WCI Review - Phil Romero - 5 Elements of Combat

After the countless hours, days, weeks, months and years of training, it all comes down to that crucial moment when the practitioner becomes a fighter. And even then, there is always more training to be invested into to prepare for that would-be confrontation with a calm and controlled mind and body. Sifu Phil Romero's filmed seminar looks into the physiological, neurological and psychological elements of what is required of, and involved in, the practitioner's training of "Internal Power," to prepare for the domestic and/or sanctioned confrontation.

In its 52 minute runtime, Romero addresses fundamental points to bridge the gap between practice and power. The audio quality isn't optimal, and may find the viewer rewinding to catch the missed dialogue.

With the standard opening statements out of the way, along with an expansion on some Chinese martial arts history, Romero immediately addresses some popular misconceptions that the training environment may cultivate versus the reality of combat. He addresses the universal behavioural and physiological responses that one will be subjected to outside of the controlled environment of one's practice facility in the point-by-point form of how one's body moves.

Mostly, the presentation is lecture-oriented rather than demonstration or interaction-oriented until about halfway through the video where traditional Chinese martial arts exercises of Hei Gung ("Breathing Work") and Chi Kung ("Energy Work") are introduced, to stimulate the body and mind to develop one's "Internal Power". This is followed up with an overview of the Yin/Yang components, pressure points and Chin Na ("Joint Locking").

Demonstrations are brief, with more of a focus on action and reaction engagements rather than breaking down the structures, concepts and their system origins, opting more for a live play with audience members instead of the standard platform of step-by-step drilling toward application. Each demonstration has the participation of different audience members where Sifu Romero pits himself against a variety of attacks and body types, which seem effortless to the untrained eye, but evidence that he has tapped into himself and his resource pool, cultivating them with great calm and control.

Although this video's title addresses "combat" in its title, it looks more at the intrinsic elements that would interest those looking to cultivate more "Internal Power" and an understanding of the body. A little disjointed in presentation with the "5 Elements" perhaps not being obvious to the viewer as this video is an excerpt from a whole lecture presentation.

For those who train under Sifu Romero, and those who have experience outside of his tutelage with Internal training, this offering will be of interest as an example of awakening the potential within, with great control, adaptability and efficacy. The underlying message of the method, as is consistent with the parable oriented platform that traditional Chinese martial arts presents concepts and lessons with, confronts the greatest opponent that everyone faces in their Wing Chun and martial arts journey—oneself.

Phil Romero - 5 Elements of Combat
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 52 min.
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