Wah Lum as a performance art???
I was reading a post on what your favorite Mantis style was, saw it as a good question, and posted my reply. As I was reading the other replies, I noticed that Kicking Mantis saw Wah Lum as a "performance art". Not to be one that flies of the handle when things are said about my system, I wanted Kicking Mantis to elaborate on that quote. I see Wah Lum as a well rounded system, not perfect, as none are, as all are lacking something or another. Actually I also take that as a compliment as Wah Lum does very well in competition, in forms and fighting, and indeed the forms are very flowing and do good in competition..... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Please RE-READ my POST and then REPLY.
Miami Mantis,
I dont see anywhere in my post where I said anything about Wah Lum being a "Performance Art!"
Wnen you read items, read carefully before you respond.
Wah Lum as a performance art
Well it's in pretty plain english, but I will refresh your memory just in case. You responded to Phantom's post on what is your favorite style of Mantis and why and you replied, and I quote "However, previously, I studied and still practice traditions of Wah Lum and found it to be a good system, more of a performance art, good forms and drills for basics and to develop power, flexibility and strength." Then you go on singing the merits of 7 seven star, which I'm sure is an excellant system. That I am not arguing. Just expand on performance art for me. Thanks [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]
Explanation of "Performance Art".
Miami,
I guess I did say those words didn't I!.
We'll......like I said, I am not putting down any art, because i feel the individual has to develop their art to make it part of who they are to make it work for them, However, In my opinion, Wah Lum as do many other Northern and Some Southern styles, hold characteristics that make them pleasing to the eye and gathers crowds. High, Jumping, and Spinning Kicks, Full Sweeps, long arm and body movements, Butterfly kicks, Splits, very low kicks on one leg and etc......to me are examples of movements that are beautiful that are in arts that are excellent in pleasing crowds and some of the techniques are questionable for modern day combat purposes unless they are altered a bit or signifigantly.
If I am teaching a student and I say this is the movement, but in actual combat you have to alter it to make it work it becomes questionable to me.
I know some things in every system you have to alter to make it work, but when it becomes many, and I am in martial arts not only for the art but also self defense, I am going to search for a system that provides me with what it is I am looking for in characteristics.
I think this topic is interesting
Can someone please explain more about high kicks etc used in a street fight.
Visit http://www.mybizhosting.com for website hosting.
Wah Lum as a performance art
Since I started this topic, i'll add my 2 cents again. I questioned Kicking Mantis on what he meant about Wah Lum as a perfromance art, and he explained it to me with a satisfactory answer. I know that his post was not meant to offend anyone in WahLum. Hey I'll admit WahLum looks flashy, but then again don't alot of Northern styles?. Look at Eagle Claw, a very effective system but at the same time the forms are nice to watch. What about Monkey?. The forms are really neat to watch, but a true Monkey stylist is one to be dealt with very carefully. And the Wu Shu stylist, yeah there forms are all over the place and they need a room the size of a football field to show their forms, but look at the speed at which they move. Look at how high they can kick and how fast they punch. If they were to use that in a practical application, I'm sure I would not want to be on the recieving end of their technique nor would anybody else in the forum.
Also by the way who did Master Chan kill or paralyze. That I would really like to know. That must be a bonus question for extra credit when testing.... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]