Level 3 – TDDS

Contents: Work Ethic Pt. B | Balance Analogy | References

Work Ethic Part B

From an YJQ instructors' perspective, considerable effort is placed into correct training of students as incorrect instruction could permanently physically injure and incorrect training (mentally) could ruin a student as well. Too much Yin (passive) on a predominately Yang (aggressive) student could render them apathetic or visa versa. The students' inherent trait, either Yin or Yang is never changed, however, it is 'enhanced'. This 'balancing the character out' technique is an entirely new MO (modus operandi) for most students and the instructors have to expose the student to different situation through various physical and mental tests to expose the student to this form of training. This is the main reason that seemingly agreeable to the principle, motivated and dedicated Kung Fu students take so long to adopt this MO. Students not wanting to adopt this method either can't push themselves or haven't got the capability and most will never bridge the gap until they show faith and trust in the instructors and style. The main vision statement of the instruction team is to try and articulate the art better and subsequently bridge the ratio of advanced students' coming through whilst not compromising the standard. In short, a student borrows into their opposite force (aggressive/passive or passive/aggressive, (Yin & Yang)) this makes for a more balanced person with a better offence/defense, i.e. if a student character is of the Yang (aggressive) type, in order to acquire the 'Required Balance,' one must borrow into their Yin. Usually, all tasks been attempted, push further away into the base character, e.g. in the Yang case, can't do something, try harder, loose ones temper… We advocate being balanced and staying calm, cool and calculated.

Image of students training

Image: A well balanced stance — 2004

Balance Analogy

We have all heard the stories of the person with too much Yang who is aggressive and is prone to walking into the punches and doesn't factor too much with the defense whilst the Yin student is naturally defensive and cautious but wears the punches better with their naturally better defensive qualities (going away from the punch) but has trouble launching into an attack. The balanced person in theory stands balanced, calm and strong in the centre. 'Courage is grace under fire', (Earnest Hemingway). The other interesting fact that was taught was that certain types of aggression could be seen as a defense in as much as a hopeful bluff. Kung Fu is a big entity and only one of the forces is not enough and gets found out quickly. We require both e.g. the image above, otherwise YJQ would just teach flat out offense or defense at the 75/25% ratio and save a lot of time for all of us. Training is not fighting, it is teaching and instruction and the student hones their skills that will be used in a fight.

The early levels of this Kung Fu build a protocol and trust buffer between instructor and student. When a student starts L3, the training toughens up considerably and the training onus is placed on the student, it is the students' job to impress the instructor, not visa-versa. 'Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility. In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take on responsibility'. (Michael Korda) At this level, it is imperative that a student becomes independent. A students' character and physical will be tested and students quite often break at this point. Western terms deems a student 'breaking' as losing their temper or giving up, and this helps validate the Yin and Yang training principles that we advocate. Generally a Yang character will loose their temper whilst the Yin style gives up. We train students to go the other way, a Yang style student to calm down and a Yin to go for it a bit more.

References

Funakoshi G, 1956, 'Karate-Do, My Way of Life', First Edition 1975,
Kodansha America Inc, Kodansha International Ltd

Keelan P, 2003, 'L3 - Analysis & First Stage Review',
viewed 23 September 2004, < Not Linked >

Keelan P, 2003, 'Red Zone Training', 'Self Discipline Rationale',
viewed 23 September 2004, < Not Linked >

Keelan P, 2003, 'L1 - Dan Ba Wong',
viewed 23 September 2004, < Not Linked >

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