Self Defense Programs: Find the Best One Near You

Posted on September 6, 2024September 26, 2024 by Madison Schubert

Everyone’s physical capabilities are different, whether it be size, strength, speed, or overall fitness level, there are strengths and limitations each of us has compared to the next person. So it’s important when searching for self defense programs to take these differences into consideration. How do you find the right program? This article breaks down the top 5 considerations to look out for when choosing a self defense program, and some red flags to keep an eye on when trying out programs to see if they’re the right fit.

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Do the self defense program focus on real world applications or “the art”?

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This is the biggest distinction from one martial arts school to the next. Especially when it comes to self defense in particular. Many martial art schools focus on what is commonly known as training for “the art” or “philosophy” of martial arts. This is appropriate for students looking for mental wellness and even to increase their fitness, but not for those seeking real world self defense applications. Gyms that focus on “the art” tend to heavily focus on forms, choreographed attacks, individual training (not against or with partners), and the theory behind the martial arts.

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For those interested in real-world fighting applications and self defense techniques that can actually be used, there are a few indicators to look out for. The biggest one is do they encourage sparring, and does the sparring actually utilize the techniques the instructors are teaching? Many times people default to basic boxing or MMA techniques when in a sparring scenario, which is useful, but are they the techniques that are being taught in the program?

Usually a good indicator that the self defense training is quality stuff, is that it’s being actively used in sparring sessions, which would then translate to being used “IRL” should a student ever need them in a real fight. The key is muscle memory. Does the program teach techniques that become instinctual and usable when in real-world fighting scenarios.

Another thing to look out for is versatility. This means, does the program focus on training for multiple scenarios? Does the self defense program focus on a single vs multiple attackers, teach what to do if you’re grabbed or shoved? Does it prepare students for what to do when faced with an attacker who has a knife or a gun?

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instructor teaching realistic self defense classes with knife techniques with student

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All of these scenarios are very common in fights so it’s important that any self defense programs you decide to go with offers versatility and mixes up the training regime to make sure students are confident and well-rounded enough to tackle whatever may come their way.

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What measures are taken to ensure safety and prevent injury in the self defense program?

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Training practical skills for self defense can be dangerous, and while most instances won’t be especially harrowing, it’s important to recognize that any self defense training program does come with its own sets of risks and potential to cause injury. So when searching for self defense classes near you it’s important that the instructors know how to keep people safe, and that measures are put in place to keep students from injuring themselves or each other.

Is safety gear required when sparring or facing an opponent in class? Common pieces of equipment are padded gloves, mouth-pieces, helmets, shin/arm guards, or even chest guards. This will change depending on the type of program you join, but the basics (gloves and mouth-pieces) are a bare minimum must-have when training in self defense.

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Do instructors moderate and monitor fight training to make sure the focus is on building skill? Oftentimes sparring can devolve into “beating” the opponent by any means necessary, but this mentality usually creates bad and dangerous habits. It’s important that an instructor moderates training sessions to make sure attacks are gratuitously hard, hazardous, or incorrectly utilized. This is not only to teach good habits/skills but to prevent students from injuring themselves or each other. So when looking for a self defense program near you, make sure the instructor(s) are active on the training floor at all times.

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Are there students who have been training for more than a year?

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This is generally just a green flag to look out for. Similar to a job, if there’s a high turnover rate of people, that’s usually a sign that something is wrong. When finding a self defense program near you, take the opportunity to check the place out prior to joining, maybe watch a class, or join a trial period to learn about the training environment, see how instructors teach, and more importantly, talk to other students.

See what they have to say about their training journey, about other students, how the instructors have taught them, and you could even get training tips. A sign of a good teacher are when students also have the ability and willingness to teach those junior to them.

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my first year of wing chun, first year, wing chun, kung fu, lakeland, florida, sifu och wing chun,

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If someone has been training at a place for more than a year, they should have acquired enough skill in self defense to be able to actually use the techniques they’ve been taught and are well past the “basics” stage. This can be a good way to gauge on where your skill level might be if you decide to stick with that program and provide you with a nice aspirational goal to work towards.

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Are the instructors approachable and willing to answer your questions?

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While the social aspect isn’t a make or break quality for good self defense classes, it’s important that an instructor be willing to answer your questions and address concerns. Do they feel approachable and non-judgmental? Are they patient and showcase a desire to really answer your questions?

Like learning any skill, there will be times where you’ll get stuck, frustrated, or struggle with a particular technique and it’s important that you feel comfortable talking to your instructor not only in regards to training, but about your overall health and wellness since these are aspects very closely intertwined with self defense training.

A good instructor will not only recommend things to improve your self defense skills, but many are also well versed in overall fitness training, food & diet programs, recovery/injury management, and all things fitness related.

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Do you feel comfortable training with the other students?

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While the quality of the training program is the top priority, the social atmosphere is a close second. It’s important that you feel relaxed, comfortable, and open to engaging with the students on the training floor as they’ll be a great resource for working through similar struggles, and overall just a great sense of camaraderie.

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group photo of sifu justin och and his students at his downtown lakeland martial arts studio

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The gym, and any sort of fitness class can be intimidating to start, so knowing that the people you’ll be training with are open and judgment free can go a long way in making your training journey a lot smoother and stress free. Depending on their own training journeys, your fellow students could be a great resource in overcoming issues, techniques you might be struggling with, fitness hurdles, or even just a buddy to hit the gym with.

A good gym/martial arts studio will foster a social atmosphere that encourages connection and removes ego from the training process. When looking for a good self defense program near you, see how the students interact with each other, and with new/potential students just coming into class. The social environment will be a good indicator on the potential longevity for you training in a particular place.

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Conclusion & Final Thoughts

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While these aren’t the end-all-be-all signs to look for, it is important to keep some of these questions in mind when looking for self defense programs near you. There are many gyms out there looking to make a quick buck, or martial art studios that don’t focus on real-world applications, so it’s important to find a balance when choosing the right program for you.

If you’re interested in getting started, we here at Sifu Och Wing Chun offer self defense training, kickboxing & fitness, for kids and adults. We know it’s important to make sure the training program is a good fit, so feel free to get in touch and get started with our limited 2-week trial offer. We hope to be the place you call home for your fitness and self defense training journey.

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4 Ways to Intercept

Posted on December 26, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

Intercepting is always better than blocking. We are going to look at what the definition of intercepting is before we give some practical ways of accomplishing that. Webster’s dictionary defines intercepting as “to stop, seize, or interrupt in progress or course or before arrival”. The best way to view intercepting is that last part of the definition, “interrupt”. Not only is the attack itself being interrupted, but the timing of your opponent should be as well. And that is the key, the timing. When timed properly your opponents attack will be nullified and you will be primed to launch a second attack (in theory before his second) or you would have already hit him. Now that we have addressed what intercepting as a concept let me provide you with 4 Ways to Intercept your opponents attacks using Wing Chun.

4 Ways to Intercept

Intercepting Fist

The first technique we will go over is the Intercepting Fist. Made famous by Bruce Lee, this technique is typically taught fairly early on in student’s training. The idea is to counter the opponents punch with a punch of your own. By keeping your elbow down and pressing from center mass you are elbow to offset your opponents strike. This can quickly be follow up a flurry of punches we refer to as Chain Punches. Keeping the strikes down the center you are able to maintain control of your centerline.

When you substitute a Paak Sao with an intercept you will find it can be much easier to deal with a second and third punch. Part of this is due to the fact that you are returning the opponents punch with a punch. They will be slightly less confident with their next punch as opposed to when you simple deflect their initial punch with a Paak. Second to that, the Intercept automatically covers your opposite side incase of a second attack. Whereas the Paak leaves you more open.

Turning Punch

The Turning Punch basically the other side of the same coin referring to the Intercepting punch. The Intercepting fist is typically used to refer to the lead hand being used with the lead foot to interrupt the opponent. This is illustrated in the first photo above.

Turning punch is simply using the the same structure but opposite hand to accomplish the same goal. Since the punch is coming from the back foot, the turning punch will have more power and torque then the straight Intercepting. However, much like the Paak punch, if not used properly, can leave you open on the inside for an attack.

Tan Sao

The Tan Sao is a very effective and sound way to intercept a strike. You have not only nullified the attack but you have also almost guaranteed a strike of your own. Tan and the actual punch are the exact same shape. The only exception is what the hand is doing at the end. You can see here in the photo the Tan Sao is an hand open towards the ceiling. By opening the hand the focus of the technique is diverted to the elbow. The Punch itself can be delivered to the head, or for a taller opponent you can strike the ribs.

Since the Tan extending through the strike towards your opponent, it makes stopping a second strike fairly straight forward. You can transition to a Paak Punch if the Strike is down the center. Or, you can continue pressing forward with a Bui Sao against a hook punch.

Paak Punch

Our last technique for this article on intercepting attacks is the Paak Punch. Clearing the attackers hit with Paak good, but combining it with straight punch is better. Since the Paak is coming off of the back foot there is a lot of power and structure with this counter. The Paak is also quite diverse.

When used, you can use the Paak to press forward and crush the attackers structure. You can guide his hand downward if he is taller. You can also use it to setup a baiting for the second punch.

Bonus: The Paak Punch is also a great attack to throw in a kick along with it. By doing this you maximize Wing Chun’s ability to use multiple weapons at once. You can see here in the photo, Sifu Justin used the Paak, Punch, and Kick. He uses the kick just before the punch clears the arm to finish the attack.

Final thoughts

When it comes to Intercepting timing is everything. You can have GREAT structure, technique, and power. But, if you do not practicing your techniques in LIVE sparring scenarios you will get hit no matter how good you think you are. There is no substitute for hard work, and good punches to the face. Train hard and never give up.

A Letter To Myself-Marcus Morales

Posted on December 5, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

In this Article: “A Letter To Myself-Marcus Morales”, Marcus tells us his story of how he started his Wing Chun Training. We hope you enjoy this little story!

A Letter To Myself-Marcus Morales

Do you know the feeling you get when you are about to do something and you do not know what the outcome is going to be? It happens all the time. For example, imagine it is the middle of summer, you are at the local pool cooling off along with a bunch of other people, and suddenly you decide you want to dive off the platform and continue to develop your patented cannonball dive. There you go, walking past everyone and you climb to the first level.

But, You realize that there are steps that will take you to the second tier and you follow them up another level.Then you see there is yet another set up steps and they take you to the very top platform. Somehow, you have managed to get up there, where no one else dares to go. There you are, standing at the highest level at the public pool with your lucky red bathing trunks. The ones with yellow rubber duckies on them. You look down and see that you are on the edge, staring at the crystalline blue water, deciding whether or not to jump.

The Jump

That is exactly how I felt when I was standing outside the door of Sifu Justin Och’s Martial Arts school. I was standing there, watching everyone doing all kinds of crazy things. Trying to decide whether to step inside or just keep walking. I must confess that I only knew a little about Wing Chun. I consider myself to be a bit of a tough guy; grew up in some tough neighbor hoods. I also served my country for six years and finished my obligation with an honorable discharge. During that time I even came back from a major injury in the Army. Suffice it to say, I thought I was tough enough. But something kept urging me to step inside, so I did.

In the Water

Once inside, I was intimidated by all the people there, knocking each other around. I stood there, at that ceramic tile square at the entrance to the school. And the, Sifu came along and welcomed me in. He was not what I expected. Truth is…I didn’t know what to expect. But he walked up to me, with a thousand-watt smile on his face, and made me feel right at home. I didn’t know this until later, but he had just finished wrestling on the floor with some of his students.

One more thing I did not expect. I was still a little defensive, mostly because I didn’t know much about how things worked. All Sifu did was invite me to join in on the class he was conducting and then he would get back to me to see whether I wanted to be a part of it, so I accepted the invitation. I have not left the school since.

Learning How to Swim

From the very First minute you become a part of the school’s family and its culture. I was automatically being grabbed and tossed. I even received a stiff punch to the face, and just like that I was absolutely drawn to the scene. Somehow, despite all the punches and tosses, the sore bones and sprains, I have become more and more involved in the art. Sifu is there, with a smile on his face, teaching you everything you need to know about the art. And this is not a man who is boastful or driven by a sense of superiority. No… this man truly loves to tach, he wholeheartedly love the art, and he absolutely enjoys his students.

Sifu Och

One other thing that Sifu Och strives for at his school is the development of a community within the school. He is constantly coming up with events for the school, activities designed to strengthen the camaraderie within the student, to help foster positive relationships between the students, ones that they can potentially carry along wit them throughout their lives. I have come to believe that his desire to develop and nurture these positive relationships is at the core of the most successful martial arts school. Creating bonds not only between student and teacher, but between students, strengthens the school itself.

Sifu’s Students

The students at the school are without a doubt the greatest assets Sifu has at his disposal. From the Green Sashes all the way to his instructor level students. They understand Sifu’s philosophy when it comes to helping everyone who start training. They

Lost Qualities of Modern Martial Arts

Posted on September 5, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

The world of modern martial arts is full of commercialized schools with watered down training. In an attempt to please the masses, martial arts has become what people want it to be and drifted away from what it was. The following is a list of common Lost Qualities of Modern Martial Arts. Some of these are either severely lacking or missing entirely.

Lost Qualities of Modern Martial Arts

The art of manipulation

The ability to make your opponent do exactly what it is that you want them to. This may mean causing them to react to something that you throw and then exploiting their reaction. Or using their previous attack to your advantage by controlling it and guiding it into your next attack. Manipulation also involves the use of feints and other misleading maneuvers that end in a desired response.
The art of timing

Timing is an essential martial art skill, and most learn it through trial and error. The problem with this approach is that it takes a very long time for the practitioner to be able to execute proper timing and even longer to understand what they are doing. Timing training can and should be supplemented with drills that specifically target the skill.
Ducking, bobbing, and weaving

Too often do we choose to rely exclusively on the blocks that our art has taught us, while completely ignoring the fact that we don’t actually need to even make contact with the attack. Not only does this eliminate the blow, but we are also able to keep both of our hands up and ready to attack at will.
Development of senses

This quality refers to both improving our natural senses and becoming more aware of our surroundings. Improved senses naturally increase our situational awareness and both lend themselves to increasing our personal safety. Allowing us to be able to effectively use our martial art skill.
Conditioning

Shaolin Conditioning

Though highly prized by some schools, many others choose to ignore the benefits of conditioning. The body should be able to withstand a good degree of abuse in order to have the confidence to be an effective fighter. Odds are that you will get hit, what counts is that you are able to come back from that hit and power through – causing more damage to your opponent.
Developing intent over instinct

Many fighters prove to be either overly intentional in their movements or overly instinctual. A good martial artist will develop a fighting style that balances these two traits, and develops the muscle memory required to execute it. To a point where they are strategic, yet also reactive with good instincts.
Proper breath control

Developing appropriate breathing supports each and every martial art technique. Allowing for more focused and powerful strikes. As well as better cardiovascular function and endurance during a match.
Familiarity of pressure points

When all else fails, it is always nice to know how to exploit pressure points. Often times it is the more muscular men that are more susceptible to this exploitation, due to the greater surface area and nerve endings the muscles bring.
Simultaneous blocking and attacking

Tan Sao Punch

Many martial arts will focus on blocking an attack, and then following that block with a strike. Instead of choosing to defend and attack at the same time. They get stuck on their traditional blocks while the opposite hand just idly sits and waits.
Development of character and personal strength

Finally, martial arts is not in its’ entirety about fighting. A true martial artist aspires to better themselves in every area of their life, from their character to their physical fitness. They choose to respect themselves and others, and strive to pass on the great knowledge that the martial arts has taught them.

All martial arts were designed during times of strife in order to combat the ugliest parts of humanity. You must keep these in mind during training to ensure the original intentions of these arts are not forgotten. Does your school incorporate all, some, or none of these qualities?

The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I)

Posted on August 22, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

Kicking is hands down one of my favorite things to do. It’s just so versatile. Once you learn how to use your legs, a whole new world of possibilities opens up. And it is a beautiful world. But this world is full of complexities and a ridiculous amount of different kicks. Not to mention the fact that almost every martial art will perform each kick slightly differently. These two facts combine to make learning kicks more difficult than it needs to be, but we are here to help clear some of that confusion. The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I) is a nearly comprehensive list of kicks known to the martial arts world:

The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I)

Axe Kick

An axe kick is usually preformed either to someone already on the ground or to the collarbone/sternum of a standing opponent. Use a straight leg to come in a downward motion striking with the heel. The two biggest variances are in the load of the kick: some people perform axe kicks by swinging a straight leg up into the air and back down again, while others bring their knee to their chest, kick up, and then drive down. The first is easier to perform and more common. The second offers a more controlled technique and is better for attacking a standing opponent.

Back Kick

Also known as a donkey kick, this kick attacks an opponent that is directly behind you. This kick is more commonly used in fights where there are multiple opponents, as for a general rule you would not want to turn your back on an opponent.

Butterfly Kick

This kick is often more for demonstration than practical self defense. It comes from either standing, or a running step in. The body twists as both legs come off the ground, one after the other, with the entire body more or less parallel to the ground. Striking occurs with the heel coming down on the opponent. A very beautiful kick.

Fish Kick

A flick like kick done with pointed toes, typically aimed at the groin. The kick comes up in a snapping motion, with the strike occurring somewhat like the flick of a fish’s tail. This kick also targets the head during fighting combinations that end with the opponent being pulled down to knee height.

Front Kick (Push/Snap)

A front kick refers to either an upward snapping motion (striking under the chin), or a forward thrusting motion (pushing with the ball of the foot). Either way, the kick comes in a direct line in front of the body, usually with the hips squared. This kick is often used to push opponents away, or as an entry move to a follow up technique.

Half-Moon/Crescent (Reverse Half-Moon/Crescent)

This kick starts with the knee brought up and into the chest. The foot is then thrust out and around, from the outside of the body in. The reverse kick comes from the inside out. This kick is primarily used as an entry move to get past an opponent’s guard, but can also strike to the side of the face or body.

Half Crescent/Tong Kick

A forward thrusting kick done with the foot and knee tilted at a 45° angle to the outside of the centerline. Directed toward the knees, hip, or ribs. The Tong kick is similar to the Half Crescent Kick, except the foot and knee are tilted at a 45° angle to the inside of the centerline. This can be aimed at the diaphragm or chin.

These kicks and more make up the bottom half of our martial art strikes, keep an eye out for our next article on the second half of these kicks!

Punches Across the Arts

Posted on August 15, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

The punch is a staple in every conceivable martial art. Even those that focus on ground work, like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, at least address how to defend against a punch. In short, martial artists like to punch. But when a Karate guy says punch, and a Wing Chun guy says punch, they don’t always mean the same thing. Punches across the arts vary widely and each art has its own reasoning for choosing to punch slightly differently.

Karate & Tae Kwon Do

When it comes to Karate and Tae Kwon Do, the punch is exactly the same. As a martial artist holding an instructor level in Karate, I figured that I would not have to research the Karate punch and moved straight into Tae Kwon Do. The very first video I found on Tae Kwon Do punching sounded like I could have made it myself and called it “The Karate Punch.” This punch primarily hits with the first two knuckles closest to the thumb. If you make a fist, you should be able to draw a line from those two knuckles straight up your arm, matching the bones in the forearm. In traditional drills practitioners will chamber at the waist or hip and strike out as the other arm draws back with equal force. However, in sparring or other applications, the punch will usually come from somewhere near the face. Practitioners use this punch because it allows for the structure of the arm to back up the power of the punch.

WIng CHun

In Wing Chun Kung Fu, the punch looks a little different. Instead of a fist with fingers down parallel to the floor, the Wing Chun punch ranges between a 45 degree angle to perpendicular to the ground (depending on the school); with the pointer finger at the crest of the angle and the pinky at the bottom. These punches come through the centerline of a practitioner’s body, attacking with a square chest. The punch strikes from a state of relaxation to tension. It is less forceful than the Karate or TKD punch, but can deliver the same power. Practitioners use this punch for a couple of reasons. This punch is “invisible” because it is often more difficult to see coming. By simply taking the shortest and most direct route to its destination. It also requires the opponent to be closer, being more effective for close quarter contact.

Variations

These two different variations of the punch represent either end of the spectrum. Karate and TKD on one side with Wing Chun Kung Fu on the other. Most other martial arts will fall somewhere in the middle of these punches. Tai Chi punching incorporates the relaxation to tense aspect associated with Wing Chun to the horizontal aspect of Karate/TKD. Whereas in Aikido, they do not focus as much on the techniques of the punch, rather using it as supplementary to other techniques. Muay Thai, Boxing, and Mixed Martial Arts, all utilize a punch called the jab. That is very similar to the Karate/TKD punch, but originates from a guard up by the temples and is more often used as an opening technique.

Similarities

Though each martial art may punch a little differently, there are a few concepts that are generally constant. One being to engage the core. Punches may be executed by the arm, but they come from the whole body. Likewise most martial arts will encourage putting hip torque behind punches to make them more effective and powerful. As well as a strong base through structure and rooting. Even though these fine points may be difficult to visibly discern, they are what makes any punch a good punch.

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Wing Chun Entry Techniques

Posted on July 18, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

The ability to close the distance with an opponent is essential to any Wing Chun practitioner. You must be able to quickly respond to an opponents attack and shut them down to avoid follow up attacks. Different ranges call for different responses. That being said we will cover a few Wing Chun Entry Techniques here in this article. Before reading this article we suggesting checking out our previous article Wing Chun Vs Jab, Cross, Hook Takedown Combo. We explain the difference between committed and non-committed strikes which is essential to your training.

Hand Entries

Paak Slip

In our previous article Wing Chun Vs Jab, Cross, Hook Takedown Combo we touch on the idea of using the Paak to simply slip off the first punch. Connected is a video of Master Sifu demonstrating this technique. He explains how to utilize the Paak to deflect the initial blow and then glide off into a strike. A very effective and quick technique.

Paak Punch

The Paak Punch is a very effective combo to use. Instead of trading blow for blow with an opponent, the Paak Punch allows you to strike and defend at the same time. When countering a cross or straight punch this is a definite must. You are able to either crush a punch and counter above it with a punch of your own. Or, you can slip the punch and strike the ribs. Either way you are able to immediately counter straight punches and close the distance.

Paak into Bui or Tan

If an opponent does not throw a committed strike it can be very difficult to throw a counter. In this case it would be prudent to defect the first punch with a Paak and then counter the second punch. Two great choices would be either a Tan Punch or Bui Sao Punch.

A Tan Punch would be a great choice against any sort of straight punch. Since the Paak would have simply deflected the first punch you can use this as a set up for the second punch counter.

If he throws a haymaker or wide hook the Bui Sao Punch would be the best choice. The curved shape of the Bui Sao would match the trajectory of the hook allowing for maximum protection.

Kick Entries

Shadow Kick

If facing an opponent that moves a lot, pushing off the front foot, a Shadow Kick may be a option to consider. Our article Kung Fu Kicks goes into more detail about this kick. The idea is to crush into your opponents leg with a stomping motion. Typically aimed to blow out the knee the lead hand will typically drop as a result opening up an nice window for an attack.

Crescent Kick

Finally, the Crescent Kick. One of the most effective ways to use this kick is to the ribs when they extend their punch. This has the same shape as the Shadow Kick but instead of going down it strikes forward. You must thrust your entire body behind the kick. When this is done the head usually comes down as a result of the body caving into the kick. This allows for an easy strike to the head.

The Key to Closing the Gab

All of these techniques are futile if you do not close the distance with the right timing. You can only develop timing with hours of practice. Doing techniques in lines are a great way to build the structure for them and speed. However, if you do not consistently keep up your training your timing will be off an no amount of skill will help you if you do not time it correctly.

Sparring Protective Gear

Posted on June 20, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

Sparring is an essential part of most martial arts. But when it comes to gear, each school decides how much and of what type to wear. While some schools require the use of sparring gear in all combat situations, others are a lot more lenient. They might only require it for designated matches and competitions and in some cases, not at all. Some people argue that sparring gear doesn’t actually keep us safer, but can even increase our chances of getting hurt. Others don’t want to wear it because it can be bulky and cumbersome. So where do we draw the line?

Why wear gear?

If competition is your goal, then the answer is because they require it. The North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) rules require head gear, hand and footpads, mouthpiece, and groin cups for all adult competitors. For competitors under seventeen, they also require chest and face guards. If you are training to be a professional competitor, or are at least serious about competing, your training should always include the gear that you will wear on competition day. If you practice with less gear, or none at all, competition day will feel awkward and slow. In fact, many competitors practice with weighted gear so that when they go back to wearing regular gear they feel lighter and are able to hit faster.

If your goal is to simply stay safe while training, you may need to take a different approach. Depending on what martial art you practice, different gear may be more beneficial than others. For instance, some martial arts frequently incorporate the use of elbows and knees. In these arts you may want to consider adding elbow and knee pads, especially if they are actually making contact. Other arts that heavily rely on kicks to the body may need a chest guard. Or if your art includes more eye and facial strikes, a face guard might be in order.

Could wearing head gear actually hurt?

There is an argument going around that head gear increases your risk of brain trauma over not wearing gear at all. This argument comes from personal opinion though it does rely on facts. Perpetuators of this idea claim that the added inch or two of padding make your head a bigger target, and more likely to get hit. It may also lure fighters into believing that they won’t get hurt, making them less defensive of their head. They also claim that head gear impedes your peripheral vision, further increasing your odds of getting hit. While they have not yet tested this phenomenon, they have tested how effective head gear is at reducing the impact to your brain. Wearing head gear can reduce the trauma to your brain by about 50% (McIntosh & Patton, 2015). While 50% is eons better than zero, it is still a relatively low number. Thankfully this statistic is pushing manufacturers to invest research into creating a more effective head gear. Something that we will hopefully see in the near future.

So what gear will you wear? Personally, as someone who sustained a concussion while not wearing head gear, the choice is easy. I would wear anything with the potential to reduce brain trauma, no matter how annoying or obtrusive it may be. Protecting your brain is not something that should be taken lightly. But for others without the same experience, maybe going without seems like the better option. Whatever choice you make, make sure to make it from the point of sound research and not momentary comfort.

McIntosh AS, Patton DA (2015, September 1) Boxing headguard performance in punch machine tests. In Br J Sports Med 2015;49:1108-1112.

Growth in Wing Chun Kung Fu

Posted on June 19, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sifu Justin Och

Growth in Wing Chun

Where to Begin? Growth in Wing Chun. Where does one begin divulging the effervescent determination surrounding my growth in Wing Chun under the Sifu Och lineage. As well as the growth in myself. Ultimately the scrupulous truth would be in my young age of six when I as many martial artist has divulged found my passion for martial arts watching Enter the Dragon featuring Bruce Lee.

It was my favorite movie to re-watch and practice the moves of in my mom’s living room. From that moment on I knew I wanted to learn more about Bruce lee but also learn more about martial arts. Growing up we didn’t have much extra money so my passion laid with tutorial videos, school wrestling team, and books explaining how to train and learn new moves or techniques.

Ip Man was released in the united states

Fast forward to the important part, the year 2009 when the film Ip Man was released in the united states red box system, I was helping my grandpa move when he out of kindness decided to rent a movie for me and my brother. He casually strolls in and I will never forget what he said “you Know you guys have worked real hard and I wanted to show a small gesture of appreciation, I know you both love martial arts so I saw a film on Bruce lee’s master in red box and thought it would be interesting for you to check out.”

Little did I know that night after years of watching, reading, and jumping styles when able I would find my passion and my growth in Wing Chun. I watched the film and fell in love with the pure flow of combinations, relentless ferocity in each hit and it wasn’t flashy but it was unprecedentedly fast and effective. I begin with this prelude only to set the proper background for why I study as hard as I do and why I have such an appreciation for every moment I spend learning something in Sifu Och Wing chun.

Years of Martial Arts Fanaticism

In my years of martial arts fanaticism and study I have trained in my styles of course seeing as I have landed in Sifu Och Wing Chun never were for very long. The complete breakdown would be six months of high school wrestling, a month of Muay Thai, a month of Goju-Ru karate, and Six months of Sport Judo.

These many styles that I bounced around in were necessary, they allowed me to gain a proper understanding of what most martial arts schools were about. The schools primarily focused on the money, they would show you a couple moves leave you on your own and then after a bit would ask if you want to join up.

This was an industry standard I did not like, so I often parted ways, if I wasn’t sure I maybe stuck around for a bit to maybe see if I was judging to quickly or harshly. I feel that my jumping styles did in fact help me grow as a martial artist however the training only took me so far and let’s be honest it wasn’t very far at all. I still had nervousness in fighting situations or even in confrontational situations. My Growth in Wing Chun has only begun.

Sifu Och Wing Chun has been a Blessing

Sifu Och Wing Chun has and will always be a blessing to me, it’s not simply a school to learn how to defend yourself, for me it’s so much more. To elaborate in greater detail and analysis it’s a family that helps me when im struggling, it’s a support group to help me further grow as a martial artist however the training only took me so far and let’s be honest it wasn’t very far at all. I still had nervousness in fighting situations or even in confrontational situations.

Not Simply a school to learn how to defend

Sifu Och Wing Chun has and will always be a blessing to me. Its not simply a school to learn how to defend yourself, for me it’s so much more. To elaborate in greater detail and analysis it’s a family that helps me when I’m struggling. It’s a support group to help me further my physical and mental goals. It’s also the one place in the world where I feel myself separate from my troubles. First note I am going to touch on is the benefits of the training I receive from Tampa wing chun and Lakeland wing chun with my martial arts growth.

Nervous when entering a physical confrontation

When I began a little over a year ago I was nervous when entering a physical confrontation however from the moment I joined (Like literally Day One) I was put into wrist vs wrist. This automatic exposure with the accommodations of the further advanced students I could not only overcome the fear but also conquer it.

Now I love sparring

Now I love sparring and wrist vs wrist and when situations outside in my daily life seem to be escalading I don’t worry, I am able to keep a level head. This allows for proper understanding of my surroundings and better problem solving analysis. Sifu Och wing chun also gives realistic defense training, where in other schools I have found what felt like rigid motions that are supposed to at some point just become natural, sifu och wing chun has offered close quartered and naturally fast movements that take your body no time to understand and implement.

It may take years to perfect or tweak to get it in the state you most desire but in the beginning, you already see significant differences. Second I also found a school that talks to each other, where older more intimidating students walk up to the newbies and say hello, give praise while also offering helpful criticism instead of sink or swim.

My Growth in Wing Chun is a place place where I feel at home. You are not judged and where only growth is possible, growth of the self, growth of the heart, and growth of body and mind. Nowhere I have crossed paths with has ever come within striking range of what is offered. All of what I wrote hopefully explains why I love what I do at Sifu Och Wing Chun. Why I drive 2 and a half hours for private lessons, tests, classes, and get together. The dream of one day offering a place of sifu och wing chun, where I end up when I become Sifu.

Written by Jacob Cramer

For information on classes contact us at
call us now at 863.800.0171
116 east pine street, lakeland florida 33801
With classes 6 days a week for Adults, teens and kids ages 3 and up.
https://sifuochwingchun.com/classes/lakeland-wing-chun-kung-fu-classes/

Cardio, Lifting, and Martial Arts

Posted on June 15, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

It should come as no surprise that cardio and weightlifting can both greatly improve your abilities as a martial artist. People have been using cardio and weightlifting to supplement their martial arts for as long as martial arts itself. The health benefits they provide are beneficial to every aspect of life, but what do they do specifically for the martial artist?

Cardiovascular Exercise

Treadmill vs Sparring

Doing any martial art will include a good amount of cardiovascular exercise. In fact, one study showed that performing martial art kata’s and engaging in sparring increased heart rate to a higher level than that of running on a treadmill (Iide et al., 2008). This is mostly due to the fact that kata’s and sparring engage the upper body in more dynamic movements than running does. That’s not to say that running on a treadmill doesn’t add its own benefits to martial arts, because it does. The cardio performed while practicing martial arts is usually in short bursts, ranging from less than a minute to about three minutes on average. And while this (quasi-interval training) has its own benefits, the endurance gained from long distance running takes martial artists to the next level. It allows them to excel during prolonged testing periods and back-to-back sparring matches.

Recovery

Martial arts instructors are particularly known for pushing student’s bodies to the limit in class. They want not only for you to build muscle, but also to have the ability to keep pushing even when your body wants to quit. Cardiovascular exercise after a workout can help remove some of the toxins built up in your bloodstream during that workout. Effectively reducing the muscle soreness sure to come in the days to follow (Clark, 2015). And for no other reason, if you do need to use your training in a real street scenario you have no idea hard long you will need to engage your enemy.

Weightlifting

Adding Power

There have been countless studies done on the benefits of weightlifting, however, very few in regards to martial arts. One such study found that weightlifting has the ability to “increase punching and kicking speed, or power” (Iide et al., 2008). This same study suggests adding in twisting crunches to increase torque power behind the hip rotations so common in martial arts. Has an instructor ever told you to put more hip behind your strike? In addition, incorporating cleans and snatches could help in generating more explosive leg power for kicks and structure.

Strength Down to the Bone

But weightlifting goes beyond additional speed and power, affecting our bodies down to bone. Other studies show that lifting can improve bone density. “Not only can weigh training increase bone density, it can improve muscle mass, balance and connective tissue strength” (Seltzer, 2013). With all of these factors combined, the risk of injury in martial arts is greatly reduced. Think about all the times that you have been hit or thrown to the ground. Improved balance and connective tissue strength could make the difference between a fall and a serious injury.

Adding cardio and weightlifting will provide numerous benefits not only to your martial arts training, but also to your overall health. And if you are looking to combine cardio, weightlifting, and martial arts, consider making our kickboxing classes a part of your training regimen. Sifu Och personally explains some of our training in his article “Muscle Conditioning With Kung Fu”.

Clark, S. (2015, December 30). 5 great benefits of cardiovascular exercise!. In Bodybuilding. Retrieved June 13, 2017, from https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/sclark85.htm

Iide, K., Imamura, H., Yoshimura, Y., Yamashita, A., Miyahara, K., Miyamoto, N., & Moriwaki, C. (2008). Phsiological responses of simulated karate sparring matches in young men and boys. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), 22(3), 839-844.

Seltzer, C. (2013, December 11). Can weight lifting improve bone density?. In Builtlean. Retrieved June 13, 2017, from https://www.builtlean.com/2013/12/11/weight-lifting-bone-density/#fn-20788-3

The Infinite Wing Chun Difference

Posted on June 12, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sifu Justin Och

wing chun difference

The wing chun difference for me started at Sifu Och Wing Chun about a year and a half ago and couldn’t be happier that I did. Prior to Wing Chun, I had practiced Karate for ten years and had already fallen madly in love with the martial arts. The Karate that I do incorporates a mixture of Tung Su do, Aikido, and Jujitsu and is infinitely different than Wing Chun. But when I moved to Lakeland for school, I knew that I had to find somewhere new to practice. As a broke college student, I also knew that I couldn’t really afford to train, but I really couldn’t afford not to. After doing a trial month at Sifu Och Wing Chun, I decided that I had to make it work.

First Weeks of Training wing chun difference

The first two weeks of training I was extremely cautious and suspicious of everything that Sifu taught. It was so different from everything I knew, that at first it felt like it couldn’t possibly be right.

But over those two weeks I grew to trust Sifu and appreciate Wing Chun as a martial art. Now whenever I feel like something isn’t right, it’s usually because I’m doing it wrong. Wing Chun is so different than Karate that it took a lot of getting used to. I constantly wanted to use my legs and felt trapped in all the hands only combat that they focus on in beginner Wing Chun.

Though I was reluctant to rely heavily on them, hand work was something that I desperately needed to improve. Another major difference that messed with my head was how Wing Chun fights squared up instead of sideways. I had to constantly force my back shoulder into a square position effectively distracting me – but I quickly learned to love having both hands up and in front of me.

Karate girl Learning to Love Wing Chun

Learning to love Wing Chun was a struggle at first. Because some of the techniques were contrary to my first love of Karate, it felt a little bit like betrayal. I had been training Karate for ten years! For the past five years, I had been teaching and instructing the art that I love. Now suddenly I was at the bottom of the food chain, knowing absolutely nothing about Wing Chun – it was a hard transition to say the least, but one well worth making. I was soon able to respect and appreciate each art for their differences, and have started down the road of incorporating them both.

First couple of months in Training

Learning Wing Chun in and of itself is hard. For the first couple of months I was very confused in my training. Trying to keep up with all the Chinese terminology and different techniques. It took about 2-3 months for my confusion to subside and for me to feel comfortable, performing all the moves that I’d learned.

Too many give up to quickly

Unfortunately, a lot of people give up in those first few months feeling like they won’t ever get it. Every single person that I got my first sash with has left as well, and it is so sad! What I have learned from Wing Chun has been exponentially beneficial to almost every aspect of my life. My overall health and fitness has improved including strength and endurance. My mental health improved as well, relieving the stresses of daily life in class every night. This year I started a very emotionally draining internship dealing with girls that have been sex trafficked. Wing Chun allowed me to refrain from going insane and relieve my frustration.

I would recommend Sifu Och Wing Chun to anyone that wants to be able to protect themselves. If you want to better their health, and make friends – and who doesn’t want that? You should be down here training.

Written by Sarah L. (recently passed her year and a half mark!)

My Lakeland Wing Chun Journey

Posted on June 5, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sifu Justin Och

My lakeland wing chun journey

This is my lakeland wing chun journey. Training in this art and the experience here has changed my life in ways I never thought that it would. Wing Chun is the first martial art that I have ever trained in. I used to practice boxing at the local Gold’s Gym in Sebring. Though Wing Chun is completely different than anything I have ever trained in before.

At first I was quite hesitant to drive 70 miles just to train in a martial art. Especially when there was plenty of choices such as Hapkido, Karate, MMA, and etc., very close to where I live.

What I discovered from going here is that Sifu Och Wing Chun was the real deal with the techniques and training second to none.

My First Class with Sifu Och Wing Chun

Little did I know that after my first class at Sifu Och Wing Chun, I would be hooked and immediately begin to fall in love with Wing Chun. Not to mention all of the new friendships I would develop with the truly amazing group of people that also come in to train. Quite a while back, long before I started training at Sifu Och Wing Chun I used to have something of an ego. When it came to fighting and self defense I used to think that I would be good at defending myself without needing to train. Coming in to train at Sifu Och Wing Chun showed me that I was so terribly wrong. Seeing such powerful and highly skilled individuals train with little or no ego at all, was amazing. They didn’t become upset when they were outmatched. Rather they chose to learn from their mistakes and improve their already high skillset. By spending time around my sihings and sifu, I have also adapted those qualities.

Advance my Self Defense Skills

Not only has my lakeland wing chun journey been to advance my self defense skills but also in many other parts of my life. I recently opened a business and many times I’m outmatched by other businesses. I have learned to not let that bring me down and that letting go of my ego will allow me to adapt and grow. So that I am not outmatched both in the business aspect and personal aspect of my life. Humility takes a person much farther in life than ego ever can. I know that my journey has just begun and its not about the levels, belts or sashes. I also know that I will personally grow more due to this art. The positive influence that my peers and sifu provide uplift me more each day. Another amazing benefit that I have gained after training at Sifu Och Wing Chun is that I do not underestimate anyone anymore.

lakeland wing chun journey through Sifu Och

An excellent aspect about Wing Chun that Sifu Och teaches is that its really simple to learn, but it becomes harder when we over complicate it. In a way life works in the same way. It really is simple to live life until we begin to overthink situations. Which causes unnecessary stress and worrying about something that might not even happen and that sets us back. It makes life complicated and harder to live. Through my time with Sifu Och I have learned that all aspects of life should be lived by the “Keep it simple, stupid” (KISS) principle. Sifu Och has the combined knowledge and training of 4 different lineages of Wing Chun. Making it a more realistic and hybridized style of Wing Chun taught by Sifu Och himself. This is probably the most realistic form of self defense that I have ever seen in my whole life.

lakeland wing chun journey is Not Over Complicated

You might get tired in class and you will definitely get in shape if you come consistently and push hard. What I love about Sifu Och Wing Chun is that the martial art is not overly complicated. It doesn’t have dozens of forms to remember for each possible situation. As a matter of fact there are only three main forms in the art. Even after training for many years a student can just master one of those forms. They can incorporate it properly into their self defense skills. Yet still be much better off then someone who is taught tons of forms but can only use a few techniques from them. Even though I have strayed from my lakeland wing chun journey path once before I will try my hardest to make sure that I stay true to myself. I will continue to train Wing Chun, no matter how hard life gets.

Maybe like me you need someone to convince you. Maybe you just watched the Ip Man movies but let me tell you Sifu Och Wing Chun is worth checking out. They are a family of friends and good times training realistic Wing Chun Kung Fu. It might save your life or just get you in shape. My lakeland wing chun journey continues, but the benefits are just waiting for you. I don’t know why your still reading, we should be in class training.

I have recently accomplished my Orange Sash and wanted to share my thoughts and my Lakeland Wing Chun Journey with you.

Written by Deep Patel

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook Takedown Combo

Posted on May 23, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown was a question a beginner posted for anyone to answer on a Facebook group. He asked for the key to using Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo. Sifu Justin Och and Senior Instructor Garret Brumfield posted a video titled “Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo”.

In this article we will address some of the finer points. Stopping this combo is no easy task but Wing Chun does have an answer.

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo

The Jab

If you are to deal with an attack you must understand it. To understand strikes you must make a distinction between committed and non-committed strikes. A committed strike could be defined as a strike that has the entire weight of the body fueling the power for the strike. Alternatively, a non-committed strike will be much faster but won’t have the power. A jab is a non committed strike. That being the case, the counter must be equally fast. As you can see in the video Sifu Och uses his paak sao but immediately follows up with a straight punch. This allows for quick adjustments where needed.

The Jab, Cross

If your opponent crosses immediately after his jab you may not have time to follow up off the initial strike. Sifu chose is one of the most direct options to counter although there are many variations. The hand that was used to paak the initial strike simply follows its trajectory to the face. In conjunction, the back hand paaks the next strike. This results in and immediate strike to your opponents face.

The Jab, Cross, Hook

Let’s say that your counter does not damage your opponent enough. As a result, he follows up again with a hook. The hook that Sifu Och Demonstrates is a very tight “rabbit” hook. Theses types of hooks are very hard to deal with. A Bui Sao, Bui Jee, Man Sao will be very hard to execute in this scenario. You must be able to fully extend these techniques for them to become effective. When the opponent throws this hook, it will be very tight to the body with a lot of torque. Torque equals power, and if you are unable to fully extend your technique it will crumble. In this scenario Sifu chooses to utilize upward elbow to cover the opponents strike. He is now able to strike with is other hand and move on with his attack.

The Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown

Finally, we moved on to dealing last part of the combo. None of your counters have successfully stopped your opponent but because you are in so tight he feels the need to shoot in and take you down. There are two scenarios to be address when an opponent shoots in on you. If he gets under your elbow or not.

If he does not get under your able a you can simple remove the foot he is attacking and stop his forward motion with a Gum or Jum Sao to the neck\head. This is addressed in our article Fighting Footwork where we go into a little more depth. However, if he does get behind one of your elbows you must sprawl back or you will be taken down. Once you have sprawled you can then establish a line of defense again with your Jum or Gum Sao. This line allows you to regain your structure and move on with your attack.

End the fight

At each stage of the attack your goal as a Wing Chun practitioner should be to the end the fight. When you respond to an attack you should be immediately seeking to follow it up to finish your opponent. You would only utilized these counter techniques if you are unable to flow into and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. follow up. So in theory, your opponent will never get to his takedown, or his cross for that matter. However, that is why we as martial artists should always be prepared. If the worst happens, you will be ready.

The Fatal Flaw in Testing

Posted on May 9, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

Getting tested in martial arts can be nerve racking but also invigorating. Your abilities are all laid out to bare for all to see. No more excuses just reaction. This is quite exciting. Along with that is the satisfaction when all your hard work does actually pay off. Attaining the next level feels great and if you earned it you should feel proud. However, “The Fatal Flaw in Testing” is what I would call the Sprint Mentality.

Sprinting for your test: The Fatal Flaw in Testing

Finals week, the week before the last set of tests for college students. Energy drinks, microwaved food, and zombies with backpacks become rampant on college campuses. Students will “cram” in those last extra hours of studying to strive for that grade at the end of the semester. This is the same as I call it, the “Sprint” in martial arts. Martial art students will train for months but many times you will see a tendency to really step up the training right before a test. Even though this does encourage that extra training at the end of a section there is a fundamental flaw to this process.

Student’s who are training hard consistently will have no need to sprint at the end because they will already be prepared for the test. But for this to be realized your goal must be analyzed. If your goal is to simply achieve belt ranks, then cramming is a perfectly legitimate way to achieve that. However, if your goal is to be prepared at all times for combat, then you should train as if you had testing every day.

One Breath

Grandmaster Ken Chun, from Wing Chun Dynamics in California, visited our school and gave a great tip on mindset. He explained that in an encounter you have one breath to channel all of your training to defend yourself. In that one breath you must focus your mind and your body to one task.

He also explained that this should be trained every single day. In other words, you shouldn’t wait for the week before testing to snap into that “one breath” mode. Every single punch, every single kick, every single takedown should be done with the same mentality. If you don’t accomplish this attack it could be the end, not of your opponent, but of you! So as you train, take in that one breath mentality every single time you move.

Your actual goal

Attacks on the street may have indicators. However, indicators do not come a week ahead of time. They may only be caught a moment or two before something happens. That being the case, if you do not keep yourself optimally prepared you could be overtaken. If preparing for testing is your ultimate goal, you are in danger of getting caught. Testing should not be used as your goal. Your goal should be your training regiment. Each day you should seek to improve and upgrade that training. The result of this shift is that your perspective changes on your testing. Instead of looking at that as an end game, it is used to evaluate whether or not your training is effective to keep you prepare.

The importance of keeping your training up is even emphasized in martial arts business circles. Even with these successful million dollar schools the owners understand that their training is top priority. John Kovar, found of Kovar systems lists Training first, then Teaching, then Business. You don’t know when you are going to be attacked so every training day is vital to you surviving an attack.

So ask yourself, what are you training for? Have you fallen prey to the The Fatal Flaw in Testing? Are you training for a belt? Social standing? Sense of accomplishment? Or are you preparing yourself for real, terrifying, messy combat?

Kung Fu Belt Ranking

Posted on April 28, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

Kung Fu in its origins does not have any sort of belt system. The Chinese would wear sashes whether they trained martial arts or not. Sashes were used to help with carrying day to day odds and ends. So then why do you see modern day (typically American) Kung Fu Belt Ranking used by schools? The main reason is here in American we feel the desire to achieve or attain very strongly.

Kung Fu Belt Ranking: Goals

Karate and Tae Kwon Do as businesses have flourished in America. This is partially due to their dynamic movements but also due to their ranking. Attaining a Black Belt brings with it not only a social recognition but also sense of accomplishment. Setting short term goals and hitting them on the way to a larger goal is the key to achieving long term success in anything. Since these systems already had these concepts in place their transition to America was very fruitful.

Kung Fu (Wing Chun in particular) while popular hasn’t been able to reach the same level of success. Since Wing Chun is a conceptual art it is very hard make the teaching uniform. Without a standard it is difficult to reward someone for their achievement. This concept is difficult for Americans, generally speaking, to let go of and stick to for a long period.

The need to feel achievement is not only reason, after all american’s are used to instant gratification. Technology is a big part of that. If a student trains for years on end and feels no achievement or sense of accomplishment their spirit can get dampened. As a result of our culture conditioning us many masters decided to implement something to combat that.

Sifu och wing chun: Belts and curriculum

5th level Master, Sifu Och has been able to create a curriculum and belt system that works very well. The belts provide short term goals that are attainable within 3 months for the lower ranks. As a student progresses the term in between ranks increases and the amount of material grows.

Sashes

Sifu has broken up he stages to a Black Sash into 4 main sections. Subsequently, he then broke those sections into smaller sub sections. Shirt Colors divide the main sections: White (beginner), Blue (intermediate), Red (advanced), Black (Sifu). The Sections within those shirt colors are divided again by sashes:

White Shirt

No Belt
White
White Black
Yellow
Yellow White
Yellow Black
Orange
Orange White
Orange Black

The above list about a year to year and a half of training depending on how hard someone pushes.

Curriculum

Sifu Och uses a rotating curriculum. We group students together by their main sections and have them all work on the same material. For example: if you have a white shirt, whether you are a white black belt, or a yellow white belt, you will all work on 1 of the 5 sections going towards blue shirt. As a result we accomplish a couple of different goals.

First, brand new students are able to work with more experienced students. It is not wise to pair up two brand new students with each other. The old adage, “blind leading the blind” applies perfectly. Neither of them know the techniques but more importantly they do not know how to help the other person train the technique. Having that person a few steps ahead of you when you start out as a partner can make the difference in someone staying or not.

Second, it keeps things fresh. We are able to continue to challenge students who are unable to actually make it to testing. Instead going over the same material again and again, they are able to go over new things and continue growing until they are able move to the next level. As a result of this, students also get a good review of the material once it cycles back around. This ensures that the material is well known before graduating to the next big section.

American Kung Fu

Even though traditional Kung Fu does not use any sort of ranking system, there can be great benefits to having them. Goals and purpose bring a powerful dynamic to ones training.

Strategies for Situational Awareness

Posted on April 25, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

Training in the martial arts is a great way to improve your personal safety and increase knowledge in self defense. But if you aren’t aware of your surroundings, no degree of training is going to help you. Having situational awareness is a choice; one you have to make early on if you want your training to have any real world practicality. So how do we make this choice?

Understanding the problem

The two major obstacles preventing people from having good situational awareness are naivety and laziness. In general, people want to believe in the good of others and often believe that rape or theft is something that happens to other people, but not me. Having this mindset lulls people into a false sense of security which will often last until something does happen, or the person makes a personal decision to make sure that it never does. The laziness factor is hugely prevalent and goes hand in hand with naivety.

If I believe that nothing bad will happen, then why should I take steps to ensure that it won’t? It is difficult and emotionally draining to be constantly aware of your surroundings, but entirely necessary if you want to be an effective martial artist. The key is to get to the point where practicing situational awareness is habit, eliminating the need to go that extra mile.

Practical Ways to Increase Situational Awareness

Now that we understand the problem, it’s time to fight it:

NEVER text and walk. This is especially important when transitioning between locations, such as your place of work and your car. Wait until you are in a locked car to address anything on your phone. There have been numerous incidents of muggers targeting people on their phones, simply because they aren’t paying attention. Phone calls are also not advised, however, if you must – make sure to keep your eyes up, still monitoring your surroundings.
Have your keys ready before you get to the car. You don’t want to be rummaging around in your bag at your car, looking for keys – especially at night. The car is a common place of attack and requires extra caution. Do the same from the car to the front door.
Always check the area around your car before you get in. Is anyone close enough to get in your car between the time that you unlock it and the time that you are inside? Also make sure that no one has put anything on your car that may impair your driving, necessitating a stop down the road.
Check the back seat. Take a look through the windows in the back and make sure that there is no one already in your car waiting for you. Behind the wheel of the car is not the time you want to find out that there is someone in the back dictating your next stop.
When entering a building, look for exits. Locate the nearest exit and the quickest route. Whenever possible, position yourself facing the majority of the room and the exit, never with your back to it.

Conclusion

Developing situational awareness is a skill that takes both time and dedication. These suggestions are a good starting point to increasing your situational awareness, and the list will only grow once you start practicing them. Some Practices may seem over the top and near paranoia, but personal safety is not something to be taken lightly. When it comes to personal safety and the safety of those around us, we cannot expect someone else to protect us. Take matters into your own hands, be prepared, and decide to be that one person that is actually paying attention.

Fighting Footwork

Posted on April 17, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

You can have the fastest hands in the world, but if you aren’t at the right place at the right time that won’t matter. Foot work is literally the foundation to any style. You may be able to block or evade an attack here and there with good hands or head movement. However, if you do not base your counter with fighting footwork, it will be difficult to execute.

positioning your Fighting footwork

Superior angles will make your life much easier. It is much simpler to deal with an opponent when you have minimized their ability to use multiple “weapons” at once. In the same way, striking your opponents key points will also be easier when you are positioned correctly. Wing Chun seeks to dominate the outside angle allowing maximum trapping and striking to occur.

Weight distribution

There is a big debate among Wing Chun practitioners. Not only about weight distribution through the feet but also between the legs. First let’s address weight through the feet.

Heels

When a weight lifter squats his weight must drive from the middle portion of his foot to his heels. With proper skeletal alignment his structure is locked in place and only the strongest muscles are recruited to move the weight. If alignment is broken serious injury can occur. When finished correctly the weight will be completely on the heels as seen here.

Just as the weight lifting supports his weight with structure, the Wing Chun Fighter supports his power through his alignment. Following the same rules through physiques the weight is on the heel when engaged. This allows strikes at full power to be stopped and maximum strength can be delivered through blows.

Toes

Even though the heels are the source of power and structure, speed is seriously inhibited when the weight is focused there. Weight should only be distributed to the toes when looking to utilize speed. Speed is used to gain the correct position. This is typically done before contact is even made. Once connected to your opponent weight should immediately be transferred to the heels to again for power. Closing the distance with an opponent is essential to the Wing Chun Fighter. If he is unable to get to the trapping range it will be difficult to execute proper techniques.

Stance Distribution

The final aspect of weight distribution to cover is the amount of weight on each foot. At Sifu Och Wing Chun we typically keep our weight 50-50. The reason behind this is to keep our ability to defend against takedowns. If the weight is distributed to far to one leg you can become susceptible to those types of attacks. Sweeps and single leg takedowns are difficult to stop without even distribution of weight.

To give a specific example, we will look at a single leg takedown defense. First, hand positions: jum to the neck, gan to the arm. (Essentially a Gan Da). This will then become a tan and a fook. The Jum to the neck stops the person from getting to your core. The gan to the arm is used to block them from getting your leg. As a result you gain an underhook. (illustrated below).

In unison the foot that is being attacked must be retracted. The foot must be swept back to avoid getting caught. This all occurs within a split second. If the weight split 70-30, or 60-40, it will be very hard to adjust and defend this type of attack.

In Conclusion

There are many different opinions and reasons about weight distribution. At Sifu Och Wing Chun we keep it mostly 50-50 to maintain the ability to adjust in any direction as quickly as possible. We are then able to shift and adapt to any attack that is thrown our way.

Basic Wing Chun Defense

Posted on April 14, 2017September 6, 2020 by Tim Kittelstad

The first few months of a martial artist are crucial to their success. Instructors must work to instill confidence from day one. The student must learn to trust not only their instructors but also the techniques they are learning. If a student knows what he is learning is practical and useful from the start he will stick around for the fine tuning of those techniques. At Sifu Och Wing Chun we want to help students learn a basic Wing Chun Defense right from the beginning. To help cover some of the most basic attacks we teach 3 defenses right away: Bui Sao, Tan Sao, and Gan Sao.

Bui Sao

Haymakers (wide hooks) are some of the most common attacks you will see on the street. Without training the body’s natural tendency to draw power will be to twist. This results in a chain and ball effect on the arm with the punch being the ball of course. While these can still do damage they can be easily defended with proper training. That is why one of the first techniques we teach to new students is the Bui Sao. The deflecting hand is shaped as if you were blocking light from the sun. Palm facing away from the body pressing from the elbow. The palm will be about forehead height and the elbow in line with the trachea. This provides a wall of cover with the forearm.

Tan Sao

One of the more famous moves in Wing Chun is the Tan Sao. When teaching it to children we call it the “pizza hand”. This is due to the palm facing upward with the arm extended outward. The Tan Sao is used primarily against straight punches. It deflects punches off the centerline either to the inside or the outside opening up your opponent for a variety of follow ups. You can view a video of the Tan Saos on our Instagram by clicking here>Tan Saos.

Gan sao

Used against nasty body shots or uppercuts is the Gan Sao. Translated it means “low plowing hand”, this technique is very effective for defending the lower half of the body. To shape your Gan Sao simply reach your hand out in front of you as if you were shaking hands with someone. Your hand should end up in front of your belly button and your elbow about a fists distance off of your rib cage. This allows your ribs to be covered and consequently, your hand is now fairly close to your opponents body. You are now prepared for an easily follow up such as a palm to the ribs or an uppercut to the face.

Basic Wing Chun Defense Striking

All three of these defenses have something in common; they are paired with a straight punch. As opposed to many other styles most defenses in Wing Chun are combined with some sort of attack. In this case it is the straight punch. There are other variations off of these basics but for beginners we use the punch to begin with. The straight punch is delivered with the fist held vertically at a 45 degree angle. The reason for this is mainly structure. There is also a nice perk associated with it; it fits nicely under the chin to strike the side of the neck. As a result you can easily deliver a crippling blow to an opponent by simply changing the angle of your fist.

Conclusion

To Summarize, the Bui Sao, Tan Sao, and Gan Sao are three effective and important attacks you must know for your self defense. They allow you attack and defend simultaneously. These are so useful that they were borrowed by many Krav Schools to be incorporated into their system as well. Train these hard and you will have a good starting point.

Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World

Posted on April 6, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

Ask any martial artist if what they do is realistic self defense, and the most common answer will be something along the lines of “Yes, of course. Why would I do it if it weren’t?” But the honest truth is that a lot of martial artists are not equipped to defend themselves in a real world scenario. So where is the disconnect between Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World ? Why are so many people practicing ineffectual martial arts? And what does a truly effective martial art look like?

The Disconnect in Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World

When people try and understand why the martial arts have drifted away from effective training methods there are a few factors to consider. Primarily the difficulty of taking an individual and training them to be able to defend themselves in any scenario is no easy feat. There is no conceivable way for an individual to practice every possible scenario. So what do we do? We have to train our instincts and expand our knowledge base, to prepare ourselves for any given scenario though we may not have practiced for it. Another problem lies in an instructors innate desire to gain and keep students. Sometimes this desire may lead schools to adapt an easier, less effective curriculum in order to keep students entertained and engaged. When this happens it can be easy to fall into a lull of safety and easy money, perpetuating a sense of accomplishment.

The biggest danger comes when the student, having done exceptionally well in class, is now faced with a real world scenario that they are not prepared to deal with. The student enters into this scenario with a false sense of confidence and may end up making things worse. We find another difficulty in lack of experienced instructors. Though the instructor may have plenty of martial arts experience, they are completely inept when it comes to real world fighting experience. And how is someone with no experience expected to give a complete curriculum to their students? This is the main question when comparing Kwoon Self Defense and the Real World.

Ineffective vs. Effective Martial Arts

Let me be clear, no martial art is in and of itself ineffective, the effectiveness lies within how we train that martial art. Drills in the martial arts can be effective tools at making certain techniques ingrained in the student’s mind and muscle memory; however, many drills isolate a certain skill with the intention of honing that skill while we ignore other skills.

Major problems occur when teachers fail to integrate those isolated skill together. Take for example point sparring. Many martial arts accept point sparring as a means of being able to practice all of one’s martial skills. But what if the fight goes to the ground? Or the opponent doesn’t back off after you score a point? Point sparring can be an effective training tool, but it is important to accept that it does not simulate a real fight.

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In an effective school of martial arts, there must be a comprehensive curriculum. One that teaches not only good techniques, but also when, where, and how to use them. It is important for a student to be able to deescalate a fight before it starts, and only consider fighting as a last resort. An effective martial art will teach all aspects of self defense: technique, execution, timing, and distancing. They must also teach determination. Students must drill regardless of whether or not they get bored. In modern martial arts there seems to be a dangerous trend of catering to what the student wants. But if we were really doing what was best for the student, wouldn’t it be catering to what they need instead of what they want?

Western vs. Eastern Martial Arts

Posted on April 4, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

When asked about the origins of martial arts, most people will gravitate toward thoughts of Asia and the east. And though the majority of martial arts do originate in the east, the west has certainly produced credible martial arts as well as adopting eastern martial art practices. A few western martial arts include: boxing, fencing, wrestling, and jousting (as well as eastern martial arts that have adapted to the west). While some eastern martial arts include: kung fu, aikido, escrima, and karate. The differences between training in west versus training in the east are primarily in the mindset of the practitioners and the rituals of the dojo, rather than actual differences in technique (though those are sure to exist as well).

Western Martial Arts

In the west the time it takes to learn a martial art is shorter and more optimized. Allowing for practitioners to achieve the rank of black belt in as little as three years (with some programs promising less). This optimization is in line with the (often) western mindset of consumerism. The craving for immediate results can cause much disappointment to those who are use to short term satisfaction. They often compare themselves to students who have been practicing for years and wonder why they are unable to produce the same results. This frequently leads to students quitting early on, due to either disappointment, frustration, or boredom.

Because of this phenomenon, western martial arts felt the need to streamline their programs. This helped to keep students both physically and mentally engaged in their classes. On top of wanting a shorter martial arts program, westerners are also highly concerned with the practical. Western martial arts generally have no room for ritual. And less practical practices that may be present in their eastern counterparts.

Eastern Martial Arts

In the east there seems to be a greater respect for the amount of time it takes to truly learn a martial art. Eastern martial arts will (generally) take longer to achieve the rank of black belt. Many requiring ten years and some even longer. That is assuming that the individual is regularly practicing multiple times a week, pushing themselves toward their goal. Eastern martial arts also emphasize the concept of loyalty and perseverance. Loyalty to the martial art and to one’s dojo and master are key components in the practice.

Many eastern martial arts developed from a need to be able to revolt or defend themselves in times of war. For example, slave would do Karate forms to defy to their drivers. After a long day of work, they did these forms in a line on the rail-roads they were being forced to build. The slaves sought to display strength, power, and endurance despite the work that they were being forced to do.

© NHNZ. Ta Gou Shaolin Kung fu School, Deng Feng, Henan (Not Shaolin Monks). Inside China Shaolin Temple

Adaptation

Both western and eastern martial arts have great merit and training techniques. Easily improving discipline, fitness, and overall health; but there are some major differences. These differences can affect the entire training regimen and lead to the overall perception of the art itself. If someone is looking for an eastern martial art in the west, has the art adapted to cater to the western mindset or does it hold true to the east? In the same way, looking for one of the western martial arts in the east that holds true to western values may be difficult as well. Does an art exist that is purely eastern or western? Free from ideals from the opposing side? When choosing a martial art the decision is not necessarily eastern or western. Instead one should look at has the art developed over time.

The Ultimate Face-Off: Krav Maga Versus Wing Chun for Self-Defense

Posted on March 17, 2017October 11, 2024 by Tim Kittelstad

Wing Chun vs Krav Maga: How These Martial Arts Compare in Self-Defense

Wing Chun is known worldwide, made famous by Fighters of Ip Man, most well known: Bruce Lee. known for its speed and ability to devastate an attacker quickly. Its ability to adapt, control, redirect, block and attach simultaneously while using a variety of skills. Krav Maga is renowned for is brutality and viciousness used in the Israeli military and was created from borrowed technqiues from Wing Chun, Jiujitsu, and Boxing. In recent years there has been arise in both across the US.

Krav Maga vs Wing Chun: Head-to-Head for Superior Self-Defense Skills

With Bruce Lee’s explosion onto the scene, Kung Fu (specifically Wing Chun) started to get some of the limelight. Around the same time Krav Maga started to make it’s way to the US. With Wing Chun emphasizing the most direct route to its target and Krav blending various styles to achieve maximum brutality, both systems were poised to emerge. However, before we continue with their growth in the U.S. lets look at some differences and similarities between the two.

Krav Maga or Wing Chun? Find Out Which Martial Art Protects You Better!

Both Krav and Wing Chun emerged during periods of war. Specifically, Wing Chun emerged in 17th-century China during a civil war, while developers created Krav in the 1930s, following World War I and preceding World War II. Furthermore, instructors originally designed Wing Chun as a system that students could master in a fraction of the time required by other Kung Fu systems.

Similarly, Krav Maga fused the basics of wing chun, boxing, and ground work to create something that Jewish civilians could immediately use to defend themselves with. They both seek to dispatch their opponent as quickly as possible. Additionally, both systems “fight dirty”, using any means necessary to prevail.

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Wing Chun vs Krav Maga: Proven Self-Defense Strategies Compared

Now even with Wing Chun’s addition to Krav Maga there will obviously still be differences. First to be addressed would be the instructor and how much they have trained and know.

Unfortunately Bad schools are everywhere and its a buyer beware situation. There are Wing Chun academies that have “Sifu’s” that teach drills and techniques that would never help the student. Just as much as their are Krav Maga studios open where the “master” got a instructor certificate to teach and open a school with just 3 days (less then 24 hours of training) and a few thousand dollars with minimal martial arts understanding before walking in the door. So let’s

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Finding a true school in either and one that has the original intent and wealth of knowledge, skill, and capability is what we hope you look for and find. Don’t stress about the distance as much as how legit the academy you are training under. A false school in any style does a dis-service to everyone.

Right from the beginning, you must understand how chaotic combat can be. Thus, instilling the right mindset from the beginning is essential, as it becomes increasingly evident throughout the training. One advantage of attending a Krav school is that instructors emphasize the brutality of combat.

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Both have their merits; however, a deeper exploration reveals that Wing Chun offers distinctive advantages for personal safety and self-improvement.

The Ultimate Self-Defense Comparison

In Closing, both systems are effective in street combat. With fewer and fewer martial arts teaching realistic self defense because its not profitable. With more and more becoming very commercialized, you need to find the right school, not just the “close school”. Having something that gets straight to the point and efficiently accomplishes the task is crucial. That is the reason for the two arts quick rise to fame. Now with all arts both Krav and Wing Chun have also fallen prey to commercialization. So before choosing a school do your homework on the instructors! Once you choose, train hard and stay committed!

Does Martial Arts Make Kids Violent?

Posted on March 14, 2017September 6, 2020 by Sarah Lister

The average parent will have many concerns when contemplating enrolling their child in a martial arts class. The top three questions I have encountered talking with parents about their learning a martial art are: Will my child be safe? Will they use techniques on their siblings or bully others? And at the root of it all, will these classes make my child violent? The last one is especially a concern among parents of children who are already showing violent tendencies, leaving parents wondering “will martial arts help or only make it worse?” In this article I will address the question: “Does Martial Arts Make Kids Violent?”

Will my child be safe?

In observing any martial arts class, once can generally expect to see aggressive and violent techniques. So why then would that be safe for a child? For starters, these techniques are usually performed on punching bags, target mitts, or in the air without an opponent. Before the child is even allowed to hit a punching bag, we teach the proper technique. The goal is to avoid any injury to their wrist in the execution. When the child moves on to working with partners when drilling techniques, punches are always pulled and they are not allowed to hit the face – as a general rule that many adults follow as well.

When it comes to one-on-one sparring, many schools don’t even allow their students to spar until the student achieves a certain rank and the instructor is confident in their ability to follow instructions. At this point, we require all students to wear gear that will usually cover the head, hands, and feet, with some styles including a chest guard, shin guards, elbow pads, and a mouth guard. Even with all of this padding, students are often instructed to keep contact light, with good technique praised over power.

Will my child use techniques against their siblings or bully others?

Another top concern of parents is that their child will start to use techniques on other children in order to bully them or exert power. This is a common problem throughout martial arts schools, and it is necessary for the instructor to address early on in the child’s training. Along with teaching martial arts techniques, it is the instructor’s job to explain when exactly to use these techniques. This part of the instructor’s job is sometimes overlooked, but is equally as important.

The child’s first instinct in a fight should never be to egg on and encourage the fight, but to deescalate. One of the first things that I learned was to put my hands up. This was a non-threatening semi guard combined with a verbal exclamation “I don’t want any trouble”. Your hands are up simply as a precaution. It needs to be explicitly taught to the child that fighting is always a last resort. To use only if there is a threat to the safety of themselves or another individual. We never fight over possessions. Children should learn that if they are being physically threatened over money, especially with a gun or knife, to give them the money.

Will martial arts make my child violent?

So will learning martial arts techniques ultimately encourage violent tendencies? To be honest, the answer to this question greatly depends on the martial arts school and the instructor. A good school will explain the situations in which to use their techniques. This helps to will cultivate a non-aggressive mentality in their students. When done right, children that do martial arts will actually have less violent tendencies than their peers. They will have a greater understanding of when, where, and how to use their defensive techniques.

Worst Case Scenario Self Defense

Posted on March 10, 2017October 1, 2024 by Sifu Justin Och

Worst Case Scenario Self Defense

In a worst case scenario the best and most useful tools at your discretion are violent aggression, self confidence in your ability, and the will to do whatever is necessary to survive. These are weapons that can only be disarmed by you and are carried with you everywhere you go at all times.

“Common self defense is not that common.” Pressure testing techniques with other students to increase your endurance and ability under difficult situations is also key.

There is no such thing as a secret combat technique only those that have been practice to be both simple and effectively devastating, this is coupled with the will and determination to survive at all costs. Making use of soft targets in Wing Chun close range combat is also an effective pressure tested way to deal with an assailant.

We can agree many martial arts instructors talk about worst case scenario self defense, situational awareness, fighting fitness and how to be good at sparring. Though that is not a worst case scenario for self defense, in our experience 98% of martial arts studio’s teach for a friendly environment that caters to uplifting a family fun atmosphere, most people want to feel confident but not go through hard and real ways to cause massive damage to another person. When it comes to training special forces and military personnel they taught how to deal real damage to enemy combatants.

“the Sifu Och Wing Chun studio, this article and its writer do not advocate violence, this piece is for information only.”

Unrealistic Self Defense for a worst case scenario

When its life or death the decisions and training you make matter. In my experience less than 5% of people train worst case scenario self defense with the dedication and intention on personal survival. Most people think about weight loss, fitness, having fun in the martial arts over practical realistic training. Some people love the competitive sparring but even more people attempt to ignore that there is danger and choose not to think about it and therefore hope it never happens. Even worse when those same people are asked about a bad situation most believe they will miraculously have the skill and ability to stop a real attack which means they couldn’t be more wrong and unprepared for one. Even trained self defense practitioners wouldn’t believe this is possible.

Ordinary individuals can find themselves in danger and if you can’t get away, run, or escape by another fashion then the most efficient reaction could clearly save your life. Circumstances against a citizen on the street may be less extreme than those in war but the threat to your life and future is no less real. Even if you are hospitalized then the loss of money, time, and skill could heavily impact you and your future. Proven Training comes down to the instruction and your diligence in pushing yourself even Wing Chun Self Defense has to be used in tested to be effective, many schools may do drills but real information may escape them.

Ordinary people might have to stop a drunk with a weapon or a mugging especially if you can’t escape. or prevent the event from progressing. Situational awareness is another weapon in your arsenal to give you a pre-awareness of what may be around you.

Is your Training realistic for a worst case scenario

You must train for all ranges of possibilities to deal with low and high level threats. This is just one difference in the reality of worst case scenario self defense training under a instructor. Most of these questions expect you to be truly honest with yourself and what kind of instruction your receiving. There is a huge difference between Martial Arts and Realistic survival of a worst case scenario self defense.

Finding a real school to train in can be hard, ask yourself these questions.
1.) Are you training alot of hand forms, fancy applications, or touch sparring?
2.) Can you stop someone from aggressively attacking you?
3.) Is your instructor training you in truly realistic techniques?

Many people have a hard time being objective with their martial arts training as they get attached to the “idea” of their studio or school and the people there. But remember why you started and what your trying to achieve.

“the Sifu Och Wing Chun studio, this article and its writer do not advocate violence, this piece is for information only.”

Sifu Justin Och
11 Countries Traveled
Contact us at 863.800.0171
Regional Director for World Ving Tsun Association in charge of entire Southeastern USA
3x certified and tested as an Ip Man lineage Sifu
116 E. pine st, lakeland FL 33801
Fan page – Http://facebook.com/sifuochwingchun
Website – https://sifuochwingchun.com

Martial Arts School Safety

Posted on February 20, 2017September 6, 2020 by Betsy Olay

The title of this article may seem like an odd question, but it is something everyone should ask themselves. This is only for their own benefit and health. Safety in this respect refers to the physical environment, cleanliness, and set up of the martial arts school. There are certain warning signs and things you should take note of. Not only should you observe when you looking for a school but even after you enroll.

So what should you be looking for when you enter a martial arts school to ensure that it is going to be a healthy place to train:

Look at the physical arrangement of the studio

Is the training area around anything that you could bump into, trip over, fall on, be pushed into, etc. (Chairs, weights, brooms, tables, training equipment, other students bags/gear?) A responsible martial arts school will have specified places for these items. They will also be sure that those items are kept there to ensure the safety of the students.

Are there mirrors in the studio? If so, are they far enough away to not cause injury? Most studios are going to have windows to let in light and to allow the public to be attracted to what is going on inside. However, all training should occur well away from any windows to avoid potential accidents.

Look at the training floor

Wherever you will be doing your martial arts training, you need to be sure that the floor is going to be safe. Concrete floors, or floors covered with only a thin matting are a red alert that your safety may not be a high priority at the studio. If you were taken down, swept off your feet, or knocked down doing a technique, would you feel safe landing on the training floor? (Sifu Och Wing Chun has professional martial arts mats covering our training area so our

Also, does the floor look clean? If there are mats on the training floor, it is essential that the mats are cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant on a regular basis. Martial arts mats can be breeding grounds for staphylococcus and other communicable skin diseases. (At Sifu Och Wing Chun we sweep and disinfect our floor, mats, and bathrooms a minimum of 2 times a week for the health and safety of our students.)

Use your nose and your eyes. Does the martial arts studio look or smell moldy or foul? Can you see dirt on the floor, can you smell garbage that needs to be taken out, are the bathrooms in a clean state? If you are in doubt about the cleanliness of the studio that you are looking to train in, ASK! Your safety should be as important to the owner of the martial arts school as it is to you! If you feel uncomfortable about anything when you visit a training studio, trust your gut and find a place that makes the safety of its students a top priority!

Safe sparring

As a side note, sparring also needs to be addressed. The area where sparring is done should be void of windows, concrete, or thin mats which could injure individuals. If they are are taken down, get swept, thrown, or fall these areas could cause serious damage. Halt training if the place you are at has hazards to you before they become a injury. Along with location you should also check equipment every time. The death of a martial artist is inactivity. That inactivity should never be because of an injury due to faulty equipment.

Just as your training requires discipline, so should your safety.

What is Kendo – What You Need to Know

Posted on February 10, 2017September 6, 2020 by Ben Devris

What is Kendo? Kenjutsu, founded on the principle of setsunin-to (life-taking sword) was the base for Kendo historically. Katsujin-ken (life-giving sword) and Katsujin referred to as “the sword that animates the sword fighter” are now the modern principles for Kendo. In essence, the focus shifted from taking a life to improving ones own life through Kendo’s Practice.

What is Kendo: The Practice

In classical bugei [traditional Japanese military arts] parlance, the connotations are concrete. The “sword” refers not to the weapon itself but to its usage. When referring to combat the opponent’s responses and fighting spirit taken, not his life. When a combatant uses force of will to overpower, immobilize, and strike down an opponent before he can react, this is called “setsunin-tõ” (i.e. “sword[smanship] that transfixes”, or ‘swordsmanship that kills response”). “Katsujin-ken” (“Swordsmanship] that animates”), on the other hand, involves drawing out the opponent, inducing him to strike, and then going inside his technique, countering it either at the moment of origination or at the point of its most complete extension. Setsunin-tõ is an egoistic and risky approach to combat – the slightest miscalculation will result in the swordsman walking straight into the opponent’s counterattack. Katsujin-ken, by contrast, involves a sophisticated manipulation of the opponent and his actions by means of utter selflessness, properly conducted, it is virtually undefeatable.”

Taken from: “Karl F. Friday, Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture, Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1997: p. 31″.

The Tools of Kendo: SHinai and Kendoka

In short, The concept of Kendo is to apply the principles of the katana to discipline the human character. Consequently, seldom does kendo ever use the actual katana. Kendo practitioners, called Kendoka, utilize a Shinai for full contact sparring practice. The Shinai formed from four bamboo staves and leather. Alternatively, Kendoka would use a bokken or bokuto made from solid wood to practice basics and forms (or kata).

Kata

Karate, Taekwondo, and Kendo, etc. Employ a system of detailed patterns of movement or Kata. Moreover, each form of Kata deeply illustrates numerous aspects of the art. Kendo’s Katas are usually performed with a bokken as previously noted. Overall, each of the Kendo katas “…studies a single set of concepts in a very pure setting allowing the practitioner to delve deeply into these concepts” (kendo-usa, 2009). Kendo kata is performed with two people, the Uchitachi and the Shidachi. The Uchitachi always sets the pace and distance. In addition, the Uchitachi is also the first to attack and the Shidachi initiates the proper response to it. Participants demonstrate the first seven Katas equipped with a long sword. Finally, Kendoka perform the last 3 with a short and long sword. The short sword demonstrating the proper defense against a long sword attack.

All things considered, Kata is only a part of the training in Kendo. Like our training here at Sifu Och Wing Chun, as well as many other martial arts, Kendo requires a great deal of discipline and dedication to its training. From its teachings one will learn etiquette, proper sword handling and different postures and foot work. With these instructions and training one will be able to define their way in life as well as develop a rich outlook on it—“they will be able to put the culture of Kendo into use, thereby benefitting from its value in their everyday lives through increased social vigor (AJFK, 2007).

What is Kendo

The purpose of practicing kendo is:

To mold the mind and body,

To cultivate a vigorous spirit,

And through correct and rigid training,

Strive for Improvement in the art of Kendo;

Hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,

Associate with others with sincerity,

And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

Thus will one be able to love his country and society,

To contribute to the development of culture,

And to promote peace and prosperity among all people.

How to Defend Against Punches: Martial Arts Techniques You Need to Know

Posted on February 9, 2017October 11, 2024 by Sarah Lister

Master Real Self-Defense in Lakeland with Proven Techniques

Martial Arts Punches, from jabs to straight strikes exist in almost all styles of self defense. Though different arts may vary slightly in how they deliver this technique, the biggest difference lies in how they defend against it.

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Some martial arts punches will block the blow with a stagnant defense. Others will avoid contact completely by dodging or evading by moving in or to the side. This article will analyze how some of the most popular martial arts in the world defend against that attack.

Enhance Your Martial Arts Punch Defense with These Expert Variations

Wing Chun and Krav Maga: Efficiency and Minimal Movement

The Martial Arts Punch of Wing Chun and Krav Maga both prioritize efficient movement and minimal energy expenditure in their defenses. Training details, strike positioning, and technique to maximize your ability is Wing Chun so any size practitioner can train and utilize it. Whereas, Krav Maga is usually placing more emphasis on being aggressive, Wing Chun wants aggression with good technique and details why and how.

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Wing Chun’s intercepting punch technique, combined with the effective use of both hands, sets it apart from other martial arts. In Krav Maga, open-hand defenses often guide the punch away while positioning the practitioner for counterattacks.

Where-as any blocking and attacking simultaneous that Krav Maga does is taken from the fundamentals of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

How to Defend Against Punches: Top Martial Arts Punch Techniques

Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Muay Thai: Hard Blocks

In martial arts like Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Muay Thai, blocking is a key method of defense. These styles often employ hard blocks, absorbing much of the punch’s energy. Tae Kwon Do and Karate use guard positions, either blocking from outside-in or inside-out, while Muay Thai absorbs the blow through the guard with tight fists and elbows.

Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Muay Thai are similar in their defense of punches in that they block the attack in a hard stop that accepts much of the energy. The most popular punch defense in Tae Kwon Do is either an in-to-outside or an out-to-inside block.

To perform this block, one will start in the guard, one arm across the body and the other fist up by the face, by bringing the front arm either from the outside-in or inside-out of the body; this pushes the punch off course. Karate starts from the same guard, but will employ a box block.

The box block will move up, down, left or right, but only by a few inches; choosing to take an angle so that not so much force is necessary. In Muay Thai, the most common punch defense is accepting the blow to the guard. To form the guard, one will place both fists on the forehead while keeping the elbows in tight. The Muay Thai practitioner may turn slightly to deflect some of the blow, but the guard will absorb most of the blow.

Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, and Judo: Redirect, Deflect, Throw, and Submit

These styles aim to avoid direct force, using angles and redirection. Jiu-Jitsu practitioners might dodge punches or use takedowns. Aikido relies on circular energy to deflect attacks, often ending in joint locks. Judo, like Jiu-Jitsu, uses redirection techniques to maintain control of the fight. These martial arts prefer to take an angle to the oncoming offense, desiring to not incur quite as much damage.

Jiu-Jitsu defends mostly against ground techniques, though they acknowledge that most fights will start in stand-up. A practitioner may dodge the punch altogether, coming in with a take-down. To handle punches from the ground, much like the Muay Thai practitioner, one will use a guard. Aikido is all about redirecting energy in a circular fashion.

The Aikido practitioner may block to the outside of the opponents hand, continuing the momentum in a circle – usually ending in some kind of lock. Judo, like jiujitsu, does not like to address the punch directly. A Judo practitioner may side step the punch, following through with some form of lock or wrist manipulation.

Wing Chun and Krav Maga: Efficiency and Minimal Movement

Krav Maga and Wing Chun fall somewhere in the middle of our previous two groups in their martial arts punch defense against punches; both desire minimal movement, taking the path of least resistance.

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In Krav Maga, a practitioner will start with both hands open and in front of the face, stepping to the side and pushing one hand out to meet the oncoming punch; directing it off target. Wing Chun’s goal is to block and strike immediately at the available weakness or opening in the assailant.

Wing Chun will start off with the hand closest to the oncoming punch controlling the space that the opponents punch was in.

An alternative to that is to intercept it with a straight punch of their own. The martial arts punch from these systems prioritize efficient movement and minimal energy expenditure in their defenses. Wing Chun trains strike positioning and technique heavier so any size practitioner can train and utilize it. Wing Chun’s intercepting technique, combined with the effective use of both hands, sets it apart from other martial arts. In Krav Maga, open-hand defenses often guide the punch away while positioning the practitioner for counterattacks. Where-as any blocking and attacking simultaneous that Krav Maga does is taken from the fundamentals of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Master Proven Wing Chun for Real-World Self-Defense in Lakeland

At Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu, our instructors specialize in effective, real-world self-defense, emphasizing Wing Chun’s efficient techniques like the intercepting punch. Whether you’re defending against quick strikes or powerful punches, Wing Chun’s precise and minimalistic approach provides unmatched practicality in self-defense situations. Sifu Och Wing Chun’s tailored training prepares you for both competition and real-life encounters.

Take your punch defense skills to the next level. Fill out our contact form today and start training with Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu and Sanda Kickboxing!

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Experience Real Self-Defense: Wing Chun Training in Lakeland with Sifu Och

Chinese New Year Celebration: Why Florida’s Chinese Lion Dance Should Be on Your Radar

Posted on February 5, 2017October 10, 2024 by Sifu Justin Och

Experience the Magic: Florida’s Thrilling Chinese Lion Dance Performances

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The enchanting experience of Florida Chinese Lion Dance performances is highly regarded. As events unfold, vibrant displays of culture and artistry are presented. Each performance is designed to captivate audiences, showcasing traditional techniques and joyful energy.

Traditionally, the Lion Dance has been performed at various celebrations, bringing joy and good fortune. Consequently, it has become a popular entertainment choice for weddings, festivals, and corporate events. Each performance is tailored to meet the specific needs of the clients, ensuring a memorable experience. Furthermore, the talented performers undergo rigorous training to master the art, enhancing the overall quality of the show.

Chinese New Year, Asian Weddings, Corporate Events, our Florida Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance is here for you. You can book your event with us online, We travel all over Florida and will gladly provide you with a variety of exciting, fun and energized performances.

The Power of Performance: Florida’s Stunning Chinese Lion Dance

Moreover, the Lion Dance is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. As a result, it embodies important values such as bravery and strength. Audiences are often engaged through the lively music and intricate movements, which represent good luck and prosperity. Therefore, many individuals feel a connection to their heritage during these performances.

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Places we have performed in the past have ranged from P.F. Changs, Brandenton Museum, Jacksonville Zoo, DLP, Traders Bar and Grill, OM BAR, AA Garden Fusion, PFA, Premier Financial Alliance, Downtown Lakeland Partnership, Lincoln Academy, Many Many Asain Weddings, just to name a few.

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P.F Chang’s, Disney Hotels and Corporate Events, the Sifu Och Wing Chun Florida Lion Dance team has made it exciting and a unique spectacle. The performances are enhanced by live drumming, gongs, and cymbals. In addition, a combination of one to four lions, along with a dragon costume, can be included. Additionally, special patterns and themes are customized to align with the event’s vision.

Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun Florida’s Top Lion Dance Team

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Three key reasons highlight why Sifu Och Wing Chun should be chosen for Lion Dance performances. Firstly, a commitment to cultural preservation is demonstrated. Secondly, professional training is provided to ensure high-quality performances. Lastly, a dedication to client satisfaction is consistently upheld. Thus, an unforgettable experience is guaranteed.

Are you ready to elevate your event with a mesmerizing Lion Dance performance? Don’t wait any longer! Contact us today to book your performance and bring the magic of Chinese culture to your occasion.

Unlock the Culture: Why Florida’s Chinese Lion Dance is a Must-See Event

Traditional Lion Dance performances uplift the spirit and embody the culture of Chinese New Year. The Footwork of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts while overcoming puzzles, obstacles and retrieving Bok Choy green leaf cabbage symbolizing good luck, fortune, and prosperity.

Celebrate Tradition: The Vibrant Art of Chinese Lion Dance in Florida

The Florida Chinese Lion Dance performance music is provided by a live Drum, gong, symbols providing live music for our clients events.

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Explore how Lion Dance performances foster community spirit and bring people together during events.
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Lion Dance: A Symbol of Strength and Courage
Discover how Lion Dance embodies themes of strength and courage in Chinese culture.
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Florida Lion Dance Team – Book your Lion Dance Performance today!

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Chinese Lion Dance by Sifu Och Wing Chun & Photo by Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

The Fascinating Origins of Karate and Wing Chun: What You Need to Know

Posted on October 18, 2016October 15, 2024 by Tim Kittelstad

Tracing the Origins of Karate and Wing Chun: What You Need to Know

Though we may use photos to lighten the mood in this article. What we intend on doing is showing the correlation between Karate and Wing Chun share Origins. That through trade routes between Japan and Southern Chinese Martial artists. These two countries passion for self defense was also shared. That in that passion for exchange cultural differences shaped those styles in there perspective lands. With that new ways of engaging similiar exchanged ideas were moulded in their new homes and lands. There seems to be a lack of discussion about their similarities amidst all this conflict regarding their differences.

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Do Karate and Wing Chun Share Origins? I am here to argue that they do, and that origin is Southern Chinese Kung Fu, and White Crane Kung Fu.

The Surprising Connection Between Karate and Wing Chun’s Origins

Writers note: All of the information recorded below is complied via the written texts and speaking to different masters from both chinese martial arts and japanese martial arts. With all of the variances in language and historical accounting there may still be conflict. As the writer I have done my best to streamline the knowledge I have gathered and pay respects to the appropriate Masters who’s work brought these to incredible arts to life.

The Surprising Martial Arts History Linking Karate and Wing Chun

To begin answering the question do Karate and Wing Chun share origins let us look at Wing Chun Kung Fu First. Ng Mui, a Shaolin nun, developed it during the ancient Qing dynasty (1644-1917) in Southern China. Much of the martial arts history is a mix of legend and fact due to the monks living on the run from the Manchu Government seeking to destroy all opposition at that time.

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As the story goes, Ng Mui developed a system of short range combat with heavy influences from Crane Style Kung Fu. One only need watch the Crane style form and the similarities become easily visible. For example, Wing Chun’s Bui Jee’s, Palm strikes, and Tan Sao shapes.

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Even Stances immediately show themselves in the first form: San Zhan. Generations of Wing Chun maintained its secretive nature and served for assassinations because of its viciousness and effectiveness. Eventually, they passed it down to Ip Man. Who made it available to the rest of the world. When Ip Man brought it to Hong Kong after leaving Foshan.

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Students like Bruce lee made it famous to the west. Bruce Lee was not the only one though, students like Wong Shun Leung, Ip Chun (featured in the photo to the left, at 97 years of age) still training and practicing Wing Chun. Ip Chun, just to name a few train Wing Chun students in its direct and incredibly fast techniques.

Karate and Wing Chun: Discover Their Surprising Martial Arts Connection

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It uses structure and technique to overcome size and power by cutting angles or driving force back into the opponent. Its extensive and rich history, Karate cannot be easily defined. Karate and Wing Chun: Their Surprising White Crane Connection. Karate’s history is not easy to trace because of its many styles and variations. However, in 1922, a man by the name of Funakoshi Gichin, later known as the “Father of Japanese Karate”, left Okinawa for Tokyo, Japan, to demonstrate his art to the Ministry of Education at the First National Athletic Exhibition. Funakoshi’s stunning performance led to governmental approval to include Karate in the University Education System.

Combining the fighting techniques from Okinawa with the Budo, or “martial way”, he began teaching the art openly across Japan. His teaching was the key to opening the door for Karate’s international future. Karate’s many styles all have their own origins but there was a clear Chinese influence from the very beginning.

One piece of the puzzle lies in the name given to the original styles of Karate from Okinawa: Okinawa-te or Tode, meaning “Chinese Hand.” An Okinawan master later changed the name to “Karate-do,” which means “way of the empty hand.” So where did Karate come from and where does White Crane fit in? Confirming the influence from Southern China.

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Trade between Southern China and Okinawa during the early 1900’s was at a high. As a result of this trade, Chinese Kung Fu exposed many people on the island of Okinawa and in Mainland Japan to its techniques. So sought after were these chinese techniques that many martial artists would journey to China for extended periods of time. Often presumed dead, many would return as masters in the style of Kung Fu they had trained. Three main schools emerged when local masters organized these techniques: Naha-te, Tomari-te, and Shuri-te, all located in Okinawa. From Naha-te came Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna (or Higashionna in the original Okinawan language) and from Shuri-te came To-De Sakugawa. both men had heavy training in Chinese arts.

Karate and Wing Chun: Discover Their Surprising Martial Arts Connection

Grandmaster Sakugawa trained under Chinese Master Kong Su Kung (or Kusanku in Japanese). From Master Kung he learned Chinese Boxing or Kenpo. From his knowledge in these styles three main styles emerged from his school in Shuri: Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, and Shito-Ryu Karate. So even though his style of Karate does originate from China it does not really contain White Crane. However, another important lineage to follow is through Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna, which eventually led to Goju-Ryu Karate. Grandmaster Higaonna spent time in Fuzhou, China, in the 1870’s and trained under Ryu Ryu Ko, also known as Xie Xie Chongxiang, the founder Crying Crane Kung Fu and Grandmaster of White Crane Kung Fu.

Tracing the Surprising Connection Between Karate and Wing Chun

Writers Note: Uechi-Ryu and Chito-Ryu are both also said to have aspects of White Crane. Due to the influence as far as lineage not being quite as clear and for the sake of simplicity I wanted to focus on Goju-Ryu here.

Now, obvious to say that White Crane is not the sole founder of Karate with so many styles of Kung Fu in China at that time. There was, however, a definite influence on at least Goju-Ryu Karate (and as mentioned above Uechi-Ryu and Chito-Ryu). It is easy to quote a lineage but what about the actual techniques?Are there visible similarities between Karate and White Crane? Yes, a clear example can be found in a form called Sanchin or San Zhan. This video titled “Sanchin Form Comparison” clearly shows the movements and similarities between the forms.

The Hidden Connection Between Karate and Wing Chun’s Origins

Martial Arts Secrets: How Karate and Wing Chun Share the Same Lineage

In conclusion, certain styles of Karate were undeniably influenced by White Crane Kung Fu. Thereby solidifying Karate as a cousin of Wing Chun (albeit a very distant one). A further study could explore overlapping concepts among the four mentioned styles: Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu, Chito-Ryu, and Wing Chun. But, I will leave that to you the reader as a challenge. As you continue your martial art journey don’t seek out conflict but look to find harmony wherever possible.

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Editors Closing Thoughts

Isn’t that what martial arts is about? Making yourself better and working together with those around you. Are we prepared to defend ourselves should trouble arise? Of course, but whether you train Karate, Wing Chun, or any other system we should be seeking to common ground. As martial arts brothers and sisters we should seek help those around us!

Never Give Up: Powerful Quotes to Inspire Your Wing Chun Journey

Posted on August 17, 2016October 14, 2024 by Tim Kittelstad

Unlock Your Potential: Never Give Up Quotes For Wing Chun Training

The type of success we are talking about isn’t money, but rather power of yourself and the ability to protect others.

This isn’t the only definition of success but rather it applies to all aspects of life where an individual has a goal to be reached. Contrary to first thought, success is not reaching of the goal, but the growth of the individual towards that goal. Here are some Never Give Up quotes for Wing Chun training.

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“Success is not a destination, it’s a journey.”

– Zig Ziglar

Unlock Success in Wing Chun with These ‘Never Give Up’ Quotes

As you look at any “successful” person, whether it be in finances, health and fitness, or martial arts, there is one thing in common with their journey, they never gave up. And because they never gave up they grew into a person that was able to achieve the goals they were seeking.

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They became successful. Never quiting on yourself and on your goals is more then just a mindset. People stop, and then convince themselves that they haven’t QUIT. That they will come back to it some day. But that is just delayed quiting. The next of our Never Give Up quotes may be one of my favorite quotes for Wing Chun training:

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but

I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

– Bruce Lee

How ‘Never Give Up’ Quotes Fuel Your Wing Chun Progress

This very famous quote emphasizes the focus of one’s time towards excellence in few abilities rather than mediocrity in many. Hidden within the little proverb is another truth. To be able to complete 10,000 of anything one must have a character saturated in diligence, perseverance, and patience. Coupled with these characteristics is belief that, in time, any goal can be achieved with persistence and consistent work. No matter what the obstacles, or whatever the challenge. If a person simply decides in his mind that he can accomplish something, and never gives up, anything can be achieved. 80% of people that walk through a martial arts door and a decide to actually begin their journey quit within the first 3 months.

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Only 3% of students actually make it to the coveted black belt. What’s the difference? Why the huge gap? Because never quitting, no matter how hard it gets, is an attribute that most do not understand.

“The Master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried”.

– Stephen McCranie

Stay Strong in Wing Chun Training: Motivational Quotes That Inspire

Failure is commonly viewed as a negative aspect of life. Growing up in school we are conditioned to avoid failure at all costs which causes much stress. This pressure is actually misplaced because the common view of failure is incorrect. Failure goes hand in hand with success. Without failure there cannot be success. We are imperfect beings therefore there will be imperfect decisions and actions taken.

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Once this is accepted failure is a teacher that one can learn to improve all areas of their life with. Failing a belt test does not mean you are a bad martial artist. If you have put in the time and work. Tests are designed not for the teacher, but for the student. To see where they are in their journey.

Transform Your Wing Chun Practice with ‘Never Give Up’ Inspiration

If that test is failed, that is simply another indicator of what steps are needed to help the student grow and move forward. The pain of failure, in time can become powerful tool in the process of upgrading ones character and abilities. Over time, as one begins to actively use failure as a tool, it no longer brings feels of pain and discouragement, but of excitement and determination. However, to reach that level of mental maturity, one must be patient and allow the growth to happen. We did not learn to walk in one step.

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Unstoppable Spirit: Wing Chun Quotes to Fuel Your Training Commitment

We fell down as babies, and ALWAYS got back up. We did not care what our parents, siblings, friends, thought, we simply got back up and kept walking! NEVER GIVE UP!

“Pain is Temporary, if I quit, however, it will last forever”.

– Eric Thomas

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The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow.” – Anonymous

Physical and mental challenges are an integral part of martial arts training. When the exercises seem tough, or when you’re struggling to master a move, remember that this struggle is making you stronger. At Sifu Och Wing Chun, we encourage our students to embrace these moments, knowing that every ounce of effort brings them closer to mastery.

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb

In Wing Chun, and in life, resilience is key. You might experience setbacks during your training, but what matters most is how you respond to them. This proverb reminds us that the true measure of success is not in avoiding failure but in rising after every fall.

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“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

This powerful quote serves as a reminder that both success and failure are temporary. What matters most in your Wing Chun journey is the courage to keep going, even when the path gets difficult.

At Sifu Och Wing Chun, our instructors teach not only technique but the mindset required to persevere and overcome challenges. We foster an environment where students are encouraged to grow and push through the challenges they face. Do you want to be successful? Do you want to become a Black sash? I have the key—it’s more than just these Never Give Up quotes: NEVER. GIVE. UP.

Ready to Start your Wing Chun Journey?

Fill out our contact form today to begin your journey with Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. Join a community that pushes you to never give up and discover the power of perseverance in your martial arts training.

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Getting Through Frustrating Times in Martial Arts Training

Posted on July 13, 2016September 6, 2020 by Betsy Olay

Whether you’re an advanced martial artist or just beginning your martial arts journey, you’ll have many times where you feel that you’re doing well in your training. Your punches feel strong! You’re confident in your combinations! You feel like the martial arts applications you are learning are being executed almost perfectly! All is well in your world…for now. You must also handle getting through frustrating times in martial arts training as well.

That’s right. Eventually you’ll have a day, week, or even a month or two where you’ll feel like you’re never going to progress as a martial artist. You can’t remember your combinations. The form you knew flawlessly for the previous month is suddenly confusing you. Your fellow students seem to be moving ahead of you in their training. Are you really at the end of your success as a student of the martial arts? Have you peaked? Of course not! You’ve simply hit the notorious “wall of frustration”!

So, what do you do now? The way you choose to answer to this question is extremely important! There will, of course, be the temptation to take the easy way out and simply give up. A devoted student, however, cannot give in to this temptation and will never give up. What are the other options that could help you get through frustrating times in martial arts training and deal with the “wall of frustration”?

Get Through Frustrating Times in Martial Arts Training

Here are some options that have helped me get through frustrating times in martial arts training and Wing Chun classes in general. I hope you will find these options useful as well.

Give Yourself a Reality Check

Take an honest look at your training. Getting through frustrating times in martial arts training involves taking a hard look at your practices. Have you been coming in to class as much as you were before you were experiencing the frustration? Have you been skipping training or leaving early? Are you socializing more than you’re actually practicing? If you have examined your training, attendance, and dedication and can truly say you have not changed your routine, I would recommend that you check your perception of reality with your Sifu (teacher, mentor, master) or your Sihings (advanced students). Sometimes others can give us insight into how we may have changed in our level of dedication or attendance in our training.

Seek Advice From Advanced Students

Getting through frustrating times in martial arts training may mean involve seeking help from above. Yes, that kind of above—but also from others ranked higher than you. It’s a guarantee that the seasoned higher ranked students have been there before you. Whatever walls you are running into, I bet your Sihings will have an idea about how to help you get through frustrating times. Let your Sihings know how you are feeling about your training, and be as specific as you can about your areas of frustration. Since your Sihings are more advanced, they will be able to tell you about how they overcame the challenges you faced when they were in your position. Make sure you are open-minded to what they are telling you. They are there to help you grow and move beyond any obstacles you may have in your training.

Look at the Goals You’ve Set for Yourself

If you have set goals for yourself on your path to achievement in martial arts, which I suggest all martial arts practitioners should, then you may need to review them. Is your frustration a result of setting goals for yourself that are unrealistic? Have you given yourself too strict a timeline to try to meet your goals? You can’t expect yourself to be Bruce Lee or Ip Man overnight! Your training will take time. If you think you should be able to achieve the same level of power and accomplishment in 6 months of Wing Chun that your Sihings have taken 3 years to accomplish, then you are definitely setting yourself up for feelings of frustration. It is difficult not to compare ourselves to others with whom we train, but we have to remember that we train to improve ourselves, not to be somebody else.

Let us know if these tips help you get through frustrating times in martial arts training by visiting us on our Facebook page.

Sifu Justin Och Wing Chun Kung Fu
Regional Director for the SE USA, World Ving Tsun Association.
116 East Pine Street, Lakeland, Florida 33801
https://sifuochwingchun.com/
863-800-0171

Join the Movement: Full-Body Self-Defense Training Now in Lakeland

Posted on July 25, 2012October 14, 2024 by Sifu Justin Och

Comprehensive Self-Defense: Full-Body Techniques You Need to Know in Lakeland

Using your entire as a weapon and developing it for use of protection and peace. My Chen Style Tai Chi Grandmaster (Grandmaster Lee Chen) from the Chen Village in China. Said this is called five bows; each arm and limb is a single bow and the torso is the fifth and when used as one entity of solid body mechanics and proper technique they become stronger than anything your opponent can throw.

Master Full-Body Self-Defense in Lakeland, FL: Your Complete Guide

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Now again here is a theory, can we prove it? The answer is yes, as the chapters go on you are going to notice the more you learn how to use the entire body as a whole the stronger you will become. Though I’m sure you may have heard of using your entire body as a weapon. How often do you see it done or taught. How often do you see a flow of combative hits in practical sparring that use every part of the body to attack?

Unlock Your Potential: Full-Body Self-Defense Training Available in Lakeland

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As well as every part that attacks, is also backed by the rest of the body in on flowing solid connection. Unfortunately we hear about the principles but very few people know how to use there entire body as one and even fewer know how to teach it. As Authentic combat Wing Chun practitioner’s we are constantly trying to make ourselves and our art within ourselves stronger.

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Not out of some need to harm others but because it brings us closer to our true selves. We know how invigorating it is to use your full body self defense in lakeland fl. Training within Chi Sau (fighting with double sticking hands) or Wrist against Wrist with another higher level practitioner. We can always get better so we are always students to ourselves and those around us.

Empower Yourself with Full-Body Self-Defense Techniques in Lakeland

who may be able to shed light on something deeper we have not yet touched on. We are also reclusive with our techniques at times seeing them as precious pieces of gold only to be shown and traded with those we feel will honor our lineage forefathers and the lives and blood they shed to understand and raise up. Though once you are seen as a honorable and respectful man/woman you are treated as this art has always treated someone of that caliber, like family. We open our hearts and doors to you, sharing the knowledge we have gained and what others have shared with us. We want you to understand and be able to use the techniques we share to there fullest because by doing so you give honor back to those lineage forefathers that taught it to us and to honor them we seek to make you great.

James Frazier, Taekwondo, Lakeland, Master, Instructor

When you show humility and respect to those who have shaped you, you also earn their respect in return. That is why we strive not to create new fancy moves and theories or new beautiful looking techniques. We know that knowledge without proven application is just a theory. The principle of Wing Chun theory is the creation of an idea that comes from reality and combat.

Join the Fight: Discover Full-Body Self-Defense Techniques in Lakeland!

Training and using “Applicable Theory”

Sometimes, you find yourself reacting to a combative situation and flowing through a series of techniques when suddenly. One technique emerges unexpectedly—not something you had planned. But it surfaces because Wing Chun demands it in that moment.

That is applicable theory. Your intense perseverance and dedication in Wing Chun demanded that application drive out from the very soul of your skills and abilities at the peak of your reaction. “Applicable Theory” allows for one the expansions of Wing Chun to grow as times change, it allows a practitioner to develop themselves for a variety of situations.

At Wing Chun self defense lakeland fl we combine relation of body mechanics and proven related combative action in a realistic situation where all proven theory takes a front seat to the ideology of theoretical possibilities. In the nature and purity of Wing Chun techniques, as well as their original purpose of establishing effective point-to-point centerline relations with complete and simultaneous protection and devastation, a seasoned practitioner proves or dismisses ideology when facing an uncooperative assailant.

Though “Applicable Theory” is not the only way Wing Chun grows from within its own purity, Wing Chun always makes the practitioner ask the “what if” question. If you have ever practiced a martial art, witnessed a situation, or encountered a theory about how a technique would or could work, you may have asked yourself, “What if the person did this?”

In this book, you may ask “what if,” but nothing is perfect, and this book does not aim to answer all your questions. That is the essence of Wing Chun; it embodies the “what if” martial art, and we will always continue to ask.Though it is very hard to find a Wing Chun practitioner that knows the complete system of Wing Chun they are out there waiting for the right student, waiting for the “what if”.

Because Wing Chun loves to answer the “what if” when you find a high ranking SIFU that has trained in the complete art of Wing Chun ask them “what if” and you will see a smile on there face, because here comes the answers and they are logical, extremely effective and useful. But only with time, dedication, training and sparring can you make them your own. Until then they are not yours and will not work for you until you make them yours. This is the beauty in Complete Wing Chun and the benefit for time spent. It is the “what if” martial art, it takes your questions and places them through 10,000 years of logical fighting techniques and body mechanics and gives you the one of the best answers you could have hoped for.

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Sparring, Mobility, Speed, Power, and controlled direct contact are foundational ideas of Sifu Och Wing Chun. This is the foundation of Kung Fu. The Heart of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Whether you are reading this for yourself or for your school. We know that if the majority of our training is Yin and instill Yin we will get a Yin student.

Have that student face a street situation or another practitioner trained in sparring, direct contact, mobility, speed, and power. Who do you think is going to win? Think of the greats in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Yip Man (Ip Man), Bruce Lee, Wong Shun Leung, Simon Lau, etc. They were all fighters. They spoke and trained for fighting with Wing Chun. (ving tsun) For Many years ago before I started my Wing Chun training. I had trained in other styles and was trained to believe that I could Master the martial arts without sparring.

When I first started Wing Chun I quickly changed my mind. Where did these practitioners get all of their speed, endurance, technique and power. How could they react to everything I did and was thinking about doing before I even got to do it? I realized that direct confrontation with a moving, active, thinking opponent was completely different then my mirror and forms provided. I realized that this was where Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) Kung Fu reigned. If I wanted this elusive martial art as my own, I was going to have to push myself in dedication. Win or lose, I would be the one gaining all the benefits. A true understanding of those secrets deep within Wing Chun.

This is where I started looking into the different techniques, combinations and movements that were being given to me. Over the years, I explored Wing Chun’s body mechanics. I discovered that slight adjustments for my size and those around me increased my power and technique effectiveness

Solid body mechanics and proper technique, a lifetime of understanding

Techniques I thought I could never use in combat became possible as my strength and understanding increased. Wing Chun truly is a complete system. It emulates its name, “everlasting springtime” or “ever-changing springtime. It has an answer for any situation and is a progressive, modern martial arts. Its #1 rule is: “Your closest weapon to your opponent’s closest vital.” This means to use the most direct attack. Don’t think about it—just attack the next closest vital. Keep your root strong, maintain correct footwork, and let your whole body become a weapon.

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Start your self-defense journey with the best training in Lakeland, Florida! Join Sifu Och Wing Chun today and fill out our contact form to discover how full-body self-defense can empower you in all aspects of life.

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Sifu Justin Och

Black and Gold Wing Chun Kung Fu Instructor

http://www.academiamexicanadecine.org

Do the self defense program focus on real world applications or “the art”?

What measures are taken to ensure safety and prevent injury in the self defense program?

Are there students who have been training for more than a year?

Are the instructors approachable and willing to answer your questions?

Do you feel comfortable training with the other students?

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

4 Ways to Intercept

Intercepting Fist

Turning Punch

Tan Sao

Paak Punch

Final thoughts

A Letter To Myself-Marcus Morales

The Jump

In the Water

Learning How to Swim

Sifu Och

Sifu’s Students

Lost Qualities of Modern Martial Arts

The art of manipulation

The art of timing

Ducking, bobbing, and weaving

Development of senses

Conditioning

Developing intent over instinct

Proper breath control

Familiarity of pressure points

Simultaneous blocking and attacking

Development of character and personal strength

The Kickers Guide A-H (Part I)

Axe Kick

Back Kick

Butterfly Kick

Fish Kick

Front Kick (Push/Snap)

Half-Moon/Crescent (Reverse Half-Moon/Crescent)

Half Crescent/Tong Kick

Karate & Tae Kwon Do

WIng CHun

Variations

Similarities

Hand Entries

Paak Slip

Paak Punch

Paak into Bui or Tan

Kick Entries

Shadow Kick

Crescent Kick

The Key to Closing the Gab

Why wear gear?

Could wearing head gear actually hurt?

Growth in Wing Chun

Ip Man was released in the united states

Years of Martial Arts Fanaticism

Sifu Och Wing Chun has been a Blessing

Not Simply a school to learn how to defend

Nervous when entering a physical confrontation

Now I love sparring

Cardiovascular Exercise

Treadmill vs Sparring

Recovery

Weightlifting

Adding Power

Strength Down to the Bone

wing chun difference

First Weeks of Training wing chun difference

Karate girl Learning to Love Wing Chun

First couple of months in Training

Too many give up to quickly

My lakeland wing chun journey

My First Class with Sifu Och Wing Chun

Advance my Self Defense Skills

lakeland wing chun journey through Sifu Och

lakeland wing chun journey is Not Over Complicated

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown Combo

The Jab

The Jab, Cross

The Jab, Cross, Hook

The Jab, Cross, Hook, Takedown