What to expect
Tao
Training
The entirety
Our unique concept is based an three basic pillars:
- Philosophy (Tao)
- Energy (Chi)
- physical practice through classic Wing Chun
These elements condition and permeate each other. Just as they make the system a holistic concept, you will be taught in our schools or by our trained instructors.
The founder of the system is Si-Jo K. Haas.
The training
The physical basis is the classical Wing Chun system.
The system is learnable by EVERYONE. According to the guidelines and sense of tradition. This means above all EVERY age group.
The physical implementation of the classical Wing Chun techniques and exercises promote and improve the physical constitution. Through the combination with Chi and Tao, Wing Chun Tao Chi allows the maintenance and improvement of internal and external health. It forms the optimal complement to each other. This interaction makes our holistic system an ideal instrument for self-realization.
The tradition
All students are taught and trained using a comprehensive student degree system. With increasing qualification, more and more aspects from the area of Chi and philosophy flow into the training. So there is also a mental education of the students.
Traditionally, there is a corresponding dress code for training in a martial art. The uniform changes according to the different graduations. Thus the respective level of knowledge on which the student moves is represented. New beginners start with black long trousers and white shirt.
Students can reach 12 student degrees. In addition, there is the option to become an instructor. This means that they begin to lead trainings independently and participate in the instructor training.
From student grade 6, the white T-shirt changes to gray.
Reaching the 12th student level marks the advancement to instructor level. From here on it is possible to get a black instructor shirt with white logo. As a rule, the awarding to be instructor is done by the school principal or Si-Fu or Dai-Si-Fu.
The education
After the student degrees follow 4 teacher degrees, the so-called technician degrees (TG). When the 1st TG is reached, the white logo changes to red. In addition, the training starts with the long stick and the wooden dummy.
The graduations following the technician degrees are the practitioner degrees. They confirm that the title holder can put the techniques and principles learned into practice PRACTICALLY without having to think about them further. There are usually between 8 and 10 practitioner degrees.
Within the technician and practitioner degrees there is the possibility to be appointed Si-Fu.
If the Si-Fu title is awarded, the honoree receives a Si-Fu jacket, which henceforth indicates his status in training.
Si-Fu (Sensei; Master) freely translated means fatherly master/teacher.
The following titles are also structured in the same family way of classical Wing Chun.
Dai-Sifu means great fatherly master or teacher.
Si-Gung means grandfather in a similar sense.
Si-Jo means Great-Grandfather of the system.
What is the Tao?
The ultimate and highest reality in Taoism is the Tao, or the (right) way.
In a broad sense, the Tao is the mysterious natural order of the universe.
Paradoxically, the sages have most often said about the Tao: nothing can be said about the Tao.
As it says in the Tao Te King:
The SENSE that can be pronounced,
is not the eternal SENSE.
The name that can be called,
is not the eternal name.
"Non-being" I call the beginning of heaven and earth,
"To be" is what I call the mother of individuals.
Therefore the direction leads to non-being
to see the wonderful creature,
the direction to being
to see the spatial limitations.
Both are one according to the origin
and only different by name.
In its unity it is called the secret.
The secrets even deeper secret
is the gate through which all wonders emerge.
–Richard Wilhelm, Laotse Tao Te King, S. 41 Nr. 1
The seven hermetic laws:
The Tao builds one of the three cornerstones of our unique, holistic concept Wing Chun Tao Chi.
When these laws are understood, the Tao is understood.
The Principle of Spirituality
The All is mind; The Universe is Mental.
The principle of correspondence
As above, so below; as below, so above. As within, so without; as without, so within.
The principle of vibration
Nothing rests; Everything moves; Everything vibrates.
The Principle of Polarity:
Everything is dual; Everything has poles; Everything has its pair of opposites; Like and unlike are the same; Opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; Extremes meet; All truths, are but half-truths; All paradoxes may be reconciled.
The Principle of Rhythm:
Everything flows, out and in; Everything has its tides; All things rise and fall; The pendulum swing manifests in everything; The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; Rhythm compensates.
The Principle of Cause & Effect:
Every cause has its effect; Every effect has its cause; Everything happens according to law’ Chance is but a name for law not recognized’ There are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the law.
The Principle of Gender:
Gender is in everything; Everything has its masculine and feminine principles; Gender manifests on all planes.