VTM Workshop: HKB Wing Chun & Suhu (Master) Lin, Dayton in Feb 2010 & Feedbacks

[Benny Meng]

VTM Workshop: Black Flag Wing Chun & Suhu (Master) Lin, Dayton in February
Dear Masters, Instructors, and Martial Artists,

It is with great pleasure that we announce to you that Master Kenneth Lin, leader of the Black Flag Wing Chun family in the US , is coming to visit the Meng's Martial Arts Headquarters and Ving Tsun Museum the weekend of February 26th to 28th.

Master (or Suhu in the Fukinese dialect, the same word as Sifu in the Cantonese dialect) Lin will be here for several things:

On Saturday, Suhu Lin will conduct a Public Workshop from 10a to 4p (with a lunch break). This is your opportunity to experience this little-known lineage in the Wing Chun community directly, with skills that come out of the martial arts history books such as "inch power," "shocking energy" and more... plus deep philosophy. As Suhu Lin says, this promises to be a great time - you'll have a sweaty body, a learning mind, and a laughing spirit. This workshop will be followed by an informal dinner - all students (children and adults) and parents and encouraged to attend.

The remainder of the time on Saturday and Sunday will be special training for Black Flag members only.

If you are interested in the real-deal in the martial arts, I can't recommend Suhu Lin highly enough. He's a gentleman, sincere in his desire to teach the best possible material to his students, and had the skill to back up everything he teaches.

Contact the Ving Tsun Museum & Meng's Martial Arts Headquarters directly at (937) 236-6485 or host@vtmuseum.org for more information and to get registered.

This is your opportunity to be a part of the latest research with the most recent family in the Shaolin Wing Chun umbrella to come out to the public.

Sincerely,
Master Benny Meng, Curator
Ving Tsun Museum
5715 Brandt Pike
Dayton, OH 45424
www.vtmuseum.org
(937) 236-6485 ph/fx

[Benny Meng]

Dear HKB members

This will be the last group practice before Master Lin’s workshop. We will cover a lots of HKB details. I need conformations please for this special workshop Sat.

Reminder: Saturday 13th

Special Chinese New Year Celebration -- Year of the Tiger

Special Training 9:30a-2p Shaolin Wing Chun-- HKB

Special lunch to follow

Please register and contact the office for details

Free for Black Flag Members, Black Flag HKB workshop participant, Black Belt Club and WSL members

No Regular classes

What to bring?
1. Empty Mind.
2. Wear some Red outfit (Red consider lucky color in Chinese)
3. Hong Pao - Luck Red Envelope with money.
4. Empty stomach

Saturday 27th

Black Flag Wing Chun Workshop -- no regular classes Please register and contact the office for details

Master Lin arrives on Friday, February 26th around noon.

There will be private time with Master Lin between noon and dinner. 

Mainly Friday will be use for instructor's interview and training. 

Dinner will be in Cincinnati around 7p, Korean BBQ buffet Chung Gi Wha restaurant, cost is $40. Please RSVP no later than 19th of February.

Saturday, Feb 27 Public Workshop the cost is $75 for HKB members, regular members is $100.

10a-1p Session I

1p break for lunch, Dragon Buffet (north of school, on right side of Brandt Pike) 2p-5p Session II Dinner and Kung Fu Life for Saturday evening. (Old Hickory BBQ in Dayton downtown)

Sunday, Feb 28

10:00am in Centerville

HKB members $30 and Instructor members Training (free)

"I've been around, all over the world, and seen the best of the best in the Wing Chun community and the larger Martial Arts community. 

Master Lin's skill in Wing Chun is the most impressive I’ve seen so far in realms of power and efficiency. Come witness knock-out power from any position, at any distance, accomplished with relaxed, soft movements instead of the hard, forceful movements often used in the martial arts."  Master Benny Meng

[Benny Meng]

We are ready and excited for this weekend.

[Sifu_John]

Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai

This past weekend I attended both the Saturday and Sunday sessions and it was very enlightening.  Master Lin came well prepared with handouts, lectures, and "Hands On" training.  I had a few paradigm shifts in my thinking in regards to Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun in general, and Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun in particular.

I listened to the lectures and realized that we are being given as much as we can absorb as quickly as possible by Master Lin.  He is "pushing" to spread HKB to the world by being open minded and teaching.  He is a man on a mission and we are the beneficiaries of his efforts.  The handouts contain the information that will allow us to study on our own and internalize the material.  The Hands-on training provides the experience for us to develop "body pahla" and apply our own work ethic to learn and grow in our knowledge of HKB.  This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I will take advantage of this in the here and now and rise to a higher level of understanding.

John Lambert

[Lin Xiang Fuk]

Very well said John,

Sometime I have to 'push' giving out delicious cake, but some has 'spit' it out. But you are by far is one of the people who not only 'take' the cake, but also understand where else the rest of the cake and take it.

As a successor of HKB Eng Chun I have the responsibility to spread, preserve and grow it for the next generation, it is my aim to give as much as anyone can absorb asap.
I am glad that some people finally realize this.

Well said John.
Don't forget to practice please, I want to see you improve next time I see you.

Suhu Lin

[awonpat]

To all the VTM Workshop attendees:

Congratulations on getting through your first, of hopefully many, rounds of HKB education and training!  I know it was difficult; we are kindred spirits on Sundays.

There's a long but extremely gratifying road in front of you, and I'm glad to see you look forward to confronting the challenge. 

And as we always say in class, you may get disappointed here-and-there in your progression but don't get discouraged. 


-Andrew

[Benny Meng]

First, I want to thank Master Lin for coming to the VTM to conduct an official workshop on HKB and to thank the VTM staff for their hard work over the weekend.

It was a highly successful workshop. Besides the VTM Grand Opening, this was the largest in realms of # of participants and 40+ participants, coming from Dayton, Cincinnati, Richmond, Michigan, and Indianapolis, and lineages including: VTM group and Ip Man group (including the Leung Shun and Wong Shun Leung lineage).

Master Lin showcased his art with the utmost enthusiasm and attention to details. What stood out in my mind was his emphasis on quality and, most importantly, the willingness to share. The bonus was his high skill – not only did we gain the understanding from his lectures as well as seeing (and feeling) his kung fu in action. Those became excellent teaching aids. Then, he gave us plenty of time to train and, on Sunday, we gave us an experience of ‘old school’ training and intensity, pushing everyone to their limits.

I will have a follow-up, detailed report. This was the first seminar, besides our grand opening that featured four legends of Wing Chun, to feature a standing ovation.

[Benny Meng]

I appreciate open and honest communication. This seminar gave me some concepts to meditate on. - Dave Tripplett

Master Lin was very knowledgeable and energetic - no name

Suhu Lin is a very good instructor in Wing Chun. He has changed my life forever because of the experience of this Seminar - Scott Stapleton

I enjoy seeing his focus is still non-political, geared more towards skill, and very knowledgeable - Ray Crawford

This is my second seminar with Suhu Lin. It’s convinced me that if I get a chance to train in the HKB system more regularly, I would - Steve Grimes

Nothing has humbled me or forced me to empty my cup like the discovery of such a system as HKB - Jesse Berry

Suhu Lin is a true master and teacher - Bill Norton

Suhu Lin is a very good and knowledgeable teacher. He take the time to make sure what is being taught is understood. I look forward to training with Suhu Lin in the future. - Xan Smith

One of the hardest things I ever try at times is to relax but I know with Suhu Lin’s willingness to teach and my willingness to learn, I will get the whip down. - Chris Conaway

It is a new path - John Lambert

Every time I have had the pleasure of talking to Master Lin I find myself having to rethink how I approach the martial arts - Chango Noaks

I am very impressed with the presentation of Black Flag Wing Chun, I will be able to use the new material on my journey into the martial arts. - Jonathan Fuller

Suhu Lin’s expertise and wealth of knowledge made my experience of the first time with Hek Ki Boen very rewarding. Suhu Lin brings experience which makes understanding the curriculum more clear and likewise more rewarding for my future training in the martial arts. - Adam Miler

I greatly enjoyed learning from Suhu Lin. His explanations are clear and concise and he is a pleasure to listen to. Suhu Lin’s lecture sucked me right in. The information and Suhu Lin’s deliver of that information kept me riveted. - Randy Schults

Master Lin is very open & patient. Also passionate his skill is inspiring and his perspective is warming to the spirit. I am very appreciative of any and all knowledge he shares. - Tylan Stewart

It is way different from what I know but very unique and interesting. Sifu Suhu Lin is amazing. - Jeff Ramsey

The concepts presented will help me maximize my efficiency and my ability to take advantage of opportunities in all aspects of life. - Paul Mason

Awesome experience to see the power first hand, hear his explanations of the art. - Mitchell Binford

Very impressive and I look forward to more in the future. Thank you Master Lin. - Gary Ray

Suhu Lin is a sincere practitioner and conscientious teacher who conveys his delight and joy in his ancient system and in his dedication to brining this treasure to a new group of students. Thank you for sharing so openly and enthusiastically with us! - Karen Tracy

Would like to train this system - Scott Tharp

I very much like the old system with the new method - Ed Deitsch

[Sifu_Aaron]

  I was very happy that I had the chance to go to the Workshop this past weekend.  I very much enjoyed getting to meet and talk with Master Lin last time he visited.  It was no different this time.  The Workshop was excellent!  Saturday's lecture on the History of Eng Chun was great.  As the lecture continued we discussed philosophy.  I absolutely loved the part where Master Lin asked everyone what the most important thing in the room was to them.  Then he related it to Sam Chian Po.  Master Lin then explained a little bit about the difference between Western and Eastern thinking.  He said that the Western way is to "think outside the box" or "inside the box", and the Eastern way is to think "there is no box".  After lunch Master Lin walked us through the footwork, and then he showed everyone Sam Chian Po.
 
Sunday Master Lin started out by letting us know that we were going to be doing the same training he does with his students on Sundays.  Even though our group that had been meeting up once a month had been doing this for a while now, none of us were ready for the kind of training we did on Sunday!  I have never been through that kind of training before in Martial Arts.  When we started the leg training I was not sure what we were going to be doing.  Then Master Lin told everyone to drop into a horse stance.  So everyone did. Then he said "7 minutes".  I looked around and I saw lots of mouthe's drop.  By the end of 2 minutes everyone was struggling to stay down.  Everyone did there very best.  We gave it all we had.  When we got done with the 7 minutes my legs were hurting like crazy.  Then Suhu Lin said he wanted us to do arm training.  So we walked around the room doing punches as hard as we could.  Non stop, until it was time for more leg training.  Next we did footwork with horse stance training and counting in Fukienese.  Then we did partner drills.  We started with footwork drills.  Master Lin at one point came over and worked with me on the footwork drill to help another person see how he wanted us to do it.  I have never seen a person move that fast before!  Wow!!  Then after a very fast and hard time training footwork we went on to punching partner drills.  All I can say about this is that we couldn't lift our arms towards the end while doing Tun Jiu, even when we wanted to.  We went on for a while and then we changed over to Sam Chian Po.  I don't remember how many times we did it, but once again we gave it everything we had.  Then it was on to pyramid training.  This was a killer.  I had almost nothing left by this time.  Then I heard Master Lin say "Harder, Where's the Whip"?  So I gave it everything I had left.
After the Sunday class was over, every single part of my body was sore.  I saw lots and lots of sweating, lots of smiling, and lots of people giving everything they had!  Including myself.  I gave every last bit of energy I had with Sundays training.  And when I used it all up, I kept going. 
This was a very exciting thing for all of us to be able to experience.  We were all very happy (and very sweaty) after it was all over.  Thank you very much Master Lin.  I feel very honored to have been able to be in the Sunday class. 
Everyone had so much fun and were so happy to be there Sunday for the special training.  The energy was so high!  That was the first time I ever saw, or was part of a standing ovation at a seminar of any kind.  Especially Martial Arts. 
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                    Aaron M.

[Benny Meng]

I like the way that there appears to be something to learn for all skill and experience levels. I really enjoyed the amount of challenge that was involved on day two of the workshop. Like the seven minutes of low horse stance and hours of almost continuous training. I felt like a warrior training amongst warriors.

The history is always very nice to hear it gives you a greater understanding on the skill being learned.  Both the internal and external aspects of the seminar were very informative. The information given to the HKB members on day two made a huge difference in the perspective I take in my training now. I think this is essential information for any martial artist trying to take their skill to the next level. I am very grateful for his understanding and his teaching style I believe it to be very effective.

I was immediately connected to Suhu Lin at the first seminar in 2009. He is very motivating and a well rounded leader. He is demanding enough to have me condition my mind body and spirit like a military general, but also approachable, humble, and sincere like a caring father. I walked away from the weekend prepared for the next few months of training with a new level of understanding to help develop my skill. I look forward to my next meeting with Suhu Lin knowing that this relationship will always bring growth and depth to my life and skill.

Kevin Foster

[Xan Smith]

I attended the workshop both Saturday and Sunday and Master Lin didn't fail to deliver a quality experience. Master Lin led a very intense training experience that made me re-evaluate my own training progression and goals. I experienced several "here & now" moments during and after the training and have implemented the tools Master Lin gave us during the workshop to continue to grow in eng chun. I recommend to anyone who wants to experience their own paradigm shifts in wing chun to attend one of Master Lin's workshops. You will not be disappointed. Thank you, again, Master Lin.

[awonpat]

Sifu Aaron.

As I read your post, I couldn't help but smile  ...Not becasue I enjoyed reading about the sufferring all of you were exposed to, but because the HKB HQs in Fredericksburg, VA knows exactly how you felt.  I wrote a very long article for our newsletter relating the experience in much the same light as you.

It motivates me to see all of the postings in this thread and their willingness to subject themselves to possible torture in the future.  It is this sharing of masochism that makes our schools kindred spirits.  Yes....Sundays are tough and grueling but oh so rewarding! 

Keep at it, and I hope to one day come up to OH with Suhu Lin to train with you guys and girls. 

-Andrew

[Benny Meng]

               From MISSY P.----- SIFU LIN BLACK FLAG SEMINAR  3/26-28/2010

Sometimes in life you embark on something that makes you question your rational thinking. I have done this in the past, but not once did I even think about having regrets pertaining to attending and participating in the  seminar given by Sifu Lin. From the moment Sifu Lin entered the school he gave off an air of kindness,  knowledge, and had an uplifting personality.. This carried through the entire weekend.  I was intrigued by his leveled explanation of the different things  that he discussed within the system. I went in thinking that the first form was all about the energy but learned  energy is only a side benefit from having separation of the body and contact area. And if I do it only as a form then I will become side-tracked. I need to be mindful of the here and now so that in a way it can be seen as a standing meditation.  I knew that illusion creates attachment but I was given a deeper understanding of separation where if one thing fails you still have the rest of your body to react. I understood that attachment to change is time/space whereas detachment is the essence of Chan. Where we can exist in the awareness of here and now by overcoming the illusion  of time and space and becoming aware of the here and now through the formula. I need to digest the fact that style is an illusion, an attachment, whereas what really matter is the efficiency of what I am doing at that moment.

Sifu Lin gave me some key pointers that will help immensely with gaining a clear understanding of my training. One was that our training is Isokenetic meaning, I am training my tendons. T,S,S-twist, stretch and squeeze is something that I put in my conscience mind so that sub-consciously I will  be able to implement this through out my training over a period of time. I got so much out of Sifu Lin seminar to the point that I can truly say that I came away with a wealth of knowledge as well as enough training material to keep me focused for quite awhile. I want to thank Sifu Lin for his patience because he never got impatient with us but instead he pushed us to go past our comfort zone to a higher level of endurance. He was firm but not mean because he would walk past us cheering us on to keep going which gave me the determination to give it my all. I refused to let medical issues slow me down instead I embraced Sifu Lin’s belief in us and pushed myself to do my best. In the end, although I was exhausted, I was also very wired and ready to keep at it. My body had a total awakening with the new material that I learned. I look forward to all the levels of training that I am about to experience. Sifu Lin has so much compassion about  Black Flag until it becomes contagious and becomes your passion as well!

I look forward to taking this journey with my  Black Flag family and I am so happy that Master Meng introduced me to such an awesome system! I look forward to all the wisdom, knowledge and skill  that goes along with learning and understanding Black Flag. I hope that we will have many more seminars like this one.
                                                                                MISSY P.
                                                                                Mengs Martial Arts, Huber Heights,