On Friday, Sifu and I went to check out the site for the Sunday IAW Event in Bruchsal. It’s at a local school gymnasium.
I always get excited walking onto these indoor courts. Play is imminent and eminent. Brings me back to my fun pickup volleyball and junior varsity basketball days. In this case, let the WingChun games begin! Continue reading
I realized that I wanted to grow. I wanted to become better at something — to begin to develop a skill, and in the process, develop my mind and body.
— Nathan Wood
Nathan has impressed me with his respect, focus and diligence since the first time I met him in Atlanta. My sense of his potential was not wrong as he has grown into a key member of his WingChun community. Each time I see him, his effort as demonstrated through progress in performance is very satisfying. He displays many qualities of the ideal student, which will serve him well in the long-term.
Nathan at Spring Camp 2010.
Name: Nathan Wood
Graduation: 6th Student Level
Academy: Atlanta
Instructor: Sihing Ayron Johnson
Started: October 2008
Occupation: Attorney
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
How did you find WingChun?
I’ve been interested in martial arts since I was a kid, but I never turned that interest into action by joining a school. A friend of mine has trained in a few different styles, and in the last few years he encouraged me to find a style I liked and try it out. I thought it was a good idea, so I started looking at different types of martial arts online. Continue reading
Sunday was the official annual IAW Event for all members. Despite the nationally significant World Cup game with Germany versus England playing that afternoon, it was a good showing. Although from the cacophony that ensued after victory, perhaps even WingChun couldn’t drag hardcore soccer fans away from one of the many public screens. Black, red and gold streamed everywhere.
This was a gathering of WingChun people from throughout the whole organization. There were practitioners of all grades, from the First Student Level to the Master Degree, each excited to share a day of intensive practice together. Seven tough hours later, and seven long hours better, they were still going strong. Even one of the WingChun Tigers contingent, stayed until the end. Not bad for a six-year old.
I was happy to witness everyone engaged in continuous training, without making excuses about the heat or time. This kind of dedicated effort is the respected norm in the IAW. It was great to spend most of the day with Sije Nina, Sihing Marc and Sihing Tobias. We covered various Section, Lat Sao and Application ideas. Specifically, Section 1, 3, 4, 8 and 13, Lat Sao 1, 2, 3 and 5, and Application of Section 2, 3, 8, 13.
It all added up to an incalculable amount of inspiring insights. Continue reading
Sifu Paul Wang 