Young Mantis,
I just read Paolo's email. I've been mad busy with work and all so I haven't been on line. The reason Sifu Wong told you what he did is because at the beginning stages getting the appropriate form down is more important than hitting the bag. The reason for this is because getting the correct energy is more important than getting the exercise of hitting the bag. As far as sparring goes, there are some among your seniors who do this regularly, myself being one of them. I've been with Sifu Wong six years and he has never told me I must not do bag work, or lift, or spar. To the contrary, while he doesn't frown on these activities, he doesn't do them at the school, but they are part of what brought him to the level he's at. Well, not lifting but all the rest. I just helped him move and I remember lifting more than one heavy bag. Why do you think he has them? We're also going to be planting a forest of poles outside of his house this summer. If you hang around long enough you'll know what I mean. As far as the class you're in: If you're a beginner I'm sure you aren't going to Sifu's class. Different instructors at the school have different emphasis. As long as the core of their teachings are consistent Sifu lets us do our thing. My class is a bit different than others at the school becasue I have a different emphasis in my own training so my class is structured a bit differently. There are three components of training: Form, Power Generation, and Usage. My classes are broken down along these lines. We do basics and forms for form, Stances and Chi Kung for power generation and two man drills and bagwork for usage. When people are ready I have them spar against me and each other. My classes are in Eagle River you need to come out. Bring a towel you'll need it
Check your PM's
Last edited by BaldMonk; 12-07-2003 at 10:27 AM.
"Speed knots are our greatest teachers"
"I specialize in Kuoshu and Ghetto Diction"
BaldMonk, from the Baldy Chronicles Volume III Chapter IV