Smart Wing Chun Kung Fu
Association
Club History
Myself and Frank both started training in the early seventies, under Instructor Peter Pete, in a run down building in Clacton. We worked our way through the modified system of wing chun, up to the instructors grade. When we had learnt all we could from Peter, he told us we should then train under master Derek Jones, which we did. We worked our way up through the traditional system, testing our art out in other clubs along the way. We were also the first students to undertake the 100 days iron palm training. During our time with Derek, we were also the first students to start teaching his system.
Wing Chun is the name of a martial art system developed approximately 300 years ago in southern China. Its creator, the Buddhist nun Ng Mui, was a master of Shaolin Kung Fu and used this knowledge to construct a way to take advantage of the weaknesses in the Shaolin systems. This new-found art was well-guarded and passed on to very enthusiastic students. Ng Mui's first student was a woman named Yim Wing Chun.
More recently, in the seventies, Yip Man's name became well known as the man who educated the legendary martial arts star Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee, who trained primarily in Wing Chun but also some other arts, integrated some of its techniques and ideas into his own Jeet Kune Do. He became a legend on the screen due to his explosive ability. His fame led to worldwide interest in Wing Chun.
Wing Chun is a style of kung fu that emphasizes close quarter combat, tight defence and quick footwork to overcome your opponent. When we block, we simultaneously strike and redirect the opponent's energy to our advantage. Wing Chun is a proficient form of martial art, an effective, sleek and highly simplified combat art; with only five unarmed forms within the style. Relaxation is also a main factor when learning and using this art.
Wing Chun will greatly improve the performance of your cardiovascular system, coordination, reaction speed, concentration, physical strength and help tone your muscles. Understanding of the physical mechanics of the human body one can gain the advantage of your opponent's weight in a non-telegraphic motion. By relaxing your body and staying with the motion, there by attaining a state of pure non-resistance with others, you can counterbalance the attack and apply a choice of methods of grappling, trapping, takedowns etc,.
A foundation of Wing Chun is the protection of your body's centre line. Imagine a line that starts in the middle on top of your head and travels along the middle of your chest to the lower body. Use movement efficiently and wisely. The idea here is that your body should travel the shortest distance in a least amount of time to connect with an opponent. Keep your body relaxed and you will be more at ease. Be ready to adjust your fighting to suit the surroundings.
Alertness - Fitness - Self-belief these three qualities will be more valuable in avoiding violence then any specific techniques for dealing with it.
Grandmaster William Cheung and Master Frank Roach
Grandmaster William Cheung and Master Mark Clark
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