| In order to learn Wing Chun, it is important | | | | about how to position your body and how to |
| to understand the history behind it. There | | | | refine your movements to their best |
| are many versions of how Wing Chun came into | | | | advantage, mostly getting in close to your |
| being. Some say it was started by Ng Mui, a | | | | attacker. In Wing Chun the principal of the |
| Buddhist nun who developed it over 300 years | | | | closest point between two points is a |
| ago in southern China and named it after her | | | | straight line holds true. Wing Chun is |
| student, Yim Wing Chun. While others believe | | | | generally used for defense rather than attack |
| it was started by a Shoalin monk in the early | | | | and when first developed strikes were meant |
| to mid 1700s. | | | | to be fatal and pointed at areas such as the |
| | | | throat, eyes and stomach. Many countries have |
| Wing Chun was almost unheard of anywhere else | | | | their elite military personal learn Wing |
| but China until 1950 when Grandmaster Yip Man | | | | Chun, not only for self-defense but also for |
| began teaching in Hong Kong and his students | | | | the quiet execution of the movements in |
| grew in number. One on these students was the | | | | arm-to-arm combat. |
| late Bruce Lee who became a master of the | | | | |
| form and used Wing Chun as the basis for Jeet | | | | It does not take long to learn Wing Chun, in |
| Kune Do or the Way of the Intercepting Fist, | | | | fact it is quicker than most other forms and |
| the style of martial arts he used in his | | | | you can learn to defend yourself in a fairly |
| ever-popular movies. I can still remember | | | | shot period of time, but true of all martial |
| being enthralled by Fists of Fury and Enter | | | | arts you can practice it for the rest of your |
| the Dragon with Bruce Lee using amazing | | | | life. When you learn wing Chun you also gain |
| skills of balance, graceful and agile | | | | health benefits as the meditative side of |
| movements and lightening fast strikes. His | | | | Wing Chun is a great stress reliever as Wing |
| movies captivated a whole generation and | | | | Chun is also about using your mind, learning |
| encouraged many to study a martial art in one | | | | to control impulses, relax into the movement |
| form or another. | | | | and sense your balance, strength and power. |
| | | | As your fitness levels improve so to does |
| I believe many women learn Wing Chun because | | | | your overall health. |
| of its simple form, relying on position, the | | | | |
| use of energy and angles rather than size and | | | | Whether you learn Wing Chun for self-defense, |
| power. With short explosive blows by the hand | | | | sport or simply as an exercise and meditation |
| and very low kicks, people of small stature | | | | tool it will be a valuable asset for the rest |
| find learning Wing Chun a remarkable form of | | | | of your life. |
| self-defense. You can be effective without | | | | |
| any massive strength at all. You actually | | | | Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. |
| learn to use your attackers strength against | | | | He covers themixed martial arts industry. |
| them. When you learn Wing Chun, you will gain | | | | For a free report on Shaolin Kung Fu Training |
| better balance and speed, you will learn | | | | visit his blog. |