For the second successive year, SLG presented a seminar by an internationally recognised Kung Fu Master.

On 14 and 15 September 2002, Sifu Kwong Wing Lam, whose full time school is in San Francisco, taught a seminar in short staff technique, based around the Monkey King Staff form.   The seminar was attended by a mixed group, adults and teenagers of all grades, all looking forward to a worthwhile weekend.

Saturday began with demonstration and practice of the stances in the form and the basic stick strikes & movements.  It was around this time that the first person dropped their staff.   Sifu Lam commented that in his school, anyone who dropped a weapon gets 100 push-ups!  He said he would let us off with 10.

Throughout Saturday and on Sunday morning we worked through the form.  During this time Sifu impressed everyone with his precise movements, and his ability to break down and explain the more complex sequences.   Like Shifu Shi Yanzi there were many repetitions of sequences, a further reminder, if it was required, that there are no shortcuts, only practice and hard work.

On Sunday afternoon we moved on to two person drills, strike and block sequences, some static, some moving.  Again numerous repetitions, getting used to moving the stick and the feeling of making contact.  The next steps were to try applications from the form and finally stick -vs- empty hand combinations.   Sifu Lam’s speed and dexterity in demonstrating these techniques was enviable.  For the students he involved in the demonstrations, the locks and breaks were irresistible, giving rise to not a few smiles amongst those watching, before they went on to try it for themselves.

This was quite a different type of seminar from those led by Shifu Shi Yanzi last year.  It was also hard work, although of a different kind, being less physically demanding but requiring considerable concentration.  The Shaolin seminars were divided into blocks of different activities, whereas on this occasion, students had to carry the knowledge of the form they were learning throughout the weekend.  This presented a new challenge, which was enjoyed by everyone.

Over the succeeding three days, Sifu gave small group lessons to a number of SLG instructors, covering forms within and outwith the Lau Gar syllabus and even including the beginnings of Sun Style Tai Chi.  This is an unusual style, Sifu being a direct disciple of the Grandmaster, Sun Jian Yun.   These sessions were an excellent opportunity to ask questions and share some of the vast knowledge held by Sifu Lam. Even over lunch in a local hostelry on the last day, he continued to amaze and inspire us.  We did draw the line, however, when he suggested practising in a local park – it was Falkirk after all!!