When to Learn Wooden Dummy & Chi Sau

Learning martial arts is much like a knife. You will take your training through stages before you can use it. The two main stages involved are crafting the knife and sharpening the knife. When to Learn Wooden Dummy & Chi Sau depends on your view point in regards to these stages. I will speak from the perspective that I was taught at Sifu Och Wing Chun. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the “correct” way, it is simply how we do it here.

Knowing when to teach Wooden Dummy & Chi Sau

Stage 1 – The view point that is at Sifu Och Wing Chun is one based in immediate application. When a student walks into our door we want to teach them street applicable techniques as soon as possible. We have had multiple students come into our studio living in dangerous situations. Our first advice is always to get away from the situation or people causing the problems. But when it comes to the techniques we can’t teach them Chi Sau or Wooden Dummy because at that moment it is not applicable.

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They must be able to deal with dangerous situations and attacks immediately. We want to equip them with a basic defense against hooks, hard straight punches, take-downs, pushes, grabs etc. Once they have an established based we want to add onto their skill by adding combinations, transitions, and working against and with weapons. Finally, free sparring to train you on how to use and deal with other martial arts combat reactions.

The Need for Chi Sau

Now, the argument might be made that without Chi Sau it will be difficult to enhance certain aspects of your reflexes. To this I agree to a point. In Chi Sau you deal with close quarter sensitivity reaction as well as redirection and close range trapping. So it is a vital aspect of training Wing Chun.

wing chun classesHowever, for the new student, Chi Sau may be difficult to use as a tool. You must train Chi Sau to learn structure before using it for reaction. Making sure that you have constant forward energy, balanced strength, and good relaxation can takes weeks to months of hard training.To fill in the gab between sparring and Chi Sau we use wrist against. This is essentially Chi Sau reaction hands without the rolling.

The same is essentially true with the wooden dummy. But instead of referring to reaction the wooden dummy would deal with structure and positioning refinement.

Stage 2

grandmaster ip chun, Ip Chun, eldest son of ip man, ip man, sifu justin och, hong kong chinaStage 2 can be equated to the sharpening of the knife. You now have a good solid foundation in your techniques. You know how to apply them and it what situation they should be used. Now we must work to make them stronger, easier, more efficient. This is the perfect place for Chi Sau and Wooden Dummy. With the correct context in mind when applying the techniques, the refinement of them now has a purpose.

The Knife

Reverting back to the knife analogy. Imagine having a slab of metal and sharpening one side of it. Now, what do you have? A slab of metal with a sharp end. There is no way to use it as desired. Building the knife takes time. The handle, the guard if wanted, the length. You must make this part of the knife first before you can sharpen it. If you do not you are not only going to have a much hard time sharpening it but you will have an unusable knife.

Now, this goes without saying, all of the above depends on your goals. If you are seeking to learn Wing Chun to find balance in your life. Develop your mind and find new friends, then learning these aspects of Wing Chun sooner than later makes sense. However, if you are looking for the combat of Wing Chun then saving that for later is suggested for When to Learn Wooden Dummy & Chi Sau.

WING CHUN LAKELAND FL CONTACT (863) 800-0171

Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu
Call us: 863.800.0171
116 East Pine Street, Lakeland, FL 33801 (Downtown Lakeland)

 

How to Choose the Right Sparring Gear for Safety

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?

Get Ready for Battle: Choosing the Right Sparring Gear


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. 

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The Hidden Risks of Not Wearing Sparring Gear

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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. 

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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.

Sparring Gear Myths: What You Should Really Know

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.

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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. To begin with, sparring protective gear helps prevent injuries. Additionally, it allows practitioners to train with confidence, knowing that they are shielded from potential harm. In fact, the right equipment enhances overall performance and enables students to focus on technique rather than fear of injury.

Sparring Gear Explained: What You Need for Safe Training

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. 

Related Articles for Comparison

  1. Benefits of Sparring in Martial Arts
    URL: https://sifuochwingchun.com/benefits-of-sparring-in-martial-arts/
  2. Wing Chun Techniques and Training
    URL: https://sifuochwingchun.com/wing-chun-techniques-and-training/
  3. The Importance of Sparring in Wing Chun
    URL: https://sifuochwingchun.com/importance-of-sparring-in-wing-chun/

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

Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook Takedown Combo

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

wing chun vs jab cross hook

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.

Fighting Stances Across Martial Arts

Structure is literally the foundation of any martial art, making it exponentially important to just about everything we do. It dictates the amount of power we can expend in our punches, what areas of the body become more vulnerable and open, and how easily we can throw in kicks. Most martial arts will include a variety of different stances yet will usually rely on one in particular as their fighting stance. Every possible fighting stance has its own advantages and disadvantages and complements the individual art. Though there are countless variations, the most prominent fighting stances fall into the categories of side and front stances.

Side Stance

In this stance, the practitioner turns their body sideways so that they are essentially perpendicular to their opponent. Both feet are on one line with the majority of the weight shifted toward the back leg. Some of the martial arts that favor use of this stance are Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Judo. Martial artists who use this stance do so for a few reasons. Primarily, they claim that there is less of a target area for the opponent to exploit when the body is sideways instead of full on. Another advantage is that this is an easier stance to kick from. Since most of the weight is already on the back leg, there is minimal prep work needed in order to pull off a kick.

Most of the time, you can do so without visibly shifting your weight, making it easier to conceal the kick until it has already made contact with the opponent. Some possible disadvantages to this stance exist as well. When a fighter employs this stance it will be easy to attack from the front hand and foot, but much more difficult to attack with the back limbs. Though it is certainly possible to attack with the back hand and foot, it will be highly telegraphed to the opponent due to the amount of distance the attack has to travel and the shift in body weight.

Front Stance

The front stance is a favorite of those in Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga. In this stance, the practitioner squares their hips and shoulders to face the opponent. Both feet point toward the opponent, one foot back, weight low and evenly distributed. This stance allows for greater structure than the side stance with a higher capability for impact. The ability to root is gained making you less likely to be pushed off balance. This stance also allows for all weapons to be closer to and facing the opponent. With the shoulders square, both arms have the opportunity to be equidistant to the opponent. This makes it easier to pull off combos and simultaneous hand techniques.

Avid side stance practitioners may claim that a front stance makes you more susceptible to body blows. This is due to having the whole torso facing the opponent; however, both arms and legs are free to help guard. Another possible disadvantage to the front stance is the groin being a more open target. In Wing Chun, they combat this issue by turning the front foot in slightly making it so that the leg can block the groin.

Conclusion

Though forcing all martial art fighting stances into these two categories may be a vast oversimplification. It actually shows how much we all have in common. In fact there are some martial arts that do not fit in these categories at all. As an example, BJJ and Aikido prefer a stance somewhere in the middle, neither a front nor side stance. But after you get past all of the different techniques and ways of doing things, at the root of it all is a solid stance and that is something we can all agree on.

Why wait until your child is a victim?

Children will always be susceptible to acts of bullying, but why wait until that happens? Don’t wait until your child’s already a victim of bullies, harassment, depression or a habit of disrespect. Enrolling your child in the martial arts under individuals like Sifu Och Wing Chun has the potential to solve the problem before it begins. Creating a proactive solution to the problem that so many face. Putting your child in martial arts has the ability to increase respect and self-esteem, and improve peer relationships. Why wait until your child is a victim?

Respect and Self-esteem

Sifu Och Wing Chun kung fu and other martial arts for kids can help increase respectful talk, and respectful behavior. This can go a long way in life and with teachers in the school system, making learning and education a more enjoyable experience for all involved. But fostering a sense of respect is no easy task and takes time, effort, and lots of parental involvement. If the child is only disciplined and in a structured environment once a week, it may take years to see change; however, if the parents are continuing the effort put forth in class, results may occur in as little as a few weeks.

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Respect and self-esteem are two values that often influence one another. When the child is respectful to others, he or she is more likely to respect his or her self – encouraging good self-esteem. Having good self-esteem is imperative to warding off bullies. Bullying leads to a lack of self-esteem, but a lack of self-esteem may also lead to bullying. When the child’s self-esteem is low, they begin to believe what the bullies are saying about them and start to identify with that image. Children with higher self-esteem are more likely to disregard bullies, easily believing their words to be untruthful. In the martial arts, children are taught their worth and encouraged to build themselves up. Martial arts give children goals to set and achieve and, with the right school, instructors that mentor each child to reach their full potential.

Peer Relationships

Sometimes your child may be their own bully solution. By increasing their self worth they reduce depression and anxiety. Sifu Och Wing Chun can also help with their social skills which can help them to make new friends. When children are suffering with depression and anxiety, they are at a greater risk to become a victim of bullying. Physical activity of any kind has a positive effect on depression and anxiety, when that activity meets with the structure and discipline of martial arts the effect is twofold.

But on top of benefiting the child physically and mentally, the peer relationships that they make in class encourages good social development. Often times in school, certain children have a tendency to get left out. Either by the group as a whole or ostracized from different cliques. In a martial arts class, children work with everyone in the class as well as in groups and individually. When doing partner work the partners will switch up every round. This gives each child the opportunity to meet and make new friends as well as work with different body types. Simultaneously promoting social and martial arts skill.

Choose Now-Why wait until your child is a victim?

People of all ages are susceptible to bullying, but why wait until after the fact to do something? Most adults have learned to cope and deal with bullies, but it is usually after years of being bullied themselves. Enrolling your child in a martial art does not mean that they won’t get bullied. It does, however, ensure that they are better equipped to deal with it when it happens.

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

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

Bruce Lee, JKD, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do

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!

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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!

Related Articles from Sifu Och Wing Chun

  1. What is Wing Chun?
  2. Benefits of Wing Chun Training
  3. Self-Defense Techniques in Wing Chun

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Learn from one of the best training academies in the Southeastern United States:
Start your martial arts journey today! Fill out our contact form to learn more about training with Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. Don’t wait—take the first step toward becoming a more confident and capable individual!

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Jackie Chan Wing Chun Kung Fu Practitioner

Some very prominent Wing Chun practitioners have helped the style pick up mainstream interest. Wing Chun isn’t new, however, and the rich history of Wing Chun is worth looking into. Around the 1970’s, Kung Fu was getting some serious recognition thanks to some very popular TV shows and films. Chinese martial arts suddenly started to have a  name. While Kung Fu the Legend Continues was a huge hit, Bruce Lee’s films and entries like the popular Ip Man movie and almost anything starring Donnie Yen. These popular martial art movies, TV programs, posters, and a larger number of emerging schools are really taking Wing Chun far into the mainstream. The Jackie Chan Wing Chun style involved serious training and combat with a comedic angle that endeared it to viewers everywhere.

Jackie Chan Wing Chun Kung Fu

Jackie Chan demonstrates his love for Wing Chun Kung Fu while showing off his wooden dummy abilities. His Rumble in the Bronx movie is just one example of this. Here is a clip of him practicing on the wooden dummy on screen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz5Ppw9gnpk

Other stars have also jumped into adding Wing Chun as part of their routine, including Madonna, who has even trained in the art of Shaolin Kung Fu and Wushu. The Diva of all female celebrities has probably tried most of the activities out there. When preparing for her 2001 tour she decided to try her hand at Shaolin Kung Fu, for increased balance and power. With a foundation in Yoga and Dancing, she found amazing results and unbelievable coordination and strength. She made the transition in the highly difficult art of Shaolin Kung Fu and Wushu because she saw the need and the results were real.

Criss Angel, the magician and illusionist refers often to his practice in the martial arts. Criss Angel has trained and devoted his body and mind towards the mental toughness that kung fu and the martial arts provide. Strengthening and toughing his mental and physical resolve is what allows him to accomplish his various feats of strength and endurance.

Your Wing Chun Training

A Kung Fu practitioner doesn’t have time or the privilege to waste time, indulge in wasteful fruitless, and idle activities.  A self motivated and disciplined practitioner reflects a person that others are inspired by and want to become.

Sifu Och – Wing Chun Kung Fu
116 E. Pine St, Lakeland, Fl 33801
sifuochwingchun@gmail.com
863.800.0171

Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Training

Sifu Och Wing Chun wooden dummy trainingThe Wing Chun wooden dummy is typically made of hard wood and has three protruding arms in different attack positions (jab, cross, gut shot) as well as a forward wooden or metal leg for kick applications. The Wing Chun Wooden Dummy form trains specific techniques that are performed simultaneously to increase and improve a practitioners self defense fighting application. Accuracy and proper technique are paramount to achieving the highest training potential the wooden dummy has to offer. Though many people and styles have bought and trained on the wooden dummy, not just any kind of martial art can get the maximum results the wooden dummy has to offer. The wooden dummy’s angles, structure, and posture were created for performing and training the aspects and angles of forward Wing Chun and Kung Fu fighting.

Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Training Techniques

Practitioner’s of other styles may use large movements or smacking/striking techniques to “condition” the arms, fists, and legs, but this is not the true purpose of the wooden dummy. Proper training under a certified instructor is essential to get the most out of your Wing Chun wooden dummy training. In Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, he emphasized training on the wooden dummy as Wing Chun is one of the central engines to the Jeet Kune Do style.

Wing Chun wooden dummy training

wooden dummy muk yan jong trainingWing Chun wooden dummy training takes the development of timing, power, correct structure, coordination, mobility, footwork. If you want to increase your speed, structure, focus and mobility while harnessing your internal and external energy towards serious accomplishments, Wing Chun has all of the aspects to achieve it. The Wooden Dummy is just one of its tools to assist you in this path of great and serious accomplishment. The Wooden Dummy is static in it own nature but reactionary in both sound and movement against a mobile fighter allowing you to train on iron palm, iron arm, and combination fighting applications. ‘Wooden Dummy sparring’ or ‘Wooden Dummy fighting’ is a free form fighting method that amazing to watch and even more fun to practice when a pugilist full understands what they can do. A fighter (no matter what his/her background needs to acquire certain skills and abilities. Endurance to last the fight, speed, power and timing to deliver your blows without getting hit yourself and precision and accuracy while rooting and moving so you are not a static and immobile practitioner. A well rounded fighter has to know standup and ground defense, knife, gun and stick tactics as well as striking, kicking, throwing, chi na and countering. A well rounded fighter has to strengthen there arms, body, fists and legs to deliver powerful blows while being able to take blows and strikes if attacked or caught off guard.

The Wing Chun system trains all of these aspects and is a complete style of fighting that aims to create a well rounded and powerful fighting practitioner for real world self defense. Under the guidance of a great practitioner/instructor the Wooden Dummy is an amazing tool in your training that will condition your mind and body, build endurance and fighting flow and increase your precision and rooting. Making you the Wing Chun fighter a force unlike any other.

Wing Chun Life

wing chun lifeWing Chun Life

My name is Justin Cibin, and I love the art of life of Wing Chun.  My interest was sparked some 16 years ago when a few high-school friends and I attended a demonstration of the wooden dummy.  I was amazed with the power and beauty of the art but wasn’t mature enough to actually focus on learning it at that time.  Fast forward to present date, and I’m head over heels, (sometimes literally) in this art.  My first impression after trying it was that it was extremely difficult for me to get a shot in on the other students with my standard brawling style. Then, after tussling with Sifu Och I could tell that I had much to learn and the ability to do it.   With the submission of this paper I’ve dedicated roughly 18 months progressing through white, yellow, orange, and hopefully green sash.  I can’t imagine using anything else to protect myself and loved ones. Wing Chun builds character, strength, and focus.   It demands a mix of extreme attention to bio-mechanics and willingness to push through pain and confusion.  It takes a strong leader with an amazing amount of passion to successfully pass these skills on.  My fist conversation with Sifu Och last about 30 minutes. Being a person of passion, it’s easy for me to pick up on those who have the same trait and let me tell you that you haven’t met a more passionate person. He’ll get the best out of you, and if that’s not your deal, you’ll probably quit.

Wing Chun helped me through my greatest challenge.  Four years ago, my marriage collapsed and was followed by one of the worst and longest court experiences you could ask for ranging from a vindictive ex-wife out for money, and possibly my very own sole.  I had to overcome the obvious and blatant attacks occurring to both my 8 year old son Michael and 6 year old daughter Isabella. For me this wasn’t just an emotional hurdle, but a very real physical attack at times from a once close person. It was like being clubbed down by some mugger in the street for all that I had including your sanity. I tell you this because to gain my bearings I did two things.  First, I found a great church, and second I found Wing Chun. It’s given me new tools to lean on.  It’s all about a strong base, strong structure, relaxation, and power at the correct moments.  It’s about humbleness, consideration, respect, and the ability to help defend those who cannot do so for themselves.

justin-cibin-orlando-ip-man-wing-chunOnce you start to apply these sound principles, you simply stop applying the unsound ones that invited the negative behaviours and results. It showed be that it’s necessary to ask questions and then be quiet and humble to learn the lesson. If you don’t seek knowledge it doesn’t come!   There are plenty of obstacles to slow you down in the art. For me it’s about a four hour round trip once or twice a week.  I have a thousand legitimate reasons to quit; two small demanding children, a full time career in the software industry with SAP (third largest software company in the world), a crazy long drive full of bumper to bumper traffic, physical body pain, and monetary constraints.

Wing Chun taught me that quitting equals selling yourself short and if you can tolerate selling yourself short, what’s to stop you for selling your loved one shorts when it counts.  What’s to stop you from letting others sell you short – nothing!  You have to learn how to be your biggest fan, respect yourself, and have faith that Christ will align you to what you’re meant to do. This is the road towards an enriched life, and I am blessed that Wing Chun has its role in my journey.  Today, I can feel the physical changes in my body in terms of having more control and a general sense of being able to protect myself and loved ones because of Wing Chun.

I have lost a ton of weight, improved my life and the drive from deep Orlando has been worth it every time.

I’m not sure why your not down here training but it is never to late to start.

I look forward to seeing you in class

Justin Cibin

 

 

 

I’ve included the schools information and classes below.

Wing Chun Kung Fu    863.800.0171      https://sifuochwingchun.com

116 east pine street, lakeland florida 33801

Mid-Day class –  Tuesday and Thursday- 11:30am -12:30 pm (60 min)

Night Bootcamp – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 5:45-6:30 pm (45 min)

Night Beginner Fundamentals & Intermediate Wing Chun Self Defense – 6:30-8:00 pm

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – Wing Chun core – 6:30-7:00, Wing Chun scenario self defense – 7:00-7:30, Combinations and Reaction – 7:00-8pm

 

 

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