People who get the Kung Fu bug often dream about becoming a master one day. Before we can talk about getting to the next level kung fu training, we first have to discuss what it means to be a master.
Everyone has different ideas about what it means to be a martial arts expert. Some folks believe you aren’t a true expert until you enter the ring or cage. While others believe that until you can be as still as a mountain you have not achieved becoming an expert yet.
From the time I was a small boy until now, I have always related Martial Arts to music. Though to be honest you can relate martial arts to anything in life because becoming an expert requires the same type of process.
Before I continue this blog post I want to share a short video with you. Stay with me even if you don’t care about music or guitars or know who Steve Vai is because it’s not who the person is or the instrument he plays that I want you to focus on. I want you to focus on what he is saying. I want you to think about your Kung Fu training and how what he is saying relates to you on a personal level.
What Steve Vai is saying is true. I have experienced the same truth in my own life in my kung fu training, playing guitar as well as in business.
Next Level Kung Fu Training To Have Better Technique?
What you may have noticed is that when you first begin your training, you learn things seemingly faster. Often you are amazed at how simple some concepts are.
You find yourself doing things you didn’t even think you could do. Then after some time, the gains start to slow down. 1 year goes by then 2 and so on.Β You may even begin to question if you will ever achieve next level kung fu skills.
It is at this point that the majority of people give up. I know you haven’t given up yet because you are reading this article. This is a good sign that you have what it takes to be a real master.
When you start seeing the signs that you aren’t progressing as fast as you once were, start getting excited because this means you have begun your climb uphill to glory.
Winners don’t quit! They fail from time to time but they always get back up. How do you know when you have your technique down? When you can use your technique properly without thinking about it, then you know you have mastered it. Your technique is very important because it is the foundation of everything you do. Bad technique = Bad Kung Fu.
If anyone tries to tell you that there is a shortcut to learning good technique they are lying to you. There are no shortcuts, the only way to good technique is through hard work. You have to spend thousands of hours honing your technique before it seeps into your DNA.
Watch Sije Jamie and I’s Kung Fu Podcast on this…
Enter Shaolin Podcast Episode 10 | Next Level Kung Fu
Find Passion In Your Kung Fu Training
The key to taking your Martial Art to the next level is finding your passion in it. I agree with the guitarist Steve Vai most people look too deeply into what passion is. Passion is simply enjoying what you do. Instead of getting down on yourself because you feel you haven’t excelled as fast as you would have liked… Instead, celebrate the fact that you have gotten as far as you have.
Ultimately all the training you do is about expressing yourself. So enjoy all the discoveries along the way. The next level of your kung fu training is simply allowing yourself to enjoy every moment. In this way, you will reach your goal when you are ready and not a moment sooner. π
Happy Training,
Sifu Larry Rivera
& The Enter Shaolin Family
1-844-9-KUNGFU
Alain G says
Hi,
Exactly for me itβs for fun and doing cool movement s on my wooden dummy!
Sifu Larry Rivera says
Hi Alain, it is fun doing cool movements on the Muk Jong. π
Douglas Newman says
Great, and always timely, advice from Sifu Larry and Steve Vai!
It is always time to work on *betterment* in every thing we do. Why? Because it is always NOW! π
Sifu Larry Rivera says
Thanks Douglas! Glad you enjoyed it… π I agree Now is always a good time to start!
Alain G says
Yes Muk Jong π
Sifu Larry Rivera says
π
Gerard S says
Guess what did I Larry I also play guitar
I m getting my funds together I will come thru
Sifu Larry Rivera says
I love the guitar, it speaks to me π
gary says
it was good listening to you guys have got a good rep together helps keep me going it also makes me feel good when i’ve done my session of tai chi, wing chun and chi gong lots too learn
best wishes
Sifu Larry Rivera says
Thanks Gary, it’s a pleasure serving you π