October 2004 Instructors Training at Meng's of AZ

[JK Walz]

This won't be a long post but I just wanted to thank Master Meng for spending time with a few of us senior students over the weekend in AZ.

We spent the weekend going over the first levels of the VTM curriculum and discussing other matters internal to the VTM. Master Meng's dedication to the HFY and his professionalism shines through every time he comes out. It is seminars like these that help cement the methods and philosophy of the curriculum with the instructors. The more aware I become of the focus and intent of the curriculum (read SMK) the more convinced I am of it's ability to efficiently to rigorously teach and produce Shaolin kung fu practitioners.

Master Meng- thanks for you and your staff's tireless dedication to producing an excellent teaching methodology and system.

JK

[Savi]

Written by Dave Milner
One of the things I've noticed in the past about people that are truly great in fields is the effect they have on others around them. Star athletes can themselves amaze with outstanding performance, good coaches and communicators can help others advance, but there are a rare few people that you meet in life that truly have the ability to raise the level of performance of everyone around them, regardless of ability. Master Benny Meng is one of these rare individuals. When he teaches, drills, explains, guides and works with you, it just has that effect - he has an intuitive perception of how to bring out a little bit more of the unlimited potential locked in an individual. I feel like I've been raised up a few notches in skill and ability during this last weekend.

We had the privilege to go through the first 5 levels of Shaolin Wing Chun with Sigung Meng. It was a great time going into the details of probably the most comprehensive and best designed martial arts program anywhere around. Some of the things that stood out to me is how each level progressively delves into detail at the heaven, man, and earth levels. Also, how body methods are built, showing people immediate results, and then efficiency introduced and built upon with progressive levels of real life types of sparring and playing scenarios to develop fighting skill. As sigung explained to us, lion cubs become powerful and effective by playing around with each other, testing their newfound growth and skills. It's going to be an exciting time ahead for our martial arts family, growing like lion cubs!

Even beyond all the great things going on in the weekend trianing, some of the little details to me made the time especially noteworthy. Sitting around talking about both the history and future of Hung Fa Yi, going to look over the new school location, discussing details about some of the historical discoveries in southern China relating to Hung Fa Yi, discussing books, enjoying a tasty Szechuan meal ordered completely in Chinese by Sigung - all of those little things combined to make it a priceless experience. Thank you, sigung, for sharing all that you did and holding nothing back, and to sifu for all the tireless work he does every week to ensure the growth of our family.

Dave Milner