On Becoming WingChun

I am pleased to share a guest post by one of my students. Evan has been training for about a year and is currently preparing to test for the 5th Student Grade. I admire him for the consistency, attitude and intelligence he brings to our class. Read about his experience so far integrating the lessons of WingChun to his life in the new year.

— Sifu Paul Wang

 


 

On Becoming WingChun
by Evan Muzzall

As a WingChun practitioner entering intermediate levels of study, I have had moderate time to reflect on the significance of my training. I have started down the long, winding path to personal growth through “becoming” WingChun. There is no end to this road, no material rewards, and no easy answers. What it offers instead is the opportunity to “learn how to learn”, so to speak.

While the hundreds of thousands of arm and leg collisions have improved my capabilities for physical self-defense and altered the constitutions of my bones and muscles, they have also taught me an emotional intelligence that I would not have acquired anywhere else. Continue reading

Let’s Collide

Below is the most recent essay by my teacher, Sifu Klaus Brand, Grandmaster of the International Academy of WingChun (IAW).

In it, he reiterates the dynamism of IAW WingChun and narrates our way of training through the Student Levels (SL). You lay a robust foundation of primary techniques during the Basic Levels (1-4 SL), reinforce them in varied contexts during the Middle Levels (5-8 SL) and synergize their full application during the Upper levels (9-11 SL).

The path is thus paved for a WingChuner. One which is both challenging and clarified as you walk towards mastery with all your body, heart, mind and spirit. Each limb collision in class is an instant test of your cumulative knowledge, bravery and will. Over time — but only via sufficient frequency and intensity of practice — you earn the golden assurance of sovereign skill. Continue reading

My Headquarters Visit 2011, Part 4

WingChun Escrima Wooden Dummy

Self-Defense with WingChun and Escrima.

Continued from Part 3.

It’s been a week. And quite the week!

I wrapped it up with five more Private Lessons, an Escrima Class, a Regular Class in Bruchsal and another in Karlsruhe tonight. All just over the last few days after the IAW Event.

Does the training madness ever stop? Gladly, not. This is a good thing. Let’s call it a healthy obsession. An illness of wellness. I have been incurably addicted for a while. Sorry if you caught the bug from me! Continue reading

Does Your Footwork Work

Still standing strong.

WingChun footwork is equally important and misunderstood. So I decided to begin another four-part series to shed light on this intriguing topic.

The following are some ideas I’ve heard over the years. Do you believe:

  • The feet have to be parallel.
  • The feet should stand in one line.
  • The front leg pulls the back leg forwards.
  • The knees must press inwards.
  • The pelvis has to be tucked under.

I don’t. Strictly adhering to the above doesn’t feel comfortable, let alone compatible with Self-Defense, to me. Continue reading