djphrenzy
08-28-2001, 12:35 PM
Well, after about 10 months of rigorous searching I found someone that I am very comfortable with. Actually, I'm not only comfortable with him, but I feel priveledged to learn from him.
His name is Sifu Eric Knight and he teaches in his backyard, which I might add looks like something out of a Shaolin movie. There are poles coming out of the ground, a rather large bowl looking wooden structure, and various other things of interest.
I went last night for a free lesson. I was immediately impressed. We talked for about 30 minutes, and it seems his priorities are very similar to mine. He informed me that he had studied under Dr. Fred Wu as a disciple for about 30 years before he passed away. Dr. Wu taught him in a very traditional manner, and that's how he teaches.
He immediately pegged me as either a white crane or mantis stylist based on my body structure and how I carry myself. Which I found interesting, because these are the two styles that interest me most.
After our short disscussion we moved outside where one of his other students was working on stances. He gave me a few demonstrations of forms. He did 18 elders (which he called 18 old man), then he did a Pa Kua form (his specialty style) and last he did a white crane form.
I am by no means an expert, but in viewing the way he executed his forms I could tell that he is a worthy teacher. I have visited several schools and seen many teachers do many forms, but they seemed forced in comparison. His forms flowed from technique to technique, almost to the point where it was hard to tell what was going on. Also of worthy note, I noticed that as he changed styles his attitude also changed. When he did the mantis form, he was patient and controlling. When he did crane, he was graceful and balanced. In the Pa Kua form he was sincere and fluid-like.
After the forms he informed me that he teaches all of his students the basic stances first. He stressed that a good foundation is key. He said that it will take me about two months of stance practice to be comfortable enough in order to move on to the next stage. So, for three hours I worked with him on my cat stance and horse stance. Yes, my legs are very sore.
I thank you guys for your help in my quest. :D
Steve "Phrenzy"
Kali/Pentjak Silat
http://www.djphrenzy.com
His name is Sifu Eric Knight and he teaches in his backyard, which I might add looks like something out of a Shaolin movie. There are poles coming out of the ground, a rather large bowl looking wooden structure, and various other things of interest.
I went last night for a free lesson. I was immediately impressed. We talked for about 30 minutes, and it seems his priorities are very similar to mine. He informed me that he had studied under Dr. Fred Wu as a disciple for about 30 years before he passed away. Dr. Wu taught him in a very traditional manner, and that's how he teaches.
He immediately pegged me as either a white crane or mantis stylist based on my body structure and how I carry myself. Which I found interesting, because these are the two styles that interest me most.
After our short disscussion we moved outside where one of his other students was working on stances. He gave me a few demonstrations of forms. He did 18 elders (which he called 18 old man), then he did a Pa Kua form (his specialty style) and last he did a white crane form.
I am by no means an expert, but in viewing the way he executed his forms I could tell that he is a worthy teacher. I have visited several schools and seen many teachers do many forms, but they seemed forced in comparison. His forms flowed from technique to technique, almost to the point where it was hard to tell what was going on. Also of worthy note, I noticed that as he changed styles his attitude also changed. When he did the mantis form, he was patient and controlling. When he did crane, he was graceful and balanced. In the Pa Kua form he was sincere and fluid-like.
After the forms he informed me that he teaches all of his students the basic stances first. He stressed that a good foundation is key. He said that it will take me about two months of stance practice to be comfortable enough in order to move on to the next stage. So, for three hours I worked with him on my cat stance and horse stance. Yes, my legs are very sore.
I thank you guys for your help in my quest. :D
Steve "Phrenzy"
Kali/Pentjak Silat
http://www.djphrenzy.com