Capital Region Hiking Wing Chun meditation meetup

INTRODUCTION AND FAQ
Hi, and thanks for checking out my Meetup! My name is Sihing Liam. I'm looking forward to training with you!

I've prepared a small description of this
meetup, what it covers and what I hope it
will do. If you have any questions, please
let me know.

WHAT THIS IS -
This is a meetup to learn and practice Wing
Chun kung fu in a safe and inclusive
environment.

WHEN IS THIS?
Generally, I'll run group classes at 12-2 in a public park somewhere. I'm also willing to do private lessons throughout the week with individuals or cohorts as requested and available.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
I am an advanced student, what's referred to as a Sihing or older kung fu brother.

My long term goal is to open a school and
teach Wing Chun, Tai Chi, and Qigong in
2032. I am currently working through the accreditation processes on those three things after having studied them over the last 24 years.

Knowing how to do something and being officially certified are not the same things.

In order to get to the next level of training I need practice and instruction time to round out my capabilities. Kung fu is learned through instruction but mastered via training with many different people.

WHERE IS THIS?
It'll be in public parks and travelled areas for initial engagements and group classes. Once I get to know people, I'm willing to do the classes in more natural environments.

I love kung fu and nature. Doing one with the other is a way I keep my sanity and calm refreshed. This class is a way of doing those things with the added benefit of social engagement.

HOW DO I DO THIS?
Wing chun is easy, but requires a great deal of repetition to develop the hei.

I'll discuss hei more in person, but it's one of the 3 internal energies you'll be generating with regular practice.

All you need is good athletic shoes or kung fu slippers, loose pants or sweats, a water bottle, time, transportation, and patience.

AM I TOO OLD/SMALL/INFLEXIBLE/OUT OF SHAPE?
No. Wing chun starts easily and progresses with you. No kicks are above the waist. It's a boxing and trapping style of kung fu designed for women and smaller people to manage larger people.

All you need to do is show up regularly.

WHAT DO I NEED?
For anyone coming, I'd recommend bringing a training partner. Almost all of this is partner based, which is why I'm doing it - there is only so much I can train on by myself with a sensitive, internal energy style.

Working with someone you know would likely be more comfortable than working with a stranger, at least in the beginning.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT? WILL I GET HURT?
This class will have absolutely no fighting.

This is a beginner level, cooperative class. No one will be hurt. Anyone disruptive or combative will be removed.

Wing Chun is a style composed of a great number of partner drills. The first 23 lessons have some partner drills and some individual skills, but after that it's almost all partner games that you will learn to play with fellow Sidai/Simui.

The curriculum, until a regular class develops, will be the same. Kung fu is all about repetition, wing chun doubly so.

WHAT'S THE COST?
That depends on what you want. MEMBERS OF THIS MEETUP CAN ALWAYS TRAIN FOR FREE.

*TRAINEE: you learn for free. You can attend my meetups and I will train you for free, everything I know, but you will recieve no lineage or sash (belt).

STUDENT: This requires a monthly subscription, which at this time is $40. As I get more students, that price goes up - but not for the students who are already enrolled.

Your price stays locked in at the rate you start, so long as you maintain your payments.

Students are granted sashes for promotion and accorded lineage. They are allowed to perform the skill testing to confirm the practical application of each skill.

The subscription cost covers my admin costs and the time and materials to track your progress officially.

I will continue as such until Dec 31, 2032 or longer under the following terms:

Each month, so long as I am physically or otherwise able, I am willing to provide 16 hours of free instruction in classes and individual training. I do this in 2 hour blocks, 1 each week in a group setting and up to 4 a month for individual training.

HOWEVER- I hate that everything in our society is paywalled. So I will teach for free, provided you have the heart and the drive to learn. All you pay is time, and all you recieve is training.

The training is what's important.

WHAT WILL THE CLASS COVER?
Generally, it will be a small amount of hiking, followed by training, and then back to hiking.

The skills taught start with an introduction to myself and the style, and an overview of what it takes to learn the entire system - lessons, skills taught, hours required, etc.

From there, I go into the stances and punching techniques as the 2nd and third lessons. Further lessons cover additional skills as you progress.

I usually allow a Sidai or Simui (younger kung fu brother or sister) to work on up to 10 skills at a time. The curriculum is set and developed, and you will know exactly where you are in terms of completion at all times.

In the winter, I will snow shoe out and train. It's beautiful. I highly recommend it.

I look forward to training with you!