At
Ling Nam Siu Lum, the children’s curriculum is identical to that
of the adults, insofar as it follows the six-week cycle of
training (Forms, Punching, Technique Application, Kicking,
Grappling, etc.). In teaching martial arts to beginners, there
are six areas of development that we concern ourselves with:
1.
Self Discipline
2.
Focus and Concentration
3.
Balance and Coordination
4.
Awareness
5.
Confidence
6.
Martial Application
1. Self Discipline
“In
seeking to achieve mastery of the many facets of the discipline
known as Chinese Kung Fu, the first discipline to be mastered is
that of the self.”
Attentiveness,
correct posture, determination, positive mental attitude,
self-analysis of movements, actions and intent, organization of
time allotted to practice at home, self esteem and acceptance of
critique. The development and enhancement of these
aforementioned attributes is essential to what will hopefully be
a long-standing study of our vast art. It begins with the study
of the Chut Ma (Seven Steps) or Ma Bu (Horse
Stance) training, which is the bedrock foundation of our martial
arts system. The power derived from the “rootedness” of the low,
wide stance training of Hung Kuen is legendary in martial
arts circles. Needless to say, the discipline that is instilled
by standing silent and motionless in these uncomfortable
postures for several minutes at a time is priceless. As students
progress, they will learn various isometric and dynamic tension
exercises to help develop the upper body (especially the
forearms) while standing in the horse postures. Note: when I was
younger and first starting out, horse stance training used to
last for hours! This was the primary method used to weed out
students, as class space was very small, and most Sifu could
only afford to keep the hardiest students. Since coming to Long
Island, we have had to relax our standards somewhat, in order to
survive in the commercial western world. From time to time,
though, we like to test their level of endurance, just to see
how far they’ve come along. Stance training, along with learning
the basic punches and kicks will help to set the stage for the
more arduous training in forms and their applications.
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2. Focus
and Concentration
The First form
taught to a beginner is the Sil Lim Tao (literal
translation: “A Little Idea” or “A Small Thought). As its name
implies, it is a meditative form that is stationary (no
footwork) and ambidextrous in nature. It concentrates on hand
placement and elbow positioning, or what we refer to as the
Kiu Sao or bridge hand. It also helps to develop correct
posture and regulate the breathing. It is comprised of 108
movements and will take the average student 2-3 months to learn.
Sil Lim Tao is the cornerstone of the Wing Chun system,
but its concepts are applicable to all southern styles of Kung
Fu. The principles learned in Sil Lim Tao will help the
student to understand the “Language” of more complex forms to be
learned later on.
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3.
Balance and Coordination
As the student
progresses, the level of difficulty of the forms and their
attendant drills increases. Each student learns at their own
pace. The essential ingredient is perseverance. Encouraging
students to develop good study/practice habits will enhance not
only their martial arts training, but their schoolwork and other
outside endeavors, (music, sports, etc.) as well. The key here
is desire for advancement, the carrot on the end of the stick,
if you will. A student may advance to the next set of moves only
when the previous ones have been performed satisfactorily. The
completion of each succeeding level of movements and drills will
naturally increase the student’s degree of balance and
coordination, subsequently increasing the desire to learn more
complex moves. A self-feeding cycle, if you will. At Ling Nam
Siu Lum, we will coach them through, move by move. Like all good
houses, they are built one brick at a time.
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4.
Awareness
Of all the
areas we’ve discussed so far, this, I feel, is the most
important. THE PRELUDE TO AVOIDING AND/OR DEFENDING ONESELF IN
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IS TO RECOGNIZE THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Pedophile and gang activity are no longer “inner city” problems.
Drug abuse and peer group pressure have never belonged to any
one particular demographic. Simply being aware of certain
scenarios, their ramifications and possible solutions can make
all the difference in the world.
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Specific Examples
1)
Being aware of their surroundings at playgrounds, ball
fields, parks, malls, movie houses, etc.
2)
Do any vehicles, adults, groups of kids, etc. seem out of
place or suspicious?
3)
Inappropriate conversation, behavior or physical contact
by adults (either strangers or familiars).
4)
The dangers of shortcuts through secluded, deserted areas
to or from home, play or school.
5)
Having ICE numbers readily accessible on a cell phone
(even pre-teens seem to carry them these days).
6)
Being aware of lure tactics (e.g. adults don’t need
children to help them find directions, a lost child or puppy,
that’s what maps and the police are for).
7)
What to do in the event that they are physically attacked
by someone larger (*more
of this in the next section on martial application).
8)
The internet. Today’s children are extremely computer
savvy. They spend a tremendous amount of time in “chat rooms,”
as well as playing interactive games such as X-Box Live,
Rune, etc. This has become an extremely fertile “trolling
ground”
for predators of all types: pedophiles, gang recruiters,
hackers, etc. Making children aware or tactics used to gain their
confidence, as well as glean personal info (names, age, home and
school addresses, emotional state, parent’s schedules, etc.)
This is extremely important.
9)
Drug Abuse. Needless to say, there can never be enough
positive reinforcement on this subject.
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5.
Confidence
There is no
limit to the value of confidence building and degree of
character development that a martial arts education can produce.
Just the scope and breadth of the Chinese Martial Arts is
staggering. Kung Fu can be likened to a huge tree, from which
all the other arts are merely twigs and branches. We encompass
all aspects of martial training. Consider this: an advanced form
(Kata) in Karate may consist of 70-80 moves; a beginner
form in Hung Ga contains 350-400 moves! This would be the
musical equivalent of performing the entire movement of a
concerto as opposed to say “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on the
piano. The sense of accomplish and the degree of confidence that
this carries with it is tremendous. Many of life’s greatest
decisions will be made within the confines of the schoolyard
amidst peer group pressure. Having the strength of character to
stand apart from the crowd and/or popular culture and make
choices that can have life-altering consequences is often an
essential first step towards success later in life. Sound
marital arts training can provide the necessary tools and
guidance to make the right choices.
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6.
Martial Application
It is with
regard to the emphasis placed on martial application that adult
and children’s classes differ. Quite frankly certain of the more
serious aspects, (crippling, maiming, lethal) of our martial art
must be held back until a child comes of age. Only after a
lengthy period of study and the student demonstrates the proper
temperament and level of maturity will they be entrusted with
such techniques. Even with the adult students, I have been known
to hold back certain types of technique until I am assured of
that person’s intent and depth of character. *An exception to
this rule are certain “emergency” techniques that are eventually
shown to the children to be used ONLY in the event of someone
trying to abduct or molest them.
REQUIREMENTS
o
Minimum age: 7 years old
o
Must be able to take verbal directions.
o
Must possess certain rudimentary motor skills
o
Must have the desire to learn martial arts
On a few occasions, I have accepted
six-year olds, but in all cases, they were extremely stellar
students. Case in point: Click on
Styles/Hung Gar.
(Brandon was six years old when I took him as a student 16 years
ago. To say that he was an exceptional talent was an
understatement). Generally speaking, children ages 7-12 may take
a free trial class. Teenagers and adults 13 and up must pass an
interview with the Sifu.
Upon observation, if we feel that a
prospective student is lacking in certain motor skills and/or
desire, we may recommend that the student wait six months to a
year before beginning a course of study. For my part, my own son
(now 12) did not begin studying until 8 years of age. We would
rather see a student have a fair chance at a long course of
study than to “burn out” after a few short months.
Children represent the future
survival of our art to succeeding generations and here at Ling
Nam Siu Lum, we pride ourselves on the number of students who
have gone well beyond 10 years or more of study. We thank you
for taking the time to read this section, and hope you will
consider us in choosing instruction for your child.
For an appointment or if you have any
questions, please feel free to call us at (516) 796-1008 or send
an email to TrainHard@LingNamSiuLum.com
Best
Regards,
Sifu Michael Manganiello
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