Simplicity and Relaxation Become a Dangerous Weapon

Even Bruce Lee had to start from somewhere, right? He underwent extensive training, a disciplined education, and rigid instruction in martial arts in order to become one of the greatest. What then did Bruce Lee study that allowed him such a fantastic understanding of martial arts? From the formative ages of 13 years through 18 years, Bruce Lee studied the beautiful yet highly dangerous art of Wing Chun.

A form of Kung Fu, Wing Chun is a relatively easy to learn method of close quarters combat. The style of Wing Chun focuses upon simplicity and relaxation. The underlying philosophy preaches the economy of motion and directness of action. There are few, if any, large and elaborate "moves" in Wing Chun. The idea is to effectively defend oneself and to do so with quick strikes intended to end the altercation as fast as possible.

If it is so effective, why then is it rather obscure in terms of it being publicly recognized?

Paul March, one of the trainers at Boise's "Wing Chun Kung Fu Council", likens the art to soccer.

"Wing Chun is like Soccer in America. People know about it, but not that many people participate in it. Everywhere else around the world, like Europe and Asia soccer is huge. And in martial arts, so is Wing Chun," March said.

Paul was trained in the lineage of Ip Man, one of Wing Chun's most influential fathers. Ip Man was the teacher and trainer of Bruce Lee during his few years of Wing Chun tutelage.

"Wing Chun teaches relaxation. A punch is much more effective if you're not all tense when you throw it. If your fist is clenched, your biceps and triceps flexed, and your whole body clenched, that's a lot of energy being used and you haven't even done anything. A punch that is thrown while relaxed will have much more energy behind it," March said.

Relaxation is just one way in which Wing Chun differs from many other forms of martial arts. The concept of "attacking the attack" is one of the core principles of the Wing Chun style.

"Attacking the attack is when someone throws a punch at you, and while you block the punch, you do so in a way that will both block and hurt the person. It also helps you to get into a control position" March said as he demonstrated the concept on one of his brave students. The master and the disciple stood face to face. With a quick step and a flash of a fist, the student attempted to strike Paul near the throat. Recognizing the attack, Paul "attacked the attack", and with a loud Slap! March forcefully blocked the punch and quickly had his other fist directly in front of the student's rapidly blinking right eye.

It may have seemed violent, but, both had been training for a considerable time. The demonstration had been done many times before and both men knew what they were doing.

"We are not a militage camp. We do not make our students run laps or do push-ups. Everyone knows how to do those things and they can do them on their own. People pay for lessons to learn how fight and to defend themselves" March said.


Written by Bob Beer. 

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Even Bruce Lee had to start from somewhere, right? He underwent extensive training, a disciplined education, and rigid instruction in martial arts in order to become one of the greatest. What then did Bruce Lee study that allowed him such a fantastic understanding of martial arts? From the formative ages of 13 years through 18 years, Bruce Lee studied the beautiful yet highly dangerous art of Wing Chun. A form of Kung Fu, Wing Chun is a relatively easy to learn method of close quarters combat. The style of Wing Chun focuses upon simplicity and relaxation. The underlying philosophy preaches the economy of motion and directness of action. There are few, if any, large and elaborate "moves" in Wing Chun. The idea is to effectively defend oneself and to do so with quick strikes intended to end the altercation as fast as possible. If it is so effective, why then is it rather obscure in terms of it being publicly recognized? Paul March, one of the trainers at Boise's "Wing Chun Kung Fu Council", likens the art to soccer. "Wing Chun is like Soccer in America. People know about it, but not that many people participate in it. Everywhere else around the world, like Europe and Asia soccer is huge. And in martial arts, so is Wing Chun," March said. Paul was trained in the lineage of Ip Man, one of Wing Chun's most influential fathers. Ip Man was the teacher and trainer of Bruce Lee during his few years of Wing Chun tutelage. "Wing Chun teaches relaxation. A punch is much more effective if you're not all tense when you throw it. If your fist is clenched, your biceps and triceps flexed, and your whole body clenched, that's a lot of energy being used and you haven't even done anything. A punch that is thrown while relaxed will have much more energy behind it," March said. Relaxation is just one way in which Wing Chun differs from many other forms of martial arts. The concept of "attacking the attack" is one of the core principles of the Wing Chun style. "Attacking the attack is when someone throws a punch at you, and while you block the punch, you do so in a way that will both block and hurt the person. It also helps you to get into a control position" March said as he demonstrated the concept on one of his brave students. The master and the disciple stood face to face. With a quick step and a flash of a fist, the student attempted to strike Paul near the throat. Recognizing the attack, Paul "attacked the attack", and with a loud Slap! March forcefully blocked the punch and quickly had his other fist directly in front of the student's rapidly blinking right eye. It may have seemed violent, but, both had been training for a considerable time. The demonstration had been done many times before and both men knew what they were doing. "We are not a militage camp. We do not make our students run laps or do push-ups. Everyone knows how to do those things and they can do them on their own. People pay for lessons to learn how fight and to defend themselves" March said. Written by Bob Beer.