@jeffdoeskungfu Well, it is a workout to do freestyle forms for 20-30 minutes straight, as Sifu does. But he's in extremely good condition--he sometimes practices immediately after a 7-8 mile run. In actual combat situation, of course, you want to disable an attacker as quickly as possible, to reduce the risk. That's why we would not just block an attacker's punch or kick, but try to break the arm or leg or vertebrae in the process.
@wayoftheforesthand Sifu Thompson was invited to give a demonstration at the Wong People Tournament in Washington DC a few years ago, which is one of the top kung fu tournaments in the nation. So obviously, Master Raymond Wong, who runs the event, must have a different opinion than you do. On the other hand, Master Wong is only a Hong Kong-born Jow Ga master, so maybe you're more of an authority.
@patrickj2010 being invited to give a demo at a tournament hardly validates the system. I have been to local tournaments that have had everyone from the famous Augustine Fong to local so called kung fu sifu's who were hardly what I would call above a white sash. also dont forget the more teachers the more students. the more students the more money the tournament brings in. so once again giving a demo at a large tournament doesn't validate a system.
@wayoftheforesthand The Wong People Tournament, which attracts participants from all over the east coast, is not a "local" tournament. Sifu Thompson was invited to give a demonstration because one of his students had been a finalist in the top black-sash level free sparring division the previous year, and Sifu Wong, who runs the tournament, had been impressed by the student's use of what he described as "real kung fu," instead of just kickboxing.
@pjkiger my teacher would call it martial arts. but it has elements that look like everything from Okinawan karate to Tai Chi, and Bagua. It is a 15 generation old family system.
@wayoftheforesthand Intriguing. Why not post a video, so that we can see what it looks like?
btw, as Sifu Thompson pointed out to me after my initial response, he isn't off-balance in the video. That posture is a feint, which is part of the technique. In one of our other videos, he demonstrates his ability to leap from a narrow horizontal log (actually the trunk of a downed tree), perform a double side kick, and land on his feet on the log again.
@pjkiger I would have posted videos awhile back but since i do not own a camera it is rather difficult. there are people on youtube that while they do not do our system it looks very similar. people like TeamWuJin while not your system look very similar. As far as gung fu is concern you can look at Ark Yueh Wong he was one of my Master's Masters.
I know which video you are talking about the eagle clears nest video where he falls off the log after doing the kick?
@wayoftheforesthand Oh, so you don't own a video camera. That's a shame, because we'll never have an opportunity to observe your proficiency at the double side kick, will we?
@wayoftheforesthand Wouldn't, or couldn't? Of course, it's much safer, ego-wise, just to post disparaging critiques of videos on YouTube and tell everyone what an expert you are.
@pjkiger ...... not sure how thing turned in to a split kick thing, but my "critique" had nothing to do with the kick. its not that impressive since most black belts in tkd can do. my critque was that insane arm waving thing, and that so called improvised staff thing. no form, no balance, no flow, no anything. heck he doesnt even seem to know what he is doing part why through that staff thing. he is in shape but being in shape hardly means your a martial artist.
@wayoftheforesthand Just because you don't understand what he is doing, it doesn't necessarily follow that it doesn't have a function. I've seen the applications of many of these movements in sparring. As for TKD black belts, I've seen some of them do that kick--usually to waist height, on a smooth floor indoors. Sifu likes sparring with TKD fighters, because they telegraph their high kicks by turning out their base foot. He has a higher opinion of Okinawan karate.
@pjkiger i study karate, several styles of gung fu, and a chinese family style of fighting from china. I have had the good fortune to have seen and spar people of all ranks and styles over the many yrs of martial arts.I have always been exposed to the good the bad and the ugly of the martial arts world and tournaments.
wow that was interesting. were those made up on the spot free-styling forms because a lot of that looked so completely disconnected its hard to call it kung fu or even related to kung fu. no actual flow between techniques. Mr Thompson has some good ups compared to some but from the other videos his balance seems off and the ability to actually deliver any power with that form is suspect to say the least.
You could always test those observations by coming to Takoma Park and sparring with him on a muddy forest hillside strewn with rocks and tree limbs, which is where he usually trains. As for his power, I've gotten bruises just from his blocks, so be sure to pack some iboprofen and an ice bag.
@patrickj2010 so him being completely off balance during his demos in the other videos was because of the muddy forest hillside inside of a building on wood floors? and as far bruising goes that doesn't impress me much since white belts in karate can give you bruise blocking. his flow as they normally call it in martial arts looks like a white belt who watched kung fu on tv and the staff work was a joke. this isnt kung fu, or anything related to kung fu.
@wayoftheforesthand how do you explain the drunken monkey style of shaolin kung fu? it is completely unorthodox and off balance...Kung Fu has a whole bunch of different styles..there is Northern Shaolin, Southern Shaolin, close circle combat styles, wide stance styles...you can't possibly know or have seen every Kung Fu style there is.....knock it off with your ego!
just 1 question guys .. How did the Chinese travel to Africa and spreed their KungFu over there ??? i thought the Silk road stop some where in Hotan ? or Arab ?
oh no no, i just wonder how the shaolin kungfu end up in Africa thou. didn't mean to sound like a racist comment or anything , pp jsut think 2 much ^_^. ( and yes i know , the shaolin kungfu originate from indian)
Well one possible explanation is the constant trade with East Africa. Maybe monks traveled on the boats there and journeyed throughout Africa. Just a possibility =)
Also the fact that people independently come up with the same things. China had ships bigger than that of the west. But I do believe trade with other places spread different martial arts as well as other things. There is a theory among Anthropologists that no culture has ever really been isolated.
Actually, the Africans had martial arts of their own long before the Shaolin temple was built--there's artwork in ancient Egyptian tombs that depicts kicking and punching. I think a more likely explanation is that martial arts concepts have spread gradually around the world, with various martial artists and teachers borrowing from others' styles and adding their own innovations.
Thanks you! I don't get how people don't understand that every group is going to come up with their own fighting styles and borrow from each other. I don't think one group of people gave a people this or that etc.
Exactly. I remember reading that when American and British sailors went to China in the 19th Century and saw wing chun, they called it "Chinese boxing" because it reminded them (on a simple level) of the old-fashioned western bareknuckled fighting.
Koryuhoka: btw, I'm curious about your Okinawan art. Is it more Chinese or Japanese influenced? You should post some videos of your techniques so that we martial arts students can better appreciate it.
No disrespect intended, but if you want someone to explain to you why Sifu Thompson's style is thoroughly authentic kung fu, I suggest that you contact Sifu Raymond Wong of the Wong Chinese Boxing Association in Washington DC. He asked Sifu Thompson to give a demonstration at his 2006 annual tournament, before an audience of kung fu practioners of various styles from all over the eastern U.S.
This poor display of so-called martial arts. This is obviously made-up. The movements of the forms in Chinese arts were developed by using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques of Acupuncture and Tuina to destroy energy and break the attack. All these movements on this video are made-up BS and not based on true martial science. Sorry, but it has to be said.
Koryuhoka sounds like an ignorant fool. Have him post some of his demonstrations if he has any, and if he lives in your area, offer an opportunity to spar and shut him up. And as far as making up moves, would he have criticized Bruce Lee for developing Jeet Kune Do?
Excellent suggestion. Sifu Thompson always welcomes the chance to spar, though like most masters, it's difficult for him to find partners at his level. It's interesting that you mention Bruce Lee and JKD. I'm a big admirer of him and his art--particularly the trapping-and-counterattack techniques, which have similarities to some of what we learn in Bungo Fu. Btw, have you seen British JKD master Tommy Carruthers' videos? He really has some awesome skills with his hands.
I studied a rare style called Lama Pai under sifu Steve Ventura in New York City. In fact, his training brother goes by the alias I believe called kungfu351. His name is Mike Parella.
I have to pay Ventura a visit because I haven't trained in months.
Bungo Fu, for example, is a 20th-Century synthesis of kung fu (specifically, a style developed by a Mongol general during the Yuan Dynasty in the 1200s) with African foot fighting techniques (which also were the basis for Brazilian Capoeira.)
If you knew much about kung fu, you would recognize and understand the function of those movements. Trust me, you wouldn't want to be on the other end of some of them--I can speak from experience on that. :)
Swinging his arms around needlessly, what for, I can't tell, aside from making it look flashy or ... something. You can even tell he's out of breath after each routine.
He's not just swinging his arms around. Each movemment in the form has many different functions. Those arm movements can be used as attacks, blocks, etc.
Thanks for the compliment, but I would disagree with your point. This is a hybrid of traditional kung fu and African-style foot fighting techniques, so naturally some of the moves are going to be recognizable. But it is no more "stolen" than, say, Muay Thai was stolen from Muay Buran, or Jeet Kune Do was stolen from Wing Chun. Throughout history, martial artists have taken skills and knowledge from their predecessors and applied them in new and creative ways.
I think people tend to forget that when you get people from all walks of life together they will bring their respective cultures and blend it. I think when people think of Jamaica they think that it's just black people there and forget other races were brought there as well.
Quite true. As sifu Thompson explains, there are a lot of people of Chinese ancestry in Jamaica. There also are people who are descended from the aboriginal inhabitants who were there before the Europeans and the Africans. Jamaica has a really fascinating history that I want to learn more about.
@jeffdoeskungfu Well, it is a workout to do freestyle forms for 20-30 minutes straight, as Sifu does. But he's in extremely good condition--he sometimes practices immediately after a 7-8 mile run. In actual combat situation, of course, you want to disable an attacker as quickly as possible, to reduce the risk. That's why we would not just block an attacker's punch or kick, but try to break the arm or leg or vertebrae in the process.
pjkiger 8 months ago
Looks really tiring.
jeffdoeskungfu 8 months ago
Amazing, maximum ratings
smaddstar 1 year ago
@wayoftheforesthand Sifu Thompson was invited to give a demonstration at the Wong People Tournament in Washington DC a few years ago, which is one of the top kung fu tournaments in the nation. So obviously, Master Raymond Wong, who runs the event, must have a different opinion than you do. On the other hand, Master Wong is only a Hong Kong-born Jow Ga master, so maybe you're more of an authority.
patrickj2010 1 year ago
@patrickj2010 being invited to give a demo at a tournament hardly validates the system. I have been to local tournaments that have had everyone from the famous Augustine Fong to local so called kung fu sifu's who were hardly what I would call above a white sash. also dont forget the more teachers the more students. the more students the more money the tournament brings in. so once again giving a demo at a large tournament doesn't validate a system.
wayoftheforesthand 1 year ago
@wayoftheforesthand The Wong People Tournament, which attracts participants from all over the east coast, is not a "local" tournament. Sifu Thompson was invited to give a demonstration because one of his students had been a finalist in the top black-sash level free sparring division the previous year, and Sifu Wong, who runs the tournament, had been impressed by the student's use of what he described as "real kung fu," instead of just kickboxing.
What sort of martial art do you study?
pjkiger 1 year ago
@pjkiger my teacher would call it martial arts. but it has elements that look like everything from Okinawan karate to Tai Chi, and Bagua. It is a 15 generation old family system.
wayoftheforesthand 1 year ago
@wayoftheforesthand Intriguing. Why not post a video, so that we can see what it looks like?
btw, as Sifu Thompson pointed out to me after my initial response, he isn't off-balance in the video. That posture is a feint, which is part of the technique. In one of our other videos, he demonstrates his ability to leap from a narrow horizontal log (actually the trunk of a downed tree), perform a double side kick, and land on his feet on the log again.
pjkiger 1 year ago
@pjkiger I would have posted videos awhile back but since i do not own a camera it is rather difficult. there are people on youtube that while they do not do our system it looks very similar. people like TeamWuJin while not your system look very similar. As far as gung fu is concern you can look at Ark Yueh Wong he was one of my Master's Masters.
I know which video you are talking about the eagle clears nest video where he falls off the log after doing the kick?
wayoftheforesthand 1 year ago
@wayoftheforesthand Oh, so you don't own a video camera. That's a shame, because we'll never have an opportunity to observe your proficiency at the double side kick, will we?
pjkiger 1 year ago
@pjkiger nope, and if I did I wouldn't do the kick anyway.
wayoftheforesthand 1 year ago
@wayoftheforesthand Wouldn't, or couldn't? Of course, it's much safer, ego-wise, just to post disparaging critiques of videos on YouTube and tell everyone what an expert you are.
pjkiger 1 year ago
@pjkiger ...... not sure how thing turned in to a split kick thing, but my "critique" had nothing to do with the kick. its not that impressive since most black belts in tkd can do. my critque was that insane arm waving thing, and that so called improvised staff thing. no form, no balance, no flow, no anything. heck he doesnt even seem to know what he is doing part why through that staff thing. he is in shape but being in shape hardly means your a martial artist.
wayoftheforesthand 1 year ago
@wayoftheforesthand Just because you don't understand what he is doing, it doesn't necessarily follow that it doesn't have a function. I've seen the applications of many of these movements in sparring. As for TKD black belts, I've seen some of them do that kick--usually to waist height, on a smooth floor indoors. Sifu likes sparring with TKD fighters, because they telegraph their high kicks by turning out their base foot. He has a higher opinion of Okinawan karate.
pjkiger 1 year ago
@pjkiger i study karate, several styles of gung fu, and a chinese family style of fighting from china. I have had the good fortune to have seen and spar people of all ranks and styles over the many yrs of martial arts.I have always been exposed to the good the bad and the ugly of the martial arts world and tournaments.
wayoftheforesthand 1 year ago
WHERE
CAN
I
LEARNNN!!!??
grim0xuu 1 year ago
this looks like the style of a shaolin form combined with the rhythm of capoeira
Marx047 1 year ago
wow that was interesting. were those made up on the spot free-styling forms because a lot of that looked so completely disconnected its hard to call it kung fu or even related to kung fu. no actual flow between techniques. Mr Thompson has some good ups compared to some but from the other videos his balance seems off and the ability to actually deliver any power with that form is suspect to say the least.
wayoftheforesthand 2 years ago
You could always test those observations by coming to Takoma Park and sparring with him on a muddy forest hillside strewn with rocks and tree limbs, which is where he usually trains. As for his power, I've gotten bruises just from his blocks, so be sure to pack some iboprofen and an ice bag.
patrickj2010 2 years ago
@patrickj2010 so him being completely off balance during his demos in the other videos was because of the muddy forest hillside inside of a building on wood floors? and as far bruising goes that doesn't impress me much since white belts in karate can give you bruise blocking. his flow as they normally call it in martial arts looks like a white belt who watched kung fu on tv and the staff work was a joke. this isnt kung fu, or anything related to kung fu.
wayoftheforesthand 2 years ago
@wayoftheforesthand how do you explain the drunken monkey style of shaolin kung fu? it is completely unorthodox and off balance...Kung Fu has a whole bunch of different styles..there is Northern Shaolin, Southern Shaolin, close circle combat styles, wide stance styles...you can't possibly know or have seen every Kung Fu style there is.....knock it off with your ego!
wiseknowin777 1 year ago
Very cool stuff. I'm reading up on African Martial Arts, trying to learn about my roots.
SithV1 2 years ago 2
just 1 question guys .. How did the Chinese travel to Africa and spreed their KungFu over there ??? i thought the Silk road stop some where in Hotan ? or Arab ?
HXL056100 2 years ago
if you know your history you would know that everything came "Afrika"
dkno1560 2 years ago
oh no no, i just wonder how the shaolin kungfu end up in Africa thou. didn't mean to sound like a racist comment or anything , pp jsut think 2 much ^_^. ( and yes i know , the shaolin kungfu originate from indian)
HXL056100 2 years ago
thats a misconception hopefully , on the historians side , bodhi(buddha) dharma was actually of african descent not indian ,
YoungScozey 2 years ago
and i used to think jesus is white ....
HXL056100 2 years ago
Well one possible explanation is the constant trade with East Africa. Maybe monks traveled on the boats there and journeyed throughout Africa. Just a possibility =)
mythx123 2 years ago
Also the fact that people independently come up with the same things. China had ships bigger than that of the west. But I do believe trade with other places spread different martial arts as well as other things. There is a theory among Anthropologists that no culture has ever really been isolated.
TVwriter23 2 years ago
martial arts came from africa
0102106kls 2 years ago
wow , what martial art does africa have rite now ?
HXL056100 2 years ago
It came from all over
TVwriter23 2 years ago
Very interesting stuff, keep up the brotherhood.
streetkunedo 3 years ago
Actually, the Africans had martial arts of their own long before the Shaolin temple was built--there's artwork in ancient Egyptian tombs that depicts kicking and punching. I think a more likely explanation is that martial arts concepts have spread gradually around the world, with various martial artists and teachers borrowing from others' styles and adding their own innovations.
pjkiger 2 years ago
Thanks you! I don't get how people don't understand that every group is going to come up with their own fighting styles and borrow from each other. I don't think one group of people gave a people this or that etc.
TVwriter23 2 years ago
Exactly. I remember reading that when American and British sailors went to China in the 19th Century and saw wing chun, they called it "Chinese boxing" because it reminded them (on a simple level) of the old-fashioned western bareknuckled fighting.
pjkiger 2 years ago
That is very interesting. Ive always wondered where that term originated. Where did you read about this?
mythx123 2 years ago
Very impressive! This looks a lot like Muay Boran, the art practiced by Tony Jaa.
williamlee99 3 years ago
Koryuhoka: btw, I'm curious about your Okinawan art. Is it more Chinese or Japanese influenced? You should post some videos of your techniques so that we martial arts students can better appreciate it.
pjkiger 3 years ago
No disrespect intended, but if you want someone to explain to you why Sifu Thompson's style is thoroughly authentic kung fu, I suggest that you contact Sifu Raymond Wong of the Wong Chinese Boxing Association in Washington DC. He asked Sifu Thompson to give a demonstration at his 2006 annual tournament, before an audience of kung fu practioners of various styles from all over the eastern U.S.
pjkiger 3 years ago
Such BS.
Koryuhoka 3 years ago
To what are you referring?
pjkiger 3 years ago
This poor display of so-called martial arts. This is obviously made-up. The movements of the forms in Chinese arts were developed by using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques of Acupuncture and Tuina to destroy energy and break the attack. All these movements on this video are made-up BS and not based on true martial science. Sorry, but it has to be said.
Koryuhoka 3 years ago
Koryuhoka sounds like an ignorant fool. Have him post some of his demonstrations if he has any, and if he lives in your area, offer an opportunity to spar and shut him up. And as far as making up moves, would he have criticized Bruce Lee for developing Jeet Kune Do?
memyself2k 3 years ago
Excellent suggestion. Sifu Thompson always welcomes the chance to spar, though like most masters, it's difficult for him to find partners at his level. It's interesting that you mention Bruce Lee and JKD. I'm a big admirer of him and his art--particularly the trapping-and-counterattack techniques, which have similarities to some of what we learn in Bungo Fu. Btw, have you seen British JKD master Tommy Carruthers' videos? He really has some awesome skills with his hands.
pjkiger 3 years ago
I have only seen clips, and he's awesome.
memyself2k 3 years ago
I agree. Carruthers doesn't have Bruce Lee's kicking ability, but his punches are so quick that it's almost hard to see them.
So which martial art are you into? Are you a kung fu person? I'm always eager to learn from someone new.
pjkiger 3 years ago
I studied a rare style called Lama Pai under sifu Steve Ventura in New York City. In fact, his training brother goes by the alias I believe called kungfu351. His name is Mike Parella.
I have to pay Ventura a visit because I haven't trained in months.
memyself2k 3 years ago
I looked at some of Sifu Parella's videos on YouTube. Much respect! It looks like a very interesting style and I'd like to learn more about it.
pjkiger 3 years ago
You can just email Mr. Parella at his inbox. As I mentioned before, I trained under his training brother, Steve Ventura.
memyself2k 3 years ago
Bungo Fu, for example, is a 20th-Century synthesis of kung fu (specifically, a style developed by a Mongol general during the Yuan Dynasty in the 1200s) with African foot fighting techniques (which also were the basis for Brazilian Capoeira.)
pjkiger 2 years ago
Where can I get the literature on it? Which website?
memyself2k 2 years ago
How can he seal KUNG FU when asian were came 2 jamaica also came their food & culture . . huumm OUT OF MANY 1 PEOPLE (MOTTO OF JAMAICA)
agonydaddy 3 years ago
If you knew much about kung fu, you would recognize and understand the function of those movements. Trust me, you wouldn't want to be on the other end of some of them--I can speak from experience on that. :)
pjkiger 3 years ago
Swinging his arms around needlessly, what for, I can't tell, aside from making it look flashy or ... something. You can even tell he's out of breath after each routine.
ulfsark9 3 years ago
He's not just swinging his arms around. Each movemment in the form has many different functions. Those arm movements can be used as attacks, blocks, etc.
mythx123 3 years ago
so much wasted energy ....
ulfsark9 3 years ago
How is that?
pjkiger 3 years ago
youve stolen kung fu,lol it is great tho,but not ur own
bellion64 3 years ago
Thanks for the compliment, but I would disagree with your point. This is a hybrid of traditional kung fu and African-style foot fighting techniques, so naturally some of the moves are going to be recognizable. But it is no more "stolen" than, say, Muay Thai was stolen from Muay Buran, or Jeet Kune Do was stolen from Wing Chun. Throughout history, martial artists have taken skills and knowledge from their predecessors and applied them in new and creative ways.
pjkiger 3 years ago
I think people tend to forget that when you get people from all walks of life together they will bring their respective cultures and blend it. I think when people think of Jamaica they think that it's just black people there and forget other races were brought there as well.
TVwriter23 2 years ago
Quite true. As sifu Thompson explains, there are a lot of people of Chinese ancestry in Jamaica. There also are people who are descended from the aboriginal inhabitants who were there before the Europeans and the Africans. Jamaica has a really fascinating history that I want to learn more about.
pjkiger 2 years ago
hmmm.
shengchenfan 3 years ago
Really intresting i see forward to see more of your work!
Inmatinus 3 years ago