Vajramusti
Master Black Belt
I am puzzled by parts of this thread. So rather than arguing I will make my statement and let it go. I have been doing wing chun regularly and consistently and daily since 1976 when I met my sifu Augustine Fong who learned from Ho Kam Ming who learned from Ip man for the longest period of time. I have done other martial arts- but wing chun is my main art -it has shaped my structure and my motions and I have used it effectively against other styles and in real self defense. I do not make a living with wing chun- just some pocket change.
But wing chun is my love. I adapt it to my needs without making a stew of it.
Wing chun takes time to learn- Ip man learned for about 8 years, Ho Kam Ming since the late 50s and Fong since 68- none of those three regarded wingchun as a collection of techniques. Because of Ip Man's skils many claim him as their ancestor- but only a few paid him well and learned from him consistently for a significant amount of time- seven years or more.
People developed an interest after getting small glimpses of the art. Most got stuck in techniques , jumbled things up and mixed wing chun with other things became glued to videos, youtube or the internet.
Good wing chun remains a rare art. Yes-wingchun develops fine skills. No- if learned well you don't forget these skills in action. NASCAR champions don't forget their fine driving skills.Ali developed fine jabbing skills- he kept Foreman and many others at bay with fine motor skills. So does a bull fighter.
But wing chun is my love. I adapt it to my needs without making a stew of it.
Wing chun takes time to learn- Ip man learned for about 8 years, Ho Kam Ming since the late 50s and Fong since 68- none of those three regarded wingchun as a collection of techniques. Because of Ip Man's skils many claim him as their ancestor- but only a few paid him well and learned from him consistently for a significant amount of time- seven years or more.
People developed an interest after getting small glimpses of the art. Most got stuck in techniques , jumbled things up and mixed wing chun with other things became glued to videos, youtube or the internet.
Good wing chun remains a rare art. Yes-wingchun develops fine skills. No- if learned well you don't forget these skills in action. NASCAR champions don't forget their fine driving skills.Ali developed fine jabbing skills- he kept Foreman and many others at bay with fine motor skills. So does a bull fighter.
. I do, admittedly, like to push buttons at times. I agree about the bickering and ethnocentrism displayed by Yong Chun people, but that's par for the course. Yong Chun people do tend to have more contact practice than most TCMA, which makes them at times overly confident and cocky. Overall though, the discussions here aren't anywhere near as hostile as on that other forum. Differing opinions are what drives a conversation, most here reign it in before it gets out of control and it really does promote alternate viewpoints successfully IMO. There will always be trolls that stir the pot, but no one should have to be agreeable on every topic just respectful. I try not to argue when I do post, but sometimes my judgement gets the better of me. I won't go to the length of validating my legitamacy with boastful stories and fight video's. I try to explain myself as clearly as possible, if anyone can't follow what I write, video certainly won't clairify it. I come here to read, write and respond to what interests me not politics and ego stroking. Any nugget of useful information that I can aquire that will further my understanding and practice is a bonus. Hopefully what I contribute is useful to some as well. We don't all have to agree all the time, or even like each other, just respect the opinion for what it is, an opinion.
