Some special thing called funny money that he wants me to buy for sifu. Some thing you get at one of those Asian outfitter stores. No idea what it is.What's "funny money"?
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Some special thing called funny money that he wants me to buy for sifu. Some thing you get at one of those Asian outfitter stores. No idea what it is.What's "funny money"?
Some special thing called funny money that he wants me to buy for sifu. Some thing you get at one of those Asian outfitter stores. No idea what it is.
To the OP.
Regarding providing tips to classmates. Yeah, stop that. If you're in a school where folks are interested in other approaches, and you've been there a while, that's fine. But nobody anywhere wants to hear the new guy saying, "well, in my old school, we did this..."
Second, why are you so locked in on only learning WC? If the only WC school in the area is not a good fit, move on to something else. If you eventually try multiple WC schools and none meet your expectations, maybe your expectations of what real WC is, is not realistic.
Funny money? Or Lucky Money? I think the latter is presented in a special red envelope with cold hard cash inside(?)
You can either leave the art and find something more "fight" oriented with more sparring/aliveness, or learn the structure and traditional approach and take that and make it your own. WC is new to me so I understand where you're coming from.
I understand your dilemma. I love boxing too. It's simple and effective. Also consider WC can look and be applied this way:
You do have to step in and bang with WC and most schools don't seem to stress that. In WC, you turn your body into a bundle of attack reflexes. In a real fight, all you have to do is react.
I'm over in Colorado. I have a brother in St. Louis area. If you are ever traveling welcome to stop by.Becuz there is no other WC in my area. Then again, I may have to leave anyway.
Okay... Not going back to pull the original post and subsequent replies in, because I'm being a little lazy.
You say you want to learn the traditional art, gain competency then change it to make it your own - honestly that's a childish view. How on earth do you know you need to change anything?
Forgive the long post, but I have some concerns. I feel that my Wing Chun (WC) school is a bit of a McDojo. I would like to share my brief experience thus far.
To be clear, there is only 1 WC dojo in my area, so I have little choice. Anyway, I feel as if my school is more about the cash grab than anything else. I am paying $90 a month for an un-modified WC school. Moy Yat WC. There are also no pro-rated fees. If you start half way through the month, then you pay the full price. Also, the sihang (instructor) is regularly suggesting that I buy their merchandise and buy “funny money” for the sifu. I have heard this on multiple occasions. It is not an order, but it is highly suggested.
The sifu is rarely in class, usually on the weekends. Instead, the sihang (spelling?) is usually the one that teaches the class. He is “not the model of fitness”, which is a nice way of saying that he has gusto. I have been cautioned more than once about providing tips to other students when it comes to training. I have a diverse but limited background in Aikido, BJJ, and Krav Maga.
Needless to say, that I am somewhat frustrated with how things are going. While I enjoy what I am learning, I feel like I’m getting watered down WC. And the atmosphere is like a social club, and that is not why I am there. I’m interested in taking my WC and implementing some self-defense aspects to it.
Penny for your thoughts?
I agree with what he said to you your advancements are yours they work for you because you figured that works for you. Students need to figure out what works for themselves everyone is different. My late instructor had a saying. He said everyone has the right to do their techniques differently as long as they can say why but when it comes to teaching everyone needs to be on the same page or it'll cause confusion for students. Also I hate quoting movies but this one sticks out for me in the forbidden Kingdom "learn the way then find your own way" basically yes you can do your own changes but you have to learn the base first. Like a writer has to learn the alphabet and basic words before he can have his own unique writing style.I am going to break this down how I see it.
1) While martial arts schools do need to make money to pay the rent, I don't get a good feeling from full-price for only half a month. Imagine paying full price at McDonald's, and they give you half a cheeseburger.
2) As for the merchandise push...that is capitalism at work. Pay it no mind.
3) Hmm...why is the Sifu hardly ever there?
4) The one who actually teaches is not a model of fitness? I wouldn't worry about that. I have a pot belly myself, but I still know my stuff.
5) You can't give tips to your classmates. Why is that? Is it because they feel you are too new at it to be able to provide tips, or is it something else? The Sifu I used to train with did that. Once, while doing Chi Sao with someone new to it, I gave them a tip. He overheard it and took me outside the class to say, "I am glad you are making so many advancements, but those are for YOU...not anyone else." I thought, "What is so wrong about wanting to help my Wing Chun brothers and sisters advance too???"
I agree with what he said to you your advancements are yours they work for you because you figured that works for you. Students need to figure out what works for themselves everyone is different. My late instructor had a saying. He said everyone has the right to do their techniques differently as long as they can say why but when it comes to teaching everyone needs to be on the same page or it'll cause confusion for students. Also I hate quoting movies but this one sticks out for me in the forbidden Kingdom "learn the way then find your own way" basically yes you can do your own changes but you have to learn the base first. Like a writer has to learn the alphabet and basic words before he can have his own unique writing style.