THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS IN THE COMING COURSE
The most fundamental after the course is to be able to handle an opponent at his level
Question
The content of the course is very interesting and it is outlined on shaolin.org. Yet I wonder what will be the most important topics in the upcoming course? What is the most fundamental a Shaolin Wahnam Practitioner should be able to do after the course?
Sifu Anton Schmick
Answer
The following topics will be taught at the “Becoming a Shaolin Wahnam Kungfu Practitioner” course:
1. Kungfu sets – Lohan Asks the Way, Four Gates, Flowing Water Staff, Plum Flower Sabre, Cloud Hands, Flowing Water Floating Clouds, Taiji Sabre and Wudang Sword. The Taiji Staff will also be taught.
2. Capturing an opponent’s weapon, and how to prevent its capture.
3. Single unarmed against multiple unarmed, and single unarmed against multiple armed.
I shall quickly go over the kungfu sets, but participants will learn in some depth how to capture an opponent’s weapon, how to prevent its capture, single unarmed against multiple unarmed, and single against multiple armed.
The following is the most important topic in each of the respective section.
Lohan Asks the Way – completed in one breath.
Four Gates – different levels of depth.
Flowing Water Staff – the staff thrust.
Plum Flower Sabre – use of the arm.
Cloud Hands – the flow method.
Flowing Water Floating Clouds – exploding force.
Taiji Sabre – ferocity.
Wudang Sword – use of the wrist.
Taiji Staff – functions of the staff.
Capturing an opponent’s weapon – safety first.
Preventing its capture – flowing with opponent’s momentum.
Single unarmed against multiple unarmed – tiger in herd of sheep.
Single unarmed against multiple armed – capturing opponent’s weapon.
Many of our family members may not understand some of the phrases mentioned above, though I have explained them in my writing, like “completed in one breath” and “tiger in herd of sheep”. Participants will learn them, especially in practice, at the course.
The most fundamental a Shaolin Wahnam Kungfu practitioner should be able to do after the course is to handle an opponent at his level, including if the opponent holds a weapon. As the basic of kungfu is combat, we do not want to make a mockery of ourselves.
On the other hand, we realize that many kungfu practitioners practice kungfu not to fight but to enrich their lives. Hence, many topics are taught at the course, like how to capture an opponent’s weapon, and what to do if you are attacked by a group of people. At lease we should know the underlying principles.
To enrich their lives, participants should have good health, vitality, longevity, peak performance and spiritual joys besides combat efficiency. While practicing chi kung can also give us these benefits except combat efficiency, it is practicing kungfu that these benefits are in greater depth. Regarding combat efficiency, we know what to do in combat. Even if we lose to a better fighter, we come out of combat unhurt.
The questions and answers are reproduced from the thread 10 Questions on "Becoming a Shaolin Wahnam Kungfu Practitioner" in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum.
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