Well, 2016 has been a year of many ups and downs to say the least. We started 2016 exploring the "Applied Body Mechanics Ving Tsun" until the end of April when we parted ways.
The few months we did have gave us a fantastic insight in to how to improve some areas our previous training had been lacking in the form of increased mobility, awareness of balance and leverage and targeting as the key factors and this we have kept in mind and training drills in many ways this year.
Following this we spent a period of returning to our core Next Level Wing Chun basics keeping simplicity, directness and efficiency at the forefront, honing the forms and key drills and getting back to working Chi Sau, breaking down and understanding the concepts, timing and coordination involved and being mindful not to chase hands literally or with mind (Nod to Ernie ;))
Following our split from ABMVT we lost a few committed students, as to be expected, who preferred that approach. As always when students leave or move on I try to not take it too personally, martial arts is a journey for all of us and as coaches we don't own students and can only really teach from our own experiences and pass on the skills as we have been taught and interpreted them.
That's not to say that I haven't been disappointed when this has happened after putting so much time and focus into those students in helping them on their path but it isn't or shouldn't be a personal issue and all of those who do move on I hope will always be friends and would be welcome back should they wish at any point. I myself have learnt and taught for a few separate groups over the last 20 years and whatever i've absorbed from that has become part of what I now teach in some way and am truly thankful for those opportunities
The latter months of the year we have been covering all aspects of the system with both our Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds locations, students have had ample opportunity to get training in with the wooden dummy, target balls, pad drills, long pole and knives, timing drills, footwork drills, kicking and counter kicking and Chi Sau. I make accessible over 150 Wing Chun sessions a year..all you need to do is commit to show up and put the work in....short cuts, missed sessions, excuses obviously will detract from your overall understanding and ability and limit how much you take on board...but again..that's your choice and your journey and your decision to make..if you want it bad enough..you will make it happen...if not it will just be a longer road, but as these skills truly take a lifetime of attention anyway to maintain there's no rush...as always you get out what you put in..no more no less.
In 2017 I need to focus on building the club student base in both locations, we dont need earth shattering student enrolment just regular dedicated, committed students who will make the club stronger for the future and give you all people to train with..I am not a commercially driven teacher and keep fees affordable (less per month than I was paying 15 years ago) but at the end of the day it is my profession and job.
Wing Chun wise my drive is to provide you with a good solid base of functional Wing Chun skills that you can take and develop, explore and make your own. A clear path of progression and understanding for training purposes, good mobility and balance with effective striking skills... and more importantly should a situation occur at street level that you are in some ways more prepared for.
For myself, I am hoping to get along to Philipp Bayers weekend seminar in Torquay in August to experience his unique take on WSLVT and am "considering" another return to cross training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu , more for personal interest and fitness than anything else., this year as many of you will know I have increased my running up to around 40 miles a week and dropped almost 2 stone in weight since this time last year...knee injuries can be commonplace in long distance running so BJJ is a very good functional skill that naturally keeps your fitness levels high but has the downside of potential injury as with anything..but the timing, leverage, pressure factors, full body usage are very well aligned with Wing Chun in many ways..for me..if it relates to close quarter fighting it is valid to explore as needed (plus I miss being choked out by everyone on the mats and having to literally fight to survive..keeps me in the white belt mentality so I don't get above myself..always something to learn) ;)
I may also arrange some more seminar visits to our club from others in the Wing Chun comminity later in the training year as and when our numbers improve, and will organise some additional workshops that I will teach on certain subjects too...perhaps in a Summer Camp type format?? Watch this space...
As always thank you to those students who have put in regular attendance this last year and supported the growth of our small club, without you the club wouldn't exist.
We start back after the festive break in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 8th January 2017 and the following week Monday and Thursday in Sudbury, usual times apply.
From myself as coach, have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year (get some punching in also) :)
