I don't mean to stir up trouble here, but I'm currently taking Tai Chi classes at a WL school here in Florida and I am intrigued enough by what I've read about Northern PM gongfu so far that I'm seriously considering enrolling once I can spare the extra time/money. However, I am curious to know what's behind these "issues" people have with wah lum. Before I came to this forum, the only difference I was aware of was that WL emphasized kicks much more so than the other northern PM systems. I get the distinct impression that some people think that there's more than just this, but sifting through these threads and trying to discern the "truth" is 1) taking way too much time and 2) giving me a headache.
So far I've come across five or so complaints:
1) it isn't a "real" northern system. the styles are so altered that they have more in common with southern PM (or some other system) than northern PM. I take this to mean that these people view WL as being less hard than other northern systems (which, along with the "blindingly fast hook-hands" is the trademark, or so I gather)... or is it just that the forms themselves are so different?
2) some rant about a lack of sparring. I suppose I could ask my Sifu about this one, but in the mean time I'd like to know how the official WL temple method of sparring differs from other styles.
3) politics. something about the style itself being more important than the students, and something about not being allowed to go to seminars.
4) too flashy. if the school has adequite sparring, I don't see this as much of a problem. I'll hopefully be able to figure out what moves are effective and what moves are not and only use these flashy moves to psyche someone out (which can be a very effective strategy, btw.)
5) something about certain "secrets" not being taught. If it's true, it sounds like a lot of BS to me.
Obviously everyone's impression of the system is different and obviously those people who practice it are going to defend against the above comments. However -- truthful or not -- I doubt that there would've been such a ruckus if WL wasn't different in some ways. Regardless of which style is better (which really is a pointless issue; I only care about which style is better for ME) I am interested in understanding these differences between WL and other Northern PM Styles and what other people have experienced in WL schools, both positive and negative.
Or if you want, you can just yell at me for being such a troll.