Kung Fu Takeaways

Question 1

You will never be a master unless…

Answer 1

You have put in years of consistent practise

Question 2

Training form without force means…

Answer 2

potential is greatly limited, even if one practises for a lifetime

Question 3

What is force?

Answer 3

Force is an invisible aspect. Not brutal strength, but how powerful, accurate, and fast execution is.

Breathing to enhance energy and flow is internal and basic force. Iron palm for a powerful strike is external and specialised

Question 4

What is the requirement for efficient fighting?

Answer 4

Excellent health. If lacking, strengthen health through Qi Gong

Question 5

The benefits from physical exercises deteriorate once passed peak.
How is it that the Shaolin Kung Fu benefits be enhanced as one ages, not deteriorates?

Answer 5

The training is not just external (which has physical limits). It is also internal, which transcends the physical as it trains energy and mind

Question 6

The one practising with me is my partner, not my enemy. Our aim is to help each other improve. How should I react if I am accidentally hit by my partner?

Answer 6

Never be “That bastard hit me, I will get even with him! You just wait and see, bastard”

Instead be “Thank you for demonstrating my weakness in a most practical way. Luckily it is from a partner, if it were from an enemy it could be serious. Benefiting from this lesson, I will not let that happen again “

That is the difference between training for violence or as a path for spiritual development

Question 7

What can I do if training with someone below by level, so that we all can benefit?

Answer 7

Adjust to his level. Being superior in technique and force means I do not need to worry about those. Instead I can focus on other important factors, like timing, spacing (positioning), implementing certain strategies.

Question 8

Why should I train the movements I’ve and over again until smooth and spontaneous?

Answer 8

The onus of training is to improve skills rather than to learn more and more techniques

Question 9

What 3 steps are necessary before making any moves?

Answer 9

Evaluate strong and weak points of my opponent
Must be ready for his sudden attack, or to initiate attack ourselves (seek opportunities)
When opportunity comes, exploit and strike so fact and decisively that the opponent, despite being skilful, is made to be a fool

Question 10

How to face massive / strong opponent?

Answer 10

Attack sides

Question 11

How to face weak opponent?

Answer 11

Attack front

Question 12

Why should I never charge in recklessly?

Answer 12

It leaves me in a greater disadvantage

Question 13

What are the essential 3 Reaches in attack?

Answer 13

My movements as fast as wind
Avoid opponent’s strengths
Aim for opponent’s weaknesses

Question 14

With full preparation of mind and body…

Answer 14

Both hard and soft I can give and take

Question 15

Heart should be calm and clear like water still. Never be angry - why?

Answer 15

It compromises skill. Instead, respond with appropriate speed and blow!

Question 16

How should I feel against any opponent?

Answer 16

Never be worried, anxiou, fearful, off-guarded despite opponents abilities

Heart is calm and clear like water still

Question 17

What to do if attacker rushes in like a horse?

Answer 17

Use charged attacker’s momentum against him by dodging

Question 18

Defence must always incorporate attack. How?

Answer 18

The golden time to strike us when the opponent has just spent his strength

Question 19

The efficient warriors first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, then seek the opportunity to defeat the enemy. How?

Answer 19

To secure against defeat lies in our own hands.
The opportunity to defeat the enemy lies with the enemy

First make sure my actions are flawless, then seek and exploit any weaknesses in the opponent’s actions

Question 20

What’s the 3 Levels of Force?

Answer 20

Lowest = Hard, External
Mid = Soft (External or internal)
Highest = Both hard & soft, external & internal

Question 21

What is the art of ‘running on water as if on land’ and ‘standing motionless on a high wall’

Answer 21

Qing Gong - The arts of lightness

Question 22

Why do very few people achieve such powerful arts?

Answer 22

Very few people have the patience and self discipline to sustain training for the required length of time.

Question 23

A crucial secret of training (iron palm) is not I must not use strength and must not tense any part of my body! Why?

Answer 23

Using strength or tensing impedes the flow of internal force from my Dan Tian (below naval) to my palm

Question 24

Before training a program on speed, why must lung capacity be enlarged?

Answer 24

To hold more air to meet the extra requirement of speed; otherwise the exponent will be short of air

Question 25

During speed movements, how should breathing rate be?

Answer 25

Must not quicken when movements quicken; otherwise the exponent will be panting

Question 26

Before training a program on speed, why must the medridian system (translated as vascular and respiratory systems) be improved?

Answer 26

So not only more qi (or oxygen) can be effectively channelled to the relevant tissues, but also toxic waste can be readily disposed off; otherwise the exponent becomes easily tired.

Question 27

Before speed training, why must there be adequate preparatory exercises to stretch the necessary muscles?

Answer 27

To avoid the exponent becoming muscle-bound and clumsy

Question 28

Before training a program on speed, why must there meditative exercises?

Answer 28

To develop mental freshness; otherwise bodily speed will be hampered by mental indecision

Question 29

Why must breathing be regulated and well coordinated with movements?

Answer 29

If not, both speed and force will be negatively affected