Case Study

[Alpha Dog]

"A student of Wing Chun seeks to develop skills as formidable as any Master yet, when viewed holistically, truly distinct and unique. In essence, Wing Chun is constantly being re-invented and, paradoxically, if it isn't being constantly re-invented, it isn't real Wing Chun."

Any thoughts on this quotation?

[red5angel]

It seems to me that this must be true with any art? As with living things the arts we practice must grow as time goes on, hopefully to improve and to adapt. It is also that it must be made to suit each of us. I am not saying we should drastically alter what we study, but because of needs, physical differences, etc...we must make small changes sometimes to make it fit us better.

[anerlich]

It's a good quote. Don't swallow everything uncritically, find your own way of doing things, don't close yourself off from new information, always look to learn more.

Who said this?

[Alpha Dog]

It was in a book on techniques my first sifu loaned me, my rough translation.

[Peter Aarts]

...if it isn´t being constantly re-invented, it isn´t real Wing Chun
This also implicates that those who claim to practise the more traditional Wing Chun, they in fact do not practise Wing Chun at all!!!
I like this quote.


Cheers,

Peter.

[Alpha Dog]

What is WC but the interpretation of your teacher, Peter? and his? Is that a fair limit?

[Peter Aarts]

The modern Wing Chun shouldn´t look the same as 100 years ago. Cause the modern society isn´t. Invention is progress.
As for the rest of your comment, sorry.....?????


Peter.

[Alpha Dog]

All I meant was, some people regard imitation as the sincerest form of flattery. "When I grow up I wanna be just like my Dad." Some then grow up.

Personally, I think WC can evolve/improve by looking at it as it is today (in various forms) and as it was in the past, but not in an imitative sense, b/c imitation is a limit.

[Peter Aarts]

My words...

[Redd]

Right on. It is better to ignore those who came before you. If your brain is in gear, just do your own thing man! Who cares what old dudes think anyway.

[Alpha Dog]

I don't think anyone said "ignore," just don't follow blindly what others tell you. an open mind should be able to accomodate this, a closed one, not.

[kungfu cowboy]

Can kung fu philosophy strike with deadly fists?!?

[Alpha Dog]

They can if you do that quail egg exercise.

I wonder which came first, the quail or the quail egg?

[yuanfen]

In the Republican universe-first the Quayle then the egg.

[Sabu]

Originally posted by kungfu cowboy
Can kung fu philosophy strike with deadly fists?!?
Oh indeed it can! Words hurt more than the fist.

[kungfu cowboy]

Would that fall under slander?

[Sabu]

Originally posted by kungfu cowboy
Would that fall under slander? Truth can be very hurtful.