Review of Sam Chan's Lok Dim Boon Gwan DVD

Date: May 18, 2016

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Review: IWCMAA Ip Man Wing Chun Series: Lok Dim Boon Gwan
By: Todd Taganashi

DVD Bought on: Everything Wing Chun : http://www.everythingwingchun.com/sam-chan-wing-chun-dvds-books-s/40.htm
This DVD is also on Everything Wing Chun Instant Access

Quick Review:

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.

Like all the other forms in Wing Chun, the Lok Dim Boon Gwan (Six and a Half Point Pole) looks deceptively simple but the underlining principles are devastating when applied in combat. Sifu Chan does an excellent job of demonstrating the long pole form in a simple and direct manner as is his usual teaching style. Multiple camera angles along with regular and slow speed film give the student a clear understanding of the proper positioning of each technique. Sifu Chan also includes basic wrist strengthening exercises and plenty of drills to improve individual technique, both so important in mastery of the long pole. The film concludes with practical applications using the long pole against a variety of weapons, from the broadsword to the butterfly knifes, as Sifu Chan demonstrates the Lok Dim Boon Kwan maxim -- "The pole should only make one sound." Overall this is a great video for students at the intermediate and advanced levels of Wing Chun training.

Technical Review:

DVD Length: 25 Minutes
Display: NTSC
Region: 0
Type: DVD
Language: English (No Subtitles)
Video Quality: High (Professional Production)
Audio Quality: High (Professional Production)

Content Review:

1. Introduction

2. Proper Stances

Horse Stance
Cat Stance

3. Warm-up Exercises

Stepping Thrust Punch

4. Basic Pole Exercises

Wrist Strength Exercises
Upper Body Strength Exercises

5. Basic Pole Techniques

Proper Grip
Biu Gwan
Dan Gwan & Til Gwan
Soo Gwan & Sheung Lan
Stepping Soo Gwan & Sheung Lan
Kom Gwan and Soo Gwan

6. Lok Dim Boon Gwan Form Demonstrated by Sifu Chan (Normal Speed)

7. Lok Dim Boon Gwan Form (Side View Slow Speed)

8. Lok Dim Boon Gwan Form (Front View Slow Speed)

9. Lok Dim Boon Gwan (Section by Section; Regular Speed and Slow Speed)
The Lok Dim Boon Gwan form (Six and a Half Point Pole) as taught by Sifu Chan and the International Wing Chun Martial Arts Association (IWCMAA) is divided into seven sections to aid the student in learning.