Why Okinawan before Chinese

[irontoe]

My question is, why learn the Okinawan version of WHLC and not just learn the real whlc. It seems like one is taking the long road to get to the same destination. Is this a mixed martial art system? Reading whlc history, whlc is very interesting and full of history. From what I have read in your website, the system seems to be continually evolving. Each master contributing something of himself to the system. :D

[Chris Romero]

I saw this kid wakeboarding (for those who don't know, that's basically boarding behind a boat) the other day. He can do grabs and even a couple of inverts. But he can't do a simple jump across the wake. He always lands in the middle of the wake instead of the other side.

So when he does tricks, they are basically substandard compared to other folks doing the same. The point is that he hasn't learned the most fundamental part of the sport, so his performance is below what he's capable of.

The idea is somewhat similar. The problem is that everyone thinks in terms of Okinawan vice Chinese. Or Korean vice Japanese.

If you think in terms of concepts, it's easier to understand. The Okinawan concepts come from the basic fundamentals which were brought over from China. Kara-Te means China Hand.

The Okinawans having only this to build on and not learning other concepts of Gung Fu perfected these fundamentals. These were achieving power in the deep stances and maintaining stability during transition. The Chinese had this, but Okinawans really focused on it.

This is why it's important. More so, one particular master was a master of both Okinawan martial arts and Chinese Gung Fu. His contribution, tied the arts even closer.

What is neat about the art is that the concepts taught within the art are always carried forward. How they are taught from generation to generation depend on the grandmaster and his contribution. It's builit upon. I

Hopefully that helps you put a few more pieces together.

[~k~]

May I add, as one at quite a lower level, there really is a whole lot to learn.  So it makes sense to really get good at the basics before getting into the whlc anyway.  As it is, that alone (PHD) takes a number of years.  And, the phd system isn't something to sneeze at, btw.  

I enjoy the way the system has been laid out and from my point of view, I certainly wouldn't want any more added into the curriculum than my mind and body was ready to get.

In getting a "full" art like this, it gives you a lot to look forward to as you move along, and you move at your own pace, so, as you begin to advance in knowledge, you will be taught accordingly.  If you have something that needs to be "gotten", you will work on it until you get there.

I am all for fundamentals - I am a little slow-go right now, and I sure do see their necessity.

Like anything else, it depends on what you are looking for.  Many people like that "quick fix" - but it could be that is not really the best.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

[lmgrahamdc]

Hello there, I quote your question "My question is, why learn the Okinawan version of WHLC and not just learn the real whlc. It seems like one is taking the long road to get to the same destination. Is this a mixed martial art system? Reading whlc history, whlc is very interesting and full of history. From what I have read in your website, the system seems to be continually evolving. Each master contributing something of himself to the system."  To answer the first part, whlc is a taoist art - the journey, the long road, is the destination.  There is no endpoint in whlc as it is an evolving art.  Hence, there is no real Destination.  The purpose of the art is to evolve into the best you can ever be.  At, whatever it is, you wish to be the best at/in.  The process will change you and will continue to change you as long as you train.  There will be physical, mental and spiritual change.  If your goal is the destination - the endpoint, then this art is not for you as you will always be disappointed.  When you stop growing/changing, you become stagnant, and ready to die.  As for it being a "mixed" martial art, well that is semantics, same as "traditional".  This art has been passed down for centuries (yes, centuries) in the same fashion, orally - teacher direct to student.  The components in the art remain true to the original teachings, yet we also incorporate modern concepts - not appropriate for this forum.  We are not commercial, we train whom we please, if they are truly interested.  Hope this helps, Leslie

[irontoe]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. You are right about the destination. Martial art is a forever journey that only the truly dedicated embarks upon. Yes, you are right about basics being very important. Thanks again.