HFY/TWC SLT

[Phil Redmond]

Hi,
I've been watching Benny Meng demonstrate HFY SLT on a tape I have. I noticed that in part of the form it looks like he steps 45 degrees to the back and/or to the left /right while striking to the side. TWC ASLT has a similar movement. I know the application/purpose in our system. Can someone tell me the purpose in HFY? Thanks in advance.
Phil Redmond

[Savi]

Sifu Redmond,
I am not quite sure what you have seen on your video. In HFY SNT there are different variations on different themes. There are different applications in certain sections which vary in focus from Hei Gung applications to Kahm Na to Kuen Fot to strategy and tactic for example.

I hope this might broaden the perspective, but hopefully somebody may know what version you have seen.

[BennyMeng]

Hey Phil,

It is good to see you doing some homework on Wing Chun. Let me give you some background information so you can better analyze situations with the tapes.

First, I had just learned the movements of HFY SNT and couldn’t yet express the proper angles and details. As a matter of fact, I learned that form just so I could show it at the Seminar. The form I demonstrated does not even come close in details to the proper HFY SNT form. In any advanced system, there is always an inside version and a public version. Kung fu has thousands of years of culture where it tends to be conservative and secretive. Most first time information taught to outsiders is normally the public versions of systems. The public version exists not just because of the secret culture but because there is a need to train a foundational level before teaching more detailed information – like a high school chemistry class vs. a Ph.D. program in chemistry. The form that I performed is not even correct compared to the public version of HFY.

Anyhow, I will go ahead and answer your question. The stepping out expresses the Chiu Min Deui Ying concept in HFY – meaning that the six-gate alignment is correct in relation to applications. The self-structure is consistent with the formula and the gate theory of HFY. The finishing front stance / biu sau expresses a deeper concept in relation to tactics. In HFY, we call it the Bin Ma concept. The further explanation of these original Kuen Kuit are explained in the upcoming book, to be published in the September ’03 timeframe. This book represents one of the first comprehensive, yet basic, introductions of HFY to the martial arts public. It is being published by Human Kinetics, a well-known name in the world of sports and fitness publishing.

BM

[Phil Redmond]

Hey Benny,
It's good to hear from you. I thought the form you did was representative of HFY SLT. I didn't know. Also, I understand the public, vs. private teaching. We have the same thing in TWC. Anyway, what intrigued me was the similarities in terms of structure in what I saw. To be honest, I'm probably looking for similarities simply because of the way other WC people view HFY and TWC as not having a real history beyond our respective Sifus. I know my Sifu says he never met Sifu Gee and I hear that Sifu Gee says the same thing. To me any similarities between TWC and HFY could prove that both our histories are valid and maybe somthing in common. It's not that HFY or TWC need validation but it would be nice to shut up the naysayers. It looked like you did your gan san using the inside muscle of your forearm as opposed to the ulna bone like most WC people do. We definately do not advocate bone to bone contact. We block/parry using muscle. Maybe I'm reading too much into your demo. But I will have to say that HFY looks a lot closer to TWC than the other WC styles/versions I've learned over the last 30 years. Oh, I have a former Yale student that lives in N. Olmstead. Is that near you? I plan on visiting him there soon. Maybe I could stop by and see you. You know, Sifu Car and I still talk about your Dad's cooking. That was a great meal
Regards,
Phil

[BennyMeng]

Looking at the map, N. Olmstead is about 2-2.5 hours northeast of Dayton. You’re always welcome to stop by, just let me know ahead of time due to traveling and whatnot.

BM

[Phil Redmond]

Thanks,
It would be nice to see you and your students again. They are really good representatives of your school. Please say hello to Chango, Jeremy, and Tae for me. Of course I'd call first. I know you travel a lot.