Written by the author: This guide is written by Sifu Kendra Mahon (Kung Fu Kendra), who wrote this book. It describes what the book covers and who it suits. It is not an independent review.
At a glance
- Series: The Way of Wing Chun, Book 7
- Length: About 50 pages
- Formats: Kindle and paperback
- Best for: Dummy students of any lineage, coaches, and readers who want to handle feedback better
- Not for: Anyone looking for a movement-by-movement dummy form guide
What the book covers
Twenty-one chapters in five parts. The first describes the dummy’s design and mounting, the legend of the hall of wooden men, and the story of the wall-mounted dummy in Hong Kong. The second, the heart of the book, covers honest feedback, ego, the dummy as a fixed point, self-correction and mistakes as information. The third looks at angle and position, the blind side, conditioning and power against resistance. The fourth covers the dummy form itself in general terms, including rhythm and sound, Ip Man’s 1972 film, and the move from dummy to live partner. The last part applies the dummy’s lessons to daily life. A glossary is included.
Who it suits
- Students starting the dummy who find it frustrating and want to understand what it is trying to show them.
- Long-time dummy practitioners of any lineage who want language for what the wood has been teaching them.
- Instructors and senior students thinking about how to give feedback that is honest and kind.
- Readers who have never trained and want to get better at receiving and giving honest feedback.
How to read it alongside training
Read the chapters in Part Two slowly, and after each dummy session note one collision, hollow sound or awkward step and what caused it. The chapter on rhythm and sound is a good prompt to train with your ears as well as your arms. The chapter on conditioning stresses building up gradually, which is worth following. Balance dummy time with chi sau, as the book recommends: the dummy prepares, the live partner tests. The book does not teach the form, so learn the sequence and its details from your teacher.
A short excerpt
“Stand before the wood. Make contact. Listen to what it tells you. Correct, and try again.”
Where to get it
The Philosophy of the Muk Yan Jong: The Honest Partner and the Art of Self-Correction is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback: Kindle and paperback. Find it on Goodreads under Kung Fu Kendra and Kendra Mahon, or read what students say on the Kung Fu Kendra reviews page. For other Wing Chun books, see our guide to Wing Chun books.
About the author
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, has trained since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash). She teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung. She is the author of 13 books and counting, including the ten-book The Way of Wing Chun series.
Frequently asked questions
Does The Philosophy of the Muk Yan Jong teach the wooden dummy form?
No. It describes the dummy and its form in general terms and focuses on what dummy training teaches: honest feedback, self-correction, position and patience. The form itself should be learned from a qualified teacher.
Do I need a wooden dummy to get something from the book?
No. Its lessons about feedback, self-correction and patience apply to anyone, and its closing chapters are about finding honest partners in daily life.
Who wrote The Philosophy of the Muk Yan Jong?
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra. She has trained since 2005, holds Master level (purple sash), and teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung.
Where can I buy The Philosophy of the Muk Yan Jong?
On Amazon in Kindle and paperback. It is Book 7 of The Way of Wing Chun, and the books can be read in any order.