Category: Self Correction

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YouTube Wing Chun’s 2023 Playlists

I watch my own videos often. I think it is important to review your work and attempt to make improvements. In my own head I make perfect sense. However, when I review my content, I am made more than aware of the short comings of my communication skills. There is a reason why most people do not voice their thoughts and ideas on YouTube. They don’t want to come off looking like an idiot. I know – I often watch my videos thinking “fuck I sure am an idiot”.

https://youtube.com/@SifuZ

What we used to use back in ‘94

So why do I do it? And why have I been doing it for so long (since 1994 at least)? Most complex ideas or concepts are difficult for even good communicators to convey. Noam Chomsky also warns us against the eloquent speaker (think Obama). The challenge of communicating the art of Wing Chun is monumental. I hope to at the very least be one of many that attempt to extol the profound virtues of our art in relation to attaining our humanity. Ip Man, Chris Chan, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, Robert Downey Jr., Nicholas Cage, Donny Yen and many many more have committed a great deal of their lives being exponents of Wing Chun. It truly takes a village.

Enjoy this playlist and refer back to it as I add new videos. I am open to your ideas and advice on how I can make my videos better and more beneficial to you. Even if I am unable to fulfill your requests right away, I keep your feedback close to heart and mind. As I acquire more time and resource I will be more capable of putting the required effort towards making great videos and music that will entertain, educate and inspire… me, as much as you! lol 😆 – Sifu Z

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Master Social

Here is a good video and a great article on mastering social media – Wing Chun style. No more Backwards Monkey style. Fun, time saving, super efficient WC Tech rocks yer party pole.

Social media has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, providing a platform for individuals to connect with others, share information, and build communities. While there are many benefits to social media, it can also have negative consequences if not used in a responsible manner. One of the most pressing concerns surrounding social media is the pressure to constantly compete for likes, followers, and attention.

To combat the negative effects of social media, we can implement several strategies, one of which is reciprocality. By engaging with others on social media in a way that is mutually beneficial, we can foster a sense of community and support. When we follow someone who creates content that we enjoy, we should also support them by liking, commenting, and sharing their posts. This helps to create a more collaborative and positive environment where everyone benefits from each other’s engagement.

Another approach is to be a non-monetized creator, creating content purely out of passion and interest, rather than for the sake of making money. By doing so, we can reduce the pressure to constantly create content that is designed to get more likes and followers. Instead, we can focus on creating honest, meaningful content that contributes positively to the online community. This can help to combat the negative effects of social media, such as fake news and misinformation.

However, it’s also important to be aware of the dangers of a “cult of personality” and celebrity worship. When we blindly follow a particular person or group, we may become blind to their flaws and mistakes. This can be harmful, as it can lead us to accept ideas and policies that are not in our best interests. To avoid falling into a cult of personality, it’s important to be critical of the people we follow on social media. We should ask ourselves why we’re following them and what values they represent. We should also be aware of the negative effects of celebrity worship, which can harm our mental health and self-esteem.

In conclusion, social media can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on how we use it. By implementing strategies such as reciprocality, being a non-monetized creator, and being critical of the people we follow, we can turn the potential crisis of social media into an opportunity to advance as a society. When we engage with others in a positive, collaborative manner, and create meaningful content, we can build a healthier and more supportive online community… and a better World.

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Sifu Z Teaching Status Update

A Typical Night at Work

Circumstances have me rather – working arduously, or attempting to get more than four hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. This means my ability to do anything else, including teach Wing Chun, is extremely challenging.

However, I remain loyal to my long term students. In kung fu, this is historically known as a teachers closed door era of teaching.

Creating posting, and even more importantly, managing content online is a full-time job, one in which at the moment I simply do not have time for. So for this reason, I ask my beloved students to simply contact me directly via the plethora of methods available. Simply request a lesson, be it live or within the archives.

Once the opportunity arises, or when I can find someone to help me tackle the task, I will update the Patreon offerings. This will include creating archives. As long as the footage is not corrupted my Wing Chun archive dates all the way back to 1994. Currently, this is a treasure trove for my most dedicated students.

I hope this post sees you all in good health and spirits during these challenging times. Any potential new students interested in training with us can begin the process by interacting with our current content available to the public.

To everyone reading this post that would like to join me in participating in the greatest art form known to humanity – online reciprocality is the Internets currency. Our very online success relies upon it. Like, share, comment and subscribe to all of our content. Do not be a passive consumer. Be proactive in creating the change we all want to see. Trust me – together with Wing Chun, we can and will help to create a better world now and into the future for our children. – Sifu Z

ps- In the end when all is said and done – all you are left with in life is the love and integrity you have struggled to create. It is the only thing you can take with you.

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Basic 20 Min. Exercise Routine 4 Days/wk

Sifu Z’s Basic 4-day a week, 20-minute workout plan that includes a warm-up and cool-down routine:

Day 1 – Upper body workout:

Warm-up:

• Arm circles (1 minute)

• Shoulder taps (1 minute)

• Jumping jacks (1 minute)

Workout:

1. Pull-ups or inverted rows (3 sets of 10 reps)

2. Plank (3 sets of 30 seconds)

3. Dips (3 sets of 10 reps)

4. Chin-ups or Australian pull-ups (3 sets of 10 reps)

Cool-down:

• Triceps stretch (1 minute)

• Shoulder stretch (1 minute)

• Chest stretch (1 minute)

Day 2 – Lower body workout:

Warm-up:

• Leg swings (1 minute)

• High knees (1 minute)

• Squat jumps (1 minute)

Workout:

1. Squats (3 sets of 10 reps)

2. Lunges (3 sets of 10 reps)

3. Glute bridges (3 sets of 10 reps)

4. Calf raises (3 sets of 10 reps)

Cool-down:

• Quad stretch (1 minute)

• Hamstring stretch (1 minute)

• Calf stretch (1 minute)

Day 3 – Cardiovascular workout:

Warm-up:

• Jumping jacks (1 minute)

• High knees (1 minute)

• Butt kicks (1 minute)

Workout:

1. Jumping jacks (20 minutes)

2. Burpees (20 minutes)

3. Mountain climbers (20 minutes)

Cool-down:

• Hamstring stretch (1 minute)

• Quad stretch (1 minute)

• Calf stretch (1 minute)

Day 4 – Full body workout:

Warm-up:

• Jog in place (1 minute)

• Leg swings (1 minute)

• Arm circles (1 minute)

Workout:

1. Plank (3 sets of 30 seconds)

2. Push-ups (3 sets of 10 reps)

3. Squat jumps (3 sets of 10 reps)

4. Leg raises (3 sets of 10 reps)

Cool-down:

• Butterfly stretch (1 minute)

• Glute stretch (1 minute)

• Full body stretch (1 minute)

The way you approach this routine is important. Your Wing Chun Form training alone is far more superior in developing overall balance. Yet we can use these simple exercises to gauge where our bodies are at in reference to a general level of fitness. For instance, knowing what exercises you feel weak on informs us of where we should be focusing in our Wing Chun postures. If your abs are weak you would focus more on your core when doing your Wing Chun forms.

As you establish gains in one area you can then start working the next weakness, say your arms hands or wrists. This Wing Chun approach to exercise also assures you don’t dogmatically repeat your fitness routine (or Life) without dynamic regard to what’s happening to your dynamic body. Mindless repetition eventually creates more injury than body strength. This mindless approach comes with diminished returns.

Remember to always listen to your body and adjust the intensity and difficulty of the exercises as needed. Incorporating a warm-up and cool-down routine can help prevent injuries and improve overall flexibility and mobility. On your off days you can perform your Wing Chun postures, which also take no more than 20 minutes to perform the entire traditional system. Again this is a basic routine that creates a solid foundation to build upon and refer back to when needed. In Wing Chun we always refer back to the basics. The roots must never be neglected. – Sifu Z

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The System Will Eat Itself

The system (all systems by definition) will eventually fail. The process will always find it’s way through. Sifu Z’s 12 Laws “Transition over transaction.”

system: a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network. “the state railroad system”

process: a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end. “military operations could jeopardize the peace process”

entropy: is simply a measure of disorder and affects all aspects of our daily lives. In fact, you can think of it as nature’s tax. Left unchecked disorder increases over time. Energy disperses, and systems dissolve into chaos. The more disordered something is, the more entropic we consider it.

Words have meaning and connecting the dots between terms allows the Wing Chun practitioner a clearer understanding of the process required for problem solving. -Sifu Z

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