marra3671
08-27-2006, 02:02 AM
Written Test Questions
By Cristian Morales
1)List the Four Martial Art Activities. Is one activity better than the others? If yes, what defines better? If no, why?
The martial art activities are:
•Health and Fitness
•Sports or Competitions
•Entertainment
•Self defense
No there is no such one activity better than others because each person who decides to enroll in the path of martial arts has a different purpose or a different goal, making it subjective to each other’s view. This also depends on the maturity of the practitioner; never the less the view might change while the path of the martial art is being walked.
Although practicing Self Defense, if the purpose of enrolling in a martial art is to learn how to defend yourself, you would also be gaining the other mentioned three. This is because from a self defense perspective you would be learning how to educate your body to keep it fit, and by default that would make it healthy. Also as long as you advance in your knowledge you would be preparing yourself for a real life challenge which these days fighting tournaments are taking a big leading edge on sports. And in your preparation of your martial art, after a path of dedication and sacrifice, it is feasible that you can be capable of performing for the public certain techniques and applications for exhibitions in a margin of your physical capabilities.
2)What is the reality of self-defense and combat?
3)List the Four Ranges of Combat. Is one better than the others? If yes, what defines better? If not, why? (answere for question 2 & 3 are together)
The truth is that these days are not as aggressive as it used to be when honor and survival was settled in the battle field. These days the fight is more mental than physical - these days the practice of martial arts is based on some subtle peace of mind and confidence where you feel prepared to face some hostile situation, and from there it takes all the different paths mentioned above. However, in a hostile situation where combat is required for “survival” we talk about:
• Long kicking range: where our body is allowed to reach the opponent with our longest movement of the limb - as a back leg can strike due to the extension of itself and the body’s natural moves or mechanics that allows it cover longer distance in order to perform an attack. Good things about this are the mobility that we can have from this position, the power that it can be generated based on the distance and the acceleration that we give to that limb. It is important to mention that this position of combat is considered a “one sider” due to the posture of the body that naturally adopts to perform the move to reach maximum reach and strength.
• Long striking range: is very similar to the description above. The only difference lays on the way that we use the limbs to execute our attack - using body limbs would be any kick performed with the front leg, or any type of punch used to strike (jab, jab cross). At this position we can strike the opponent with full power, but not at the same distance (even though it is used for long reach) as a long type of kick. Disadvantages of this position of combat can apply as well to the long kicking range needed, such as limited use of tools for combat. It is also more of a reactive situation than proactive, because only one - an attack or a block - can be preformed at one time. And in my personal view, when this position is very powerful I believe that excessive power, lack of control, and to not have control of your attack or defense, can be more harmful to yourself and an advantage to your opponent.
• Trapping range: this is considered a position where you are allowed to touch your opponent with both hands and both legs. From this position we talk about full contact combat, where you maximize the use of your tools and the efficiency of your movements bloom. Here an attack and a defense can be preformed simultaneously, a position where there is no such thing as excessive contact because of its nature, and because the distance that it takes for you to receive or take a hit is so short it can be considered a disadvantage.
• Grappling: when we refer to a grappling situation we talk about controlling centers of gravity. From here the stimulation is given by manipulating the center of your opponent. At this range any type of hit that is given is not to knock out or really hurt your opponent. This is because the very small gap between the bodies disables the limbs from creating any motion big enough to cause severe damage. At this range we look for any type of submission by manipulating the limb against its natural movement or to project the opponent to the ground. I also agree that from a grappling situation a superior position can be gained where any limbs can be use to cause damage. However, the nature of grappling is to move the body from its center of gravity - not to hit. One of the biggest disadvantages at this range is the fact that you can not perceive or be aware of your surroundings while you are in a pinch, and these days’ fights are not as honorable as they use to be. Today combats take place among several participants, which makes it hard to keep control at this range when you are being challenged by a group.
Up to this point we conclude that there is no such thing as a better way to fight, neither better ranges, everything depends on the situation and the skills and limitations of your self to perform the most effective attack at the right moment - at the precise time and at the most convenient place. These ranges should be practiced for versatility of situations, however the ability to master any of these ranges would vary in different people, as well as the comfort of the skills adopted at the time and given by the practice of martial arts.
4) What is Heaven, Human, and Earth in relationship?
Heaven in my perspective is everything place on your body from the neck to the head. Human is from the neck to the hips, and Earth would be, in my perspective, from the hips to the ground.
Now, from a combat range:
Heaven: long kicking range and long striking range
Human: everything that has to do with in the trapping range.
Earth: would be considered into the grappling range.
From this Heaven, Human, and Earth perspective self defense can be categorized in the different stages of combat range. Lets mention that the intention of knowing the combats of range is to study the possibility of an attack. From this we can rationalize a self defense strategy to avoid any potential damage.
5) What is the Space/ Time/ Energy paradigm?
This triangle comes out of a philosophy where every single thing, the universe and the motion of nature occurs in a specific place with the precise energy at the right time, from here, every move, and every action is balanced by the moment, by the situation and by the energy that we face in life. This philosophical stand follows the paradigm of mind, body and spirit. It seeks for the right and precise balance of the situation and reactions that we would face, and the way that we react to them. This also applies to a self defense or combat mentality, where the moves that we execute have to be precisely chosen by the circumstance or situations you are exposed to, as does the correct amount of energy to harmonize with your opponent. Either to defend your self or to attack your opponent - always thinking to not disrupt your line .
From here, space, time and energy is the attitude that we adapt to circumstances of life - whether in a life or death situation, or in daily life with work or family. It is a philosophy that can be adopted in life. With this, we look to harmonize our situations with our circumstances, always seeking for efficiency in our decisions.
6) Briefly describe the Saam Mo Kiu (three connecting bridge) and related to something in day to day life.
The three connecting bridges can be defined as follows:
Fau Kiu: which describes any type of learning process, as the floating bridge where a stage of mind is set on wondering mode, where we start discovering the meaning or the natural movement of things. At this stage the mind is open to finding a rational explanation of patterns. At this stage our brain copies and adapts to the mechanics of the essentials. For example, a baby learning to walk, where he might struggle to give his steps, he is also building a pattern of motion in his brain that allowed it to balance and coordinate the movements.
Sam Kui: at this point some of awareness has been built, however that process has not stopped yet. It is also considered a separate bridge, where the situations become more familiar and adopting the knowledge would come easily to the understanding of the mind. At this point flow comes naturally, deeper, although when the execution of actions start raising, why and because start being common questions. Any type of advanced level in martial arts can be categorized in this layer. Any black-smith who starts understanding the art of his labor comes in place when the Fau Kiu level has been reached.
Wing Kui: translated to everlasting bridge, this stage comes in place once we have built a long path in our understanding. It is a stage of the mind where focus is peaked. Things flow naturally as part of karma, actions flow in harmony. This is the cusp of the mind, the body and the soul, where you have turned into an artist in what you do. At this point a Wing Kui person can be anybody with extensive studies or knowledge in a specific subject. Any person who has mastered his mind, however this requires a long path, dedication and patience. A Doctor with long years of study and devoted in his specialty can be in this type of bridge.
7) What is body method? Why is it important?
Body method is any type of movement made by the body that can create energy. It is important to have an understanding of this because in every single sport, activity or move, we should input methods with our body that allows the performance of an efficient action. This is because a correct body method can give more energy to the movement, and can help to complete a technique. Body methods can be from lifting a box to striking a wall.
There are different ways to produce energy with body methods - 5 to be precise: up, down, back, forth, and side to side. Here the rotational movement comes into place. By rotation of the hips or the shoulders, it allows you to increase the motion with a considerable amount of energy, being so important, especially for self-defense - allowing the body to produce more energy with out wasting what is being used.
Examples of body methods in applications are:
Up: uppercut, jumps.
Down: decedent hits or kicks, adopting a horse stand from a high stand.
Front: straight punches or kicks, steps, slides
Back: back kicks, rear elbows
Side to side: any motion that it uses rotation of the hips, jab cross, round kicks,
8) What is your current focus in training? What do you like and dislike in realms of teaching and training methods?
My reason for enrollment in the Wing Chun was to find some harmony within my self, were my body can merge in a peaceful agreement with my mind, and where my soul can dictate the intensity of my life. Increasing will-power, self-esteem and humility are the paths to follow in my life. Pushing my body to the limit to create discipline, to know myself through the physical harmony of martial arts, has been the answer in order to reach my goals. In the mean time, the spiritual guidance to understand your equals through my body has given me a compassionate view of understanding the world.
In teaching methods I am very happy and proud to belong to the academy in Houston. I like the concept that through karma we create awareness, and through methodology based on a book as a guide, it gives the basic knowledge to fulfill a chronological path of learning. With guidance we can scale certain requirements to continuing the practice, always maintaining the standard. Meanwhile, this can be a disadvantage because even though it is good to follow standards to progress, it can also create inflexibility in the process of learning. Sticking to much to a book or what the student should be learning at that level is good, but it can also stop and unmotivated the student. Time and patience is good, that’s the way to perfection, but the student should be also challenge based on his capabilities of learning.
By Cristian Morales
1)List the Four Martial Art Activities. Is one activity better than the others? If yes, what defines better? If no, why?
The martial art activities are:
•Health and Fitness
•Sports or Competitions
•Entertainment
•Self defense
No there is no such one activity better than others because each person who decides to enroll in the path of martial arts has a different purpose or a different goal, making it subjective to each other’s view. This also depends on the maturity of the practitioner; never the less the view might change while the path of the martial art is being walked.
Although practicing Self Defense, if the purpose of enrolling in a martial art is to learn how to defend yourself, you would also be gaining the other mentioned three. This is because from a self defense perspective you would be learning how to educate your body to keep it fit, and by default that would make it healthy. Also as long as you advance in your knowledge you would be preparing yourself for a real life challenge which these days fighting tournaments are taking a big leading edge on sports. And in your preparation of your martial art, after a path of dedication and sacrifice, it is feasible that you can be capable of performing for the public certain techniques and applications for exhibitions in a margin of your physical capabilities.
2)What is the reality of self-defense and combat?
3)List the Four Ranges of Combat. Is one better than the others? If yes, what defines better? If not, why? (answere for question 2 & 3 are together)
The truth is that these days are not as aggressive as it used to be when honor and survival was settled in the battle field. These days the fight is more mental than physical - these days the practice of martial arts is based on some subtle peace of mind and confidence where you feel prepared to face some hostile situation, and from there it takes all the different paths mentioned above. However, in a hostile situation where combat is required for “survival” we talk about:
• Long kicking range: where our body is allowed to reach the opponent with our longest movement of the limb - as a back leg can strike due to the extension of itself and the body’s natural moves or mechanics that allows it cover longer distance in order to perform an attack. Good things about this are the mobility that we can have from this position, the power that it can be generated based on the distance and the acceleration that we give to that limb. It is important to mention that this position of combat is considered a “one sider” due to the posture of the body that naturally adopts to perform the move to reach maximum reach and strength.
• Long striking range: is very similar to the description above. The only difference lays on the way that we use the limbs to execute our attack - using body limbs would be any kick performed with the front leg, or any type of punch used to strike (jab, jab cross). At this position we can strike the opponent with full power, but not at the same distance (even though it is used for long reach) as a long type of kick. Disadvantages of this position of combat can apply as well to the long kicking range needed, such as limited use of tools for combat. It is also more of a reactive situation than proactive, because only one - an attack or a block - can be preformed at one time. And in my personal view, when this position is very powerful I believe that excessive power, lack of control, and to not have control of your attack or defense, can be more harmful to yourself and an advantage to your opponent.
• Trapping range: this is considered a position where you are allowed to touch your opponent with both hands and both legs. From this position we talk about full contact combat, where you maximize the use of your tools and the efficiency of your movements bloom. Here an attack and a defense can be preformed simultaneously, a position where there is no such thing as excessive contact because of its nature, and because the distance that it takes for you to receive or take a hit is so short it can be considered a disadvantage.
• Grappling: when we refer to a grappling situation we talk about controlling centers of gravity. From here the stimulation is given by manipulating the center of your opponent. At this range any type of hit that is given is not to knock out or really hurt your opponent. This is because the very small gap between the bodies disables the limbs from creating any motion big enough to cause severe damage. At this range we look for any type of submission by manipulating the limb against its natural movement or to project the opponent to the ground. I also agree that from a grappling situation a superior position can be gained where any limbs can be use to cause damage. However, the nature of grappling is to move the body from its center of gravity - not to hit. One of the biggest disadvantages at this range is the fact that you can not perceive or be aware of your surroundings while you are in a pinch, and these days’ fights are not as honorable as they use to be. Today combats take place among several participants, which makes it hard to keep control at this range when you are being challenged by a group.
Up to this point we conclude that there is no such thing as a better way to fight, neither better ranges, everything depends on the situation and the skills and limitations of your self to perform the most effective attack at the right moment - at the precise time and at the most convenient place. These ranges should be practiced for versatility of situations, however the ability to master any of these ranges would vary in different people, as well as the comfort of the skills adopted at the time and given by the practice of martial arts.
4) What is Heaven, Human, and Earth in relationship?
Heaven in my perspective is everything place on your body from the neck to the head. Human is from the neck to the hips, and Earth would be, in my perspective, from the hips to the ground.
Now, from a combat range:
Heaven: long kicking range and long striking range
Human: everything that has to do with in the trapping range.
Earth: would be considered into the grappling range.
From this Heaven, Human, and Earth perspective self defense can be categorized in the different stages of combat range. Lets mention that the intention of knowing the combats of range is to study the possibility of an attack. From this we can rationalize a self defense strategy to avoid any potential damage.
5) What is the Space/ Time/ Energy paradigm?
This triangle comes out of a philosophy where every single thing, the universe and the motion of nature occurs in a specific place with the precise energy at the right time, from here, every move, and every action is balanced by the moment, by the situation and by the energy that we face in life. This philosophical stand follows the paradigm of mind, body and spirit. It seeks for the right and precise balance of the situation and reactions that we would face, and the way that we react to them. This also applies to a self defense or combat mentality, where the moves that we execute have to be precisely chosen by the circumstance or situations you are exposed to, as does the correct amount of energy to harmonize with your opponent. Either to defend your self or to attack your opponent - always thinking to not disrupt your line .
From here, space, time and energy is the attitude that we adapt to circumstances of life - whether in a life or death situation, or in daily life with work or family. It is a philosophy that can be adopted in life. With this, we look to harmonize our situations with our circumstances, always seeking for efficiency in our decisions.
6) Briefly describe the Saam Mo Kiu (three connecting bridge) and related to something in day to day life.
The three connecting bridges can be defined as follows:
Fau Kiu: which describes any type of learning process, as the floating bridge where a stage of mind is set on wondering mode, where we start discovering the meaning or the natural movement of things. At this stage the mind is open to finding a rational explanation of patterns. At this stage our brain copies and adapts to the mechanics of the essentials. For example, a baby learning to walk, where he might struggle to give his steps, he is also building a pattern of motion in his brain that allowed it to balance and coordinate the movements.
Sam Kui: at this point some of awareness has been built, however that process has not stopped yet. It is also considered a separate bridge, where the situations become more familiar and adopting the knowledge would come easily to the understanding of the mind. At this point flow comes naturally, deeper, although when the execution of actions start raising, why and because start being common questions. Any type of advanced level in martial arts can be categorized in this layer. Any black-smith who starts understanding the art of his labor comes in place when the Fau Kiu level has been reached.
Wing Kui: translated to everlasting bridge, this stage comes in place once we have built a long path in our understanding. It is a stage of the mind where focus is peaked. Things flow naturally as part of karma, actions flow in harmony. This is the cusp of the mind, the body and the soul, where you have turned into an artist in what you do. At this point a Wing Kui person can be anybody with extensive studies or knowledge in a specific subject. Any person who has mastered his mind, however this requires a long path, dedication and patience. A Doctor with long years of study and devoted in his specialty can be in this type of bridge.
7) What is body method? Why is it important?
Body method is any type of movement made by the body that can create energy. It is important to have an understanding of this because in every single sport, activity or move, we should input methods with our body that allows the performance of an efficient action. This is because a correct body method can give more energy to the movement, and can help to complete a technique. Body methods can be from lifting a box to striking a wall.
There are different ways to produce energy with body methods - 5 to be precise: up, down, back, forth, and side to side. Here the rotational movement comes into place. By rotation of the hips or the shoulders, it allows you to increase the motion with a considerable amount of energy, being so important, especially for self-defense - allowing the body to produce more energy with out wasting what is being used.
Examples of body methods in applications are:
Up: uppercut, jumps.
Down: decedent hits or kicks, adopting a horse stand from a high stand.
Front: straight punches or kicks, steps, slides
Back: back kicks, rear elbows
Side to side: any motion that it uses rotation of the hips, jab cross, round kicks,
8) What is your current focus in training? What do you like and dislike in realms of teaching and training methods?
My reason for enrollment in the Wing Chun was to find some harmony within my self, were my body can merge in a peaceful agreement with my mind, and where my soul can dictate the intensity of my life. Increasing will-power, self-esteem and humility are the paths to follow in my life. Pushing my body to the limit to create discipline, to know myself through the physical harmony of martial arts, has been the answer in order to reach my goals. In the mean time, the spiritual guidance to understand your equals through my body has given me a compassionate view of understanding the world.
In teaching methods I am very happy and proud to belong to the academy in Houston. I like the concept that through karma we create awareness, and through methodology based on a book as a guide, it gives the basic knowledge to fulfill a chronological path of learning. With guidance we can scale certain requirements to continuing the practice, always maintaining the standard. Meanwhile, this can be a disadvantage because even though it is good to follow standards to progress, it can also create inflexibility in the process of learning. Sticking to much to a book or what the student should be learning at that level is good, but it can also stop and unmotivated the student. Time and patience is good, that’s the way to perfection, but the student should be also challenge based on his capabilities of learning.