Jon Staples
The Sil Lum Kune Kung Fu club at Exhall, in Bedworth hosted a seminar on the Long (straight) sword by Sifu Jonathon Staples. Jonathon is a technical director for schools within the B.C.C.M.A, and was invited to hold this seminar by Sifu Paul Burkinshaw (Chief instructor of Sil Lum Kune and executive member of the B.C.C.M.A.) Jonathan specialises in Wu Shu which is the acrobatic performance style of Chinese martial arts. If you have seen the ‘Shaolin Wheel Of Life’, it will give you an idea of this particular style. During the day Jonathon and one of his students (Andy) whom he had brought along to help him, demonstrated various open hand forms and weapons. These included Monk’s spade, spear, rope dart, broadsword, and twin Tiger hooks.
The seminar commenced at 12.00 noon with a demonstration by Jonathon and a short presentation on the nature of the Long sword. This sword was the main weapon of the recent blockbuster film ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. The sword measures approximately 41” long with the last 4” of the blade being very flexible. It is only this last 4” of the blade that is used to strike an opponent, rather like the Epee in fencing. The long sword is traditionally the weapon of the nobleman, rather than the Broadsword / sabre, which was used by the common man.
Jonathon then demonstrated various typical moves that are incorporated within the form for us to practice before commencing the form itself. The moves themselves require a great deal of practise to perfect, however the object was to get an idea of the flow of the moves without analysing them too greatly. Jonathon advocates that flow and feel of the form are first and then the moves can be analysed and technically improved later. This method is even more paramount when conducting a seminar and fighting against the clock. This method enabled the students to perform sequences in a short space of time and giving them the confidence then to get to grips with the form.
During the day many things were discussed including how wide the Chinese martial arts net falls. Jonathon explained that whatever a persons size, age or gender, there is some thing for everyone. He then pointed out that whereas men are generally more adapted to the strength, women are often crisper and more flowing in form, thereby negating the need for strength through the execution of technique.
Within the space of 4 hours, 85% of the students had a good grasp of the first two parts of the form. Our Sifu, Paul Burkinshaw had completed up to part three only leaving one part remaining for next time. Over the next few weeks Paul will be going over these sections in our regular weapons class, (held at our Academy 5.15-6.15pm on Sundays.) so that when Jonathan returns on the 24th February we can complete the form.
Reported by Alex Hyde (student of Sil Lum Kune)