Author: Sifu Todd Taganashi (EWC Customer)

Sifu Todd is an Everything Wing Chun customer, who has taken the time to write some in-depth reviews of some DVDs. He is not a EWC employee and his views do not necessarily represent those of Everything Wing Chun.
Todd Taganashi began training in the martial arts in 1979 at the age of 11 and has been deeply involved ever since. Over the years he has undergone the rigorous study of several fighting arts giving him a very diverse background including training in Kenpo Karate, Goju Ryu, White Dragon Kung Fu, Kali, Jeet Kune Do, Jow Ga, and Wing Chun Kuen.

He has completed the entire Wing Chun System syllabus as a private student under Sifu Sam (Hing Fai) Chan.

Taganashi’s background includes training under the following masters:
1. Sifu Daniel Kane Pai, Elements of Pai Lum White Dragon Kung Fu
Daytona Beach, FL ~ Group and Private Lessons
(Given the honorary Kung Fu nickname “Tiger” by Dr. Pai in 1991)
2. Sifu Hoy K. Lee, Elements of Jow Ga Kung Fu Weaponry (Fu Mei Darn Dao)
Virginia Beach, VA ~ Private Student
3. Sifu Hing Fai Chan, Wing Chun Kuen (Entire System) and Elements of Jow Ga
Grand Rapids, MI ~ Private Student

Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review – Ving Tsun Musuem’s Sil Nim Tao: The Foundation

VTM Wing Chun Series #1-2: Sil Nim Tao: The Foundation By Sifu Benny Meng
Part 1:
In this the first video in the Ving Tsun Museum (VTM) Wing Chun series, Sifu Benny Meng covers in great detail all of the fundamental techniques and essential concepts vital at the Beginning Level of Wing Chun training. Immediately upon watching this video I was impressed by the high-level production, with multiple camera angles and professional soundtrack, but more impressive was the high level of instruction given. Having met Sifu Benny Meng and taken a tour of the Ving Tsun Museum, I can honestly say that he is a walking encyclopedia of Wing Chun and I had high expectations of his video series. He did not let me down. In true historian fashion Sifu Meng leaves nothing out of this production; after demonstrating the Sil Nim Tao form each individual technique is broke down, explained, and then demonstrated in practical application.

Continue reading “Review – Ving Tsun Musuem’s Sil Nim Tao: The Foundation”
Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review – Sam Chan’s Wooden Dummy Instructor Course

It is a sad fact that as a fighting art is passed from teacher to student there is always a bit that is lost in the process; the result of this is a distorted representation of the original art. Sifu Sam Chan has seen this happen and he has taken great steps to preserve the traditional teachings of Wing Chun as he was taught them by Grandmasters Ip Chun and Ip Ching, the sons of the late Great Grandmaster Ip Man. In this video Sifu Chan has done an exceptional job in presenting the traditional teaching methods of Wing Chun in a plain and simple format.

Continue reading “Review – Sam Chan’s Wooden Dummy Instructor Course”
Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review – Sam Chan’s Chum Kiu Level Lesson Plans

Sifu Chan’s IWCMAA Chum Kiu Level Instructors Course focuses primarily on kicking drills and two handed Chi Sau techniques, although there are plenty of drills for improving your Wing Chun hands techniques as well. Like the Sil Lim Tao Level Instructor Series DVD, the Chum Kiu DVD is filmed on location at Sifu Chan’s Kung Fu School. Geared towards the aspiring instructor, this DVD is packed with drills that can be followed in sequence or mixed together to provide a variety of classroom instruction platforms. Like any other aspect of physical training, having an experienced coach to push you is an important prerequisite to achieving your personal best. Although nothing can replace in-person training, this DVD is a great opportunity for those students training in the distance learning course to see what training is like at Chan’s Kung Fu.

Continue reading “Review – Sam Chan’s Chum Kiu Level Lesson Plans”
Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review – Sam Chan’s Sil Lim Tao Level Lesson Plans

This video, filmed on location at Chan’s Kung Fu School in Michigan, is geared towards aspiring Wing Chun instructors. The IWCMAA Sil Lim Tao Level Instructor Series DVD is packed with drills and practical applications based primarily on hand techniques and the beginning stages of Wing Chun training. Sifu Chan provides a 10-part lesson plan that covers all of the basic skill requirements for the Sil Lim Tao level of training. Sifu Chan’s careful demonstration of these techniques, from a variety of angles, gives the new instructor a solid basis and understanding of this critical Wing Chun form. Distance learners will appreciate the on-location filming, giving them a true sense of training with Sifu Chan.

Continue reading “Review – Sam Chan’s Sil Lim Tao Level Lesson Plans”
Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review of Sam Chan’s Chum Kiu DVD

This is by far my favorite and definitely one of Sifu Sam Chan’s finest works yet on the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. In this volume all of the core movements of Wing Chun are covered in great detail. From basic punching, kicking and footwork to Chi Sau drills and training on the wooden dummy, nothing was held back when making this video. The Chum Kiu form is personally demonstrated by Sifu Chan himself and the Chi Sau segments feature Sifu Chan and his advanced level instructors. How Sifu Chan was able to put so much info into one fifty minute video is beyond me. I highly recommend this video for students at all levels of skill in the fighting art of Wing Chun.

Continue reading “Review of Sam Chan’s Chum Kiu DVD”
Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review – Sam Chan’s Bak Jom Dao DVD

Bak Jom Dao (Eight Chopping Swords) is the most advanced form and highest level in Wing Chun. For many years this form was held in reserve as a secret weapon of the Wing Chun Clan. In modern times it is still held in high regard. Even the most famous Wing Chun Sifu of all time, Great Grandmaster Ip Man, only taught this form to a few select disciples. We are very fortunate that both of his sons, Ip Chun and Ip Ching, were part of that select few. It is through these two men that Master Sam Chan learned to use the deadly double swords of Wing Chun.

Continue reading “Review – Sam Chan’s Bak Jom Dao DVD”
Categories
Product Reviews (Customer)

Review – Sam Chan’s Lok Dim Boon Gwan DVD

Traditional Wing Chun training will involve learning to use two special weapons — the Lok Dim Boon Gwan (Six and a Half Point Pole) and the Bak Jom Dao (Eight Chopping Swords). As with everything in Wing Chun, there is definite thought and reasoning behind training with these particular weapons. The pole is a single, long weapon and the swords are double, short weapons. Thus, as you train with each weapon, you are learning alternate movements, theories, and applications that can be applied with to a variety of other weapons without having to spend the additional time training. In the IWCMAA the long pole is taught at the 5th Level of training just after the Wooden Dummy.

Continue reading “Review – Sam Chan’s Lok Dim Boon Gwan DVD”