Discussion

This is a subject that will take much more than one article to cover since it is almost our main weapon in our fight arsenal, right after the mind. I prefer to use mind rather than brain which is basically a piece of meat (an organ) the mind is what is inside, what you think with. If I ask you to show me a fist and how to use it you would think, “what a

The crosses on the wall have nothing to do with our religious views yay or nay it was a place who held church on Sunday and let us use the area (free) to teach class. Here is #9 from my book, hope this helps some to learn more about San Soo. Lesson #9 Opponent punches with his left hand toward your head… Step into opponent with a right front horse (in front of his left

We have covered a few ideas, we could write a whole book on this subject but it is all up to you to develop what works for you, as Jimmy would say, “how good you are is how smart you are”. The idea is that you do not know how good your opponent is, he may be better than you so to square off for your “fair fight”, you could lose. Not only the fight

Things are not as simple as they seem and since people are lazy they learn things the easy way and go no further. If you ask them what it that means, “Attack him when he is not ready”, then ask how you do that, listen carefully and you may hear the word,”Duh”. There are many ways, some you may like and some that may not be for you. First let’s look at how the mind

How a street fight usually happens, some how 2 people don’t like each other or someone offends the other guy or someone just wants to fight. Usually there are angry words, “you are a punk”. “kiss my butt”, your mother is a whore, you get the message. Next comes a physical posturing dance and he starts moving toward you and his girl or a friend keep pulling him back. OK, now we get down to

Each of us had our reasons, some were bullied, some needed confidence, some wanted to have no fear, there is more. Oh yes and some wanted to compete and prove they are the best, some did and others met reality and quit. Even if you become the best it is for a short time but they will still have the general skills to be able to protect themselves if they have to. I see people

“To Step or Not to Step” There have been many discussions on this subject and just as many disagreements. So, let’s break it down with the understanding that you must decide for yourself. There are many ways to enter or exit a combat zone. There is “straight on”, angular, slipping the punch, parrying, stepping back” to name a few, but it must be done safely. If you block prior to stepping, 100% of his target

A San Soo Journal Flashback – Originally Published 1995 By Master Jim McCraw, El Monte School Are you paying too much for your Kung Fu Lessons? You may be if you are only using half of your time effectively when you practice at your Kung Fu Studio. In making that statement I am commenting on the many students I have observed over the seventeen years I have been training at the El Monte School. Most

This weapon was always with him wherever he went, he was never without it. If he needed it he could use it to cause severe injury or it could be lethal. No sound other than the man dropping to the ground. Look one more time. Come to think of it not only is it lethal if used properly it is also very humane. OK, look at his fist, at the joint at the base of

Since I joined Jimmy H Woo’s Kung Fu class in 1962 there have been many changes, on the outside of the building there was a sign in front that said Kung Fu Karate which did not make sense. Kung Fu is a Chinese Art and Karate is Japanese so that was my first question. He explained hardly anyone knew what Kung Fu was, he felt that people would go by thinking it was a Chinese

For those who did not understand what or how he showed what he did in video 2. It was my fault I did not think out what I shared, I thought that most would understand. First, he varied how he showed things, often he would take someone down with very little effort. I don’t think that was The first time he showed it that day because if you look at Barbara at the back she

I have been asked about what can be learned from the videos of Grandmaster Woo. I produced a few clips so we can go over and explain things that I was taught and the value of the Art we learned. There are many levels that one should travel to reach Master some learned and some remained stagnant. Some advanced to flowing movement, triangulation, subconscious movement, leverage and power when needed. The others learned many techniques using power

Do we need to do more ground work? You bet we do! We had many ground techniques however the Arts have evolved as they always have with new threats which each generation have to face. I have watched many very good stand up fighters from several styles taken off their feet and look as helpless as a turned over turtle. We need to learn some basic ideas on how to stop a take down if

Old San Soo had a character of its own, it was violent, evasive, brutal and overpowering. Especially for the time we first learned because there were few on the streets who knew how to fight against it. Old San Soo was mostly a stand up Art with a few sweeps and takedowns. When interviewed, Chan Sai Mo (his classmate and Son of his instructor Chan Siu Hung) told us that he knew nothing but Choy