Learning Traditional Martial Arts

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Learning Traditional Martial Arts
Jow Gar Kung Fu
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What do you consider learning? Do you only feel
like you are learning when being shown new
techniques?Where do your place instruction and
practice on the refinement of kung fu techniques,
basics and movements that you have already been
shown before? Training in Kung Fu provides and
exciting pathway of learning because of a graded
syllabus and a constant stream of new things to
learn.
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The problem is that, with this stream of ever
developing techniques a student can become
complacent at refining the Kung Fu they have
already learned. Instead focusing on always
adding to the pile of kung fu forms or martial
art techniques they have. The student is then
engaged in what I would call kung fu collecting.
  When this happens the student has stopped
focusing on the goal of being good at kung fu,
and has replaced it with the goal of merely
collecting sashes or forms as some sort of
arbitrary gauge of their martial art ability.  
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Rather than, the gauge of their level actually
being their ability. Simply knowing a technique
does not mean that it is being executed with a
level of proficiency or that it has been
practiced to a level where a student could
actually use the technique in a self defense
situation. Knowing and understanding are two
completely different things.
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As an instructor I see correction and refinement
of technique as a much higher level of training
and instructing. For me in class, giving a
student a correction or refinement on something
they already know is what I am there for. Yes as
a student you are always going to learn new
things. But the difference between learning kung
fu from a dvd or off some internet expert is the
fact that you are getting personalised correction
and feedback on the way you are executing your
kung fu techniques. Every student comes to us
with a unique personality, body type and ability
and it is our instructors and my ability to help
you achieve the very best level of technique that
serves you in your martial arts journey from a
beginner to mastery.
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Jow Gar Kung Fu is a very big system of martial
art knowledge. In our syllabus there are over 50
traditional kung fu forms. So continual learning
of new techniques should be tempered with gradual
progression and refinement of forms and
techniques that you already know. You do not get
better at kung fu by learning new stuff, you get
better at kung fu by practicing your old stuff
is something that students would have heard me
say in class. So if you feel disappointed when
you are given corrections rather than taught
something new. You are missing the point of
having excellent instructors at your disposal.
Anyone can do bad kung fu, can you apply yourself
to do good kung fu?
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Thank You
Jow Gar Kung Fu
http//jowgar.com.au