Enjoy the Wing Tsun Moment

As a Wing Tsun practitioner, I am learning to enjoy the Wing Tsun moment.
What does this mean you might ask? It starts with being relaxed. You will not be able to enjoy the moment if you are tense. I imagine being like a sponge.I keep my limbs soft so that my opponent does not feel undue force but like a sponge, I am springy with energy. My limbs are alert so that I can take advantage of a “hole” that I may find in my opponent’s structure as we spar. I wait for the moment where my opponent makes a mistake: mis-directs his force, stiffens up, or structure falls apart. I absorb, re-direct my opponent’s energy and come back with an offense to devastate. This all happens in a split second, and it is a moment to enjoy.

WTK Outdoor Reactions Man Sau Module

Our WTK members have access to our private WTK Curriculum site where they can view our curriculum, forms, drills and modules.  Our WTK modules are organized to allow for graduated learning of fundamentals, building upon each module to advanced sensitivity. Your first goal is to demonstrate the form of each reaction in the module. Practice the form alone prior to working cooperatively to ensure an understanding of the structure and balance that is necessary. Cooperative form is the next goal, but always keeping your structure intact. Solo as well as cooperative repetition will result in greater sensitivity.

05 – WTK Outdoor Reactions Man Sau Module Objectives:
1. Learn to punch and circle step with balance and stability.
2. Learn to yield to a greater incoming force down the centerline.
3. Drill reactions from a bridged then unbridged attack.

Be Safe, Be Aware

Be Safe, Be Aware

be-aware-be-safe

With the start of the new academic year and students starting and returning to classes, safety on and around Campus is a real concern among students and parents. Helping people be safe is a primary goal of our Chicago-based self-defense and martial arts organization, Wing Tsun Kwoon https://wingtsunkwoon.com/. This year we have developed a new program entitled, “Be Safe, Be Aware” to provide women with essential information on being safe in their surroundings and physical knowledge on how to deal with potentially aggressive situations.

Our self-defense/martial arts program is unique because we focus our self-defense program on simple effective movements that one can apply quickly. We know that if a movement too complicated to perform with the appropriate timing, it is not realistic to use in any situation.  In addition to the physical aspects of our program, we also talk about one’s innate mental aptitude to be safe and how to use this as a guide on potentially threatening situations. Over the past few years, we have taught women ranging in age from twenty to over sixty.  Each of our instructors have over fifteen years of experience in martial arts.

On October 15th, we will be hosting a 2 hour class (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM) at Wing Tsun Kwoon, located at 820 N. Orleans (River North).  The cost is: $15.00 when registered by October 12th and $20.00 when registered after October 12th. Click on the link below to register.

Be Safe, Be Aware

Self Awareness in Self Defense

I have written about the concept of “being aware” in self-defense and it is certainly a topic worth blogging about again.The more I learn about different self-defense moves in Wing Tsun and other martial arts, my observation is that the most simple moves that you can execute in no more than a second are the only moves you will remember in a threatening situation. In your arsenal of efficient and effective self-defense moves, choose what you are most confident in doing but repeat the moves over and over and over until it gets in your DNA and become automatic. In your process of learning, you will become stronger and be able to synchronize your moves. In a threatening situation, use your nerves of steel, assert yourself by executing your moves with all your might, and finish off your aggressor!

Here are the key concepts one more time!

S – imple to do
E – fficient to implement
L – earn
F – inish off your aggressor

A – utomatic
W – ing Tsun
A – ssert yourself
R- epeat, repeat, repeat
E – ffective
N- erves of steel
E – xecute with all your might
S- nchronize your moves
S -trength

The Human Connection in Wing Tsun

 

Wing Tsun practitioners tend to be livelong learners of this martial arts because it is more than the technical skills that one learns. There are psychosocial, emotional, and intellectual benefits of Wing Tsun that separates it from other martial arts.

I have found that camaraderie is a wonderful and essential benefit in training with partners. In Wing Tsun training, my goal in working with my partner is to train better and help each other become better practitioners. We are both responsible for how we perform. Although not quite like “Dancing with the Stars,” the more the both of us listen to each other’s moves, the more we can become fluent in the language of Wing Tsun.

On the other hand, doing solo Wing Tsun forms is very meditative and is equally beneficial to my growth. As individuals, we all need ways to help us relax from the stresses of the day. For example, I can close my eyes and focus on my breathing while practicing my Siu Nim Tau form slowly. Doing the form methodologically allows me to articulate each move with greater clarity and best of all, feel my blood pressure slowly coming down. Peace!