2003 Seminar

From the Saturday Morning portion of the Seminar

Kneeling (L to R): John Hall, Lloyd Chute and Nicholas Starbird.

Standing (L to R) Jesse Blier, Casey Blier, Si-Fu Scott Baker, Sifu Robert Anthony and Jeff Anderson

From the Saturday afternoon portion of the Seminar

Kneeling (L to R): Jesse Blier, Nicholas Starbird and Lloyd Chute

Standing (L to R): Jesse Blier, Si-Fu Baker, Sifu Anthony and Patrick Scully

Not Pictured: John Hall

"2003 Si-Fu Scott Baker Seminar"

by Sifu Robert Anthony

The 2003 Si-Fu Scott Baker seminar, hosted by the Maine Academy of Wing Chun Kung Fu, was held at three locations in Maine on Friday and Saturday, June 19 & 21. The seminar was designed to be a continuation of the one previously held in May of 2002, which seminar dealt with the internal aspects of Wing Chun.

The first part of the 2003 seminar took place at Deering Oaks Park located in Portland. This part centered on the first two forms, Siu-Nim-Tou (Siu-Nim-Tao) and Chum Kiu. Si-Fu Baker led the group through Siu-Nim-Tou first, and then broke the form down into its basic usage. He spent time with each person, refining parts of the form, and demonstrating how key aspects are applied. Two of those attending, John Hall and Casey Blier, experienced first hand how powerful the form may be.

When Si-Fu Baker had reached the part of the form where Laan Sau (Lan Sau) is found, he asked John to grab him by the back of the neck, and, while pulling him down, to knee him (Si-Fu Baker) to the face. Si-Fu Baker then applied the double Laan Sau to John's leg, which resulted in a loud "pop" as Si-Fu Baker released energy (Fa Jing) into John, causing John nausea, and also trouble with his hearing, both of which cleared up later on. Casey was second, and Si-Fu Baker demonstrated Gum Sau on him. Casey was asked to punch Si-Fu Baker, and when he tried, Si-Fu Baker bridged onto the attack, and, applying the Gum Sau, sent Casey flying behind him effortlessly.

After having gone over Siu-Nim-Tou, the group moved onto Chum Kiu. There was not much time left at this point, and so Si-Fu Baker had the group go through the form, and, as they did that, he went from person to person, having them work on parts that needed refinement. We ended the Friday portion of the seminar by going out to dinner as a group.

On the next day, Saturday the 20th, we met in the morning at Jeff and Hilda Anderson's home in Springvale. This part of the seminar was meant to go over the principles found in Chi Sau, and to deepen the skills of those involved. Si-Fu Baker began by leading the class through Siu-Nim-Tou once more, and then he had the group break up into two-person groups for Chi Sau. Over the course of the time we were there (from 10 AM to roughly 2 PM) the group went over two of the principles, thrusting (chung) and jerking (jut). In addition to this, Si-Fu Baker went through the use of the six keys of position, balance, stick, spring, weight and direction (you can read about these in Si-Fu Baker's article, "The Stages of "Being" Interaction). He explained the need to pay close attention to these, as they are the foundation of good Chi Sau. He also touched upon the idea of Ku, or bridging, which leads to the development of the next stage of "Being," namely, Ku (controlling the bridge), listening and extending.

Time was also spent on single Chi Sau (Daan Chi Sau), and some on Lap Sau (grabbing hand). He went over the use of the keys previously mentioned in single Chi Sau. In Lap Sau, he touched upon the principles therein, and made corrections where needed. Overall, the experience was very rewarding, and everyone came away from this part of the seminar with a greater appreciation of Wing Chun. We broke for lunch around 1:15, and then some of the group did Chi Sau with Philip, a Wing Chun practitioner who lives in the area, from about 1:40 until about 2:00. The Springvale portion of the seminar ended with Scott and Philip demonstrating each other's dummy form, which was very fascinating to watch!

The group then made to the drive to Gray, to the home of Lloyd Chute and his wife, Noelle Forrest. We arrived there a little after 3 PM, and, after setting up the video equipment, we got under way once more. This portion of the seminar ran from roughly 3 to a little past 6 PM. We had decided at this point to everyone work on free Chi Sau with Scott, and we also spent some time on the forms once more. Lloyd had not been able to attend the Friday portion of the seminar, and Patrick Scully was just joining the group then, so Scott went through Chum Kiu with them. After this, Scott talked for a spell about releasing, and demonstrated kicking to the group. He blew us all away with his incredible power, as he effortlessly moved the two heavy bags with his kicks. After that, we then moved onto Chi Sau, and everyone had a turn in touching arms with Si-Fu Baker. This was more of a lighthearted moment than a serious one, and all enjoyed working with Si-Fu Baker. The experience was a good one for all, as they worked on what they had learned so far, and Si-Fu Baker provided insight into how they were doing. As I said, this was more of a lighthearted experience, so that all could experience rolling with someone who is closest to being a master as they have met, without having to prove who was better. This is to me the truest form of teaching and learning.

We went on for about two hours, and then we took a short break. When we got back to business, we had only a little while, so we discussed a little bit more about releasing energy and so forth. The highlight of this portion of the seminar was when Casey Blier volunteered to have a thrusting palm applied to him. Casey was initially apprehensive, for he had heard of a person who had suffered an injury from such a palm from Si-Fu, and we as a group had built him up to such a state of mind, that, as Si-Fu Baker put it, "You have got the guy thinking that he is going to explode!" When he finally did the palm, Casey looked as if he were going to explode! He started to bend to the left, and nearly flew out of the view of the camera. He let out an audible "Ugghhh" as his eyes grew to nearly triple their size. It was truly a hilarious moment, and everyone practically dying from laughter! Casey took it in stride, and was not offended at all, and he enjoyed the moment, as best he could.

After this, it was getting close to 6 PM, and some needed to leave, so Si-Fu Baker watched Lloyd and John go through the Biu Zi (Biu Tze) form, once again making corrections as needed and so forth. All agreed that the seminar was a great success, and all are looking forward to the next one. The one thing all agreed to was having seminars twice a year with Si-Fu Baker, the first of which will be February of 2004. Many thanks go to Si-Fu Baker for all of his patience, insight and experience, and to those who helped in providing the places to meet, and also for the food (Jeff, Hilda, Philip, Lloyd and Noelle). Special thanks also goes out to my father, Charles, for running the recording equipment and camera work. May we have such a great success next year!

 

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Last Updated 6 August, 2003

 

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