THE FIRST FORM.

Beginners want instant gratification from their training, instant improvement, measurable, observable improvement, that they can see and feel.

As in Instructor, I spend a great deal of time trying to inspire my students to spend time engaged with our Forms.

Usually, it takes about three years before a student engages with the Forms on any level that is likely to enable genuine improvement.

The First Form gives no tactile feedback and in no way relates to dealing with violence.

Hence the hesitation to engage.

I get it, I ‘really’ do.

Beginners want instant gratification from their training, instant improvement, measurable, observable improvement, that they can see and feel.

{ it was this aspect that led to my abandoning Bagua Zhang and Xing Yi back in the ’80s, there was not enough of what I thought was “Real Work” that would improve my fighting ability}.

Actual improvement in how we play a Form is exceedingly difficult to measure and a long time coming.

Here is the rub, our improvement in Wing Chun is nothing other than a reflection of our understanding of the Forms.

It really is a ‘no brainer’ that the sooner we engage with our Forms the better.

The Paradox is that from a practical point of view all Forms are useless, but without Forms, we can never progress, never understand and never become competent.

Let’s have a look at that.

It is not the movements, the shapes or sequences that make the Forms pivotal in our advancement, they are all close to pointless, it is the how and the why we make those moves.

Engaging with the Form is a far cry from simply waving our hands around, it is about thinking, feeling, questioning and exploring.

WORK ON YOUR WEAKNESS – PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTH.