weightvest
06-06-2003, 05:03 PM
I have seen a lot of what I feel is a big misunderstanding about the purpose of forms in kungfu and the way people regard kungfu as a whole.
The two most common things I see are "Is kungfu good for the street", and Shaolin teachers teaching their students that the forms are the way we fight.
In the Army they have marching, in music - scales, in kungfu - forms. Forms work the same way as these other two things.
In the example of music, we learn scales to build up rythms, co-ordination, and the ability to play and improvise music. the more we practise scales, the better we are at improvising, sight-reading and playing compositions. This is because we are giving ourselves a platform from which to work. We become so familiar with the notes A-B-C-D-E-F-G that we can easily change the order with consistency G-E-A-F-D-B-C or even add in sharps and minors in between notes, without even having to think or hesitate.
Forms provide us with that same ability if we practise them over and over and over. While it is good to practise single kicks, punches etc (learning each individual note A, then B, then C) it does not give us flow. Prctising combinations over and over (punch, kick, grab headlock) without forms is locking ourselves into a set piece, not giving us the same ability to improvise and "flow".
In answering the first question, I believe that if taught correctly, kungfu stands more chance on the street than any other martial art.
Let's consider things from a fighting standpoint. Take, for example, this key factor: "street" teaches a lot fo brawling and grappling, ground-work / wrestling. To me all these things are not 'fighting" but more shows of strength than anything. I back this up by pointing out that Kungfu styles made purely for fighting have little or no grappling, wrestling and ground work. Why? A real fight wants to be ended as fast as possible so you don't get hurt yourself BANG it's over. Ba Gua, Hsing-I, Pak Mei... all arts that "First hit doesn't kill you, second one will."
yet, street is very brutal (hence why it's "street"). We need to be able to act fast without thought to the situation that hits us. In an instant we need to rely 100% on our ability to flow without thinking. This come through practiaing forms.
Sparring, to me, is not a good way to practise "street". Sparring unlike street, is pre-emptive. It is toe to toe, regulated exercise. Yes, it can help with passive things like speed, movement etc, but to really survive street, you need to move without thinking, flow without hesitation.
So I feel the way to get the most out of kungfu is this: practsie forms every day then forget about them; do a bit of sparring here and there just to keep you on your toes,; have a biff with a friend once in a while to keep your wits up. The key, ultimately, is to just have faith that it will allwork if you just learn to let go.
The two most common things I see are "Is kungfu good for the street", and Shaolin teachers teaching their students that the forms are the way we fight.
In the Army they have marching, in music - scales, in kungfu - forms. Forms work the same way as these other two things.
In the example of music, we learn scales to build up rythms, co-ordination, and the ability to play and improvise music. the more we practise scales, the better we are at improvising, sight-reading and playing compositions. This is because we are giving ourselves a platform from which to work. We become so familiar with the notes A-B-C-D-E-F-G that we can easily change the order with consistency G-E-A-F-D-B-C or even add in sharps and minors in between notes, without even having to think or hesitate.
Forms provide us with that same ability if we practise them over and over and over. While it is good to practise single kicks, punches etc (learning each individual note A, then B, then C) it does not give us flow. Prctising combinations over and over (punch, kick, grab headlock) without forms is locking ourselves into a set piece, not giving us the same ability to improvise and "flow".
In answering the first question, I believe that if taught correctly, kungfu stands more chance on the street than any other martial art.
Let's consider things from a fighting standpoint. Take, for example, this key factor: "street" teaches a lot fo brawling and grappling, ground-work / wrestling. To me all these things are not 'fighting" but more shows of strength than anything. I back this up by pointing out that Kungfu styles made purely for fighting have little or no grappling, wrestling and ground work. Why? A real fight wants to be ended as fast as possible so you don't get hurt yourself BANG it's over. Ba Gua, Hsing-I, Pak Mei... all arts that "First hit doesn't kill you, second one will."
yet, street is very brutal (hence why it's "street"). We need to be able to act fast without thought to the situation that hits us. In an instant we need to rely 100% on our ability to flow without thinking. This come through practiaing forms.
Sparring, to me, is not a good way to practise "street". Sparring unlike street, is pre-emptive. It is toe to toe, regulated exercise. Yes, it can help with passive things like speed, movement etc, but to really survive street, you need to move without thinking, flow without hesitation.
So I feel the way to get the most out of kungfu is this: practsie forms every day then forget about them; do a bit of sparring here and there just to keep you on your toes,; have a biff with a friend once in a while to keep your wits up. The key, ultimately, is to just have faith that it will allwork if you just learn to let go.