Andreas Hoffman
04-15-2004, 09:50 AM
First European Seminar of Shaolin Weng Chun Kuen by GM Tang Chun Pak
The past 13th March I had the privilege to attend to an event that with no doubts meant an important milestone in the history of the style Weng Chun Kuen in Europe. I am talking about the first seminar given in Europe by the Great Master Tang Chun Pak., Representative of the Tang Family of Weng Chun Kuen and a student of his uncle Tang Yick, nicknamed "King Of the Long Pole" in the city of Fathsan.
The seminar, that took place in the beautiful city of Bamberg, was organized by the Great Master Andreas Hoffmann. The event was attended by nearly 50 persons who came from many places around Germany, Poland, Slovaquia and Spain with the only purpose to meet face to face with the Great Master Tang Chun Pak.
The seminar began around 10 AM with an overview of the basical form of Weng Chun, Saap Yaht Kuen and an explanation of several applications. Next, we began to work with the concept of "Qing", the way of generating explosive power in the style, showing us sifu Tang the training and procedures to work this important point of the style. During the morning, we also practiced two-men working, Kiu Sao /Chi Sao, footwork and the exercise of Da Saam Sing. After, Sifu Tang showed us the techniques in the wooden dummy, leaving us really impressed with his skill.
In the evening, took place the part of the seminar that many people was waiting for, the training with the long pole, for which the Tang Family is very famous. Provided that we were many people and there was no too much room available, it was no possible for all the people to work the technique. Sifu Tang showed and explained the principles and applications of the long pole. Finally, and with sorrow, the seminar ended. GM Andreas Hoffmann gave as a present to GM Tang Chun Pak a very beautiful trophy commemorating the event. GM Andreas Hoffmann received from Gm Tang Chun Pak two large and very beautiful murals with chinese calligraphy, made by his wife, which are reproduction of two texts that were in the Weng Chun Dim, in the Southern Shaolin Temple.
At night, we celebrate a dinner in honor of GM Tang Chun Pak in a chinese restaurant. in which I had the luck and privilege to sit very close to the Masters and I had the opportunity to talk cordially with the GM. Tang Chun Pak.
It is hard to find words to describe the impression that sifu Tang gave me. He is a very cordial and accesible person and he was really very keen to teach us and to share his knowledge with us.
From a martial point of view, I was impressed too, not only for seeing him moving and practicing the forms, or hitting at the wooden dummy (which was quite impressive), but for the fact that in spite of his age he is a dangerous fighter. In a given time, I was asked to stop a fist from him. Well, in spite of the advantage of my weight (I think I weight more of 20 Kgs than him), and the fact of being practicing kick boxing for ten years, I confess that I was not able to stop his punches. Even when he advised me that he was going to hit. I was quite impressed by the feeling his forearm gave me, It was like hitting the wooden dummy.
With great sorrow I said goodbye the saturday to GM Tang Chun Pak, to GM Andreas Hoffmann and to my fellow students to coming back in Barcelona on Sunday.
From here, I want to say thanks to the GM Tang Chun Pak for this seminar and express him my wish of train with him again. I want also to express my gratefulness to GM Andreas Hoffmann for organize this seminar and give us the oportunity to train with a master like GM Tang Chun Pak.
Spanish representative Alfonso Franch
The past 13th March I had the privilege to attend to an event that with no doubts meant an important milestone in the history of the style Weng Chun Kuen in Europe. I am talking about the first seminar given in Europe by the Great Master Tang Chun Pak., Representative of the Tang Family of Weng Chun Kuen and a student of his uncle Tang Yick, nicknamed "King Of the Long Pole" in the city of Fathsan.
The seminar, that took place in the beautiful city of Bamberg, was organized by the Great Master Andreas Hoffmann. The event was attended by nearly 50 persons who came from many places around Germany, Poland, Slovaquia and Spain with the only purpose to meet face to face with the Great Master Tang Chun Pak.
The seminar began around 10 AM with an overview of the basical form of Weng Chun, Saap Yaht Kuen and an explanation of several applications. Next, we began to work with the concept of "Qing", the way of generating explosive power in the style, showing us sifu Tang the training and procedures to work this important point of the style. During the morning, we also practiced two-men working, Kiu Sao /Chi Sao, footwork and the exercise of Da Saam Sing. After, Sifu Tang showed us the techniques in the wooden dummy, leaving us really impressed with his skill.
In the evening, took place the part of the seminar that many people was waiting for, the training with the long pole, for which the Tang Family is very famous. Provided that we were many people and there was no too much room available, it was no possible for all the people to work the technique. Sifu Tang showed and explained the principles and applications of the long pole. Finally, and with sorrow, the seminar ended. GM Andreas Hoffmann gave as a present to GM Tang Chun Pak a very beautiful trophy commemorating the event. GM Andreas Hoffmann received from Gm Tang Chun Pak two large and very beautiful murals with chinese calligraphy, made by his wife, which are reproduction of two texts that were in the Weng Chun Dim, in the Southern Shaolin Temple.
At night, we celebrate a dinner in honor of GM Tang Chun Pak in a chinese restaurant. in which I had the luck and privilege to sit very close to the Masters and I had the opportunity to talk cordially with the GM. Tang Chun Pak.
It is hard to find words to describe the impression that sifu Tang gave me. He is a very cordial and accesible person and he was really very keen to teach us and to share his knowledge with us.
From a martial point of view, I was impressed too, not only for seeing him moving and practicing the forms, or hitting at the wooden dummy (which was quite impressive), but for the fact that in spite of his age he is a dangerous fighter. In a given time, I was asked to stop a fist from him. Well, in spite of the advantage of my weight (I think I weight more of 20 Kgs than him), and the fact of being practicing kick boxing for ten years, I confess that I was not able to stop his punches. Even when he advised me that he was going to hit. I was quite impressed by the feeling his forearm gave me, It was like hitting the wooden dummy.
With great sorrow I said goodbye the saturday to GM Tang Chun Pak, to GM Andreas Hoffmann and to my fellow students to coming back in Barcelona on Sunday.
From here, I want to say thanks to the GM Tang Chun Pak for this seminar and express him my wish of train with him again. I want also to express my gratefulness to GM Andreas Hoffmann for organize this seminar and give us the oportunity to train with a master like GM Tang Chun Pak.
Spanish representative Alfonso Franch