Kung fu training philosophy and the Virtue of Commitment through patience, perseverance and refinement is taught and practised at Melbourne’s Golden Lion – Berwick, Rowville and Murrumbeena academies. Below is Jordan Comerford’s experience as a Golden Lion Kung Fu student.
I will never forget my first memory of training in Kung Fu. Picture this: a skinny, small, sufficiently scared teenager standing next to the towering Si Hing Kris Eberius, trying to pin down the basics of a simple block-tap-punch technique. I spent the whole of my first class on the dummy, repeating to myself out loud “Block, tap, punch”. For a technique that is now second nature to me, back then, it seemed like the hardest thing in the world.
Approaching my fifth stripe and my sixth year of training, I am urged to ask myself, what exactly is the difference between the person I am now and that terrified teen? The answer for me is commitment.
Kung Fu and kung fu training philosophy is not a hobby or an interest, but it is a part of who I am and a description of how I live. The Taoists believed that the actions of each individual creates the world we live in, affecting our physical and mental harmony in a profound way.
In regards to our roles as students of Martial Arts, our training extends beyond the classroom and beyond our physical presence. We must strive for perfect practise, which means a consideration of our academy’s philosophies regardless of our belt level. Although a level one student will train differently from a black belt, the commitment to training can become just as strong through time and energy.
Patience as a kung fu training philosophy
When I first started training, it was easy to let frustration take over. My eagerness to become Bruce Lee from ‘Enter the Dragon’ often led me to rush moves and neglect the most basic yet important aspects of our Southern Kung Fu. As a level 1 or level 2 student, building a strong understanding of the basics is absolutely essential to excel in higher levels. This means that what can be considered less flashy techniques like stances and footwork, as well as core strength, must be practised and trained. These things can only be achieved through time and patience. For me, this meant 100 push ups, 100 sit ups and horse stance training every night I possibly could, something I still continue today.
Patience is also put to the test when realising that every student has their own strengths and weaknesses. Early in my training, I realised that higher levels were often more flexible, physically stronger and mentally perceptive than I was. A student who has just begun training must set realistic goals relative to their level, without trying to rush to the ‘finish line’. You cannot rush flexibility, it is something that must be trained consistently through long term stretching. You cannot become physically stronger overnight; it takes conditioning and effort implemented through long term training. You also can’t become more perceptive in the blink of an eye. The reason advanced students can learn new moves so quickly is because of the hard work they have put into earlier levels.
Perseverance as a kung fu training philosophy
As you reach levels three and four, a new weight of expectation is placed on you. This expectation may come from your peers, but the most important opinion is your own. It is easy to let others judge your skill and commitment, but as a student of martial arts, the best motivation comes from within and the ability to persevere through new pressures that arise.
When I gained my third stripe, I started to notice that younger grades now looked at my technique as well. It is easy to become complacent now that you are past the beginner stage, but the need for more efficient practise is greater than ever, as you are now setting a standard for how to train. Integrating speed suddenly becomes a factor, with faster forms like the 32 barehands and the Elementary, which also requires precision of strikes. It is important through the development of your speed that strength and accuracy do not fade, as Kung Fu is a cumulative study of balanced skills.
Refinement as a kung fu training philosophy
As you move away from an intermediate level of training, some would naturally think that you are capable enough both physically and mentally to rest on your laurels. But for most, being considered an advanced student highlights how much there is still to learn. As the great ancient philosopher Socrates would advocate, the wise individual knows only that he truly knows nothing. To me, this was the realisation that in becoming advanced,I was in one way starting from the bottom again, as there was a new standard of training and responsibilities that would be expected of me.
In starting to help assist Si Gung Richard Tsui-Po and Si Jie Jo Baful with each of their classes for children, I felt like a beginner again, as teaching is a skill relatively novel to me. In having to teach the basics to kids, it is essential that my own basic skills are refined and worthy of setting an example.
The process of refining what you already know is what makes a martial artist grow strength and character. The process of taking on new responsibilities and learning to be a leader are virtues that each martial artist possesses, as long term training highlights the unique strengths that each of us has to bring to the academy.
Looking back on my training up to this moment, being a student of Kung Fu has emphasised my yearning to not only be a great martial artist, but to be an exceptional person in all that I do. The Virtue of Commitment, learnt through the philosophy of kung fu training for me means to take responsibility, take charge and to do it for yourself!
“If it is to be, it is up to me”
William H. Johnson
Read more about The Philosophy of Kung Fu Training here.
Jordan Comerford
Rowville Kung Fu