The Choice of Training

Over the years I have been asked a very simple question: Why do you train Wing Chun vs. another martial art? After 30+ years of training a variety of methods, the answer is simple for me, while it might be a bit more difficult for others.

While I cannot answer for someone else, I can answer for myself, and for myself, that answer lies in a few simple reasons.

First, it is efficient. There are only five forms (three empty-hand forms, a wooden dummy, and two weapons), and they all adhere to being as efficient as possible. The art was created around the basis of efficiency in action, so you will not find extraneous movements, nor will you find the empty-hand concepts being vastly different from the weapons concepts. Learning the basics is applicable across the board.

Second, it is effective. In addition to the art being founded on efficiency, it is also based on realistic use vs. sport. In the time of its creation and development, it had one purpose: to provide full protection against the other methods of the time. In order to accomplish that, there could be no actions that did not have a true fighting purpose.

With efficiency and effectiveness, this is why Wing Chun is still just as useful today as it was in past generations, regardless of what other types of fighting methods come into existence or into the spotlight.

Third, it does not rely on youth, strength, or flexibility. Most methods require a certain base of strength and flexibility in order to perform the movements, with this fitness level needing to be maintained. While this is easily attainable in our youth, the simple act of growing older can severely limit our progress or actual use should we need to defend ourselves.

With Wing Chun, the reverse is true. As we grow older, we become more relaxed and pliable, which translates to faster responses. In turn, this relaxed explosion contributes to more hitting power, as well as a more relaxed defense even against younger or stronger opponents.

In short, the older we get, the better we get because we do not have to alter anything. Instead, age works with us vs. against us.

Combining these elements, we see an effective, efficient method of self-defense that stays with us forever. While it is a method that requires rigorous training (anything worthwhile does not come without effort), it is also something that is easily learned and a great deal of fun to work. It does not require hours of daily training just to maintain what we have learned, nor do we need a lot of room to perform, either.

Wing Chun is a simple, common sense method that can be as basic or complex as you want to take it. This is why so many around the world have found Wing Chun to be so enjoyable and an art that they can train in forever.