Vocabulary of Motion

As with most martial artists of my generation, one of the greatest influences on my kung fu was Bruce Lee. The intensity he brought to any technique was only overshadowed by the fluidity of his movements. It is difficult to imagine anyone moving with more agility and passion.

In kung fu I have always been taught to value innovation over imitation. Kung fu is an art, not a science and as such a person’s mindset when practicing their craft is as important as the specifics of the techniques they are executing. When it comes to movement, the journey is more important than the destination. The art is found in how we move not what we have moved nor where we have moved it.

The whole idea behind a curriculum is to produce the knowledge and skill required for mastery of a particular subject. In kung fu all the specifics of our curriculum are meant to be tools to help the practitioner perfect their craft and become the martial artist they wish to be. In essence, everything we do and train with is all about perfecting the six harmonies. The beauty and power of kung fu is found in the six harmonies and the mastery of them can only be achieved through mindful practice of the ideal, not the specifics.

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” - Bruce Lee (1940 - 1973)