Beginner to Advanced Instructor: Growth of a Student of Wing Chun

During childhood, it was common for my household to consist only of my mother and myself. As my father profession in the military had in all over the world. My father was concerned about me and my mothers safety. In the event that my family was under attack. He wanted to ensure that I was capable of protecting myself as well as my mother in his absence. As a result, at 10 years old when he started searching Hillsborough County, Florida for a realisitc martial arts academy. In hopes to find a martial artist that showed prowess to drop and subdue an opponent. As well as the ability, passion and capability to pass this ability on.

My search finally ended when my father came across Sifu Och’s Wing Chun class. This was taking place in Lakeland, Florida, at the time. My journey of being a student of Wing Chun had just begun.

After my mother rained a barrage of emails and phone calls down on Sifu Och. Asking a multitude of questions for my Military father.

I finally participated in my first class in August 2007. At that moment, I was introduced to one of the most influential individuals in my life.

During my first few days of class, Sifu Och taught me two ways to deal with a writst grab. During that time he also taught me three basic wing chun blocks, to stop three various levels of punches.

When I saw my father at the end of the week he asked me “So what did you learn?”. He then requested that I demonstrate the techniques we had discussed, and from that moment on, everything was settled. I officially enrolled as a student under Sifu Och.

By the time I earned my orange sash, only two other students and I remained in the kids’ class. Finding parents and children with the discipline and dedication to realistic training became difficult. So with few young teens attending, we were merged in with the adult classes. At 12 years old, I was the youngest of the three students to advance into the adult’s class.

Had me practice one of the Sifu Och Wing Chun arm locks and breaking techniques on him. With my father telling me to go harder, after several attempts he was satisified. Only a few days later when he attempted to lift weights did he realize his right arm wouldn’t work. The doctor confirmed his forearm was broken clean through. I was 13 at the time.

This transition provided multiple examples of how effective Sifu Och’s Wing Chun techniques were. 

Training with the adults and the techniques they were allowed to use and were using. Showed me more then I had expected and dreamed of. The Wing Chun technqiues under Sifu Och worked no matter the size difference of the practitioner to opponent, especially because I was even smaller than all the women in the class at that time. 

The teachings of this martial art’s school go way beyond just Wing Chun. Through dedication to the art and my Sifu I was shown true inner awareness and self-control. Restraint and control had to be practiced for every punch thrown to a fellow student’s throat or kick to their knee cap.

With this realization came a certain level of urgency to refrain from resolving conflicts through physical means. Like Sifu told me long ago, “words are just water under the bridge.” That’s wisdom to any student of Wing Chun.