Wing Chun Seminars 2002 & 2003 In Minneapolis, MN

Gary Schwartz

 

Let me start with a bit of history to create a perspective, as to why Scott Baker's skills became of interest to me and how Sifu Baker and I came to meet. I will also mention a bit of my background in Martial Arts. Expand to, how I got my start in Wing Chun. Then move on to why I felt it was important that I experience the way Sifu Baker teaches Wing Chun. Then finish with some opinions as to why Sifu Baker will continue to be asked to return to Minnesota to pass on his knowledge to willing students.

I have trained in the Martial Arts for many years. I walked into a dojo one day, received a short demonstration consisting of a Chin Na technique, I did not even try a free class, signed up that day, and I have been practicing ever since. The style was a great base style; it incorporated many various disciplines, and covered a broad range of the Martial Arts techniques. I believe that one of the best lessons learned in this period of training, was that everything you do in Martial Arts has a purpose, and there are no movements defined as "we do them just because". While training in this style I earned my "Black Belt" and as an Assistant Instructor I was able to teach something that has had a huge impact in my life to other people looking to make a difference in their own lives. Eventually, the line of learning was disrupted due to difficulties within the organization, and the newly structured environment was not of interest to me.

Wing Chun, had always been on my mind, however at my time of seeking to learn it I could never find anyone teaching it here in the phone book. So after looking at many different schools, and actively participating in just one, I found a place that taught Wing Chun, or so I thought. The first lesson consisted of standing postures, which I am sure the instructor thought would stagger all beginning students. This I notice seems to be common practice in all "Traditional Martial Arts" though few know the real reason behind these stances other than the fact that they are difficult to hold. Making a long story short, not knowing Wing Chun it seemed like a typical class until about the third lesson, when I asked "how was the bon sau used". The reply I received was "sometimes we do things in Wing Chun that have no practical use, we just do them". That was just the beginning of the downward spiral, and after rolling some primitive form of Chi Sau with the instructor, and all but fully embarrassing him, even though I had no idea of what I was doing, I decided I would not return to such "half assed teachings"!

Eventually I gave up on my search to find Wing Chun and dabbled in Tai Chi and Pak Qua for a while. Wing Chun was always on my mind, but it seemed I would never find it here. Until one day I walked into a Martial Arts supply shop looking for some sort of weapon, I am sure. I happened to mention that I was interested in Wing Chun, but I could not find anyone teaching it. The woman behind the counter said "yes there is, right next door". I gathered the information, and then called the school to set up a time to come in and see the instructor.

I have trained under Sifu Jimmy B. Sok on and off for about three years now, and he is by far the best physical Wing Chun instructor/practitioner that I have come across in Minnesota. After training with him, to me it did not appear that there was much of a connection between his teachings and the internal aspects of Wing Chun. While he talked about it, to me it did not feel as though it was there. I started to browse the internet for other sources of Wing Chun information. After looking for awhile I found a site that really grab my attention. It is called "Authentic Wing Chun Kung Fu". I checked out every section of the sight that I could, and I was so impressed by what I was reading that I immediately ordered the "Authentic Wing Chun Kung Fu" book. I did not even wait for the hard copy. I just started reading what was e-mailed to me. It was some of the best Wing Chun info I had seen.

I then sent an e-mail to the web site asking if there was a way to contact Sifu Scott Baker. That e-mail was forwarded to Scott who replied personally. He was in Chicago at the time, and I had planned on traveling there to train under him. However, by the time I had made plans to travel to Chicago, Scott had moved to South Carolina. My options became limited at this point so I thought I would ask to see if he would travel to Minnesota. We worked out the details, and the rest is history.

The seminar with Scott Baker was superb! Not only did he talk about the internal side of Wing Chun, he was able to demonstrate all of this. In the 2002 and 2003 seminars he was very thorough. He started with the basics of developing a root, releasing energy, forms, lap sau, pak sau, chi sau, weapons, the dummy, and the forms. There were many students and practitioners of different skill levels, but Scott's approach to individualized teaching enabled everyone to receive one on one training and consultations.

So many doors were opened in my personal practice, thanks to Scott's extensive knowledge in Wing Chun. I always heard that Wing Chun was one of the best fighting arts. However, before receiving training from Scott I would have preferred another fighting method if faced with a confrontation. I just could not grasp the concepts, but it only took a few questions from me, and some great answers from Scott, and I was able to understand more deeply, what I was doing and how it could be applied.

Most of my training in Wing Chun was very hard. Softness was mentioned, but it was never felt. Everything was always give, give, and more give. We developed our arms and shins in the manner of Tai Boxers, which I must say, does give an added edge to laying the hurt on someone, but what are the long term effects? Crippled arms and shins as you get older? Working Chi Sau with Scott was so much more enlightening than working with others. Chi Sau was always a competition, who could hit each other the most with little sissy punches, palms, slaps, or what not. I always thought, "You are never going to hurt me with that wussy stuff". Scott was able to open my eyes and show me the true meaning of Chi Sau, and how to begin to use the practice to sharpen true Wing Chun skills, and not just sissy slaps etc… Scott interpretations of the Sil Num Tao, Chum Ku, and Biu Tze are some of the most in-depth informative descriptions of how the forms are used and what is developed within them that I have come across anywhere.

Whether you are a top notch Wing Chun practitioner, intermediate, or even a beginner, you should not deny yourself or others the chance to work with Scott. Wing Chun and Martial Arts in general are full of unnecessary politics. Scott throws these out the window. He is not about making money, he is about teaching true Martial Arts to dedicated students. In short Scott is an excellent practitioner and Sifu of the arts, not only with his skills, but his method of teaching, and the fact that passing Authentic Wing Chun along to others in an effort to share the knowledge instead of lining his pockets makes him a true modern day Master!

I would like to thank Scott for the time he has spent in Minnesota, and I look forward to inviting him back for many years to come. Special thanks comes from the Minnesota Wing Chun Academy and Sifu Jimmy B. Sok for Scott's contribution to a higher understanding of Wing Chun Kung Fu. THANKS!

To learn more about Si-Fu Scott Baker's Authentic Wing Chun Kung Fu, you may e-mail him at scott.m.baker@lmco.com . You may also visit the Authentic Wing Chun Kung Fu site by clicking here. If you wish to read any articles on Wing Chun by Si-Fu Baker visit our articles page.

 

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Posted 6 August, 2003

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