Hey family! In this edition of My Kung Fu Journey, you will get to see more of the training I did back in December 2015 with me training with Hector and Sifu Larry teaching us some flow drills for your hands game.
You will have some good laughs and find out how/why Sifu Larry finally ‘gets me’. You will also see us working on a hand and resistance drill using the pak/tan to defend against a punch. While Hector and I were doing this drill we would increase the pressure to test the others’ pak and tan as well as to work on our own forward drive at the same time.
We would also vary the intensity randomly to help us not get into a pattern so we could really test our techniques. If you do the drills right, you will always both gain something plus more insight on your current skill, whether it is your ‘turn’ to do the main part of the drill or not.
And then… Sifu Larry decides to have us do another drill that is clearly way too many moves for our enthusiastic ADD brains! ROFL!!!
You will notice we are having a hard time getting it, but we make light of it and keep trying until we sorta do. And that my friend is how training can go sometimes… LOL! Did I mention before that there are days I laugh, cry or get frustrated and then there are days where it all flows and I feel powerful not in a strong way but a confident in my skin moment where my body, mind and soul are working as one!?!
Those ‘ah ha’ moments. They are beautiful but in between them are plenty of the laughter, crying and some even some flustered/frustrated moments. The important thing is to allow these moments to happen, take stock in why you feel the way you feel and if it is okay let it be, but if you don’t like feeling that way, figure out how you can change how you feel about it.
I notice my off days in my Kung Fu training, exercise and life as a whole happen more when something is off in my life. Which I will talk more about in my next training segment which will be in two weeks. Because there are many reasons that these off days happen, so I want to share the reasons that have caused my off days and how I’ve remedied them and what ones I am still implementing systems into place to correct.
Systems doesn’t sound too glamours, but those systems which are in short rituals we require daily to keep our body, mind and spirit in check are much needed in life period. It’s like a computer, it has many parts and if just one is missing or damaged, you are not going to be able to operate it as well or in some cases at all. :/
Have daily rituals and habits in place so you can make your life smoother, have more energy, more health, more abundance, feel more positive, etc. all help you to flow through life and your martial arts training easier and with much less down days and moments. You will find you get up and dust yourself off faster and faster as you grow and take care of you. Which makes progress happen faster too. Because you are focused and all systems are a go! 😉
It also helps you to surround yourself with people that will challenge you to be your best, not accept your excuses and make you laugh even when you mess up.
And if you don’t have that at home or wherever in the world you are. Just know, that you have that here at Enter Shaolin!
Now back to the video… There is a drill I call like ‘Twister’ the game. If you don’t know what that is, be sure to google it to understand. In short this game really makes you think because you are moving slower and one wrong move and you are done. I know that sounds odd, but when you have to move slower, you have to slow your thought too and not think about it. Well for some this is pretty simple, but for brains that race and zoom like Hector’s and mine, well it is a challenge and a great exercise.
Really what Sifu Larry is doing is forcing us to slow our brains down so we can feel for the movement rather than think about it. Which comes more naturally and naturally over time, hence a great reason to practice this. I would also like to point out that if you do not have a partner yet, you can totally do these drills solo in the air, with a tree branch, with the Wing Chun Rice Trainer, a jong, etc…
So no excuses! 😉
At 8:08 Sifu Larry is trying to teach us another drill and you will see my solution to not knowing what to do next. I like to call it improvising… 😉 LOL!
There’s about another 8 minutes of laughter and lessons for you, but instead of telling you about them too, I will let you check them out first hand for yourself. Enjoy!
Flow Drills To Help Develop Your Hands Game:
How did you like this edition of my Kung Fu journey? Comment below and feel free to share any revelations or anything else you would like to share about your Kung Fu journey. From laughter to trials and tribulations, it is all a part of the process! I look forward to hearing from you!
And if you enjoyed this, be sure to share it on your favorite social networks too! 😉
Be Blessed,
Jamie Pelaez
& The Enter Shaolin Family
P: 1-844-9-KUNGFU
(1-844-958-6438)
Don says
I mean no disrespect but I think that the videos should feature Sifu Phu.
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Hey Don, usually when people say they mean no disrespect, they know that what they are saying is disrespectful, so either own it or don’t say it all.
I am not sure why you think videos should feature just Sifu Phu and here is why…
1. These are looks into my Kung Fu journey and Sifu Larry is my Sifu. Which really right there is enough for him to be in the videos…
2. The only reason you know who Sifu Phu is, is because in April of 2009, Sifu Larry and I met as online marketers, he shared his training passion with me, and I realized in that one phone call I had found what I had been searching for since I was about 4.5 years old. It took me bugging Sifu Larry since then to Dec. of 2013 to get him and Sifu Phu to agree to share this knowledge online. So be grateful for Sifu Larry’s existence as without it we wouldn’t have met, I wouldn’t have been persistent and only being in South Jersey would have access to this awesome training.
3. Sifu Larry has studied martial arts since he was a young boy from his father and others, plus for the past 21 years he has studied exclusively as a private student with Sifu Phu Ngo. He is from the first set of students that Sifu Phu started sharing and perfecting his Ngo Dac Na with.
4. Sifu Phu gave him the title of Sifu many years ago, because he felt Larry was worthy of passing on his lineage and knowledge. There’s only one other person that can say the same. I think that speaks volumes…
5. There have been Enter Shaolin family members as well as some of Sifu Phu’s private students that have trained with both Sifus. I am also one of those people and I like them are extremely grateful for their similarities and differences in teaching styles because it gives them and myself a more complete picture. It’s like getting the best of both worlds!
6. While their teaching styles are different, their message is the same and the energy is correct in all cases. Sifu Phu says all the time, that you won’t move exactly like him, your body is different, but that does not matter as long as the energy is correct.
7. Which his energy is correct, but his style of teaching is different. That doesn’t make him wrong, it makes him, himself and that is a beautiful thing. He could not teach like Sifu Phu, because that would mean he wouldn’t be being 100% authentically him, which would then make his energy off. That would be bad.
8. Don’t negate the lessons you could learn as I said before, many have gotten extra revelations by training with both. I am happy to say there will be a lot more training from Sifu Larry in the near future.
It has taking a long time to get the few videos we have of Sifu Larry sharing the genius of his perspective on NDN, etc. Because he has doubted his own skill (don’t we all at times?), despite being more than capable and despite Sifu Phu believing in him and wanting him to share more training on Enter Shaolin and beyond.
We are working on his confidence despite the naysayers, because the proof is in the pudding and anyone who has had the pleasure of touching hands with him knows he knows his stuff.
But to each their own, maybe you did not realize all the above Don, maybe you have not humbled yourself enough to give the lessons a chance, who knows. That is for you to decide. These lessons are not as structured as a training video, as this is my live training so they are more off the cuff, but that is how reality is!
I am for one grateful and proud to call Larry my Sifu. I am grateful for them both, because without one or even myself, Enter Shaolin would not exist and well I lived many years without this and I can say with assuredness that would suck!
I believe you can learn something from everyone, if you are humble and open enough to receive. Whether it is what to do or what not to do, there are always lessons to learn. 🙂
Marlon T says
I totally agree with you Jamie. I had the privilege to meet you, Sifu Larry, and Sifu Phu and the experience was very real. Sifu Larry is the real deal. I have touched hands with a lot of people and his skill is at a high level. He knows his stuff. Sifu Larry has learned well and is able to transmit the knowledge.
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Hey brother Marlon, thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We enjoyed meeting you and it was a pleasure and honor as well! We look forward to the next time we all can meet again. 🙂
Sifu Larry definitely has learned well and has a unique and great way of transmitting what he has learned from his father and Sifu Phu.
slolow says
developing bad habit of chasing hands
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Hence why we must practice and keep practicing to cover our bad habits brother! As we all start with the bad habit of chasing hands. 😉
Here is a lesson from Sifu Phu on developing good habits to replace the bad ones: https://entershaolin.com/enter-shaolin-updates-whats-new-this-week-2132015/
And here is a drill with Sifu Larry on responses vs. reactions: https://entershaolin.com/kung-fu-lessons-online-responses-vs-reactions/
Enjoy brother!
Peter Yaron Barnur says
Loved the handworks, above. Very inspiring
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Thank you Peter, glad you enjoyed the various combos. Let us know if you try any of them out yourself! 🙂
David Clark says
Good drill. Keep more forward energy in your movements, and try to stay relaxed, especially since you are suspending the movements ( in order to figure out your next move), this can cause you to be stiff standing in a statue-like state, keep good peung, forward energy, strike your bow and root while staying relaxed. Other than that observation, flow drills are great for muscle memory, etc.
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Thanks brother for the tips! Yes, I am always working at being more relaxed. I’ve always carried the proverbial weight of the world on my shoulders, it wasn’t until last year I understood why that was. I knew I internalized others feels, but did not know why, now I know I am an Empath. Thankfully, with this knowledge and my Kung Fu training, I have been able to stop internalizing others feelings with much more ease and that means much more relaxed shoulders. That and constantly reminding myself to put them down. 😉
Like Sifu Phu says, “Until you can naturally just flow, you got to think it, and when you think you stink.” That’s where I am at right now and having ADD while it has it’s advantages, this would be an area I have a tough time with. Turning my thoughts off, though I am getting better and better and despite my mind still racing at times, it races sooooooo much less than it use to. Thank God!
Part of this is due to Kung Fu training, but also due to the spiritual and healing work I’ve done outside of Kung Fu as well. And yes drills are great for muscle memory! 🙂
Guyfranke says
‘just let the attack come’…I like it Larry.
They have committed but don’t expect.
Their energy just may be to your advantage.
A welcome sign … to enter! hehehe.
Thanks again guys.
CHeers !!
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
LOL! Glad you enjoyed some of Sifu Larry’s wisdom brother!
Stephen L says
I’m a bit surprised to find some commenters not liking this video. Maybe it’s because of my Aikido background but I’m used to taking instruction from someone other than the sensei/sifu. It’s a common practice at other places that I’ve visited too. Students who have more seniority than you have can still teach you something even if they haven’t risen to the level of teacher.
I don’t know if I’ve missed it on another video but I had not seen the flow drill shown at the beginning. I like it and I’m going to try it with my training partner.
Keep up the good work!
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Hey brother Stephen, I was a bit surprised too.
I learn from my brothers I train with all the time and hopefully they do from me as well. 🙂 However, in this case Sifu Larry is more than credited to be a Sifu by Sifu Phu and is my Sifu as well as to others.
But yes, I get what you are saying and have experienced this myself. Aikido being also an internal martial arts brings about a sense of humility and love for your fellow community and I think that is why you like I realize we can learn something from anyone, if we are open.
You probably haven’t seen this one specifically broken down in the site, a lot of drills Sifu Larry has me do are not currently on the site as he often makes them up on the fly. But no worries we are working on changing that. Let me know how it goes with your training partner!
Thank you brother!
Michael Brown says
Nice one boy’s and girls and so kool to here the laughter………………..just as it should be……………..oh all that technical stuff…………if your having fun you can learn a lot easier for sure cheers Michael
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
LOL! So true brother Michael! We definitely like to laugh and have fun a lot… On with the learning! 😉
David Clark says
Jamie, just wanted to comment on your discussion of ADD. First, I think all of us probably have a bit of that going on, how can one not in this modern world. But, just wanted to say that my current instructor who is a black sash in Wing Chun and internal arts has ADD to a minor extent that he uses a small dose of Ritalin. He is very good at his kung fu and shows that having ADD will not keep you from acquiring the skills you want/need. So, don’t fret. I think what you and Larry and Sifu Phu do here is great, if I was in the South Jersey area I would train with you all. I like your sincerity and commitment, and your honesty without all the ego that other martial artists can have . Also, you are correct, we can learn something from everyone. I often philosophized that we can even learn something from a stupid person(not inferring you are stupid, LOL) , if nothing else, just to not be like them! Keep doing what your doing.
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Hey brother David, sadly I think with the state of what is going on with food and medical industries you are probably right with that. It wasn’t until I was an adult I discovered part of my unique makeup which helped me understand some struggles from my past. But all is well and thanks to Kung Fu, my spiritual and food practices most days all is well in that territory. However, Kung Fu in the same breath has also made me realize just how ADD I am! Ha!
Thanks for the encouragement brother, while I may have a harder time doing certain things, once I get it, watch it! And other things my ADD becomes an advantage. As I like to say there are always pluses and minuses, and when we know our minuses we can work at making them into pluses. 😉
Thank you brother for the kudos, I am happy our love for what we do shines through! If you ever are over this way, let us know!
Absolutely, you can learn something from anyone, like I said you can learn what to do and in the case of someone being stupid, what not to do. 😉 Blessings!
[email protected] says
Hello, Jemie I’m glad to see the evolution of your journey , 2 years back I went
to train with some friends and they had this training, i think they called it FUN DA…. the fun was getting out of the situation… lolol , 3 attacks and 3 defenses, I enjoyed seeing this,
I would like to ask you and Sifu Larry for more videos of your progress if Sifu Larry allows it, for me to see your training it´s inspiring and very exciting.
Keep the good work.
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Hey brother! Thank you so much, love that name FUN DA! ha!
We will definitely be sharing more videos and thank you for the kudos! 🙂
Eddy N says
Adopt, adapt & have fun !
Great progress Jamie.
It’s a long time I didn’t played the ‘no reset’ game. Will try with my training partner and film it 🙂
Cheers.
Sije Jamie Pelaez says
Thank you Eddy, have fun playing the ‘no reset’ game! 😉 Would love to see the video! 🙂