IF YOU HAVE SKILLS YOU CAN BE COMBAT EFFICIENT
Combat efficiency
Question
I recently purchased "The Complete Book of Shaolin" and have been doing exercises from it. My main problem is I lack a sparring partner.
-- Namir, USA
Answer
Many people have kindly reported to me that "The Complete Book of Shaolin" is the best book they have read on Shaolin. They have benefited not just in sparring efficiency but in many aspects of their life.
You and many other people may be surprised that a sparring partner, while helpful, is not a necessary requirement for combat efficiency.
Look at those who spar frequently with sparring partners. Can they defend themselves? Be ready for a big surprise. No, they can't, otherwise they would not be routinely kicked and punched, which, ironically, some may even take for granted!
You can train on your own without a sparring partner to become combat efficient using genuine Shaolin Kungfu techniques. In fact, training on your own, and not with a training partner, is a very important part of becoming combat efficient. It is the way how masters are made.
A good approach is to use the Shaolin 16 combat sequences. The webpage here shows how these 16 combat sequences are performed.
First you need to learn the basic stances, footwork and basic patterns. These are reviewed at the start of my Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Courses, such as at the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course in Sabah shown here.
Then you practice the Shaolin 16 basic sequences. You can learn all the required techniques from my webpages. However you need to develop the necessary skills, which you have to acquire at an Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course. This is the main reason why many people do not have the desired result even when they know the techniques in kungfu, chi kung or any art.
Many chi kung students, for example, know and can perform chi kung techniques very well but they are still weak and unhealthy. This is because they do not have the skills to perform the techniques as an energy art, which is chi kung.
An analogy is useful. Many people all over the world can perform Taijiquan techniques beautifully, but they do not know how to use the same techniques as an internal martial art, which is Taijiquan. Similarly many people, like those students and instructors you have mentioned, can perform Shaolin techniques artistically, but they do not know how to apply these techniques in sparring or to enhance their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, which is the purpose of practicing a high-level martial art like Shaolin Kungfu.
The main difference here is in techniques and skills. Many people learn techniques, but they do not acquire skills. You may learn techniques from books and videos or even from an e-mail, but unless you are already skillful, you need to learn skills from a competent teacher.
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