Artigo Especial com SiFu Lo Man Kam

The Dido's Blog returns with special article. This time, we reproduct a good interview with SiFu Lo Man Kan to New Hero magazine. We Hope that you enjoy it.

 

Special Interview with Wing Chun Grand Master Yip Man’s Nephew, Sifu Lo Man Kam in Taiwan

by New Hero Magazine

A Retired Army Major – The first person to bring Wing Chun Kung Fu to the Taiwan public


In 1950, Grand Master Yip Man began teaching Wing Chun at the Kowloon Mess Union. His early followers at that time included Leung Sheung, Lok Yiu, Cheu Sheung Tin, Jiu Wan, Yip Bo Ching, and others. However, not many know that Lo Man Kam, Yip Man’s nephew through his oldest sister, also began studying Wing Chun at that time, training with Leung Sheung and Lok Yiu on the rooftops of the Mess Union, along with another student, Yip Man’s good friend, Lee Ming. From the Mess Union, Grand Master Yip Man moved his school to Hia Ten Street, Lee Da Street, and later Lee Jenwou Village.  For nearly 10 years, wherever Yip Man moved, Lo would always follow.

Kung Fu brother reunion
First row – (L to R) Cheu Sheung Tin, Yip Chun, Lok Yiu, Lo Man Kam and Sam Lau.

Then in 1960, persuaded by his uncle, Sifu Lo moved to Taiwan to enroll in military school. Over 3 years special forces training, he learned many kill techniques, defense tactics, and other martial arts skills like Judo and Chin-Na Shou for close-quarters combat. After graduating from military school, he was assigned to serve at a special union and, due to the nature of his job, frequently had chances to utilize Wing Chun and other martial arts skills that could be combined together to form a very unique close range combat system. As a result, though Sifu Lo left Hong Kong, his Wing Chun never became rusty, much like the old Chinese saying “Kung-fu always stays with you.”  During his time in Taiwan, Sifu Lo also had a chance to meet his kung-fu brothers such as Lok Yiu, Jiu Wan, and Sam Lau.
After meeting with his cousin, Yip Chun in Taipei in 1974, he was encouraged to develop and spread Wing Chun in Taiwan.  Shortly after retiring from the Army as a Major in 1975, Sifu Lo opened his first school in Taipei. Before long, the Chinese kung-fu action star Bruce Lia also joined his school, training under him and even cooperating on a few kung-fu movies together. Since that time, Sifu Lo has always kept his school open to the public, making teaching his full-time job, career, and mission.  Almost every day and every night has been focused on developing and maintaining the high standard of Yip Man’s Wing Chun in Taiwan.

Sifu Lo’s Wing Chun school in Taipei, Taiwan

In October 1975, Sifu Lo accepted his first foreign student, Daniel Duby, a son of a chief of police from the French island of Réunion. Having a foreigner come to Taiwan study kung-fu was quite unusual, since Taiwanese society was very conservative. As such, the Taiwanese Foreign Affairs and Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission helped and provided all necessary support to Sifu Lo and Daniel Duby.  Publicity about Sifu Lo’s kung-fu school spread and became hot news, as this was the first Taiwan school to open its doors to foreign students of Chinese Kung Fu. Taiwan would gradually become more accessible to the rest of the world, with many people coming to do business, study Chinese, or even teach English.  And because Sifu Lo had studied at the Hong Kong Wan Chai English College, teaching kung-fu to foreigner was never a problem for him.

Sifu Lo with his foreign and local students.

Word spread quickly of his enthusiastic teaching, with many foreigners desiring to study Chinese kung-fu coming just to him, until it made Sifu Lo’s school what might be described as a kind of kung-fu “United Nations”. Aside from Hong Kong and Macao, students have come from the US, Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, India, Saudi Arabia, and many more to study Wing Chun under Sifu Lo.  As a result of his “Kung-fu UN,” tournaments in Taiwan steadily became popular.  Whenever a foreign team has visited Taiwan, Sifu Lo has always been on the panel of ambassadors represents Taiwan.  Even early on, when former Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association chairman So Yuen would bring tournament participants over, he would always pay a visit with Sifu Lo, while also getting together with other Sifus and mutual friends like Lo Kay and Xie Kwong Yin.

Some readers may remember an article from Yip Chun mentioning Sifu Lo’s having provided some help to Mr. Deng Sheng (a former Hong Kong Chinese Police Detective and the first chairman of the Wing Chun Athletic Association). When we asked sifu Lo about the matter, he would only say that it was just “a little favor” without any need to talk about it.  It turns out that small favor was providing help not just to Mr. Deng Shen, but also to all his police colleagues when they came to Taiwan, including Chan Kam Pui, Chan Jiang, Fai-Zhai B, and Chan Xin, with whom he has since become good friends.  When Mr. Deng Sheng was injured in a horse-riding incident, Lo provided physical therapy for him every day.  From what we’ve heard, Sifu Lo has always had a good relationship with people in Taiwan, ever happy to help without promise of return.   But though he is very proficient in Chinese medicine and physical therapy, he nevertheless chose not to focus on such skills for a career, opting instead to follow his passion and spread Wing Chun throughout Taiwan and the world, which he believes is the best way to thank his uncle, Yip Man, for the many years of teaching and encouragement, as well as his cousin Yip Chun for his support, which has led to Sifu Lo being the only Wing Chun master in Taiwan.

The long years of Taiwan Special Forces training have helped Lo fit the old Chinese proverb, “Once you move, I will move faster; and my power will be like the mountains coming to you.”  By applying his own theories to kung-fu, he has also been able to create a unique style, underlining Yip Man’s saying that, “Kung-fu has no life of its own, a person must bring it to life.”  Within this style is a key concept that one should always stick with and control an opponent at every chance, never letting go and always following-up, even if one needs to throw or apply joint-locks.  His moves, techniques, and training methods were loved enough by Europeans that, over time, they began to call it “Lo Man Kam Wing Chun”.   Sifu Lo says of his methods, “It is fighting with Wing Chun theories and not giving slack, once on the attack.”

Developing training with hand-to-knife combat


Sifu Lo has also taken aspects of other styles and combined them with Wing Chun “sticky hands” techniques, often favored by intelligence and law enforcement personnel for their effectiveness, and passed them to his son, Gorden, which led to his being selected to join the Army’s martial arts team and act as an assistant instructor. After a 1991 speech at the Taiwan National Police Agency First Headquarters on the topic of “How to promptly restrain a criminal with police defense tactics,” Sifu Lo was immediately invited by general commander Lu from the 1st Headquarters to be an instructor on defense tactics.  The special training courses he conducted during that time actually utilized real 45cm long machetes and US military combat knives, because he felt that “Frontline law enforcement needs to have very good skills and realistic experiences to react to; and this is the first time this kind of realistic training was given in Taiwan.”
Later, a major break-in in Kaohsiung showed the police to be under-prepared, and so Sifu Lo was assigned to make a proposal to create a national SWAT team.  He was put in charge of all police defense tactics, including hand-to-hand and hand-to-weapon combat.  The outstanding outcome of the training resulted in Lo’s being invited to teach at the Taiwan Investigation Bureau for 10 years.
In 1993, general commander Lu was promoted to preside over the Taiwan Police College, so again he invited Sifu Lo to teach at the Police College, as well.  By now, Lo’s son Gorden had finished his military service and, with his added Wing Chun skill, was also qualified to help his father there as an assistant instructor.  From the experiences gained there, Gorden improved his skills and has since accompanied his father many times to teach police groups and Wing Chun seminars overseas.
Over in the US, another good friend and kung-fu brother of Sifu Lo, is Sifu Duncan Leung who, similarly, had developed a very good relationship with law enforcement departments over there.  While Sifu Lo was master instructor at the police college, Sifu Duncan brought the Virginia Beach City Chief of Police to Taiwan for a visit. The American police chief was impressed with what he saw and praised the demonstration and training highly, as it was so different from other methods.  Sifu Lo has always felt that Sifu Leung had given him a great favor, because of the professional recognition in America that this visit brought to him.
The first Chinese to be Sifu to an Emperor
To be Sifu to an Emperor is surely an admirable goal to reach for, because one must be unique, special, and selected from thousands to have such an honor.  In ancient China, such a position would be something higher than an imperial bodyguard.  An opportunity like this opened itself up one day in early 2001, when he received a call from the Brunei embassy in Beijing.  Someone there had seen or heard of a National Geographic program interviewing him that covered the special training he provided to the Taiwanese national SWAT team.  So, after some organization and paperwork, Sifu Lo flew to Brunei.  Two diplomatic officers received him at the airport and took him to his hotel for a short rest, after which a limousine came by and drove him to the Sultan’s palace.  He was informed that his student would be the Sultan’s younger brother.   They would train nearly every day for a period of time.

Sifu Lo and Emperor of Brunei

The Sultan himself was in England and unfortunately was not able to meet him that time, but the opportunity arrived in July 2006, when Sifu Lo was invited to the Queen’s Gym, where he presented his book “Police Kung Fu” to the Sultan.  After some conversation, the Sultan set up a training schedule for him to practice Wing Chun and some special moves with Sifu Lo.  The next day, when the Sultan arrived for training, he also brought his bodyguard and requested that he first spar with Sifu Lo a little.  Despite having anticipated that this kind of situation would happen, he realized there really was no way to avoid it.  As the Chinese say, “If I don’t have the skill and the courage, I will not approach the warriors of Leung Mountain.”  The bodyguard initiated and Sifu Lo countered with Wing Chun techniques, unequivocally striking him, then changed techniques to follow-up, rolling his body out of range, and returning to a fighting stance.  When the man’s next move came, Sifu Lo applied more Wing Chun fighting theories: attacking to defend; covering and controlling; and giving and taking by use of the opponent’s power until finishing the fight with the famous chain-punch and chase once the man’s guard was down.  The moves left a good impression, everyone saved face, and no one was hurt.  The Sultan now knew and trusted Sifu Lo’s skills more and began his training under him immediately.  Thus was how Sifu Lo Man Kam became the first modern kung-fu Sifu to an emperor.
The first Chinese to instruct the US Army
That Yip Man’s nephew could be an instructor on defense tactics and martial arts to the most powerful country in the world must mean that he has something unique and special. But it should come as no surprise, after following his uncle’s Wing Chun for 10 years, then completing years of Special Forces training in Taiwan. He has a deep understanding and comprehension of martial arts and has never relented in his studies. His theories and books have been widely recognized and published in Chinese, English and Russian.

Since the beginning of the Iraq war, US soldiers have known they would be in danger in situations of close-quarters fighting. In 2004, Sifu Lo was invited and flew to the US Army’s 284th Base Support Battalion in Germany as close combat instructor.  Historically speaking, this may make him the first Chinese martial arts instructor to instruct the US Army.  Sifu Lo’s close range fighting system of choice for their Military Police (Most soldiers deployed to Iraq receive this training for their duty there).  This was a great honor for Sifu Lo and even more so, as they also look forward to having him return to train with them again.
Registering the name and spreading the art

Sifu Lo and his son Sifu Gorden

Due to his wide success and recognition, Sifu Lo and his son Sifu Gorden decided to legally register and establish the Lo Man Kam Wing Chun Kung Fu Federation in Taiwan.  From there, they began to build and extend their organization in the US and Europe, and conduct yearly seminar tours.  The 2006 seminar in Paris was a great success, hosting not only the local French, but also Wing Chun groups from Germany, Holland, Belgium and USA, who came to participate and train. Attracting people from five countries for a seminar is no simple feat, adding it to the list of Sifu Lo’s accomplishments.  He also has given a few seminars in Hungary, with more participants joining each time, beginning with some 60 people, increasing to over one hundred, a lofty goal many kung-fu instructors strive for and look forward to.
Grand Master Yip Man’s Wing Chun Kung Fu has gained worldwide fame and success, but it should not be allowed to stagnate.  Later generations must continue continue to spread it even further.  That Sifu Lo has himself garnered so much recognition really owes to his following in the footsteps of Yip Man and his principal that, “Kung-fu has no life of its own, a person must bring it to life.”  Similarly, Sifu Lo Man Kam has passed his skills and his successful experience to his son and Yip Man’s grand-nephew, Sifu Gorden Lu,   now the third generation from the Yip Man family.  Sifu Gorden has already made successful strides in teaching and developing Yip Man Wing Chun in the US, with his personal position following the Chinese proverb, “The importance is not on the first to begin his studies, but on the first to reach his goals.”

That's all folks.

 

See you.

Dido

Privative disciple of Master Marcos de Abreu

 

Especial Entrevistas ( Reeditado); Si Fu Augusto Carvalho - Interview with SiFu Augusto Carvalho

Nesta postagem especial, trazemos hoje a re-edição da entrevista concedida ao Blog do Dido por um dos maiores mestres de Wing Chn no Brasil: Si Fu Augusto Carvalho. Esperamos que aproveitem...

In this particular post, today we bring to reprint granted the interview to '' Blog do Dido '' by one of the masters of Wing Chn in Brazil: Si Fu Augusto Carvalho. We hope you enjoy ...

''Esta entrevista já era pra ter acontecido á mais tempo, mas devido á falta de regularidade para com o Blog - entre outras coisas -  só agora tive tempo hábil pra editar os textos.
E é com uma imensa honra que esse mês,nosso entrevistado é o prof. Augusto Carvalho.
Professor Augusto Carvalho é uma figura bastante conhecida dentro das comunidades do wing chun nacional e sua dedicação para com a arte é realmente inspiradora. Nesta conversa por e-mail,pude-lhe fazer algumas questões - algumas bem polêmicas - onde podemos compreender um pouco mais sobre sua visão e interpretação do estilo wing chun e de sua ramificação atual.

Bem,sem mais delongas, vamos á entrevista!

 This interview was already to have happened will over time, but due to lack of good standing with the Blog - among other things - had only now timely to edit the texts.
And it is with great honor that this month, our interviewee is prof. Augusto Carvalho.
Professor Augusto Carvalho is a well-known figure within the wing chun national communities and their dedication to art is really inspiring. In this conversation by e-mail, could I make some issues - some very controversial - where we can understand a little more about your vision and interpretation of the Wing Chun style and his current branch.

Well, without further ado, let the interview!


Blog do Dido - O sr. poderia nos contar como foi seu primeiro contato com o ving tsun?O sr. já praticou em outras linhagens  e como o sr. conheceu seu atual sifu?

Sifu Augusto - Tomei conhecimento do Wing Chun  através de artigos  sobre Bruce Lee, publicados na década de 1970. Iniciei a prática em 1993. Passei por duas linhagens diferentes e muita pesquisa e experiência com outros praticantes até conhecer meu Sifu. Fui apresentado a Sam Hing Fai Chan, pelos meus irmãos Kung Fu, Nilson e Marcio. A Familia Sam Chan iniciou seu trabalho no Brasil em 2008. Hoje, temos quatro Sifu no Brasil: Augusto, Yakko, Marcio e Nilson.
De forma resumida é isso. O que posso acrescentar é que meu envolvimento com artes marciais não se restringe ao Wing Chun. E meu inicio se deu em 1976. Passei por várias experiências, até o momento atual onde ensino: Wing Chun, Jow Ga, Tai Chi Chuan. Além de praticar Karate (faixa marrom) e Jeet Kune Do.

Blog Dido - Mr. tell us how was your first contact with the ving tsun? Mr. already practiced in other lineages and as Mr. met her current sifu?

Sifu Augusto - I am aware of Wing Chun through articles on Bruce Lee, published in the 1970s started the practice in 1993. I went through two different lines and a lot of research and experience with other practitioners to meet my sifu. I was introduced to Sam Hing Fai Chan, for my brothers Kung Fu, Nilson and Marcio. The Family Sam Chan began working in Brazil in 2008. Today, we have four Sifu in Brazil: Augusto, Yakko, and Marcio Nilson.
Briefly's it. What I can add is that my involvement with martial arts is not limited to Wing Chun. And my start was given in 1976. I went through various experiences until the present moment where I teach: Wing Chun, Jow Ga, Tai Chi Chuan. In addition to practicing karate (brown belt) and Jeet Kune Do.



Blog do Dido - Gostaria que o sr. comentasse quais são as principais características,tanto filosóficas,quanto técnicas de sua atual linhagem.

Sifu Augusto - Meu mestre costuma dizer que devemos formar bons cidadãos. Então o elemento marcial é apenas um veículo para esse fim. A prática das rotinas de exercícios e o convívio com o Sifu, levará a formação de uma boa conduta para a vida. Eu ensino a como lidar com os conflitos diários além de meras técnicas de combate corpo a corpo.
Quando alguém me pergunta: “você ensina a lutar?” ou “seu Wing Chun funciona em combate de forma eficiente?” Sempre respondo com outra pergunta.  Pergunto por que a pessoa quer aprender a lutar? Você é militar, polícial, segurança, etc. Faço a pessoa parar e refletir primeiro, o motivo de querer aprender uma arte marcial. Quais suas motivações. Essa primeira conversa já é uma aula.
Em suma, nossa linhagem defende uma prática marcial numa época sem guerras, onde o inimigo é nosso ego (centrismo). Temos de nos libertar do desejo de violência. A prática marcial nos ajuda a ter disciplina e dominar a agressividade. Estamos no Brasil do século 21 e não na China revolucionária de séculos passados.
Estou seguindo o Sifu Sam Chan, que segue seu Sifu Ip Ching, que aprendeu com o pai dele; o Sifu Ip Kai Man. Estou tentando ensinar aqui no Brasil uma cultura de família. De pessoas que viram a guerra e buscam a paz. Nosso Wing Chun é simples, direto e objetivo, como gosto de frisar sempre..
Em tempos de MMA, as pessoas confundem objetivos. Acham que todos devem ser gladiadores do século 21. Temos de entender que existe diferença entre arte marcial, defesa pessoal, esporte de combate,etc. Cada ramo tem seu objetivo especifico. E mesmo dentro de um mesmo seguimento, você encontrará propostas diversificadas. Para mim, todas são válidas.
A arte marcial foi criada pelo ser humano para o ser humano e não o contrário. Então, o mais importante é o ser humano.

Blog Dido - I wish Mr. comment on what are the main features both philosophical, as its current line techniques.

Sifu Augusto - My master used to say that we form good citizens. Then martial element is just a carrier therefor. The practice of exercise routines and interaction with Sifu, will lead to formation of good conduct for life. I teach how to deal with everyday conflicts beyond mere hand combat techniques the body.
When someone asks me, "teaches you to fight?" Or "your Wing Chun works in combat efficiently" I always answer with another question. I wonder why the person wants to learn how to fight? You are military, cop, security, etc. I make the person stop and think first, the reason for wanting to learn a martial art. What are your motivations. This first conversation is already a class.
In short, our lineage advocates a martial practice at a time without war, where the enemy is our ego (centrism). We must free ourselves from the desire of violence. The martial practice helps us to have discipline and master aggressiveness. We are in the 21st century and not in Brazil in revolutionary China of past centuries.
I am following the Sifu Sam Chan, following his Sifu Ip Ching, who learned from his father; Sifu Ip Kai Man. I'm trying to teach here in Brazil a family culture. Of people who have seen war and seek peace. Our Wing Chun is simple, straightforward and objective, as I like to point out ever ..
In MMA times, people confuse objectives. They think that everyone should be gladiators of the 21st century we have to understand that there is difference between martial art, self defense, combat sport, etc. Each branch has its specific purpose. And even within the same follow-up, you will find diverse proposals. For me, all are valid.
The martial art was created by humans for humans and not vice versa. So the most important is the human being.



Blog do Dido - O ving tsun é uma arte transmitida tradicionalmente através das famílias kung fu,ou clãs,sendo diferentes nos estilos,onde muitas delas se auto-afirmam
a autêntica,verdadeira,mais próxima da raíz,ou original, etc,etc,causando uma grande discordância entre elas. O sr. acredita que poderia haver uma 'unificação' - digamos assim
- entre essas organizações?è possível se chegar á um consenso nesse sentido e na sua opinião,quais são os motivos principais para que haja tanta discordancia entre as familias
ving tsun,existe uma saída para isso?


Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Pergunta complexa.  Sendo objetivo, creio que o motivo é o egoísmo e não vejo uma  saída para esse impasse, ao menos no momento.
Mas gostaria de tecer alguns comentários para expor aqui meu modo de ver a questão.
Sejamos realistas. Atualmente existem vários tipos de Wing Chun. Há, os ditos tradicionalistas, os vanguardistas, os mixados, os inventados, e por aí vai. Nem todos seguem (como disse você) as tradições. Isso gera muitas e gritantes diferenças. E está envolvido aí, interesses financeiros, busca de fama, poder e mais algumas coisas. Sou também Psicanalista e como tal analiso a fonte de tudo isso, na velha questão de cada um querer ser o destaque entre todos. O egocentrismo melhor dizendo. Ou, eu diria  ignorância, imaturidade. Mas tudo isso já existia na China antiga, não é criação nossa. É a característica geral de seres em processo de evolução. Por isso a pratica das artes marciais requer um árduo aprendizado. E o resultado disso é o conceito de Kung Fu, que eu costumo traduzir como excelência.
Particularmente, não acredito em disputas. Penso que há espaço para todos. Cada um que divulgue suas ideias e terá quem o siga. Não precisa convencer todos. Isso é bobagem!
Repito: não vejo saída. Minha saída é me relacionar com quem pensa igual a mim. Que considera as disputas uma grande bobagem e prefere ser feliz em harmonia com os demais. Quem não concorda comigo eu não discuto. Ou quem quer me convencer de sua verdade eu apenas escuto e agradeço.
De minha parte, estou sempre aberto a ouvir e ver. Mas se me faltam com o respeito eu ignoro e continuo meu caminho.
Gostaria muito de ver o povo unido. Mas vejo isso, hoje como utopia.

Blog do Dido - hoje em dia é muito fácil se conseguir,livros,dvds,e-books sobre wing chun pela internet e muitas pessoas se dizem praticantes de wing chun apenas por estar estudando
esse tipo de material.contudo, no ving tsun, um dos aspectos mais importantes dentro do desenvolver da arte é a relação sifu-todai,que propcia até mesmo um aprimoramento do caráter
e do sentido de mo duk (virtude marcial). O sr. acha que pro praticante,estudar o ving tsun apenas por essa via,seria um caminho válido?

Blog Dido - The Ving Tsun is an art traditionally transmitted through the kung fu families, or clans, being different in styles, where many of them self-claim
authentic, real, closest to the root, or original, etc, etc, causing a major disagreement between them. Mr. believes that there could be a 'unification' - so to speak
- Among these organizations is possible to reach a consensus in this regard and in your opinion, what are the main reasons why there is so much disagreement among families
ving tsun, there is a way out of this?


Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Question complex. Being objective, I believe the reason is selfish and do not see a way out of this impasse, at least for now.
But would like to make some comments here to expose my point of view the question.
Let's face it. Currently there are several types of Wing Chun. There, said traditionalists, the avant-garde, the mixed, the invented, and so on. Not all follow (as you said) traditions. This generates many glaring differences. And is involved there, financial interests, for fame, power, and few more things. I am also a psychoanalyst and as such I analyze the source of all this, the old question of each want to be the highlight among all. The best self-centeredness saying. Or, I would say ignorance, immaturity. But all this already existed in ancient China, it is not our creation. It is the general characteristic of beings evolving process. So the practice of martial arts requires a hard learning. And the result is the concept of Kung Fu, I usually translated as excellence.
In particular, do not believe in disputes. I think there is room for everyone. Each disclosing their ideas and who will follow. No need to convince everyone. This is nonsense!
Again, I see no way out. My way out is to relate to those who think like me. Which considers disputes a big silly and would rather be happy in harmony with others. Who does not agree with me I do not argue. Or who want to convince me of its truth I just listen and appreciate.
For my part, I am always open to hear and see. But if you fail me with the respect I ignore and continue my way.
I would love to see the people united. But I see it today as utopia.

Blog Dido - nowadays it is very easy to achieve, books, DVDs, e-books on Wing Chun online and many people say they are practicing wing chun only be studying
such material.contudo in the ving tsun, one of the most important aspects in the development of art is the sifu-todai relationship that propcia even a character improvement
and the sense of mo duk (martial virtue). Mr. You think pro practitioner, studying the ving tsun only in this way, would be a valid way?



Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Não aprovo, mas não critico. Acho que as vezes um pouco, é melhor que nada.
Lembro que no inicio de minha busca eu tinha apenas artigos de revistas estrangeiras, e o material sobre Bruce Lee que uma amiga traduzia para mim. Depois, algum material nacional e os livros de Marco Natali. Até que pude de fato treinar com um Sifu.
Eu não aprendi muito com aquelas fontes de informação. Mas foram uteis para satisfazer minha curiosidade inicial e entender melhor meu Sifu. Quando passei a seguir um caminho próprio por cerca de dois anos, eu reuni muito material em livros, vídeos e materiais provindos de diversas fontes. Como eu já não era mais leigo, entendia muito mais fácil certas informações.
Mas só quando tive novamente contato com outros mestres e finalmente meu Mestre Sam Chan é que pude evoluir. Ou seja, vivenciar de fato o Wing Chun.
Em suma, os métodos alternativos podem ajudar. Mas não são completos. Aprender e dominar Wing chun de forma indireta é impossível para mim. Mas não critico quem o faz. Pois não sei qual o objetivo dessa pessoa. Talvez ela more no meio da selva amazônica e queira apenas ter um pouco de conhecimento sobre algo que ela gosta. Eu só seria critico a esta pessoa se ela quisesse ensinar outros com esse tipo de aprendizado. Mas ainda assim, não gosto de me envolver com o as escolhas de terceiros. Cada um que constrói seu próprio karma. E ação gera reação.

Blog do Dido - O sr. poderia nos dar mais detalhes sobre como o sr. desenvolve seu trabalho de Jeet kune Do?Como o sr. entrou em contato com essa arte e como vem conduzindo sua transmissão?


Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Esse é um tema mais polêmico.Vou iniciar pelo segundo ponto da pergunta e concluir com a questão inicial.
Meu contato com Bruce Lee, se deu através da série de televisão “The Green Hornet” que passava na TV brasileira como Besouro Verde. Talvez alguém estranhe que eu tenha assistido essa série. Mas é que sou um senhor prestes a completar 49 anos em 25 de abril deste ano. Então já vivi alguma coisa.
Com a morte prematura do Mestre Bruce Lee, o mundo das artes marciais virou um vulcão em atividade. Várias publicações surgiram, Fã Club pelo mundo, imitadores, etc. Assim eu iniciei a ler tudo o que falava sobre Bruce Lee até conhecer uma das pessoas que escrevia em várias revistas nacionais, sobre o assunto. A Professora Maria Antonieta Fernandes, grande amiga a quem rendo aqui homenagem. Antonieta é uma figura singular, tendo ajudado em muito, pessoas como Marco Natali e Leo Imamura em tudo que diz respeito ao “Universo Bruce Lee e JKD”. Além de mim , claro.
Através de Antonieta eu tive acesso a informações que ela conseguia com pessoas como Linda Lee e Dan Inosanto, por exemplo. Numa época em que não existia Internet, tudo era por cartas mesmo. Tive acesso a obras hoje esgotadas e entrevistas inéditas. Além daquilo que se publicava. Mantive contato também, com diversos Fã Club e com outros pesquisadores pelo Brasil.
Essas fontes foram os meios para eu tentar entender o conhecimento teórico do JKD. Quanto a prática, segui os conselhos de Mestre Lee. Eu me “atirei na água”. Fui um adolescente que deu a cara para bater. Dos treze aos vinte anos, mais ou menos, enfrentei muitos oponentes para testar a mim mesmo. Mas como não havia mestres de Kung Fu em minha cidade eu treinava com amigos, oriundos das mais diversas artes. Em pouco tempo eu era o coordenador do grupo e depois instrutor. Desenvolvi em 1990 minha própria versão do JKD.
Mas quando iniciei no Wing Chun deixei de lado este trabalho, e mergulhei de cabeça a entender o Wing Chun. Somente por volta de 2006, com o conhecimento maior do Wing Chun é que me voltei novamente para o JKD e descobri vários “mestres” ensinando por aí. Tentei contato com vários deles, mas descobri que a maioria estava apenas tentando fazer um mistura de varias tecnicas. E cada um se achava o dono do JKD. Após contato com vários ex alunos (diretos) de Bruce Lee com a intenção de treinar com um deles, resolvi montar um grupo de estudos de JKD. Pois considerei que meus anos de pesquisa e prática poderiam ajudar muitas pessoas.
Bem, respondendo a questão inicial. Como faço isso?
Primeiramente quero deixar bem claro, que não ensino  Jeet Kune Do. A proposta do meu grupo é de estudar os fundamentos deixados por Bruce Lee e tentar aplica-los em nossa realidade atual. Ou seja, não imito Bruce Lee. Pois não sou fã de Bruce Lee. Mas um estudioso de sua arte e sua vida. Seu legado. Até por que o puro JKD morreu com Bruce. Podemos nos inspirar em seu trabalho, mas jamais imitar sua forma de expressar. Cada um tem de achar a sua.
Outro ponto: é que o objetivo também, é criar um grupo forte. E com isso fazermos contato com pessoas que tiveram treinamento direto com Bruce ou com ex alunos dele. E uma pessoa que tem me ajudado muito é o meu irmão Kung Fu, o Sifu Yakko Sideratos que está vinculado a escola de Jerry Poteet. Tendo ido treinar nos EUA diretamente com esta linhagem de JKD.
Infelizmente a pessoa que eu mais admirava depois de Bruce, faleceu recentemente. Que era o Sifu Ted Wong. Ele treinou nos últimos anos com Bruce somente JKD. E Ted Wong nunca havia praticado outra arte marcial. Assim, ele não tinha outras influencias. Seu JKD era simples, puro.
Mas a vida continua e vamos em frente como dizia o Mestre Bruce Lee.
Pretendo continuar fazendo intercâmbio com outros instrutores e em breve teremos muitas novidades para os interessados do JKD no Brasil.


Blog do Dido - Uma pergunta bastante comum; Jeet Kune Do e Wing Chun são a mesma coisa?

Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Sim e não! Wing Chun Kuen é uma arte marcial chinesa, tradicional. Jeet Kune Do é fruto da experiência de vida de um ex praticante de Wing Chun que enveredou por outros caminhos, em busca da eficiência total em combate. Por outro lado, Jeet Kune Do sem a base do Wing Chun Kuen não existiria. Temos aí um paradoxo digno das artes marciais do extremo oriente. Tudo depende do ponto de vista de quem analisa.

Sifu Augusto Carvalho - I do not approve, but not critical. I think sometimes a little is better than nothing.
I remember at the beginning of my search I was only articles in international journals, and the material on Bruce Lee that a friend translated for me. Then some national materials and Marco Natali books. Until I could actually train with Sifu.
I did not learn much from those sources of information. But it was useful to meet my initial curiosity and better understand my Sifu. When I started to follow their own path for about two years, I have collected a lot of material in books, videos and materials stemmed from several sources. As it was no longer a layman, much easier to understand certain information.
But only when I again touch with other teachers and finally my Master Sam Chan could I evolve. Ie really experience the Wing Chun.
In short, alternative methods can help. But are not complete. Learn and master Wing Chun indirectly is impossible for me. But do not criticize those who do. Because I do not know what the purpose of that person. Maybe she lives in the middle of the Amazon jungle and just want to have a little knowledge about something she likes. I would only critical to this person if she wanted to teach others with this type of learning. But still, I do not like to get involved with the third-party choices. Each one building their own karma. And action generates reaction.

Blog Dido - Mr. Could you give us more details on how mr. carries out its work of Jeet Kune Do? How do you. He came into contact with this art and as has been conducting its transmission?


Sifu Augusto Carvalho - This is a topic more polêmico.Vou start with the second point of the question and concluded with the initial question.
My contact with Bruce Lee, was through the television series "The Green Hornet" passing on Brazilian TV as Green Hornet. Maybe someone be surprised that I have attended this show. But I am a man about to turn 49 years on April 25 this year. So I have lived something.
With the untimely death of Master Bruce Lee, the martial arts world turned into a live volcano. Several publications have emerged, Fan Club around the world, followers, etc. So I started to read everything that talked about Bruce Lee to know one of the people who wrote for several national magazines on the subject. Professor Maria Antonieta Fernandes, a great friend who surrender tribute here. Antoinette is a singular figure, helping much, people like Marco Natali and Leo Imamura in everything that concerns the "Universe Bruce Lee and JKD." Besides me, of course.
By Antoinette I had access to information that she could with people as Linda Lee and Dan Inosanto, for example. At a time when there was no Internet, everything was by the same letters. I had access to works now exhausted and exclusive interviews. Beyond what was published. I kept in touch also with many Fan Club and other researchers in Brazil.
These sources were the means for me to try to understand the theoretical knowledge of JKD. The practice, followed the advice of Master Lee. I "shot in the water." I was a teenager gave the guy to beat. From thirteen to twenty years or so, I faced many opponents to test myself. But as there was no kung fu masters in my town I trained with friends, from the most diverse arts. Soon I was the coordinator of the group and then instructor. In 1990 I developed my own version of JKD.
But when I started in Wing Chun left side of this work, and dive in to understand Wing Chun. Only around 2006, with the greatest knowledge of Wing Chun is that I turned again to the JKD and found several "teachers" teaching there. I tried to contact some of them, but I found that most was just trying to make a mixture of various techniques. And everyone I was the owner of JKD. After contacting several former students (direct) Bruce Lee intended to train with one of them, I decided to put together a group of JKD studies. Because I felt that my years of research and practice could help many people.
Well, answering the initial question. How do I do that?
First I want to make it clear that not teaching Jeet Kune Do. The purpose of our group is to study the foundations left by Bruce Lee and try to apply them in our current reality. Ie not imitate Bruce Lee. For I am not a fan of Bruce Lee. But a student of his art and his life. His legacy. Even by the pure JKD died with Bruce. We can draw on his work, but never imitate his way of expressing. Everyone has to find his own.
Another point: what is the goal also is to create a strong group. And with that we make contact with people who have had direct training with Bruce or former students of it. And a person who has helped me a lot is my brother Kung Fu, Sifu Yakko Sideratos that is linked to school Jerry Poteet. Having gone to train in the United States directly with this line of JKD.
Unfortunately the person I admired most after Bruce died recently. It was Sifu Ted Wong. It trained in recent years with only Bruce JKD. And Ted Wong had never practiced other martial art. So I had no other influences. Your JKD was simple, pure.
But life goes on and we'll go ahead and say the Master Bruce Lee.
I intend to continue exchanges with other instructors and soon we will have many new features for the JKD interested in Brazil.


Blog Dido - A question quite common; Jeet Kune Do and Wing Chun are the same thing?

Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Yes and no! Wing Chun Kuen is a Chinese traditional martial art. Jeet Kune Do is the result of life experience of a former Wing Chun practitioner who embarked on other paths in search of total combat effectiveness. Moreover, Jeet without the basis of Wing Chun Kuen not exist. Here we have a decent paradox of martial arts from the Far East. Everything depends on the point of view of the analyzes.



Blog do Dido - gostaria de agradecer imensamente pela atenção e gostaria que o sr. deixasse suas considerações final,bem como seus contatos,para quem quiser conhecer mais e se
aprofundar mais.

Sifu Augusto Carvalho - Eu também gostaria de agradecer ao amigo pela oportunidade dessa entrevista. Desejo de coração que você continue crescendo no Wing Chun com seu SiFu, o SiFu Marcos Abreu, a quem muito admiro.
Minha mensagem final aos leitores desse Blog é que pensem por si mesmos. Escolham seu Sifu não por que ele é famoso, é chinês, é intelectual, é bom de luta, é marketeiro, é falastrão, é ótimo contador de estórias, etc, etc... Escolham seu Sifu por afinidade com a pessoa dele. Vejam se de fato você e seu Sifu podem caminhar juntos por longos anos. Experimente, questione, pense, reflita e decida. Se você achar que poderia chamar seu Sifu de pai, então vá em frente. Mas jamais permita que ninguém queira dominar e escravizar você. Um Sifu, apenas aponta o caminho a seguir. Divide com você a experiência adquirida. Mas jamais é o dono da verdade.

Se alguém quiser me conhecer mais sobre nosso trabalho, basta me escrever no e-mail: carvalho.augusto@gmail.com ou pelo Celular (11) 8284-7818

Blog Dido - would like to thank immensely for your attention and I wish Mr. let your end considerations as well as your contacts, for those who want to know more and
deeper.

Sifu Augusto Carvalho - I would also like to thank his friend for the opportunity of this interview. I fervently hope that you continue to grow in Wing Chun with his SiFu, the SiFu Marcos Abreu, whom I greatly admire.
My final message to the readers of this blog is to think for themselves. Choose your Sifu not because he is famous is Chinese, is intellectual, it's good to fight, it's marketer, is talkative, it's great storyteller, etc, etc ... to choose their Sifu affinity with his person. See if in fact you and your Sifu can walk together for many years. Try, question, think, reflect and decide. If you feel you could call his father Sifu, then go ahead. But never allow anyone wants to dominate and enslave you. A Sifu, only points the way forward. Shares with you the experience. But it is never the owner of the truth.

If someone wants me to know more about our work, please write me at e-mail: carvalho.augusto@gmail.com or by Phone (11) 8284-7818

Blog do Dido recomenda: Wing Chun martial arts ;Principles and Techniques

Esta é uma leitura extremamente interessante. De autoria de Yip chun, filho de Grão mestre Yip Man e seu discípulo Danny Connor, Wing Chun martial arts, trás uma entrevista com o próprio Yip Chun, textos técnicos interessantes sobre a primeira trilogia do sistema, Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu  e Biu Je, Chi Sau, bem como técnicas e discussões sobre os elementos técnicos contidos nas formas e como elas refletem nos níveis superiores ( com ênfase nas facas duplas!) e ainda inclui um papo entre Yip Chun e seus próprios estudantes. O livro ainda trás fotos interessantes de Danny Connor e Yip Chun praticando Chi Sau na ancestral escola Ching Wu, em Fatsan   no ano de 1989!

Imperdível.

This is an extremely interesting read. Authored by Yip Chun, son of Grandmaster Yip Man and his disciple Danny Connor, Wing Chun martial arts, brings an interview with Yip Chun itself, interesting technical texts on the system's first trilogy, Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu and Biu je, Chi Sau, as well as technical and discussions on the technical elements contained in the forms and how they reflect the higher levels (with an emphasis on double knives!) and also includes a conversation between Ip Chun and his own students. The book also behind interesting photos of Danny Connor and Yip Chun practicing Chi Sau in the ancient school Ching Wu, in FatSan in 1989!

Unmissable.

Especial Entrevistas; SiFu Monnerat

Sifu Monnerat (Moy Ka Lai To) È discípulo de segunda geração de Grão Mestre Moy Yat e reside atualmente em Niterói - Rio de Janeiro. Atuante no campo das artes marciais tradicionais chinesas desde a década de 80, SiFu Monenerat com um trabalho pioneiro de EAD ( Ensino á distância) tem desenvolvido novas formas de transmissão do sistema Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) se valendo da tecnologia e da internet como complementos desse intento.O blog do Dido o entrevistou durante o correr dessa semana e você confere agora como foi esse papo....

Especial Entrevistas Re-Editado: SiFu Peterson Menezes

È com imensa honra,que estaremos iniciando uma sessão de posts especiais intitulados "entrevistas",cuja a intenção é dar espaço aos mais recomendados mestres de Wing CHun no país mostrarem seus pontos de vista,bem como compartilhar seus conhecimentos com os leitores, independentemente de linhagens e ramificações,abrindo pontos de discussões sobre os mais variados aspectos do nosso estilo, o Ving Tsun.