Master Benny Meng in Houston for Seminar August 29th & 30th

[Brad Ryan TX]

Dear Students, Parent and Outside guests,

                         Master Benny Meng will be conducting his Annual Seminar this weekend Saturday and Sunday. This is a 1x yearly event for the public/regular students.

The Topic:

Understanding and training Live Methods vs. Dead Methods. Some schools get never really train live training methods and get stuck doing fixed drills all the time in the name of "style". This seminar will be maining Live training methods along with:

Learning the 4 times frames in each of the 4 skill sets.
(Ti, Da, Shaui, Na)



Get a Great workout along with Heighten Awareness.

Cost:

(Sat 9:30-5:30 plus dinner &Sun 9-1pm)

 $125.00 Regular Students

$108.00 Black Sash and Leadership Membership

Saturday or Sunday Only

    $75.00 Regular Members
$70.00 Black Sash & Leadership members

Please Pay by Saturday morning by 9:00am.
Daniel Duran will be in charge of collecting the $

 Come learn and support!!!

For Registration and information please contact:

 Sifu Brad Ryan
Meng's Martial Arts of Houston
1718 Fry Rd  # 225
Houston Tx 77084
281-492-0090

[Brad Ryan TX]

Summery of Seminar with Master Meng Seminar in Houston TX Aug 29/30th

I want to formally Thank Master Meng for coming to the Houston school for his annual public seminar. I also want to thank all the Houston branch school students who attended.

This is exactly what we needed to improve our game even more.The live training is an exciting and a needed method to  develop real skill for our Kung Fu students as well for our full contact fighters. Most tradition martial art schools get stuck in training dead methods or fixed time frames and forms. As we know there is a place and time for that but you have to know when to break the foundational mold if you’re going to develop real fighting skill.

On Saturday
Master Meng started out on telling us about his recent trip to China to the Shaolin temples. We are developing a relationship with them and maybe in the future going to have an exchange program where they can come learn from us and we can learn from them. There are many exciting things in the future.

Master Meng also went over the 3 Halls of Shaolin teaching methodology with everyone to help understand where everything fits in and the focus and nature of each stage

After that we dove into the live training methods.

The live training methods were based on teaching from a concept level, to body mechanics, then technique. This gives the student a gross experience in developing flow, training right off the bat and realize the mistakes and bad positions in the beginning. This also let’s the student be more free in the beginning without boxing them into an technique. From there, we give them more details on body mechanics and technique, but by that time they’re starting to have basic flow and basic application skill.

This is opposite on what is mostly taught at traditional schools. Most teach technique first skip flow and then try to spar with it.  This is not to say one is right and one is wrong it just depends on your objective. If you’re training a fighter or someone that wants real martial arts skill they cannot do fixed drills for years and expect to use it in a real full contact or street fight. We’ve seen this first hand.

This was all based on the 4 ranges/4 skill sets or in Shaolin we call this Heaven Human Earth Training. Knowing each range and each nature.

Heaven - keeping distance with mobility
Human - maintaining distance, holding your ground
Earth - commitment on moving in.


On Saturday afternoon as well as Sunday we then focused on the 4 timeframes within the Human range. Most Wing Chun systems don’t have this knowledge let along other martial arts systems. They have pieces or specialties.

The 4 timeframes were:

Chi Kui, Chi Sao, Kui Sao and San Da

He broke these down into how each of them can be used specifically in real fighting application. Most Wing Chun schools train Chi Sao timeframe and think that is all they need, but that is actually the least opportunity timeframe usually in a real exchange.
Let along if you don’t train the others.

Also on Sunday we went over the 4 timeframes on Earth Training; In Chinese we call this Kam Na.


    Kam:Capture          1.) Bridging
                               2.) Takedown


   Na:Control             3.) Pin / Postional Control
                              4.) Submission


When training this we need to make sure we have skills in the first 3 timeframes before going to the fouth. To pull off a submission in a live format is a final skill / finishing move. This does not mean we can't teach submissions before then biut just know where you are in your skill progression.

 
Master Meng then gave a talk on the Six Shaolin Wisdoms and how they relate to everything. This is a universal method and truth.

I’ll briefly mention Faat. Faat meaning: Methods/Reality. Faat comes from Buddhism means Darma.

In summery:

The system is as good as the student.

The student is as good as the methods.
The methods are as good as how close to reality they are.

This is so true. There are good systems out there but the methods are dead or don’t support the reality of changing of time space and energy.

On a person note Master Meng and I had many hours of person training on the Bart Chum Dao from the Yipman system, a new level of understanding of training Chi Sao from the 6 ½ point concept perspective as well as going over the curriculum.

As always I enjoyed time with Sifu/Master Meng and look forward on seeing him December in Ohio.

Sifu Brad Ryan
Meng’s Martial of Houston
1718 Fry Rd # 225
Houston Tx 77084
Serving Katy Tx and West Houston
281-492-0090



 

[Daniel Duran]

Once again, I am simply amazed and captivated at the humility and sincerity Sigung demonstrates in his words and actions. Always pushing the envelope, striving to improve in every aspect of his life, he is the consummate student and that is an extra ordinary example to set.   It was wonderful to hear about the successful ventures in China.  The first part of the workshop began with a clear explanation of the 3 Halls and the Weng Chun Dim. Sigung made some profound points:

- A system is only as good as the student
- A student is only as good as the training methods
- Methods are only as good as the base they have in reality or live conditions 

At the start of training Sigung clealy explained that a good technique can only be executed when proper awareness of distance and timing exists.   Therefore our first focus is to develop the skill of range awareness, know your space and timing.  To do so Sigung explained in detail the distinction between 'live methods' and 'dead methods'. Not that either way is better or worst but in actuality you need both, from formless to form back to formless. 

We spent hours focusing on live training methods flowing through all ranges. The focused training on human range and chi sau was incredible. Sigung explained what chi kui, chi sao, kiu sao and saan da means in terms of time frames, positional space and range awareness.
Training of Kam Na Earth concepts with 'live methods' was extremely effective in giving us a solid understanding of the nature of this skill set. To Kam/capture one must first- bridge and second- take down ones opponent.  Next, in order to Na/control one must pin or maintain a superior postion. This must be accomplished before one can express any finishing submission moves or techniques. 

By the end of the weekends training all of us had a strong sense of where we all stood in terms of our distance and timing awareness.  It was very interesting how naturally techniques start to be expressed when you know the "why" behind it, or shoud I say, before it.  Understanding the concept first gives the practitioner a much clearer picture of what makes a good technique.
Sigungs explanation of the 6 wisdoms from the human development perspective was amazing and gave great insight into understanding the nature of the human condition.
I am ecstatic about my lifes journey under the guidance and leadership of Sigung.   
 
Disihing Daniel
Meng's Martial Arts of Houston

[JeriC]

This was my first seminar that I’ve been able to attend I must say that it was quite an honor to meet Master Meng. Being one of the less experienced members, I must admit I was very nervous. Once Sigung came up to me and introduced himself my nervousness dissipated. Sigung appears to be very personable as well as knowledgeable. Master Meng emphasized on some key points such as a system is only as good as the student. What really stuck out was his lecture on the 3 Halls. As beginners, we are formless. As we progress we’re confined to a form at and its highest level we go back to being formless. He joked that he wouldn’t be offended if as martial artist we seek to understand our expression as opposed to simply copying him. Soon after that we went into concept based training on time and space. We progressed through the four ranges. I must say it’s wasn’t just applicable to reality but it was fun. I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to meet Sigung again.

On a side note, I must say that I really enjoyed the camaraderie among students and teachers.

Best Wishes

Jeri Causley

[MrP]

First and foremost, I would like to thank Master Meng for sharing his knowledge and training methods with us. In addition, I would also like to thank Sifu Ryan for his patience and guidance.

This is the fourth workshop/seminar that Master Meng has held that I have attended and each one has provided a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. They continue to delve deeper and deeper into universal truths and ultimate reality regarding life and combat.

Sigung Meng began with the explanation of the 3 Halls of Shaolin training methods. This methodology is proven. Several students of this training method have performed well and excelled in full contact matches and other competitions.

Master Meng continued with the live training segment. The live training was totally revolutionary. We started with live training (concepts) and progressed to dead training (techniques). Traditional training does the opposite.

The live training began with distance awareness and progressed to timing awareness. Without distance and timing, techniques are irrelevant. Dead training is full of techniques and drills which have their place, but when it comes to combat you must have distance and timing awareness first to complete a technique.

Sigung Meng explained how the six shaolin wisdoms correlate to martials arts and life in general. The connection is profound. Master Meng closed with a even more profound statement. He stated that, we are spiritual beings on a human plane, most think that we are human beings on a spiritual plane.

We are very fortunate to have Master Meng share these shaolin treasures with us.


William Pendergraff
Mengs Martial Arts of Houston

[cmacleod]

I would like to start by saying that every time I have the privilege to spend time with Sigung it makes an impact on my life and the life’s of our students at the school. Sigung continues to amaze me with the depth of his knowledge, skill and humility. I have had the privilege to attend multiple seminars with Sigung over the years and at each one we are blessed with more information then anyone can absorb. At each seminar we strive to become more aware of the reality of combat and life. Sigung is able to seamlessly address both of these issues at the same time throughout the training session. I do not believe that any school could be as lucky as we are to have such a leader and a mentor.

I look forward to attending many more seminars with Sigung in the future.

Craig Macleod
Mengs Martial Arts of Houston
Black Sash Member
 

[cwhoss]

It always fascinates me how, as difficult and slow a student I am, a few words from Master Meng can clarify so much.   For me the 2 unforgettable quotes of this seminar were 'Zen is a reality check' and 'Skill is being able to perform under stress' (disclaimer: Master Meng probably did not use those exact words, but I hope I am passing on the concept correctly.)
The 1st phrase came with parables and associations, the most memorable of which was the concept of attachment - thoughts, ideas, emotions that we cling to long after their usefulness has come and gone.  Live each moment as if it were your last;  experience it fully and thru all of your senses, and you will have lived.
The 2nd phrase is self explanitory, and since I have a son that is looking to get his driver's license soon, timely
all the physical stuff?   The phrases and spiritual concepts, applied.

[Benny Meng]

     I really enjoyed the 6 Wisdoms and how you related it to life and not just martial arts. The 4 earth time frames is new to me even through I am an old student because the Earth game is entirely new to me (previous experience). As usual I love the human range and am glad to spend a good chunk of time in that range. Thanks for coming down.

========================================================================Dear Sigung,
     As a new student, being here with Sifu Ryan about seven months, I have a desire to learn more and fit more pieces together. Sigung’s seminar has let me see that these feelings are real and will be developed over time. I feel like taking the time to talk to the class about the wisdoms, teaching methods, training methods, and personal experience of Sigung had reinforced my thirst to learn and train more. I enjoyed feeling as if I can start to “connect the dots” even through I know that I am only grasping a tiny part of the whole picture/story of Meng’s Martial Arts. In addition, I enjoy learning/hearing about the Chinese culture, history of Shaolin and the research that Sigung and others have done to keep our Kung Fu alive and known. I am so grateful to Sifu Ryan and Sigung for allowing any level of student to participate this weekend. I hope all my Meng’s Kung Fu brothers and sisters get to experience at least one seminar like this.
     Respectfully,
     Jessica Adair

========================================================================
     I really enjoyed this weekend. I liked how the Six Wisdoms interact with daily life. I could see how the training method of distance and timing are a major piece of successful martial arts. The second day with the bridge to takedown was very good. As always I appreciate your vision and leadership.
     Thank you,
     Brandon Knapp