Wing Chun anyone done/do it

bakes0310

bakes0310

bakes0310

Soldato
Joined
22 Oct 2004
Posts
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Im really interested in doing this, especially the mention of ip man:D
But seriously has anyone do this, what do you think of it?
Heres there website:
http://www.somersetwingchun.com/
I really like the idea of training on thoes wooden dummies, and using the big long poles. Going by there website do you think that the instructor will be good?
Also by the looks of things they only do a class once a week (1hr30min class) in my area, is that enough to learn. I think you can book to do one on one sessions depending on how much it is im willing to do that.
 
Is the wooden dummy training right off? Obviously it differs from place to place, but I did wing chun for a couple of years and was allowed to practice on them only after passing 2 gradings. Took about 1 year, twice a week, student term time only. Could've done it earlier, but gradings were spread out etc. Might be worth checking out.

I enjoyed Wing Chun. More practical than some others. Very focused on close combat and pretty ineffective at range. The limited kicks etc. are also very short range. They teach you how to close the gap quickly, but if, for e.g., you're against someone equal in Tae Kwon Do etc, they would equally know how to extend that range.

The techniques etc. are fun as well. But like others, I would imagine it depends hugely on your teacher.
 
I think it depends on your intentions. If you're looking to learn self-defence, then IMO Wing Chun is ineffective because you're not sparring with real people like you would if you were learning at a BJJ or MMA place, which is really the only way to truly be competent when dealing with someone physically attacking you. Even when you're paired with real people in WC, you're doing that sticky hands thing which is basically pattycake.

Notice the complete lack of WC in MMA, and taking a step back further, why MMA quickly took over in UFC over single art purists. It can look impressive, mainly due to the speed, and Ip Man is pretty cool, but like any single art, especially a striking one, there's not much as far as defence goes from things like being wrestled to the ground, avoiding wide swinging punches, clinches e.t.c.

If you're looking for the more discipline/philosophical aspect of learning a single martial art though, then go for it.
 
Somnambulist said:
Notice the complete lack of WC in MMA
Click to expand...

To be fair this can be said about all the Chinese martial arts and can be expected to change if and when MMA becomes popular in China.

I agree with your argument however; if you're not sparring/rolling then I think any martial art will be of limited value for self-defence, there really is no substitute for training with resisting opponents.
 
I took up Wing Chun again 3 months ago after a long break form it, and am enjoying it a lot. No, it cannot be compared to MT, Boxing, MMA etc... on average it doesn't give you even a third of the level of toughness and conditioning that those things do. However, what it does give you is a good set of techniques to get yourself out of a tight spot against the average muggins, which you are then free to mix or follow up what you want (I like elbow and knees, but my teacher shakes his head every time I mention it) before legging it.

Not only that, but its really good for easing my RSI due to many of the forms movements basically working like anti-RSI stretches for the wrist etc.

As always, it depends on your teacher.If you are in the UK I highly recommend UK Wing Chun, as I was with them for a year a long time ago and they train with lots of hard pad work and sparring and discussing real-life situations http://www.ukwingchun.com/

It's a lot of fun and at least I don't walk into work with a black eye twice a week, would be a definite career ender. :)
 
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