By Adam Williss
Bear with me for just a bit while I try to get you to consider a new way of looking at Wing Chun - an art that many consider to be old or classical. However, I hold firm that Wing Chun is anything but classical.
Please understand that there will be many of those that will disagree with what I'm about to state. In fact, many may rather me just keep my thoughts to myself. To these people. I offer no apologies.
Who will be able to give this short article a chance? Only those that can be open-minded enough to let go of their preconceived notions, if even for a short time. This article is targeted at those that won't allow themselves to be bound by confining limits. Whether those limits stem from noble purposes or not, isn't relevant. Just let go for just a minute and consider my take on Wing Chun - something that may help you to look at Wing Chun in a new light.
First and foremost...
Don't Think of Wing Chun as a Style.
Think of Wing Chun as a concept-based process of efficiency and simplification. Think of it as a guide that takes you through a never-ending pursuit of an ideal. When you put limits on Wing Chun you'll never see it for what it truly is. Go beyond the limits of systematizing and categorizing Wing Chun and allow yourself to think of it as a process of learning how to move your body scientifically while adhering to universal guiding principles.
Secondly...
Forget About the Idea of Wing Chun Techniques.
Recognizable techniques define other martial arts. Recognizable techniques aren't what defines Wing Chun. Wing Chun is its concepts and principles. In Wing Chun, unlike other martial arts, concepts are the reason behind its movements. Trying to define Wing Chun to techniques (as most styles define a martial art) limits the very essence of what Wing Chun attempts to free you from.
Next...
Wing Chun Can Look Like Anything.
Do away with what your idea of what Wing Chun should look like. Wing Chun doesn't need to be bound by a predefined shape. When you put limits on Wing Chun you'll never see it for what it truly is. Founded on principles from Taoist philosophy, Wing Chun's elusive nature reveals itself in many ways.
What's more...
There are No "Blocks" in Wing Chun.
Defensive movements usually aren't seen. Blocks are found in other martial arts, not Wing Chun. The best defense in Wing Chun is offense. Wing Chun's strikes flow through subtle defensive positions on their way to an attack. Movements move forward intercepting an opponent's energy and then deflect it while on the way to a strike.
Simply...
Free Your Mind From Any Fixed Ideas of Wing Chun.
Wing Chun is capable of extreme adaptability and pliability. It takes more of an esoteric philosophical approach to training founded in Taoist philosophical thought. The entire idea of Wing Chun is much more elusive and undefinable. To truly appreciate all that Wing Chun is, you must free yourself from the fixed ideas placed upon it.
Yet...
Wing Chun Does Have a General Strategy
Wing Chun practioners are generally pressure fighters. Wing Chun believes in moving forward at every chance, sticking to an opponent, seeking the opponent's center while simultaneously attacking and defending. Believing that offense is the best defense, a Wing Chun practitioner aims at putting the opponent on the defensive. The strategy holds to the belief that if your opponent is too busy defending, they won't have time to attack.
In conclusion...
Hopefully this article has given you a new take on an art that seems to constantly be labeled and filed under the wrong place. If nothing else, I hope you've been able to see how elusive an art like Wing Chun can be to define.
Adam Williss is the founder of The Dragon Institute. He was a 2010 inductee into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
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By Adam Williss
Bear with me for just a bit while I try to get you to consider a new way of looking at Wing Chun - an art that many consider to be old or classical. However, I hold firm that Wing Chun is anything but classical.
Please understand that there will be many of those that will disagree with what I'm about to state. In fact, many may rather me just keep my thoughts to myself. To these people. I offer no apologies.
Who will be able to give this short article a chance? Only those that can be open-minded enough to let go of their preconceived notions, if even for a short time. This article is targeted at those that won't allow themselves to be bound by confining limits. Whether those limits stem from noble purposes or not, isn't relevant. Just let go for just a minute and consider my take on Wing Chun - something that may help you to look at Wing Chun in a new light.
First and foremost...
Don't Think of Wing Chun as a Style.
Think of Wing Chun as a concept-based process of efficiency and simplification. Think of it as a guide that takes you through a never-ending pursuit of an ideal. When you put limits on Wing Chun you'll never see it for what it truly is. Go beyond the limits of systematizing and categorizing Wing Chun and allow yourself to think of it as a process of learning how to move your body scientifically while adhering to universal guiding principles.
Secondly...
Forget About the Idea of Wing Chun Techniques.
Recognizable techniques define other martial arts. Recognizable techniques aren't what defines Wing Chun. Wing Chun is its concepts and principles. In Wing Chun, unlike other martial arts, concepts are the reason behind its movements. Trying to define Wing Chun to techniques (as most styles define a martial art) limits the very essence of what Wing Chun attempts to free you from.
Next...
Wing Chun Can Look Like Anything.
Do away with what your idea of what Wing Chun should look like. Wing Chun doesn't need to be bound by a predefined shape. When you put limits on Wing Chun you'll never see it for what it truly is. Founded on principles from Taoist philosophy, Wing Chun's elusive nature reveals itself in many ways.
What's more...
There are No "Blocks" in Wing Chun.
Defensive movements usually aren't seen. Blocks are found in other martial arts, not Wing Chun. The best defense in Wing Chun is offense. Wing Chun's strikes flow through subtle defensive positions on their way to an attack. Movements move forward intercepting an opponent's energy and then deflect it while on the way to a strike.
Simply...
Free Your Mind From Any Fixed Ideas of Wing Chun.
Wing Chun is capable of extreme adaptability and pliability. It takes more of an esoteric philosophical approach to training founded in Taoist philosophical thought. The entire idea of Wing Chun is much more elusive and undefinable. To truly appreciate all that Wing Chun is, you must free yourself from the fixed ideas placed upon it.
Yet...
Wing Chun Does Have a General Strategy
Wing Chun practioners are generally pressure fighters. Wing Chun believes in moving forward at every chance, sticking to an opponent, seeking the opponent's center while simultaneously attacking and defending. Believing that offense is the best defense, a Wing Chun practitioner aims at putting the opponent on the defensive. The strategy holds to the belief that if your opponent is too busy defending, they won't have time to attack.
In conclusion...
Hopefully this article has given you a new take on an art that seems to constantly be labeled and filed under the wrong place. If nothing else, I hope you've been able to see how elusive an art like Wing Chun can be to define.
Adam Williss is the founder of The Dragon Institute. He was a 2010 inductee into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
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