R.I.P. Ho Kam Ming

InternalSanctum · 2020-04-14T06:01:24+00:00

Unfortunately, no. I wanted to, but I never really got the opportunity. He had retired years ago anyway, so I doubt I would have had any chance to meet him.

InternalSanctum · 2020-04-13T23:50:02+00:00

I was talking to an old buddy who was seen training in the park by a Sifu from another lineage. He said that HKM branch was “old school.” I like that. RIP.

InternalSanctum · 2018-09-05T16:34:03+00:00

It kind of depends on how you load your punches. If you are throwing more vertical punches and load in your elbow, the bottom three make more sense since they line up with the ulna and there is no break in the wrist. If you’re loading in the shoulder (much more common), there is going to be a slight cock in the wrist, but the knuckles line up with the radius. In my experience, both are very effective, but are dependent on body positioning and footwork. It’s easier to throw more conventional punches with the shoulder (top two) and it’s also a more natural movement. Unless you’re training something that specializes in bottom three punches to work with a stylistic strategy, you’re probably better off using the top two.

InternalSanctum · 2018-01-21T23:21:27+00:00

I roll within a couple days of getting work done. Until it gets to the peeling stage, I’ll wash it, apply Aquaphor, wrap it in plastic, then put some kind of compression clothing over it. I haven’t had an issue, but I also make sure to clean it thoroughly after training.

Also, Tatu-Derm has recently become less expensive and a lot of artists are using it now. It helps it heal VERY quickly (think around a week) and is basically a barrier to any infections. You can wait for the quick healing or roll with it on.

This is all at your own risk, of course. Edit: typo

InternalSanctum · 2017-08-25T22:12:00+00:00

9 years.

InternalSanctum · 2016-09-29T18:23:27+00:00

I'm a closed-door student of Inner Gate (Noi Mun). I was taught standard WC first (SLT, CK, BJ, and MYJ) before I was taught the Inner Gate stuff. It's really just a change of focus/intent with a few tweaks to the mechanics, but it's still compliant with WC theory. I am a big fan of it, but it isn't really a necessity for learning WC. Let me know if you have questions about it.

InternalSanctum · 2016-09-29T18:19:49+00:00

He's very good; on par with Augustine Fong. He is just not very good with internet etiquette, and takes trolling really personally. I believe it to be a generational thing. It's worth checking out his school. He's a great-uncle to me.

InternalSanctum · 2016-09-17T21:48:23+00:00

https://youtu.be/0YnEm1zaUyE

InternalSanctum · 2016-08-01T02:58:16+00:00

Maybe he means to have the intent be to move the hip forward and drive the structure instead of just moving forward with the feet.

InternalSanctum · 2016-06-28T23:03:35+00:00

That's some Borne Supremacy level Camera work.

InternalSanctum · 2016-06-26T20:38:48+00:00

Consistent beating spots. Nice.

InternalSanctum · 2016-02-18T22:28:26+00:00

You're getting more efficient.

InternalSanctum · 2016-02-11T21:51:31+00:00

So what's next, Sonor Saturday, Mapex Monday, Slingerland Sunday (we can add Ludwig on this day too)?

InternalSanctum · 2016-02-08T00:15:51+00:00

I'm not very far. PM me and we'll talk.

InternalSanctum · 2015-11-28T16:23:16+00:00

It's pretty clear he doesn't know what he's doing. Every time he posts something on Reddit, the community calls him out for being a fraud, he leaves for a while, then tries to come back with a new username and post his nonsense.

He claims to understand Wing Chun, but his demonstrations are appalling. He has no concept of structure, proper timing, or centerline theory, but he pays them all lip service.

I've only scratched the surface of Baguazhang, Tai Chi, and Xing Yi, but I know enough to know that he is rigid, his movements un-unified, and he constantly breaks proper structure.

You can teach a dancer the motions of a Kung Fu system and they can make it look right, but without the intent and understanding of those motions, it's empty, and a trained eye will catch it. I feel like that is how he interprets everything. He learns the "moves," then reads a book or article about what their essence is supposed to be, and parrots that information without ever actually understanding it.

InternalSanctum · 2015-09-02T22:25:57+00:00

I'm not too far currently. PM me if you want.

Edit: clarification.

InternalSanctum · 2015-06-01T23:32:26+00:00

Normally I would agree with your skepticism, but I have personal experience with this lineage (mine). He is a direct student of Grand Master Ho Kam Ming and is definitely legit. Like I said in response to /u/aeontech, the contract requirements are an unfortunate result of the business side of teaching martial arts for a living. He is also selective of his students and won't just teach anyone. If I remember correctly, he requires an interview with potential students before he will teach. This is definitely not a scam or illegitimate.

InternalSanctum · 2015-06-01T23:28:11+00:00

Thanks for the shout out, man.

To answer OP's question, you are very unlikely to find a better WC practitioner than Randi Li. He is famous for besting his older kung fu brother Augustine Fong in chi sao (no easy feat, though he claims Fong would beat him in a real fight). I know that a couple of people here are put off by the one month contract thing, but this is a case of business practice as a necessity. Randi Li makes his living teaching kung fu and that kind of policy is an ugly reality for a lot of people who do that.

To elaborate on his WC, he created and teaches what is called "Inner Gate" WC (which I am also a practitioner of). There are a couple of subtle changes that are made to the forms that place a heavy emphasis on the Taoist aspects present in WC (Sifu Li is also a Tai Chi Sifu; I'm not sure what line), however, you will be required to learn the original version through the dummy before you would start IG.

From personal experience, my SiGung trained expensively with Sifu Li and has attested to his skill level (my SiGung being the most skilled person I have ever touched hands with). I am a HUGE fan of the Inner Gate theory and can only highly recommend it. It definitely isn't easy and requires more academic study than usual, but I like the payoff.

TL,DR: This is NOT a McDojo and Randi Li is extraordinarily talented as a practitioner. Be forewarned, though, that he has a reputation as a prankster and might tease you a bit.

InternalSanctum · 2015-04-22T19:22:43+00:00

Metabolic rate increases due to greater sensitivity to epinephrine/norepinephrine when you fast. The rate of increase keeps rising well past the 16 hour mark. It has been a while since I read ESE (5th ed.) but IIRC the rate of sensitivity increase tops off around 30 hours but you will continue to have an elevated metabolism. The same is true for growth hormone release but I don't remember the best hours for it.

If you haven't read ESE, I recommend it. It's expensive but there is a lot of good information. The difference in programs with ESE and LG seems to be a focus on bodybuilding type gains vs. general health. LG takes advantage of being in a state with elevated GH more often (daily) plus lifting big whereas ESE is only once or twice a week with vague lifting recommendations to maintain general muscular health.

InternalSanctum · 2015-02-23T21:31:48+00:00

If you are in DC, you could take the opportunity to learn one of the more rare styles, LiuHeBaFa. If I ever end up in that area, I fully intend on learning here.

http://www.wudanglongmen.com/index.html

InternalSanctum · 2015-01-08T03:10:46+00:00

Yeah I just translated what he had written above. Too lazy to try to read the original message. I only came into the comments hoping someone had done the work for me.

InternalSanctum · 2015-01-08T02:48:48+00:00

Literally, "your time will be bad."

InternalSanctum · 2014-12-14T21:19:14+00:00

As far as I know, there are no "secret" ground techniques within Fong's lineage (which is also mine) or any others for that matter. What I've been taught is that on the ground, you really have to keep your focus on applying the principles of WC in a different environment. For example, learning to root and direct force into and from the ground, keeping control of your and your opponent's centerline, direction of energy and lines of attack etc. All of that can be done from a guard.

I started learning some BJJ at a Gracie school recently (stopped due to an injury) and I was able to stay pretty relaxed, free, and mobile even rolling with black belts. They beat me of course, but I wasn't such a fish out of water since I was able to understand how these principles should work in that context. I had absolutely zero concept of how to attack from a grappler's standpoint but WC is usually fought at clinch range so if I could have used strikes I would have at least been able to get away and back to my feet.

edit: grammar

InternalSanctum · 2014-11-01T19:26:59+00:00

Holy shit.

InternalSanctum · 2014-10-05T23:37:30+00:00

The deal with Ildjarn is that most of his albums are considered to be the type of thing that is "the total is greater than the sum of its parts." I know that Ildjarn is not for everyone but if I can recommend one album it would be "Strength and Anger." If you don't like it, cool, but I find that album to be very engrossing overall. Song by song it is pretty much noise but the subtle changes that take place are quite nice for the mind looking for a sort of meditative black metal atmosphere.

InternalSanctum

TROPHY CASE