VTM Germany Trip - August 2004

[BennyMeng]

Germany Trip

Day One

Left the US on Monday, August 2nd.

It was a long trip overall due to layovers as well as the flight from Detroit to Frankfurt itself. I had a chance to sit next to a Germany girl, which was very appropriate for my upcoming trip. I took the opportunity to learn as much as I could about the German culture and the language.

I arrived in Frankfurt at 7:00 am on Tuesday August 3rd, six hours ahead of Dayton time. From there, I flew to Nuremberg. From there, Grand Master Hoffmann picked me up in his new, beautiful, gold Jaguar. I did not arrive in Bamberg until 11:30 am. Right away, the day started with a tour of the beautiful city of Bamberg. It is very scenic with rivers and bridges as well as many wonderful churches and castles. As a matter of fact, it is a very romantic city. I will have to bring my wife on the next trip.

After the tour, we went straight to the Chi Sim Weng Chun Headquarters. I couldn't believe I was actually here. It is a beautiful, professional school. There are two floors for training and Grand Master Hoffmann lives with his family upstairs. I can see the advantage of this arrangement. It is very efficient - if your way of life is all about living the martial arts. Guess where Grand Master Hoffmann took me for lunch? Chinese! The German Chinese food is not bad - or maybe I was just hungry.

Back to the school, I had many discussions with Grand Master Hoffmann. I saw many of the DVDs in his collection on the Chi Sim system. It was my privilege to see many Grand Masters performing the Chi Sim family - some of them from the 50s and 60s in Hong Kong. It was a real treat for me, especially from the VTM's perspective. Of course, after the discussion was hands-on discussion, the tradition of Chi Sim Weng Chun family. Grand Master Hoffmann and I had Kiu Sau together, focused on the 18 Kiu Sau concepts.

During the nighttime we went back to the City center, a tourist place with many restaurants, cafe and beautiful parks. For dinner, we had a traditional German meal with a lot of meat. The first day in Germany was, I would have to say, a complete joy. What made it especially joyous to me was the fact that I almost didn't get to come. I left my ticket at home so Jeremy had to run home and get them real quick. I got the tickets about 5 minutes before the plane was going to leave! The ticket agent said I was very lucky - I would have to agree with her.

Day Two

One of the main purposes of traveling to Germany was continued research and training in this great system. Grand Master Hoffmann has a yearly training camp in August. The first week of training, Wednesday to Sunday, is for beginner and intermediate level students. The second week of training, the following Wednesday to Sunday, is for intermediate to Master levels. The first day of training started at 10 am. Each day is 6 hours of training with 2 hours for lunch for a total of 8 hours. The first day started with an introduction, covering the rules, and giving respect to the late Grand Master Wai Yan by having a moment of silence. The topics of the first day were on the first wisdom of Shaolin, Ying (shape), Heigong, first two sections of Sap Yat Kuen (all details and applications), Chi Sau, and Chi Sim Six-And-One-Half Principles.

Considering the jet-lag, all the new learning, and excitement - the first day of training went well. It probably had to do with Grand Master Hoffmann's expertise in teaching as well as his student's friendliness.

[Bryan Feagin]

Just in case anyone hasn't seen this, it discusses Sifu Meng's trip to Germany:

http://www.wingtjun.com/main.php

[BennyMeng]

Day Three – August 5th (Thursday)

Second day of summer camp training started around 9:00 am. After getting together and paying respect to the late Grand Master Wai Yan, we covered the Sap Yat Kuen and details on heigung. Throughout the day, we practiced and went over Sap Yat Kuen sections 1-6 and many variations of Chi Sau from single-hand to double-hand. At the end of the training day, we discussed the second wisdom, which is Yi.

Sap Yat Kuen is really a beautiful form with a main focus on Chi Sau and Kiu Sau applications. Each section is focused on a different Chi Sau element. You can enjoy the practice of Sap Yat Kuen in many variations. You could focus on the hei (qi) training, the ging training, the lik (power), or the fighting applications.

After the workshop, I had the change to jog and check out the neighborhood.

We went out to the City Center where people hang out and had a Spanish dinner. After dinner, we went to an outdoor café for dessert.

Day Four – August 6th (Friday)

Third day of summer camp began similar to day two: the focus was on Sap Yat Kuen. For me, it was only a half-day of training because I had to leave for to do a VTM workshop with Sifu Klaus Filbrandt in Eberstadt. During the summer camp, we went over a lot of Saan Sik such as punching exercises, how to use the Iron Rings as well as free-hand Daan Chi Sau. My day finished with the Balance on the Earth Line exercise.

For the workshop, I had to take a train – change stations twice and took 4 ½ hours due to delays. Nonetheless, the train system is very convenient. You can hop on a train and go just about anywhere.

Sifu Filbrandt picked me up at the station and we went directly to his school, the European Martial Arts Academy. It is a beautiful and big school. Sifu Filbrandt teaches full-time, offering many programs to the public: Wing Chun, Jeet Kuen Do, Escrima, Massage, and cardio-kickboxing. Sifu Filbrandt was an excellent host, a martial artist with great experience in many systems. His students were open-minded, respectful and curious about the information I presented.

The workshop began with VTM research and Ip Man’s history. During the hands-on part of the workshop, we went into the concepts of Siu Nim Tau from the perspective of the Ip Man lineage. In total, there were 16 students in attendance for the workshop.

After the workshop we went for an Italian dinner. Over the course of the meal, Sifu Filbrandt and myself, joined by two of his instructors, discussed everything from the politics of Wing Chun, to history, to philosophy, to the different lineages of Wing Chun.

Sifu Filbrandt presented me with some historical photos of Ip Man and a beautiful set of knives, crafted by the same family that were the weapon-smiths of Genghis Khan.

Day Five – August 7th (Saturday)

Staying with Sifu Filbrandt at his house, I had the opportunity to experience a traditional Germany breakfast: cold cuts, bread, and many different types of cheese.

During the second day of the seminar, I primarily covered Siu Nim Tau concepts and principles, Paak Sau, Daan Chi Sau, Luk Sau and Single-Hand Strikes. Throughout the day, I focused on proper body mechanics and related everything back to the concepts and principles. The day ended with a focus on the Wooden Dummy. I believe everyone enjoyed the workshop – I certainly enjoyed the company. Again, Sifu Filbrandt is an extremely nice host and his students also made me feel welcome with their open mindedness.

Sifu Filbrandt drove me to the train station and I left about 5 in the afternoon. On the drive, we discussed future cooperation between the VTM and Sifu Filbrandt’s school. On my way back to Bamberg, I had the chance to enjoy the beautiful Germany countryside. I came back to the Chi Sim Headquarters, well into the middle of a barbecue. I enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with the students and Instructors for the rest of the evening.

Day Six – August 8th (Sunday)

This was the last day of the first Summer Camp, starting around 10:00 am. We primarily went through the whole Sap Yat Kuen and applications. We followed this with discussion on the last of the Shaolin Wisdoms followed by a Question & Answer session. This final day ended around 2:30. Afterwards, I had some informal training with the students and did some photos. I enjoyed many opportunities to play free-hand Chi Sau/Kiu Sau with students at various levels of skill.

During the evening, I went out with Sifu Hoffmann’s family, Nava and Kimo. We went for steak outdoors, at the City Center (which was beautiful); the steak was delicious. We came back from dinner, relaxed and had some private training with Grand Master Hoffmann. The Chi Sim Weng Chun system is a very beautiful system; combined with Sifu Hoffmann’s knowledge, skill and experience and a practical curriculum, it’s a winning combination. We discussed Kung Fu well into the morning hours.

[passing_through]

The full report is now online on the VTM timeline (with photos!)

go here
http://home.vtmuseum.org/timeline/2004/aug03-13_2004.php

[Cang Long]

Thanks for the link Sisuk Jeremy. This article and ones like it give hope to the idea that the mission of the VTM can and will one day be fulfilled.

[YuLi]

Greetings from Germany .

@ Sifu Meng: You wrote down some nicknames of students at the summercamp. I´m YuLi one of the twins at the photo (now with short hairs ^^). Maybe some other students have enough time go in chat here or anywhere else ( maybe also at www.martialartsforum.org : You also wrote down ^^ )


nice to hear from you

Julian from Bavaria/Germany

[Savi]

Originally written by Master Benny Meng
My overall impression was that traditional Shaolin Kung Fu is being well preserved under the leadership of Grand Master Hoffmann. Not only is the quality being maintained but the quantity of good practitioners is also increasing through his efforts. The Chi Sim Weng Chun system is a treasure for all humanity and it is in good hands. A lot of discussion today in the modern kung fu culture is that Wing Chun people need to learn a different style of martial arts to deal with grappling or long range fighting. I’ve got news for everybody – all ranges of combat are already addressed within the Wing/Weng Chun family. Not only is the self-defense skill complete – the system also helps practitioners to help improve their fitness and health while also guiding them to become better people.

In my experience, the German people are very friendly and they live in a beautiful country. Just from my experience with GM Hoffman in Arizona, USA... and what the VTM has learned and brought from GM Hoffman and his kung fu family in Europe, I can wholeheartedly agree with what my Sigung Meng has written above! I thought the report on the trip was wonderful and the pictures were great!

From what I have learned in Fa Kuen about Lauh (flowing), and from GM Gee of the HFY lineage has taught me about Buen Dim (half point = neutralize/flow), and from both of these great grandmasters who have taught us about Tin Yan Dei, my kung fu has never been the same ever since! Tin Yan Dei is everywhere!