Technique Tips

Engage in Your Training

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How do you want to define your black belt, your Kung Fu career? Are you a dabbler, or are you in this for the long haul? Do you want a weekly exercise class, or do you want the lifestyle shift that comes with the martial arts?

Whatever your answer, you get what you give when it comes to the martial arts and Kung Fu. So give what you want to get, but be aware that the lessons you can receive from Kung Fu run deep. Shallow participation will only give you nominal results.

Every process and every decision that is made in the school is made to better equip our students. We strive to support you all as best we can in your journey, providing substantial and numerous opportunities to hone your skill and give you a sense of ownership in your training and your journey.

One such opportunity occurs at the end of every night of classes; taking care of our mats. Others include taking care of the grounds, mowing the grass, helping out during Back to School Week. We take pride when we work up a sweat (as we should!) and when we push ourselves beyond our limits. Taking care of the space that allows us these feelings of success can equally give you a sense of pride and ownership.

When you put your energy into taking care of your house and home, you feel a sense of peace and your mind is more receptive to your family and your own needs. This stands true for your school as well; a well maintained, clean space heightens your ability to focus and receive your lessons. Taking the initiative yourself amplifies this. When you take pride in your space you take pride in your training. You become more motivated, and you will see the fruits of your labour in your Kung Fu skill and understanding.

Engagement is the key. Engage mindfully when you practice, engage mindfully when you are in your class. Engage with your school.

Who do you want to be? Do you want to just earn your black belt, or do you want to be a black belt, earning your place in the martial arts community?

Progression comes consistently and honestly when progression is not your only motivation. Take pride in what you do, where you are and what you are striving to become.

Forms Training

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Forms mastery is where the heart of traditional martial arts resides.  Mastering forms means mastering your style. When you earn your black belt you are being recognized for having mastered the basics of a specific style. Your forms training makes up the foundation upon which your black belt is earned.

In forms training we follow three specific phases, taught in a specific order,  to achieve forms mastery:

  • Sequence

  • Technique

  • Flow

Flow is considered the pinnacle of forms mastery but the majority of students never get to that phase in their training. We all focus on sequence first because that gives us a base from which to practice. Once we get the sequence memorized we start focusing on perfecting each technique within the sequence. Once sequence and technique are sound, we are now ready to tackle flow.

Flow in forms is comprised of two major components. The first is the flow within the individual techniques of the form. A thrust punch has a distinctive flow. That flow is defined by the way the left and right quadrants balance with equal and opposite energy along with how the lower quadrant stabilizes and supports the upper quadrant.  This technique flow is usually as far as most students delve into the overall flow of forms.

To master your forms, and therefore your style, you must define flow beyond just each individual technique. Each individual technique’s flow is influenced by the technique that came before and the technique that comes after. Therefore flow training must encompass the transitions between the techniques as well.


For many of you this article will seem somewhat basic and obvious. It will not trigger an ‘aha’ moment. For the more advanced students there is an opportunity here to take this article and apply it to your understanding of intent and recognize its unmistakable link to flow.

This Moves This...That Moves That

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It's truly amazing how our body works.  This moves this....that moves that.  This moves this so that that can move that.  Each part has it's own function, yet they all work together.  Sure it's possible to move just one body part.  For example, you can stand straight and stiff and simply throw a punch straight out.  But we know that throwing a punch like that, without incorporating anything else, does not result in a very good punch.  For any given intentional movement, there are several other supporting movements.  For ideal function, everything needs to work together.

So if we know that we ideally want everything working together to support one specific intent...what happens if we limit one of those supporting movements?  How much impact will that have?

Well, the answer is ALOT.  

I'm struggling right now with a shoulder injury.  I typically have a few ongoing injuries at any given time, but never anything super serious that has really limited me.  It's even often my shoulder.

Currently, however, it's in pretty bad shape.  And it seems to be affecting everything else down the line.  I noticed this morning that because I can't fully extend one arm, my other can't seem to finish what it needs to do either.  Because I can't fully complete the upper body techniques, the lower body movements seem incomplete as well.  I can't seem to fully sink into my stances.  I can't do the opening and closing bow properly and so my start and finish to my forms is pretty pathetic.  My flow is gone.  It's as if everything else is adjusting to suit the injury.  I'm only as good as my weakest link apparently.

As I was writing the above, a thought popped into my head.  Perhaps it's not just the physical injury alone causing the overall problem.  Perhaps the real issue with a more severe injury is that my original intent is no longer pure.  And maybe it simply can't be with the injury.  Although I'm trying to keep my original intent, it has changed anyways.  It is now to avoid further injury, to avoid the pain, and so everything changes to support that intent.

I wonder if that's why injuries can be so frustrating.  We adjust physically, because we have to, while desperately attempting to hold on to our original intent, which may just not be possible under the circumstances.

I'm thinking that in order to train (successfully) with an injury, adjustments will be needed physically, as well as with my intent, in order to find a balance.  Hopefully only temporarily.

Malinda Ferris