Chinese kung fu is about sincerity and loyalty

Lam Sai WingChinese kung fu is about sincerity and loyalty. It’s about passing on and sharing culture and correct information.  Chinese kung fu is about brotherhood and mutual aid, regardless of the seniority and respective experience of those who practice it.

There’s never mystification or obfuscation in a traditional Chinese kung fu gymnasium, nor secrets accessible only to some restricted group of so-called “initiates.”  And above all, there are no techniques that must be taught incorrectly, inaccurately or incompletely to students deemed “unworthy.”

Nevertheless, there are parts of the art that must be kept concealed from beginning students for their own safety: some advanced techniques can be dangerous for the student if practiced incorrectly and/or without the requisite technical background. For this reason alone – to ensure the safety of the students – advanced practitioners should not show these techniques to beginners and should not demonstrate them.

In the Hung style, this restriction must be applied to the Dragon part of Sup Yin Kuen and to the Tit Sin Kuen set.  These restrictions are necessary to avoid the risk that a student might try to learn advanced techniques by imitation, without the assistance of an expert to explain necessary precautions and ensure correct appreciation of the skill to be learned.

Restrictions that limit access to advanced techniques must always be disclosed to beginners, and the reasons for the restrictions must be  explained.  Experts must always answer questions, explain, and tell the truth, giving full and correct information about the art and the progression necessary to learn advanced techniques.

Originally a note on Facebook.