A Few More Weeks

Well, as you have seen, April 1 has come and gone and our DLP is actually a couple of weeks away from being re-released. I have been working very hard to finalize the videos and we are almost there, but admittedly the time it has taken was a bit more than I anticipated.

Volume 9 Issue 4

Welcome to the April 2012 edition of AWCA Notes. Last month we took our first look at the dummy by examining how to open the stance for proper positioning, as well as working Huen-bo and Hau-bo for footwork.

This month we continue our dummy training by examining how to ensure that the upper and lower bodies are united. We do this by learning how the dummy can be the teacher vs merely a training aid.

We will also examine how the dummy creates the “burst” type of power due to short ranges. This type of power is cultivated with dummy training solely because the dummy does not move. It is a facet of training that most practitioners vie to achieve.

Now Available Again for SG01-SG04

For AWCA members, I have posted the PDF study guides for Student Grades 1-4. Access your member sections to download them, and let me know if you have any problems.

SG05-SG12 will be available in the next 2 weeks (hopefully sooner). Remember, though, that this only relates to the PDF guides. The online study guides have always been there. Some are still being worked on but for the most part you can use them as-is for your training.

Videos were worked on today, too, and are coming along very nicely. I am hoping to have them available in the next 2 weeks so that you can check them out.

All Programs Updated

AWCA members – All fitness training programs have been updated and are now completed, with the exception of creating the downloadable PDF formats. While viewable online, they are difficult to print. I will be creating the downloadable PDF versions this weekend and will notify you via email when ready.

Login to your member-specific levels for access to your fitness training programs, and let me know if you have any questions about training. Remember, you are focusing on flexibility and light weights to reduce weight and enhance speed. Steer clear of heavy weights and go slow.

Our Curriculum, Ranks and Uniforms

Some have expressed an interest regarding how our curriculums, ranking methods and uniforms were created. I have discussed this many times over the past 20+ years and have never kept anything secret as to where our methods come from, so why it continues to pop up from time to time, I am not sure.

For clarity’s sake, allow me to make an “official” statement to answer these questions. I make this statement to ensure that we are not confused with Master Leung Ting’s WingTsun organization. I personally do not see how that is possible because everything we do does not incorporate WT-related logos, media, or anything of the kind. We do not falsely proclaim that we are a member of the International WingTsun Association, because we are not (although I am aware of quite a few others that blatantly do).

Still, the questions keep coming so I want to ensure that this is put to rest, as well as ensuring that everyone knows about our teaching structure and ranking methods.

Rank Advancements

Congratulations to seven members who have achieved new rank levels over the past couple of weeks. Among them:

• Steve Vallie – Promoted to Student Grade 11 (SG11)
• Jose Preciado – Promoted to Student Grade 7 (SG07)
• James Layton – Promoted to Student Grade 6 (SG06)

There are four others but have not been listed here to keep their privacy. Our members are reaching new heights in their training and after next month’s training camp, you will undoubtedly see new announcements.

Congratulations to all!

Straight and Curved Camera Dolly

For those wishing they had more money to purchase curved track and a curved track dolly, a viable alternative might just be the DollyTrax by MidSouth Visual, Inc. My DollyTrax is v2.0 but MidSouth is currently working on a v3.0 with a planned release of mid March 2012.

My particular model is a wooden frame, while v3.0 is an aluminum frame. Therefore, instead of going into the particulars of construction (since it would be irrelevant at this point), I will go through the use of this unique dolly and how it stacks up to using straight and curved tracks with a standard dolly platform.

Volume 9 Issue 3

Welcome to the March 2012 edition of AWCA Notes. This month we will take a first look at Wing Chun’s wooden dummy and how we can use this tool to improve our skill set. Most, if not all, practitioners are familiar with or already have a dummy in their gyms. The real question, though, is how many know how to use it properly, as well as what it can accomplish?

Wooden Dummy Chi-sau Insert

The Great Lion Company (www.woodendummy.net) provides some excellent wooden dummy training gear. I have been using their dummies for over 15 years with excellent satisfaction. To that end, I was intrigued when they began producing what they call the Chi Sao Jong.

Going Online

The AWCA’s Distance Learning Program is scheduled to be available again by Sunday, April 1. This is an important milestone in that I have worked for over a year to accomplish this. Now all of our members will have the same resources available to them 24/7 from any PC, smart phone or tablet.

The program meets all standards and guidelines of distance learning requirements set forth by universities, too. It will not be an accredited program, of course, but it will meet the same standards that you would encounter from an online university. That was no small feat, as you can imagine, but now you know what I have been doing to improve what we provide and how important it is to me to ensure that it adheres to an established process.

More to come as we get closer to the final program release.