San Antonio Trip Report

My latest San Antonio visit came right off the heels of the previous weekend's CT workshop.  This was the most successful workshop so far not just in terms of numbers, but also in terms of the student’s personal growth.  The feedback I received was tremendous and I’m grateful to be of service to our growing Texas family.  I can see the improvements the students are making as they become more and more integrated to our CWT curriculum.

This time around I taught a similar workshop like I taught the previous week in Connecticut.  As usual with our San Antonio seminars, we had a few guests from other WT associations who needed to be hidden from photos barring us yet again from doing a group shot or showing too many photos from the seminar.  I apologize to everyone who asks for more photos! 

In addition to the workshop, a number of instructors did private training with me as well.  Sifu Glenn and Sifu Ram alone both logged in around 8 hours or so with me.  It was fun introducing my new and improved first section as well as the new Hong Kong chi sau drills.  I also did some training with Sifu Glenn on the wooden dummy form and application.  I showed him the correct transitions, power generation and finally the applications that were all new to him.  Love seeing eyes pop when people see how much great stuff WT has!

Finally, I just want to extend a huge thanks to my students Sifu Glenn Tillman, Sifu Ram and also to Tomoyo for the tremendous hospitality they have shown me this past weekend (like every other previous trip as well). I could not be happier with my team in San Antonio nor more thrilled to have such an awesome bunch of students down there. Family is a very real thing for me and I feel so happy to have such a great WT family in San Antonio. Thanks for the support! 

Fantastic fun in CT this past weekend

I had a great time as always teaching my annual seminar at Club Kung Fu in CT.  Every year I teach a different topic and this year's was chi sau and tactical footwork.  Judging by the response on Facebook and through private messages, I would say that the students found the workshop helpful and entertaining (WT is allowed to be fun, just not sure all Sifu's got that memo).

For the beginners I covered a very important reaction exercise which negates the need for the so-called "lop sau backfist" combination so prevalent in other WC styles.  In addition to this the beginners learned how to apply this reaction in a fighting situation.  I also taught the beginners how to use effective kicking, particularly "how" to kick and pursue an opponent.  These details are game changers for students.  The newbies also learned how different footwork is used in different situations based on timing, not on choice.

The chi sau level students were in for a real treat.  I taught the intermediate students some new updates to the chi sau program as well as teaching them how to free things up based on principles (rather than adding more techniques or sequences).  It was great to see the CT students mix in with their WT brothers and sisters from NYC.  

The most senior students learned the updated 2nd section to completion.  The latest version of the second section I'm teaching is from my Si-bak, Sifu Timmy Lee.  The new second section combines the best of the "old and new" versions with some very innovative ways of locking, countering and integrating the use of elbows and the lifting punch.  Everyone is in agreement that the new way is far more straight-forward, practical and easier to learn than the old way.

Additionally I taught the senior students and important solution when a sweep attempt doesn't go their way :)

The cameraderie between the CT and NYC students was truly inspiring.  It's nice to see the kung fu family growing in size, bond and in spirit.  I'm already looking forward to next year's workshop!

Thank you Sifu Carson Lau

Just got this great little gift from Sifu Carson Lau for the birth of my daughter.  It's a Chinese good luck gift with a girl that turns and makes music.  I'm sure Maria is going to love it :)

Sifu Carson Lau is the highest ranked WT instructor teaching in North America today.  He has one of the biggest schools in North America in Toronto.  To find out more about Sifu Carson Lau and his CWTA, please visit www.wingtsun.ca 

Thank you Sifu Lau!!

Seminar in CT this weekend

Sifu Alex teaching Club Kung Fu owner Elliot LeungThis weekend I will be teaching my annual WT workshop at Club Kung Fu in Stamford CT.  The seminar is open to all CWT and CWT-Network students.  Outside guests may come but must register first with Club Kung Fu or here at CWT.  The topic of this year's workshop will be chi sau and tactical footwork and is open for all levels including beginners.  

The seminar is this Saturday, October 6th from 11am-4pm at Club Kung Fu,  1018 Hope St. Stamford, CT (203)504-2072 and the cost is $80/per person.

Good news! Expanding our instructor training program ASAP

With the influx of new students in our instructor training program I have been forced to split the class into two.  Now we have a junior class for those preparing to become an assistant training and a second class for those who are already trainers or instructors.  This was a necessary step as my class was becoming very crowded and we are dedicated to delivering a high level of quality and attention in our classes.  

The new revised schedule for those on the instructor training program is:

1. Mondays & Wednesdays: 7:30-9:30pm - Assistant trainers (SG 9-12), Trainers (1TG) and Instructors (2TG +).  These classes will focus on the advanced WT skills as well as teaching skills, training methodology, fighting, conditioning and theory.
2. Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30-9:30pm - Junior students (SG 3-8).  These classes will focus on teaching the first section of chi sau, chi sau sparring and fighting applications.  In addition the students will learn the first two forms in great detail and understand how to apply Wing Tsun in a realistic fighting situation.  Fighting applications, power training, theory and ground-fighting and much much more are all covered in this class.

This new schedule is already in effect.  As a result we are opening up a few more openings for candidates and will be selecting them for this program soon!