First things first, lets be 100% clear. I am not a Sifu, I don’t pretend to be, I’m a student of Wing Chun. I have trained for long enough to have some insight into Wing Chun, and really welcome the opportunity to have an open discussion about the various techniques and principles in the system. Over time I’ll be putting up pictures and videos demonstrating some of the different ways I have encountered of performing the same techniques, and hope to gain further insight into Wing Chun’s history and development.
I was drawn to Wing Chun, almost by chance. Having no idea what it was or how it compared to other styles of Kung Fu, I saw an add in the students handbook, when I started university in Bournemouth, and gave the instructor a call.
After a short conversation, he invited me to come along to a class. As I entered I remember seeing about 25 people, both men and women preparing for training.
In the distance I could see two students rolling their arms together. Obviously I know now, they were practicing Chi Sau, but then I had no idea. I was fascinated.
I attended every class I could, training with the main school twice a week, private lessons at the weekend, and after a short while the advanced class as well.
I trained so much that I failed my University course, but I don’t regret it for a moment because Wing Chun has brought me so much more, and I have since returned to complete an alternative degree.
Since then I have trained at a number of Schools around the UK, including the East Anglia Wing Chun Athletic under Sifu Brian Desir and more recently Kamon Wing Chun, training directly with Sifu Manvir Juttlar and on occasion with Sifu Kevin Chan where I explored some of the most progressive Wing Chun I have studied.
After suffering a fairly major injury to my knee (not training related) I have been in and out of hospital and following surgery, and a long recovery, I have moved back to studying more traditional Wing Chun with a new School local to my work, the classes are small but focussed and I’m looking forward to taking my next step into the world of Wing Chun.
I’m thankful that I have had the opportunity to practice with a range of other styles and people and have a great respect for all of them.
To everyone I have ever trained with, thanks for adding to my insight about myself, and my Wing Chun.