PHILOSOPHY OF TRAINING

PHILOSOPHY OF TRAINING
In over twenty years of learning and practicing Kung Fu, I am often asked about the benefits of so many years of continuous practice. The answer is not easy, but it stimulates me to think about why I have learned and practiced for so long, and what my philosophy of training is. Much of my philosophy comes from my teachers, both from southern and northern institutions, but a fair amount also comes from the insights acquired through so many years of continuous training. As I sit down to write on this topic, the first thing that comes to mind is health.

The first principle of any kind of training should be Health First. If you want to be a better martial artist, you need to practice daily to achieve your training goals. Unfortunately, if you are not healthy it is difficult to practice in an optimum way. If you injure your hand breaking a brick, then it is quite difficult to train with this hand. This does not mean that brick breaking is good or bad, but that if this activity causes an injury that sets back your training, then it is time to evaluate its contribution to the training process. As I think back to my own experiences over the years, I realize that many of those unnecessary injuries that I received many years ago are still with me. I was lucky enough to have many conservative teachers at the beginning of my training, so my benefits from the training far outweigh the detriments of the injuries I received. But, many of my friends have not been so lucky. In the extreme cases some of these athletes have received multiple surgeries, lifelong pain, and what I am sure will be decreased function as their bodies continue to age.

When we are young we feel invincible, we can do anything, and in our minds it will always be that way. We will train foolishly and oftentimes be chronically injured in the process. Many of these kind of injuries can be avoided if the instructor and the student can work together. Many long lasting injuries can occur because of poor training methods or over training.

An example of a poor training method is the method of hand conditioning used by many martial arts styles. The usual idea is to hammer the fist against some hard surface until conditioning occurs. In order to get quick results, the strike is done a few hundred to a few thousand times per day until the desired result is achieved. Unfortunately, it is not conditioning that occurs, but desensitizing of the striking area and damage to the tissues. This type of training can be very similar to the continuous smashing of the knuckles with a hammer. Can you picture your hand on a table while your associate pounds it with a hammer a thousand times per day?

One of my classmates had the classic case of over training; he would often brag about hitting the wooden dummy for 3 hours per day. Can you imagine the amount of damage caused to the tissues by a human limb hitting a chunk of hardwood for 3 hours per day? I was also not immune to this kind of thinking. I remember when after hard and continuous training, I was able to split kindling with the palm of my hand. unfortunately, it was also difficult for me to hold chopsticks or an ink pen steady in my hand. I learned a valuable lesson from this experience. There are smarter methods of training that can improve physical capacity without excessive damage to the structures. Unfortunately, these methods take time and good instruction. There is no quick fix! This brings me to a term that is often used in the Chinese martial arts. The term is Kung Fu.

Kung Fu is not a special technique; it is not a martial art. It is the fruit of effort in any area. To develop good Kung Fu, it takes time and proper training. A little bit each day for a whole lot of days will build significant skill without as many injuries. But if you are after quick results, there are quick roads to these results, but the price paid can be rather high.

Training should make you stronger and healthier. It should push you beyond your expectations both mentally and physically. The Chinese believe that the mind and body have no limits and that we should continually push to improve our kung fu. Training should improve our fitness, make us more relaxed, and improve our skill.

As a student I tried to keep the following things in mind:

Anyone can teach you something that could improve your martial art, even if this person is not a high ranking master. This is an important concept that was continually drilled into me. In looking back, it was absolutely correct. I received many gold nuggets from people that were not always the greatest of martial artists. Many of these nuggets helped to piece together my martial way. Unfortunately, I have heard many students say that if the teacher could not beat them up, then they could not learn from him. Can you imagine the missed learning opportunities in these student's lives?

Master one part before going on to another. You are a better martial artist if you can do a few things well, than if you can do a lot of things poorly. You will be a better fighter if you have three excellent kicks, than if you are barely acquainted with a dozen.

Give some and take some. When working with others, try to give as well as take. You might think that you have nothing to offer, but if you look hard you will find a way to help. As an example, if the senior student is teaching the junior student, then the junior student may help his senior by being a realistic sparring partner and not just going through the motions.

Think of your classmates as helpers not as enemies. They are your partners in preparing for life outside of kung fu class. They are not your punching bags!

Kung Fu is about doing, not just about talking. When in doubt, move more and talk less. Every moment that a student is talking, he or she is not practicing. So, balance your talking with appropriate action.

Treat others with respect, this includes juniors and seniors. In a respectful and orderly environment much can be accomplished, and a lot of knowledge can exchange hands.

One last thing to keep in mind, Leave Your Ego at the Door. Keep a close eye on your ego while training in kung fu. One of the most important principles to be learned in class is personal control. A lot of people give lip service to this principle, but few can actually do it. This is more than a philosophical point; it is darn practical! With appropriate self-control we can avoid fights and arguments that could cause damage or death to ourselves or other human beings. Do not wear your black belt around your eyes!

In summary, proper training should improve health. A strong and healthy body should be the foundation of all martial arts training. If you give respect, then you will get respect back. In addition, remember that Rome was not built in one day; good Kung fu is not developed in a short time. Learn to take short steps daily and eventually you will reach your goals. Remember the old saying, THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH THE FIRST STEP... So get started and enjoy your journey!