WCI Review - Wayne Belonoha - Workshop 14: Soft Power

Another volume of the vast instructional video library of Sifu Wayne Belonoha takes centre stage in this 38-minute offering with a look at, "how (to) use Soft Power to defeat Hard Power, Muscular Power… that comes at you in a fight", opens the instructor. His virtual Kwoon opens his doors with a type of tutorial presentation that is well complemented with the sound production elements that includes pop-up windows containing the relevant subjects and terminology as well as breakdowns, "Skill Development" sections, and demonstrations aspiring to help one lighten the stress load of being mismatched with an opponent with physical advantages.

"How do we handle things that come in strong?" prefaces Sifu Belonoha, setting the subject tone and continues to elaborate in his articulate orations that use analogies to communicate messages with complementary examples. Addressing the off-screen student audience lends the presentation the feeling that he or she is present and participating in the lecture, with engaging questions to challenge perceptions of technical application. "Use relaxation and technique to generate a big effect", one of the pop-up windows echoes the approach to practising the system's fundamental first form and when beginning any new method of practice and drilling.

Now Sifu Belonoha introduces a training partner into the mix to set the standard of how to practise the subsequent exercises to avoid the potential of fighting force with force but, instead, using Yin and Yang concepts of absorbing a hard punch with a softened counter-technique. Structure, positioning and technical application of the body provide the essential constructs in the "Skill Development" breaks beginning with what may seem the most elementary but fundamental engagements of not only blocking but also learning to, "divert an incoming punch from its intended path using Soft Power." The student delivering the punches confirms that it seems no matter how much heft he employs that his Sifu seems to neutralise each one.

The linear lines of engagement then move forward by exploring the application of rotational mechanics within one's techniques through Bong Sau, Taan Sau, and other familiar actions that Wing Chun provides in its toolbox too, "flow someone out of position". The virtual classroom instructor reinforces this point of interest by literally and figuratively manipulating the interacting individual that has volunteered himself through the sensitivity of engagement.

Rarely in their instructional videos does one touch on and explore the concept of "Inch Power" that is native to Wing Chun and was popularised by the late Bruce Lee prior to more advanced items of discussion. "Use your whole body to create a multi-joint shock absorber to receive and redirect incoming force," pronounces another pop-up panel that both brings together the conceptual and physical topics explored in the cultivation of uniform application.

Summarised and packaged in an easy-to-follow, accessible and informative format for all levels of experience that imparts lessons that will lend themselves to review and refinement with the hopes of levelling the playing field of opposing parties.

Wayne Belonoha - Workshop 14: Soft Power
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 38 min.
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