In June of this year, Chin Woo New Zealand had the opportunity to interview Mr Alex Martell of Wing Tsun Kung Fu.
This is our first official interview on a Chin Woo member to appear in the the newly created Profile Section of our Website. We intend to make an effort over time to interview more Chin Woo New Zealand members to gain insight into them and the art(s) that they train in.
The full interview can be viewed in the Profile section of this website.
New Zealand Chin Woo member Alex Martell has studied Wing Tsun Kung Fu for 12 years. In June 2008 he took time out to share some of his thoughts and experiences on training in Chinese martial arts with Chin Woo Reporter David Cutler.
*DC- What art(s) do you study and for how long?*
AM- Since 1996 I have been a student in Wing Tsun Kuen also spelt Wing Chun or Ving Tsun, which is one of the few arts thought to have been developed by a woman. Around 300-400 years ago a Buddhist nun from Shaolin called Ng Mui taught a young woman called Wing Tsun who was being bullied into marriage by a local town thug. This new art of fist fighting that she (Ng Mui) developed had particular techniques that were focused around the principle of the centre line which could be used to defeat a stronger opponent. This I believe is similar to the concept of Yin and Yang in which if they use force you will yield and if they yield you apply force (energy).
*DC- What made you decide to study this art?*
AM I had been involved with other martial arts for about 2 years previously that specialized in a lot of kicking. I loved it and would practice regularly, however one day when I was practicing a particularly difficult kick I unfortunately tore my knee ligament. I had to wear a splint for a month and had to gradually regain the strength in my leg over the next year. I needed something to help me keep up with my training and knew Bruce Lee had trained in Wing Tsun as I owned his book “Tao of Jeet Kune Do”. Previously I had mistakenly believed that Wing Tsun was all hand techniques so I thought this was a good way to improve my hand and fist techniques while my leg recovered. I may have also been persuaded by watching some of the fight sequences of Bruce Lee’s movie “Enter the dragon“, which when I was younger seemed very cool!
I had also just moved to Auckland from Wellington and in my lunch time would visit a Martial Art shop downtown and became friends with the assistant who had learnt Wing Tsun from Sifu Peter Yu. The assistant would demonstrate some of his Wing Tsun techniques to which I was deeply impressed with and eagerly bought some books about Wing Tsun which I read from cover to cover. After this, I sought out the Auckland Wing Tsun class and became a student of Sifu Peter Yu. I quickly found that even the basic training involved developing a lot of leg strength to help with balance and stance and I’m happy to say that my legs have now fully healed. Looking back I am very grateful that my Sifu accepted me as a student as I’ve learnt much from his guidance and teachings.
*DC- What do you enjoy in your training?*
AM- Funnily enough I have actually answered this question many times. I try not to boast that I train in kung fu but I am happy to talk about it with others who are interested (and need to be careful that I don’t talk for hours). I have found that a lot of people don’t initially understand that there are many concepts in kung fu and think that I am just into fighting but fighting is just one of many things I have learnt whilst training. The truth is that I actually hate fighting, but I have been involved in situations where I had no choice but to defend myself. For this reason I try to develop my skills and expand my knowledge so that I would have a greater chance of survival and can back myself if need be – this was the reason that I took up martial arts in the first place. I can see now that as kung fu practitioners increase in skill no matter what style or discipline they train in they find there are fewer and fewer reasons to fight.
What I enjoyed about Wing Tsun is the fact that it is not necessarily the stronger or more aggressive opponent that would win. It is all about balance, angles, body geometry, and centre line. This is what I try to keep in mind while I train as well as trying to avoid using too much aggression and force in my techniques but rather try to develop my skills and sensitivity. Because we are not so aggressive and don’t have (many) full contact fights we do avoid a lot of cuts and bruises, although I should mention we do have supplementary training which conditions the body and helps makes our hand and fist strikes stronger and our kicks harder and faster.
Whenever I find myself alone or at the loose end, I try to practice my kung fu moves and apply them into everyday situations. For example opening a door with my elbow while simultaneously turning the handle with my wrist creating a Lan Sau technique.
In the 12 years I have been training I have been caught out on a few occasions which can be quite embarrassing as I am sure it must have looked very odd. I remember one embarrassing moment when I was alone in the lift at work and I aimed a quick elbow strike towards the wall of the lift just as a colleague was about to enter, luckily I was able to stop and pretend I was just stretching. Then as we went down, he turned to me and said “lucky lifts don’t hit back”. We both laughed and I could see that he was also another Bruce Lee fan as he adopted a line from his movie “Enter the Dragon”.
*DC- What do you hope to have achieved in your training in 12 months time?*
AM- I hope to achieve more of a flow with a smoother transition from one technique to another. I want to be able to react without having to think based solely on what my opponent is throwing at me. Now that I am back in Wellington I really enjoy training with my Sifu more regularly and getting to know the Wellington students a lot better. I am still learning a lot at every training session even after 12 years, and to be honest I feel I am just scratching the surface. Fortunately this just motivates me to train more.
*DC- What does Chin Woo mean to you?*
AM- Much like my own art Wing Tsun, Chin Woo is structured like a family (albeit an extended family). It is an organization where various artists from different disciplines can share our experiences, promote our styles and assist each other in our common goals, whatever they might be.
*DC- What suggestions would you make to improve Chin Woo in New Zealand?*
AM- I have seen many good things happen in Chin Woo, and I am particularly looking forward to the end of this year when various Kung Fu masters and dignitaries are due visit from Hong Kong and China. I find one of the outstanding things about Chin Woo and something that I am keen to see evolve and improve is that we can promote our various arts in a friendly environment to all who might be interested. This is particularly good for people who might be a little apprehensive to visit a Gwoon or training hall by themselves. I think that if someone joined a club whether it was my art or another after seeing a Chin Woo demonstration, then that would be a success for me and Chin Woo and reiterates what we are all about.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed our Kung Fu Journeys to China and Hong Kong and have fond memories of our 06-07 tour. I would like to see these continue as I’m sure others would also find this great fun and a great experience. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all Chin Woo members the best and good luck in their training.
*DC- Alex, I want to thank you for sharing your time with us.*
AM- You’re welcome.
Chin Woo Reporter David Cutler is based in Auckland and can be contacted on dccutler@hotmail.com.
The Wushu Have-A-Go day was held at the Auckland University Recreation Centre on Sunday the 8th of June. The demonstration, performed by Chinwoo New Zealand’s Headcoach George Guo’s students, showed the wide range of styles that Wushu has to offer to a group of 20 participants of all ages.
Coach George Guo and two of his senior students, Tom Cotton and Berin Hunter led the teaching aspect of the day, going over numerous Wushu basic movements; including stance work, kicking and jumping. To finish the event, the basic form Wu Bu Quan, or Five Stances form, was taught to those taking part.
Below are some photos taken at the event. Please click on the image to enlarge.
*About The Benefits of Wushu*
The practice of Wushu can develop and improve the body, mind and spirit. Through diligent and consistent training, Wushu can improve the health of your body, give you strength and flexibility, calm the mind and teach you how to defend yourself. Taught properly, these benefits can flow on into your daily and professional working life.
For more information on Wushu in the Auckland region, please contact Tom Cotton on 027-4482680 or nespis@gmail.com.
We are very pleased to report that a very exciting weekend has just passed for our Chin Woo Auckland athletes and another credit to Coach Guo for the excellent results from the Auckland based tournament held on Saturday 31/05.
From the original 13 athletes registered for this tournament, Vincent Tan had to pull out because of injuries, so only 12 members participated.
Despite this, the athletes between them brought home, 9 Gold, 9 Silver and 5 Bronze medals. An excellent effort demonstrated by the 12 athletes and the proof of dedication and commitment of Coach Guo in spreading Traditional Chinese Wushu through Chin Woo New Zealand.
Congratulations to Jun Selwyn, Lushien Lee, Berin Hunter, Daniel Crothers, Tom Cotton, Geno Hipolito, Bryan Lau, Dylan Gao, Lu-kerne Lee, Quinton Tan, Jeffrey Wang & Hailey Guo.
May your success in this tournament be turned into commitment to excel yourselves further at the upcoming Annual Chin Woo New Zealand Competition in October.
Click on Play below to view Tom Cottons Double Broadsword (shuang dao) form.
The Chin Woo Demonstration Squad is now up and running.
The purpose of the Demonstration Squad is to showcase to the public the local Chinese martial art talent ranging across various arts under ‘one umbrella’ in the name of Chin Woo.
Through providing facilitated training sessions, the Chin Woo Demonstration Squad hopes to:
* Promote and preserve the ethos, traditions and virtues in Chinese martial arts.
* Cultivate friendship by providing a common medium where members can train in and perform their own art alongside members from different arts in a safe and trustworthy environment.
* Improve awareness of the indigenous benefits that participating in Chinese martial arts bring in addition to style specific rewards.
* Serve as a medium of exchange and learning between members from different arts that share common goals.
* Have fun.
On Sunday 25th May a group 18 strong met at the training hall of Mr John Duncan, Head Instructor in the art of Nan Shaolin Wuzu Quan five ancestor kung fu in Maungaraki, Lower Hutt.
The group comprised Chinese martial art practitioners from Southern Praying Mantis, Nan Shaolin Wuzu Quan, Wing Tsun, Hap Gar and Hung Gar kung fu styles.
Facilitated by Squad Leader Mr Miki Schmidt, introductions were given by the respective leaders of each group and following a few ‘ice breaking’ activities, the training commenced.
Mr Ben Fransham, a Wing Tsun practitioner with an active background in acting and dance took the group through a simple but effective warm up routine. Following this, members were invited to demonstrate one technique to the group from their art and this proved to be a useful platform to launch into the more elaborate demonstrations that followed soon after.
After 20 minutes of preparation, each group then gave a 5 minute demonstration covering some of the basic concepts, techniques, forms and applications of their art. The purpose of this was to document the many different items that each art would be bringing to the demonstration squad.
All demonstrations were recorded on digital film and will be analyzed by the squad organizers over the coming weeks and before the next training session. From the footage, the organizers aim to assemble a free flowing and exciting performance that integrates the various arts in a way that highlights the key principals and techniques that lie at the heart of each style.
The next demonstration squad training session is set down for Sunday 27th July 2008. Venue to be advised leading up to the date. For more information, please contact Mr Miki Schmidt on 027 249 6561.
Lastly a warm thank you to Mr John Duncan for giving up his training hall for the session.
The Wellington Chin Woo Demonstration Squad is taking shape fast and this is really a great way to support your school and promote traditional Chinese martial arts.
The Squads inaugural training is on Sunday 25th May 2008 11am until 1pm at Maungaraki Scout Hall Barberry Grove, Maungaraki, Lower Hutt.
This is the training hall of Sifu John Duncan of the Nan Shaolin Wuzu Quan five ancestor fist kung fu school.
If you are interested in becoming a member in the Demo Squad or would like to hire the Squad for performance purposes at your next event please contact either Miki Schmidt on 027 249 6551 or David Chan on 027 678 0528.
The following 13 students have been selected by Chief Chin Woo Wu-shu Coach George Guo to represent Chin Woo New Zealand at a tournament to be held in Tamaki College Recreation Centre, Glen Innes, Auckland on Saturday 31/05.
One of the many practicing grounds before the 10th World Chin Woo World Championship in late November in Ipoh, Malaysia. We would like to congratulate these students who have achieved the level of standard set by a very demanding Coach Guo and wishing them all the very best at this tournament.
Always to remember it is friendship first and winning second!
Jun Selwyn: Youth Long Fist, Staff, Qun Yang Gun
Lushien Lee: Tan Tui, Qun Yang Gun
Berin Hunter: Spear, Sword, Wu HuQiang
Daniel Crothers: Jie Quan, Qun Yang Gun
Vincent Tan: Jie Quan, Qun Yang Gun
Tom Cotton: Long Fist, Spear, Sword, Double Broad Sword, Di Tang Quan
Geno Hipolito: Southern Fist, Qun Yang Gun, Ba Gua Dao, Da Dao
Bryan Lau: Long Fist, Staff, Ba Gua Dao, Qun Yang Gun
Dylan Gao: Long Fist, Staff, Qun Yang Gun
Lu-Kerne Lee: Youth Long Fist, Qun Yang Gun
Quinton Tan: Southern Fist, Gong Li Quan
Jeffrey Wang: Long Fist, Sword, Qun Yang Gun, Di Tang Quan
Hailey Guo: Long Fist, Qun Yang Gun, Ba Guan Dao