Why Did you Change your Lineage?

[Lindley]

A previous post asked readers to identify their lineage, to see where most come from. Some of the responses were from those who "changed" lineages. There is only one Wing Chun, but many different methods and teaching styles. Those who have, please give some detail as to why they did (without disrespecting their former Sifu).

[SAAMAG]

Life.

Opportunities to train come and go. People move, people lose touch, people grow beyond that which the current sifu is able to teach. Some are referrals, some are merely doing it because they wish to learn another's POV.

Life.

[couch]

I changed my approach because I felt like my needs were not being met.

Needs such as sparring guidance and the ability to think outside the box.

After years in the martial arts, I became sick of dogma, cults and ulterior motives. So I just kept moving until I found something that would guide me but leave me alone to do my work.

My Sifu is still my Sifu (I love it when we get to see each other as we are now 3000 miles apart), however my ideas on my 'kung-fu family' have changed over the years. I used to look up to folks in my lineage, but for the most part they are arrogant and don't wish to share. Along with finding something as stated above, I also left the arrogant ones behind to make friends with folks who play a positive role in my life.

Best,
K

[sanjuro_ronin]

I started with Nelson Chan and went to Sunny Tangs because of location and travel time.
It was the same WC, more or less, but I soon found myself leaving WC because it was not the right fit for me, though I did take what I needed from it.

[Sihing73]

Hello,

When I was transfered to Germany I had to leave my Sifu and train with what was available. I remained in the WT family for many years until I got tired of some of the political crap. Both Allan and I left WT at the same time but ended up taking different paths.

I started training with Sifu Chow because I liked his approach and openness. He was one of the few WC Sifu who allowed you to attack him any way you wanted to show you the effectiveness of his approach. While I am still affiliated with him distance prevents regular training with him, I am abut 850-900 miles way now

[LSWCTN1]

my first lineage was my uncle (sporadically) then my Dad. i moved in with my father at 16 and like most fathers and sons we spent a lot of time together.

we didnt go fishing, we didnt play football, we sometimes played snooker, but mostly he taught me wing chun. just usual father and son time, but trying to clean each others clocks

when you are young and full of energy and passion you want to train the whole time, but when your older and have had two heart attacks your body wont allow you to do so, so i set out looking for a new instructor (with my fathers permission).

i actually became intereted in my present instructor theough his youtube demos , having never heard of him prior to that. i did a little research on him before making the trip and discovered that he was well thought of so decided to give him a try. never looked back since...

thats how i went from Lee Shing lineage to Ng Chun Hong lineage...

i do still practice with my father regularly too

[Matrix]

After years in the martial arts, I became sick of dogma, cults and ulterior motives. So I just kept moving until I found something that would guide me but leave me alone to do my work.

I used to look up to folks in my lineage, but for the most part they are arrogant and don't wish to share. Along with finding something as stated above, I also left the arrogant ones behind to make friends with folks who play a positive role in my life.

Kenton,
This is a very sad story. I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience. Be aware that arrogance is not limited to particular members of one group. It's ubiquitous.

Take care.
Bill

[mjw]

Details or perhaps change of flavor though still same style might be more to ones liking....