aelward
12-02-2002, 11:27 PM
On Sunday (Dec 1), I visited Sifu Garrett Gee's HFY Wing Chun school in San Francisco. A si-hing from Taiwan, who loves meeting famous teachers and seeing different branches of WC had wanted to go, and I had called a week in advance to see if it was ok.
Upon our arrival, his senior student Allen showed us around the school, whose training area is about 18' x 24' with Japanese Judo-style tatami, with two dummies, a weapon rack, and lots of pictures. They were incredibly hospitable, providing spring water and hot tea.
We watched the class as they went through their version of the SNT three times; then proceeded into two different footwork patterns; then the application of those patterns in the first section of their dummy form.
At this time, Sifu Gee graciously took the time to talk to us personally, and discuss some of the differences between HFY and other versions of WC. I can't say I understood all of these ideas, but it was still magnanimous of him to personally talk with us during his class. Lastly, he asked us to demonstrate our SNT and CK forms, as well as Chi Sao and some San Da; he also had his senior students do the CK form (which is probably 80% different from YM styles).
Overall, it was a very pleasant visit. There was not posturing or arrogance, no chest thumping. Sifu Gee's example of hospitality is something that we in the Wing Chun world could learn from!
Upon our arrival, his senior student Allen showed us around the school, whose training area is about 18' x 24' with Japanese Judo-style tatami, with two dummies, a weapon rack, and lots of pictures. They were incredibly hospitable, providing spring water and hot tea.
We watched the class as they went through their version of the SNT three times; then proceeded into two different footwork patterns; then the application of those patterns in the first section of their dummy form.
At this time, Sifu Gee graciously took the time to talk to us personally, and discuss some of the differences between HFY and other versions of WC. I can't say I understood all of these ideas, but it was still magnanimous of him to personally talk with us during his class. Lastly, he asked us to demonstrate our SNT and CK forms, as well as Chi Sao and some San Da; he also had his senior students do the CK form (which is probably 80% different from YM styles).
Overall, it was a very pleasant visit. There was not posturing or arrogance, no chest thumping. Sifu Gee's example of hospitality is something that we in the Wing Chun world could learn from!