Kung Fu Explainer: Layered learning

Learning a sophisticated martial art takes patience and dedication to a sequential program of learning. There are no short cuts when each technique builds on the next.

Sifu Barry Pang explains how in simpler martial art styles, you can get away with a “learn fast” model, mixing a collection of techniques from basic to advanced. In styles like Wing Chun and Lung Ying, however, progressively layered learning is essential.

In his full lecture, Barry explains how kung fu masters such as Lung Ying Grandmaster Lam Yiu Gwai identify how good a student is. The answer: Demonstration of the basics. For Lung Ying, it is basic Na Ma stepping and potentially the basic form, Sup Luk Dun. For Wing Chun, it is the first section of Sil Lum Tao. The student may want to showcase some Wooden Dummy techniques, but if the basics aren’t there, their advanced techniques will be poor.

Watch the video excerpt:

See also:

• Relentless pursuit of fundamentals