Historic Wing Chun Training
Today I was at a martial arts shop that had a great chat all things martial arts. I remember early on in my wing chun training that I would go there and marvel at the weapons, the training tools like the punching pads and the wing chun wooden dummy. We where talking about Ip Man 2 the movie about the legendary wing chun grandmaster. Without doubt the most influential man in the last century when it comes to wing chun. When he opened the doors in to his school on Hong Kong to his students he set the path that would lead his students to eventually take it to the world. Most notably of these students was Bruce Lee. But there where others like William Cheung and Wong Shong Leung.
We also got talking that previous this moment traditional wing chun or any kung fu training was a practice that was taught under very harsh conditions. In its most extreme case if you have seen Uma Thurman’s training routine in Kill Bill 2 you will know what I mean. The training was harsh and long and very little was taught at the initial stages. This tests the stamina dedication and discipline of the student.. remember also Danny Laruso fro the Karate Kid.
It I very feasible that the only thing you will learn in your first year could be a basic form. It is really since it has been introduced to the impatient western society that kung fu training styles where designed for quick lessons and quick adaption Now don’t get me wrong the training standards still need to be high and you must apply yourself.
Be grateful that not only we have access to this training- it is no secret that the old school kung fu community where livid when Bruce Lee started teaching this stuff to westerners. Be grateful that the teaching methods have became advanced through time and more modern so you can pick up your kung fu style in the most efficient of time.
