Scope of Martial Arts - General Introduction

The martial arts field encompasses the complete cultivation and development of the vast latent potentials of human beings, through its training process. VIKOGA is the training program used by ICAN - Worldwide to achieve this goal. Proper martial arts training does not indulge in mere methods of savagery and violence to overcome others. It has always been an ethical discipline, to nourish and nurture the mind and body of its followers. In that sense, it is the most unique pursuit in personal empowerment throughout the ages and still remains a most exciting personal pathway to greater fulfilment.

Origin and Background of Martial Arts - A Brief Overview

Almost every race and culture has its share of martial arts legacy but in the Orient, especially in China, martial arts seem to be the most prolific and versatile in the world. Historically, martial arts evolved through sheer survival necessity, because in the past, personal and community safety relied on the physical prowess of the protectors against outside predators. Many ancient societies had their warrior classes, who were well trained in the arts of personal fighting both with and without weapons. Over time the study and evolution of these martial arts became more and more sophisticated and systematised. The differences in culture, religion, environmental terrain, climate and scientific advancements led to the current diversity in all traditional arts. There are many systems, styles and schools and everyone has its merits. Generally, martial arts employ hand strikes, leg kicks, tripping, throwing, grappling and pinning. All martial arts have varying combinations of these four classes of human combat methods.

Nature & Philosophy of VIKOGA

Part of ICAN's mission is to provide the most effective opportunity for you to actualise your complete latent potentials through a proper course of learning, in the martial arts discipline. Therefore, VIKOGA does not limit itself to any particular style or school but instead provides an ever evolving program of learning. VIKOGA lays emphasis on the functionality of the martial arts rather than rigidly clinging to outmoded dogmas and practices, hence its programs are geared towards being efficient, practical, user-friendly and continuously improving. ICAN - Worldwide, or any affiliated schools that use/teach according to VIKOGA's programs is said to be teaching VIKOGA Kungfu.

ICAN - Worldwide promotes a Competency-Based Learning Program and this is one of the uniqueness of the VIKOGA Program. This Competency-Based Learning Program focuses on the functionality & objectives of the individual learning process. The defined goals will determine the nature, type, frequency and standard of learning necessary to achieve these goals. Therefore, the emphasis of this program is on customising individual learning preferences and providing only material relevant to the learner's goals. Right now, the VIKOGA Program has been specially designed to be one of the fastest, easiest, least expensive, safest and highly potent ways to acquire power and prowess in the internal martial arts.

Using a set of objective criteria, VIKOGA has specifically selected the unique Chinese martial art of Vingtzun (Wing-Chun) Gungfu system a suitable entry point to the program. Vingtzun Gungfu is conceivably the only Chinese martial art recognised to be founded by a woman. It is probably one of the most popular Chinese Martial Art in the world after Tai-Chi. Vingtzun is renowned for its simplicity, directness, economy of movements and immense practicality. In many ways it is an ideal martial art and is suitable for busy people in our world today. Many people assume incorrectly that there is only one school of Vingtzun. Actually, there are various schools of Vingtzun with different content and emphases. Even veteran practising masters coming from the same lineage exhibit distinctive individual differences. For example in Hong Kong, Grandmaster Tsui Seung-Tin and the late Grandmaster Wong Shun-Leung who both trained under the same teacher, very clearly displayed differences in their approaches to Vingtzun Gungfu. This is the result of different levels of experience, understanding and personality differences.

Against this backdrop, VIKOGA also needed to reengineer this system using the latest methodologies into a comprehensive and wholistic approach to make it easier for contemporary students to learn and assimilate. Also, there are within VIKOGA elements belonging to some other reputable martial arts styles and systems. This is expected and understandable as these elements contribute to developing the individual to his optimum and there are many outstanding elements in other martial arts styles and systems worth learning. It would be unfair to deny obvious benefits of these to you, the student, by rigidly and unrealistically sticking to one style or system. Since human creativity knows no bounds and is ever evolving, the VIKOGA Program is never static. It will not only continuously improve on its contents but also its learning process. The philosophy that drives the improvement process of most martial arts is the traditional oriental philosophy. VIKOGA is no different in this respect. The traditional oriental philosophy is a working instrument which has stood the test of time and its enduring relevance to martial arts and self-improvement makes it an indispensable factor in the vast martial arts field.

The main underlying principles and concepts involved in this philosophy include -
* The Universal First Motive Force - known as Qi (also spelled as Ch'i). * The Yin-Yang Model - the First Universal Bipolar Paradox. * The Pentaphasic Homeostasis Model - the 5-Transformative Universal Principle. * The Pakua System - the Octal-Hexagrammatic Table of Concordance in All Changes. * The Celestial Stems & Terrestrial Branches System of Correspondence. * Classical Systems of Strategy. * Traditional Chinese Medical System. * Ancient Practical Cosmic Worldview and Applications. * Practical Ancient & Contemporary Philosophies. * Aspects of Fuzzy Logic, Theory of Chaos & Complexity, Bio-electromagnetism, Scientific Finer Forces, Total Quality Management, to name a few.
This philosophy is a universal template adopted and used by VIKOGA Kungfu. It is also a comprehensive paradigm & a flexible living metaphor. Its sole purpose is to enhance and enrich your life by actualising your latent potentials. It can also help you to manage your life in the most enjoyable, healthy and happy manner. Thus, VIKOGA is more than an internal martial arts program. It is a superb bodymind program and a working philosophy which meets the demands of living in our world today. Its essential nature lies in the harmonious resolution of all conflicts. Conflicts ranging from emotional stress, mental strain or anguish, to sudden, severe and savage physical confrontation, as in a fight.
The VIKOGA Program * It has a structure called the Overall System Architecture (OSA). * It is evolutive, pluralistic and inter-disciplinary. * It aims towards a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based standard. * It is collaborative in nature with all learners. * It is an open nonpolitical system. * Its purpose is to actualise the individual's potential fully. * It has a philosophy of benevolence, compassion and humanity. * It is in harmony with Nature. * It is scientific. * It is continuously improving and breaking through. * Its workings concur with military strategy. * Its skillware is based on conservation of life and energy. * It adopts and re-engineers proven systems. * It has an internal alchemy system of practice. * It follows proven natural health and healing principles and practices. Unique attributes of VIKOGA 1. Movement alignment with the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes. 2. Mind Projection of the conical, spherical and cubic shapes - the G-Force. 3. Integral and concurrent movement executions. 4. Power involvement of the waist, hip and the back. 5. Intelligent tactical manoeuvres. General Reference - Reid, H&M. Groucher. The Way of the Warrior. Century Publishing 1983.