am in the planning stages of joining their organisation and setting a date to attend one of their "Discovery Camps" - a 5 hour training/learning session which provides prospective members, coaches and established schools the opportunity to understand how they structure their coaching and training modules and cycles in their curriculum as well as seeing how they can help and develop those attending, dependant on their individual requirements. (Anyone is welcome to join me should they wish to get the same insight and split the cost - talk to me for more details if interested - it will be a Saturday in Sutton, Surrey most likely)

As long as this all runs smoothly I will then be getting down to London/Surrey on a regular basis built around my current commitments to get up to speed on a practical and coaching level with Jason as well as having the opportunity to train at will with any of their other UK (or International) based coaches. (Manchester/Essex/Hertfordshire/London/Salisbury/Bristol - France/Argentina/Chile/USA)

 Akim Otmane, Adam Gerken, Ernie Barrios, Adam Cope, Jason Gowan, Ged Kennerk

I made this decision based mainly on developing myself as a coach of Ving Tsun, to ensure anyone who comes along to train with me also gets the very best in coaching and full opportunity to learn from a variety of sources should they wish but without pressure to do so if they want to learn only from my experiences.

ABMVT focus on getting results across the board for everyone....the complete Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun system/forms/drills/dummy/pole/knives is a key part but system completion is not the main goal, any more than a boxers main goal isn't learning the 5/6 punches and footwork and then they magically become a masterful boxer. There is an emphasis on the training of combat attributes (balance,timing,accuracy,distance,power,recovery) concepts, strategy and structure as well as conditioning and delivered to the student via referencing the geometry (angle/shape - triangle, circle, straight line) over the myriad of Chinese terms to make it more accessible and obvious to relate to for the average Joe.

Early indications show that this is achieved through two main and associated areas;

1/ Solo Training - Legacy (VT) forms/striking/power development, core strength, balance, footwork, kicking with tools such as punch bags, medicine balls, weights, dummy, pole, knives, our body etc

2/ CPT (Connected Partner Training) - Legacy drills (Paak/Laap/Chi Sau) Focus Mitt Combination Flows, Isolated Sparring drills

It is honest, hard work and accountability that produces results, focus not on history (His-story)

a legacy or faith on anyone other than ourself to produce these results for us - there are no secrets, stories, suits, slippers and sifu-ism in the ABMVT family - all coaches have the same goals and same mission with everyone working off each other minus an obvious hierarchy to worship and cling to their every word - we are all free thinking adults, not trying to be clones of previous generations but learn from what VT can give us

One area I have mentioned in recent months I feel we all need to develop is balance in mobility, and this is broadly covered through their module approach to "Focus Mitt Flows" which vary dependant on what level of understanding and stage your learning and ability is at..... this is followed by "Progressive/Controlled Isolated Sparring" using VT with safety as a paramount consideration to develop the skills without fear or high chance of injury but can be pressure tested with protective gear also to hone that area.

The ABMVT method will/can also address other close quarter combat areas such as the clinch, takedown, ground game, stick fighting etc as many of the coaches (especially Ernie) are very well versed in Boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, Kali, Escrima as well as a Ving Tsun system via Gary Lam/David Peterson, both direct students of the late Wong Shun Leung 

Ernie Barrios with his long time coach Lam Man Hog (Gary Lam)

On a personal note when I began my initial research into the WSLVT methods in 2008 several well known, direct line students kept telling me of only a handful of people in the UK to go to for a true reflection of real skills and coaching ability in this method - Anthony Kan, Adam Cope, Ged Kennerk, Kev Bell - with the exception of Anthony, all the others are either ABMVT coaches or in the case of Kev a Professional Boxing coach with a mass of WSLVT experience and skill who assists in ABMVT training camps..so I feel we are in safe hands.

Everyone who has visited us linked to the WSL methods have been a massive help in getting us to this stage so a great thanks go out to all of them and I have many friends from Wing Chun circles who do not perhaps follow my views or these methods that I plan on staying in touch with.

I cannot make it a concern of mine what others are doing or saying, teaching or learning from as that is their choice, there's enough petty politics and squabbles out there already.

 I can only concentrate on my journey and development as a coach for my own piece of mind and that of anyone who wants to be coached by me.

I also feel that we are not a million miles away method wise and that any tweaks to our current understanding/forms should be minor ones - its not an alien system from another planet, its Wing Chun/Ving Tsun - although I'm honest enough to admit I may be wrong and open to adjust as required 

For those perhaps questioning why I chose this over my initial interest in Philipps VT - it was simply a matter of accessible support from coaches I know of, I am not in the position to drop or pass on my current coaching commitments that clash with Desmond Spencer's sessions and cannot jet off around Europe all year following Philipp wherever he holds seminars.

I urge my guys to check out the "Argentina Interview Series by ABMVT" on YouTube which will give a good idea of Ernies ethos in the ABMVT way 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS6b-X85ZNU&list=PLC001DEE6333C6E86

Also support any ABMVT Facebook groups to keep upto date as I will be with any training camps, video footage, information etc.

http://wslwingchunlondon.com/about-2 - Jason Gowan - ABMVT London page

http://wslwingchunlondon.com/630-2 - Ernie Barrios Bio

Lastly, once this is truly underway and we're up and running with Module content to work on I will be holding free ABMVT Development Days for our existing member base on top of usual training sessions to supplement and bed in any tweaks to our current skill base.

Any questions or queries please message me or talk to me at training, if I cant answer you're question I'm sure Ernie, Jason or any of the ABMVT coaches will be able to.

Exciting times ahead - lets develop together as a team and get to work!!!!

Advancing Past the Core Basics of Wing Chun

Since I began teaching Wing Chun in 1998 I have seen and followed many variations of this martial practice, mainly teaching the ideas and preferences of other teachers I had been learning under at the time, all of which were worthwhile and enjoyable and during which have made lifelong friendships.

Since breaking away for a time from a set lineage or method since forming our club in 2009 the way I have arranged and taught Wing Chun/Ving Tsun has also altered quite a bit based on my personal findings and development as a coach as well as stripping away many areas or adapting past methods I had been taught.

The more recent changes (since 2008) have been inspired largely by exposure to the Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun thinking and methods, although I do not claim in any way to be currently linked to this lineage or represent it at all, it has undoubtedly reformed my thinking towards VT practice and coaching and helped me see the complications I had been making when training and teaching. 

I still have the intention as planned of learning and developing my VT via the Philipp Bayer WSL VT method under Desmond Spencer and have not at all given up on the idea, only logistically it has proved very hard without sacrificing all of my current family and teaching commitments..but trust me that this is on my mind daily and something I am working towards if practicable for the benefit of myself and our club.
Another group that I feel are actively progressing Ving Tsun and dragging it kicking and screaming from traditional obscurity to the modern era and would help us really develop our skill base and understanding for the future is ABMVT (Applied Body Mechanics Ving Tsun) overseen by Ernie Barrios, qualified to teach under Sifu Gary Lam and David Peterson and their associate crews look to be making real progress and delivering results across the board with anyone who trains their methods...hmmm some thinking to be done...

Back to topic of this post...many students early on in their development often wonder and ask where they are skill wise in their Wing Chun practice, and in order to attempt to address this we did begin an assessment type syllabus two years ago. In practice this simply didn't work and mainly due to to my own disapproval of the whole "grading being the main focus" when I feel it doesn't come in to real skill development at all and often acts in reverse by providing students with a unrealistic idea of what they are capable of based on controlled conditions in a classroom environment.

I would much rather see my students develop good attitudes, put in regular hard work and class attendance, develop stability, mobility, punch mechanics, facing and closing skills paired with an assertive mindset than offer them a certificate to stroke the ego and keep them as a paying student that may have lofty ideas of their elevated status.

 

Saying that we do currently have a student uniform of sorts in form of club T shirts/sweatshirts etc and although not compulsory at all, new starters wear white/grey and once the basics are developed to a level I feel is a practical foundation to build upon they move up to wearing a black garment (again should they wish). This method is adopted by many clubs and at least serves as something for the beginning student to strive for until they get an addiction to Wing Chun training ;)

For me the Wing Chun system has its own inbuilt criteria in its 6 forms (Siu Nim Tau/Chum Kiu/ Biu Jee/Muk Yan Jong/Luk Dim Boon Gwun/Baat Jaam Do as well as Punch training, Daan Chi Sau, Poon Sau-Chi Sau/Paak Sau/ Laap sau/Gor Sau/Sparring - on this list ask yourself how much you've covered and to what level - for your information I am still working on ALL of it after 20 years! :)

So this leaves us with the subject of "What ARE these core basics"....

Core Wing Chun Basics: Do not think in terms of time you have been training but in how good you are at the individual aspects below which form a foundation for all future training development - these basics ARE the advanced Wing Chun, basics done well!!

1/ Stance - Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma - Introduces posture, balance, triangulation, stability, foot positions for the frontal and side kicking actions, linkage of upper and lower half

2/ Punch - Basic weapon of Wing Chun - overall development including structure, elbow position, timing of delivery, impact training on wallbag and mitts, target ball, (further development in time via Poon Sau, Dummy, Pole, Sparring)

3/ Footwork - Advancing and retreating (Saam Gok Bo -Triangle stepping & Tui Ma (Push step) develops mobility and angles of attack and counter attack - Juen Ma also (Turning stance)

4/ Section 1 Siu Nim Tau - Centreline facing theory (Chiu Ying), Ideas of Taan/Fook concept punches, drilling of elbow position and behaviour, Paak sau as a helping action, Palm for versatility of the basic weapon idea, Huen to condition the weak link of the punch (wrist), controlled sharp withdrawl of an extended arm, single pointed and focused mindset

5/ Daan Chi Sau - Single sticking hand practice to learn how to use and refine the tools needed in Poon Sau and develop the elbow to position correctly when need to strike/deflect, taan and fook hit lines, bong sau elbow position

6/ Paak Sau Drill - There are many varied ways of training drills involving Paak and Jut Da actions, the drill I am referring to is the one we currently adopt using the continuous centre punching and paak sau timing drill, performed out of range with various entries involving a simultaneous angled step and one of 6 initial actions (3 direct; Paak da/Fook sau concept punch with Wu Sau lined up, Waang Jeung (side palm to jaw) - 3 recovery; Taan da, Inside line palm with side Paak cover, One hand covers two)...this drill can also help us with Lat Sau Jik Chung (lost hand thrust forward) concept, Lin Siu Dai Da (linking defence to bring in offence), Cheung Kiu Faat Lik (issue of power over an extended bridge) and Duen Kiu Lik (short bridge power) and can be expanded upon in a more open way with partner intercepting and recovering actions and closing skills involving moving the centre of mass and pursuing (Loi Lau Hoi Song -(Intercept what comes;escort what leaves) Works the above 1-4 within a single drill (simple, direct, efficient)

*Note; The 4 Corners Drill can also deliver similar attribute training and is introduced around the same time with the reminder that Wing Chun theory is to take a straight direct line to the target, although in this drill we still attack the attack and disrupt centre, follow and close down in one/two actions - I feel too much focus on periphery attack lines can lead us into "what if" thinking*

7/ Poon Sau - Double Chi Sau rolling hands training to work the elbow and hence the punch structure under resistance, taan and fook hit lines, smooth changes, syncronicity of the stance and limbs

These are the basics you should be working on, regardless of time training or other areas we may be covering in classes, this is your bread and butter and what will stand you in good stead for future training or put you in a better framework and mindset should a violent altercation occur.

Many of you may think these are pretty well ingrained but if you find yourself in a Chi Sau exchange or partner drill easily losing facing, feeling off balance, asking..What If questions...or throwing a Bong sau or other defensive shape up as initial contact response...you have more work to do on the above

Keep training hard and reminder that Sifu Chris Thompson is bringing some students up to us again in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 25th October 4pm - 6pm for another "Ideas Exchange" with myself and Chris both teaching for an hour or so each, I would like ALL students from Bury and Sudbury classes to attend and support this training opportunity if possible - this is included for all Bury students paying monthly and £10 for Sudbury based students as its an extra training day.

See you all in class or privately soon for more "Basic Training" :)

Training Realities

How many of us can remember that shout in the school playground of...FIGHT!!!..and everyone rushed over to see two kids pulling hair, rolling about, scratching, kicking and flailing until the teacher stormed in and dragged them off by the ear to the head teachers office and certain shouting and removal of playtime for a week....

In modern times, street level combat is often far removed from this scene..rarely is there one opponent, it is gang mentality..even if there is one initial protagonist who has taken a dislike for whatever reason to another human being..it is almost predictable that there will be some entourage accompanying them to the pushing and shoving pre amble that is the most common street fight scenario - although this pushing/shoving can rapidly escalate into several people dancing on a downed victims head and be all over in seconds

In Wing Chun Kung Fu we aim to attempt to bridge the gap (pun intended) to some degree between being clueless and flailing idiots to gaining some key trained reflexes to help enable us better deal with a potential violent encounter (however some still fail at this regardless of what self named Grandmaster they have had tea with)

I always try and emphasise to my students that reality is a harsh environment indeed and however many half hearted wild hooks you have managed to counter in the classroom does not necessarily mean you have the fortitude inside you or fully trained ability to put that to any use once adrenaline has kicked in and you've been launched into a brick wall/table/window etc..by mad Dave in the Mason Arms on a Saturday night (real names have not been used to protect the innocent) ;0)

I do feel however that Wing Chun, when trained correctly with the right direct mindset and intent, when concept is followed and the partner drills are opened up to produce more "OH SHIT"..moments within the training environment that this CAN provide you with a fighting chance at least to survive those type of scenarios better than some martial practices out there..not to name names or call out styles in particular because they all have a place as do even some of the less direct Wing Chun methods out there, as long as you don't fool yourself to believe that eyes closed soft energy drills will turn you into Rambo on the street

As far as effective fighting methods go, lets take a quick glimpse into some other close quarter fighting systems and how they approach combat with our Wing Chun training approach in mind.

A typical Muay Thai fighter or Western Boxer or MMA fighter will have a set opponent to face at some point if they choose to be competitive as their goal...they usually know who that is going to be, when the fight will take place, they know their opponent will be the same weight as they are, they know how many fights they have won and lost, they know they will only be fighting one person and that fight has a referee, it will be over a set time period with intermittent rest periods built in, they have a support team encouraging them and a medically trained professional watching out for them and at least 3 months to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for the confrontation..

A typical Muay Thai training regime in Thailand whether they choose to fight or not:

Warm up: 3-6 mile jog at 6am

Light breakfast usually fruit and water, steamed rice/noodles

2 hour morning session: 20 mins jumping rope, 5 x 3 min rounds shadow boxing, 5 round Thai pads with trainer, 10-15 rounds on the heavy bag working punch combinations and kicking, 5-10 rounds sparring, abdominal conditioning - 200 sit ups minimum

Lunch and afternoon rest before repeating similar session in the evening for another two hours incorporating weight training, push ups and pull ups as well as clinchwork sparring

6 days a week in the build up to a fight..pretty tough and extreme..this training is common in Muay Thai camps in Thailand..even if visitors are any age, overweight and unfit...they soon wont be..

Boxing training and MMA training are of a similar ilk - quite a serious chasm between a typical Wing Chun class isn't it - and we have to potentially prepare for a fight against an unknown opponent, probably multiple in nature, we don't know when that might be, where that might be..a fight that has no referee, no rules, no support crew, no first aid, no gloves and protective gear no time limit and most likely on the concrete in the dark by yourself

But..before you go burning your Next Level Wing Chun Hoodie and booking a flight to Bangkok, there is SO much more to Wing Chun than just fighting...yes, we need to have a realistic mindset towards our training overall, but as i've said in many a class..we are training for situations that may never happen, personally ive needed use for martial arts 3 times in the last 20 years and never to the level we train in classes, just getting my hands up or being able to stand up in base (from BJJ) was more than enough in my experiences but that's not to say we shouldn't train hard with reality in mind and yes, a better level of fitness conditioning goes a long way should a real fight occur (Bruce Lee as a prime example implemented his fitness regime following a less than convincing fight where he gassed out due to lack of fitness, although winning, his Wing Chun wasn't enough..and that was with direct guidance from Ip Man and Wong Shun Leung as his primary coaches)

In military combat how much faith would you have in the armed forces or special forces if they sat about playing "Grand Theft Auto" and scarfing burgers and fizzy drinks with low fitness levels and enthusiasm but accept they'll be ok cos they've got decent weapons and only need to pull a trigger don't they???....

Wing Chun in general as a close quarter fighting system is more focused on technical training via forms. drills, footwork, chi sau, even impact work to a degree etc and less on training in the form of conditioning based fight related training, sparring, bag work, road work, skipping, bodyweight callisthenics and so on...(hitting the wallbag 2000 times a day even is nowhere near what amateur or pro fighters do in terms of striking training in the above mentioned arts)..and for those claiming Wing Chun is too efficient to need that level of training ask them how many no holds barred fights they've had this week..or ever

My reasoning in choosing the name "Next Level Wing Chun" wasn't as some people most likely think, that I am trying to reinvent the wheel and sell a product that no other school teaches, not at all..more that we are all as students of this martial practice striving for reaching the next level in our own personal development, both in Wing Chun Kuen and on an individual level, physically, mentally and emotionally as a person so we may help foster some of that fortitude of fighting spirit we may need should a confrontation arise..that is more valuable than a mere focus on fighting in my opinion.

If fighting is your lone driving force and the key attraction then you have two main choices..switch to another combat system or get to work

Until next time - train consistently and hard to improve, enjoy the process and stay away from the Mason Arms and Mad Dave.

Information for New Wing Chun Students

Next Level Wing Chun Academy

Welcome to our classes in Wing Chun Kung Fu and the Next Level Wing Chun Academy.

Wing Chun is a Southern Chinese Kung Fu system which specialises in close quarter fighting methods ideally suited to modern day self protection situations and follows some unique concepts and principles, the key ones listed below;

* Simplicity - Wing Chun is said to be simple to learn but difficult to master - the word Kung Fu translates literally to - hard work/time spent - there are no shortcuts

* Centreline Theory - the main vulnerable areas of our body are located along our central axis (eyes/nose/throat/solar plexus/groin) so Wing Chun trains us to attack and defend these areas at all times as well as gaining control or taking the balance of our opponents centre of gravity whenever possible - without balance our opponent will struggle to attack us or defend themselves

* Simultaneous Attack and Defence - most of the techniques in Wing Chun are characterised by their specific action and described as such - ie; subduing hand, dispersing hand, slapping hand etc -  a Wing Chun strike often has a defence built in and vice versa with our ultimate aim to defend by counter attacking utilising the skeletal structure and angling or positioning to deflect incoming attacks while we deliver our counter measure.

There is NO blocking in Wing Chun - only deflection, redirection and recycling of our opponents energy. Wing Chun does not fight force with force so is geared towards defence against a larger stronger opponent.

* Economy of Motion - small movements and adjustments are made at close quarters to enable the above to be successful using the correct amount of energy to achieve the task - learning to relax under relative pressure is a key skill to develop in Wing Chun and can overlap into everyday life in many ways. There are no big, superfluous movements in Wing Chun, everything is trained to be simple, direct and efficient.

Forms and Drills:

Wing Chun is comprised of 3 empty hand practice forms (Siu Nim Tau/Chum Kiu/Biu Tze) 1 form with a Wooden Dummy (Muk Yan Jong) a Long Pole form (Luk Dim Boon Gwun) and a Double Knife form (Baat Jaam Dao) as well as many solo and partner training drills to develop footwork, striking, self defence situation practice and Wing Chun's unique close quarter sensitivity training 'Chi Sau' or sticking hands.

Chi Sau gives the Wing Chun practitioner a distinct advantage at close range when contact is made to feel the direction and intention of the incoming attacks and nullify or redirect the energy given as well as naturally feeling for an opening or the path of least resistance to utilise our Wing Chun skills.

In this way we don't know how or when we will counter as this is dependant on what our attacker is doing in the moment, following Wing Chun principles of chasing and closing down the centre, being direct and efficient we are more able than most to deal with many self defence situations that may occur at street level.

Your Instructor:

The Chief Instructor of Next Level Wing Chun Academy is Sifu Paul Blissett.

Paul began his Wing Chun training in the mid 1990's and has been teaching Wing Chun since 1998 with various nationwide organisations under well known UK based instructors including Andrew Cameron/Paul Hawkes, Kevin Chan, Kwok Wan Cheung as well as attending intensive seminars to further his studies of Wing Chun from Simon Lau, Patrick Leung Ting Kwok, Keith Kernspect, David Peterson, Alan Gibson, Ernie Barrios and others.

Paul also has cross training experience of boxing, muay thai and brazilian jiu jitsu as well as self protection training via the Royal Marines and control and restraint training as a Police Officer.

Paul has trained almost daily since beginning his Wing Chun studies and went the first 6 years of training without missing a single lesson, even showing up when ill to write notes so not to miss out.

Paul is passionate about teaching the complete Wing Chun system to a high level and founded the Next Level Wing Chun Academy in 2009

CLASS LOCATIONS:

 Sudbury:  82 Cornard Road, Sudbury, CO10 2XB - (follow path through open gates to the training shed)

Monday and Wednesday 6pm - 7pm - Beginners Wing Chun

                                         7pm - 8pm - Mixed Level Wing Chun

Fees are £30 per calendar month payable by cash or standing order which can be cancelled at any time should you cease training. This fee covers you for all Sudbury based classes in any calendar month.

Pay as you go fee - £5 per hour

Bury St Edmunds: Moreton Hall Health Club, Mount Road, BSE, IP33 7BL

Sunday: 4pm - 6pm - Beginners and Mixed Level

Fees are £30 per calendar month or £10 per 2 hour session pay as you go

ALL INCLUSIVE FEE - £40 per month for Sudbury and Bury classes

(Standing order form available if required - please inform me as and when this is set up and the start date of monthly payment)

Private Tuition:

Private Tuition is available at the Sudbury location at a rate of £30 per hour

Learning privately is great way to gain more detail in your training and understanding of the Wing Chun forms and drills and can be used if you have to miss a lesson here or there due to holiday or illness etc. Class training is the ideal learning environment as you get to train with people of all shapes, sizes and experience levels as well as making friends with likeminded people, so I tend to promote this over private tuition but an ideal combination of class training supplemented with a private session once a month or so can add real depth to your skill base and knowledge

Further Information:

Please feel free to join our Facebook page; Next Level Wing Chun Academy or Google our Blogpage of the same name for articles and information

Email: next.levelenq@yahoo.com

Mobile: 07891 699272 - Sifu Paul Blissett

''A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step''

Training Ideas Exchange with Sifu Chris Thompson

On Sunday 14th June 2015 myself and 11 of my students travelled to sunny Southend for another Wing Chun Training Ideas Exchange with Sifu Chris Thompson and his students at Absolute Arts, Southend.

I taught the first hour and covered the use of side Paak Sau (slapping hand) with a palm strike from all positions (outside gate/one hand in one hand out/inside gate) Thus ensuring that whatever hand you have forward (in a passive hands up guard) would still allow one of the options a natural path to simultaneous attack and defence should we get caught relatively unprepared in a natural defensive manner instead of the way we usually train the Paak Sau concept to attack the attack and disrupt the centre of mass while doing so..highlighted by the fact we don't all walk around on high alert ready to burst forward aggressively in everyday life.

I then moved onto using the Lat Sau Jik Chung (lost hand thrust forward) concept to intercept the timing of a straight grab or push/punch action by slipping one hand inside while covering outside and making sure facing theory was followed while we moved the opponents centre and followed the counter attacking action closing down and keep the opponent off balance while we continued to strike.
Everything I teach is broken down into three stages - slow and correct, fluid then when that is achieved, dynamic and sharp so a student has a full understanding of the training drill and is able to de-construct and develop the drill at their own pace.

Sifu Chris then took over and taught speed methods to transition from one counter attack to the next highlighting the need for triangulation, facing and footwork to achieve that objective.
He did this through counter methods versus a straight attack, two consecutive straight attacks and the same with round line attacks.

These ideas exchanges are a great opportunity to train with students and learn from teachers you don't usually train with or learn from who may have different approaches and levels of understanding and experience, which in turn helps you to keep an open mind to options and methods to enrich your Wing Chun journey.
There is no extra charge for these sessions (this was the 5th or 6th joint event since 2009) other than your usual training fees and everyone involved enjoyed the experience.

More of the same to come no doubt in due course.

Thank you again to Sifu Chris Thompson and his students for hosting us and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

My Personal BJJ Training Update April 2015

As you may have read this April 2015 I decided to make my return to cross training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to learn and understand more about the ground game when it comes to close quarter fighting methods.
My interest in BJJ was sparked initially by watching Royce Gracie in the early UFC events (mid 1990's) choke and arm bar all comers from all styles of martial arts, this led to an interest in the Pride Fighting Championships held in Japan where Rickson Gracie dominated all using his skills in Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Royce Gracie persuading his opponent to give up




                                                                Rickson Gracie undefeated in over 500 fights





At that time my Wing Chun Sifu, Kevin Chan who is heavily into cross training, had been training in Jiu Jitsu for a year or two under Chen Moraes and later Mauricio Gomes....and pretty much was the only UK BJJ club that started around 1996/1997.... when I attended one of his classes in Portsmouth (1999) and before class Kevin and one of his senior students were grappling in a boxing ring, I watched mesmerised while he transitioned with apparent ease to totally control his training partner and set him up into a variety of chokes and submissions.

Kevin Chan of Kamon Martial Art Federation (Wing Chun/BJJ)
now a 2nd degree Black Belt under Mauricio Gomes/Roger Gracie
Details of his classes at KamonBJJ.com and Kamonwingchun.com





Following this initial insight Kevin then held a Groundfighting workshop I attended based on the basics of BJJ as well as a Stand Up Grappling Seminar (1999/2000) based around the Gracie Combative Self Defence Programme addressing bearhugs, headlocks, takedown defence and basic chokes.

I then continued training/teaching Wing Chun until 2009 when I initially began cross training in BJJ with Blue Wave Martial Arts/Carlson Gracie in Bury St Edmunds with head Carlsons UK coach Wilson Junior for around 9 months until a groin injury while sparring forced me to take time away from the mats.

Worth a definite read to understand the unique Carlsons training mentality....
http://www.bjjee.com/interview/carlson-gracie-uks-wilson-junior-on-the-old-days-in-rio-his-journey-to-europe-carlson-gracie-mentality/

So here I am again back 5 years later with the Carlson Gracie Team only this time at the full time Essex HQ in Colchester under my new coach Black Belt Alain Guerra Pozo (pictured below) who has won a host of competitions in Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu and fought in MMA as well as being a Brown Belt in Judo as well as training in Sambo and Wrestling.

In my first class with them and around 25 training on the mats, we covered details of grip fighting and tips to make the guillotine choke more effective before sparring non stop for over 45 minutes with higher levels than ourself where possible..I was well and truly destroyed by all and tapped out many times but again my fitness outlasted some I trained with and will only improve with time on the mats. Relaxation from Wing Chun certainly helped with this also. There is no losing in Jiu Jitsu..you either win or you learn.

 To be a lion you must train with lions - Carlson Gracie

Carlson Gracie BJJ are very well known for their tough, no nonsense training approach and they are pure fighters through and through with many champions and connections with professional fighting and MMA/UFC with their fighting spirit to training unparalleled with an open mindedness to focus on anything that works well under pressure..be it from Wrestling, Sambo, Judo etc... and I feel as long as I can stay relatively injury free and commit to regular lessons and additional home training I can develop some solid jiu jitsu in time to compliment my Wing Chun training and teaching journey.

In line with this anybody wishing to cover the basics of BJJ is more than welcome to contact me about meeting up for some free practice sessions to at least develop an insight of ground-fighting/grappling (GI and white belt (bjj uniform) will be required).
I am in the process of trying to obtain some mats or during the summer months its even possible to drill the basics on the grass.

My main passion as always is Wing Chun Kung Fu but I strongly feel at least some cursory knowledge and experience of the clinch, takedown boxing and groundwork martial arts is common sense for street level self protection as well as better understanding human body mechanics through pressure training and tactile feel on top of providing unrivalled control and submission options instead of or as well as striking.

(Update; I was awarded my first degree stripe on Tuesday 12th April 2015 - a small step up the very long ladder of progress - white belt in BJJ is all about survival and gradually learning to avoid/escape from bad positions and in turn submission attempts often by higher level students..there are usually 4 stripes awarded before the next belt which for me if i get there is Blue belt..many of today's top BJJ black belts were initially taught by blue belts and this in itself would be a great achievement and something to strive for as it shows you have a good grasp of Jiu Jitsu by this stage and a good foundation to build upon, much like the black belt in other arts)

Sudbury Next Level Class Changes May 2015

As of the start of May 2015 there will be some minor changes with regards to the classes and times in the Sudbury location for the Summer months.

I feel I have to make these changes as the Thursday class has almost no regular attendance most recent weeks and I could be training myself on this evening I have sacrificed so this frees me up to do this also.

It also now gives students more training variety and availability with me teaching in Sudbury 4 hours per week over two days rather than 3 hours over 3 days.

*Students are welcome to join in the session at whatever time they can get over*



Mondays and Wednesdays

Beginners Level Wing Chun - 6pm - 7pm

Mixed Level Wing Chun/Cross Training - 7-8pm



Each hour long class is £5 per session Pay as you go or the monthly Sudbury ONLY fee of £30 per month covers ALL Sudbury based classes

(Some students pay £40 for Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds for ALL INCLUSIVE classes in a calendar month)

The 7-8pm training slot will be predominantly Wing Chun based but as with our main Sunday class in Bury St Edmunds I may also teach aspects of Clinchwork, Boxing and Grappling in these sessions too which I feel can be supplementary to our Wing Chun base.

Lastly - as many of you know I plan to hold a series of 4 "Next Level" Workshops over the Summer period with the first being on Chi Sau (sticking hands) Saturday 25th April 10am - 1pm in Sudbury (82 Cornard Road CO10 2XB) at only £10 per student

This is open to all levels 

We will cover:
* The roll, changes and gate positions 
* Energy use and misuse 
* Wing chun key concepts
* Form relevance to Chi sau
* Positioning, attacks and counter attacks

Please inform me in class or on the Facebook page if you wish to attend

Keep training hard and see you all in class soon

Brief Braulio Estima BJJ Seminar Write Up 02/04/2015

Group photo following the seminar 02/04/15 (I am kneeling 2nd row 6th from the right)

What an excellent night of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Southend, Essex..the home of Gracie Barra Essex run by Black Belt Professor Lee Catling and taught by multiple World Champion in Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Braulio Estima (pictured centre in blue Gi)

Out of the 45 people who trained tonight I had the least experience and skill level in BJJ so was very much out of my comfort zone but made to feel welcome by Lee and his regular students.
I had not trained in BJJ for over 5 years so was more than a little a rusty but the drills were so expertly explained and demonstrated by Braulio with the aid of Lee that I managed just as well as my training partners and worked hard to get the details and concept behind the seminar.

We were showed drills to transition from an open guard position called "De la Riva" named after a BJJ fighter Ricardo de la Riva who developed a method of using his open guard (legs uncrossed while seated) by using his feet as hooks around his opponents ankles or knees to break posture or sweep...something he needed to develop to counter bigger stronger opponents trying to power through his guard to take a dominant position, as he was slight of build.

Then this developed into various grips whilst using this guard including the wrist, sleeve, lapel, trousers of the Gi to facilitate various sweeps to take the partners balance and take a poor position into one of dominance and control.
I was fortunately partnered by an experienced blue belt and together we figured out the best ways to learn the drills taking two goes each (lots of standing up, sitting down over and over)

In time the group was split with 8 people on the mats and everyone else one at a time testing the drills under pressure with those on the mat with a constant rotation of partners until we had all been on the mat and had our turn (like a sparring drill from a set position and as soon as someone gained a dominant role the partner changed)

After a quick sip of water we finished the seminar with free sparring where you get partnered up with someone of a similar level, start from the knees and keep going until one person taps the other to signal either they are going to be choked or something is about to break (ankle/knee/arm/shoulder/neck/back/toe/wrist)

My partner was also a white belt but had 18 months of consistent training and eventually got the better of me four times while we sparred getting me in 3 arm bars and one arm triangle..but I also escaped many more and I was happy my stamina held up...my partner complained that he hadn't trained for 5 days hence why he was so out of breath..and I told him I hadn't trained for 5 years and was 12 years older!! ;)

My relaxation under pressure from years of Wing Chun certainly helped as well as keeping my elbow to hip connection and explosive use of energy..also highly promoted in BJJ as essential factors for improvement (read survival)


Overall I was elated to be back training hard on the mats again and will certainly begin steps to get back to regular cross training in Jiu Jitsu - my old bones ached that night (couldn't even turn over in bed) and the following two days..but its amazing how our bodies adapt to whatever you put it through. I guess it felt like I had run 15 miles but stopped every 20 feet to do 10 push ups and 10 sit ups and at the end did 6 minutes of burpees :)

Thanks to all I had the pleasure to train with and learn from and also to Lee Catling and Braulio Estima who are both very professional and excellent coaches. My BJJ passion has certainly been reignited!

The compulsory fun choke group photo ;)

Back on the Mats - My Return to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Easter Class Schedules

Earlier this week I received an invitation by an old friend and BJJ coach Windy Miller of Blue Wave Martial Arts to attend a seminar in Southend on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) by multiple world champion in Gi and No Gi Jiu Jitsu "Braulio Estima" hosted by the head of Gracie Barra Essex, Black belt "Lee Catling" (Lee used to be a Wing Chun Instructor under "Sifu James Sinclair" and also has a history of boxing before concentrating his time into the grappling arts)

I used to train with Windy when his club was affiliated to "Carlson Gracie BJJ" around 5 years ago and have aimed to get back on the mats sometime this year so this is a great opportunity to reignite my ground game and learn something in the process.

Windy is now under the above banner and is coached by Lee Catling who regularly visits his clubs to hold classes.

Braulio with Lee above

*The seminar is on Thursday 2nd April so unfortunately there will not be a Sudbury Next Level Wing Chun class on this night and as you are aware no classes also on Easter Sunday 5th or Bank Holiday Monday 6th April..but classes back to normal on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th in Sudbury as well as Sunday 12th April in Bury St Edmunds *

I am a big believer in cross training and especially with boxing and ground fighting in mind to supplement Wing Chun and it is no exaggeration to liken this BJJ experience to learning knockout tips from Mike Tyson or football control with Lionel Messi!

Braulio is respected the world over for his skills, knowledge and teaching ability..has trained with the likes of UFC legend George St Pierre and fought in professional MMA bouts himself, so it will be a great personal experience for sure (if possibly a painful one for my ageing bones)

GSP and Braulio discuss training

MMA fight

                                        

My BJJ Gi still fits at least ;)                        More info on the above mentioned clubs can be found at

                                                                   www.pmaacademy.co.uk and bluewavemartialarts.com