Fitness and Self Defence for Women |
 Wing Chun for Women
In the past, women enrolling in martial arts courses were primarily concerned with learning to defend themselves against rape and other forms of violence. While that holds true today, other women are seeking a challenging and interesting means of keeping fit.
With the growing profile of women in the workplace, the improved confidence, mind focus and poise offered by Wing Chun kung fu especially are an added bonus.
Wing Chun is ideally suited for women having been founded by one, Ng Mei. It is also one of the most devastatingly practical styles of martial arts and does not rely on brute strength or muscle to function, making it ideally suited to women's self-defence.
The Benefits of Wing Chun
Wing Chun:
- Is easy to learn.
- Does not rely on size and strength.
- Can be applied effectively in any situation.
- Is not risky.
Besides the ability to efficiently and effectively defend yourself in a confrontation, one of the main benefits of learning Wing Chun is the confidence gained from learning an effective martial art. This confidence is based on the knowledge that you can defend yourself if necessary, and is probably enough to deter most attackers.
Other benefits of learning Wing Chun include:
- Fitness, muscle-tone, posture and flexibility.
- Co-ordination, relaxation and mental alertness.
- Weight loss and weight control.
- It tones and slims the body rather than adding bulk.
In return for a small investment, you will gain invaluable skills and confidence.
 Testimonial by Hayley Sutherland
Every Wednesday and Friday evening, I finish my homework, put on my Wing Chun Kung Fu uniform, and head for classes in our local RSL hall. My teachers are instructor Edwin, a second level Instructor, and Si-hing Phil, who is a 4th grade trainee instructor.
Our classes are held in an R.S.L hall. Our Training hall is but one of many throughout Sydney Each class of about twenty is a branch of Master Jim Fung's Wing Chun Academy, also known as The International Wing Chun Academy. This is a brief rundown on what goes on there each Wednesday and Friday night.
The first thing we do in class is warm up, jogging on the spot, pushups, situps, and stretching exercises. After this, the instructors walk us through the Sil Lum Tao form. The first time I saw Sil Lum Tao, I was unable to understand how it would help me learn to fight. However, as time went on, the answer to this question became clearer and clearer. Sil Lum Tao lays the foundation for every technique that is learnt in Wing Chun, and helps to build up your thought force, or 'Chi'.
Next, we break off into two groups, juniors who are in grade one, and seniors in grade two, three and four. I have been in grade two for about eight months. I spent four months in grade one before doing my grading exam, which I passed with 72%. Although grade one was fun, it was all kicks, punches and blocks, techniques that you need to know but don't offer much depth. That comes in grade two.
In seniors group, we usually spend about 15 minutes doing chi sau, or sticking hands, before practicing different techniques for about an hour. The instructors watch us carefully to ensure the movements are done correctly.
Warm-down is more physically challenging than warm-up, involving more situps, pushups and jogging and power training with kick and punch bags.
As a 15 year-old year 10 student, I find Wing Chun a fun way to get fit and defend myself. I have much more confidence than when I first started and my friends tell me I can punch hard.
The coolest thing I have learned about Wing Chun is how powerful you can be by using 'thought force', or chi energy. The Wing Chun one-inch punch is amazing - the person's fist is positioned just one inch away form an opponent's chest and when it is moved forward, the other guy goes flying! Another really cool thing is the effectiveness of the Wing Chun stance. If you are using the stance and somebody grabs you by the shoulders, you can easily break their grip by simply turning your waist.
Also, in Wing Chun, it doesn't matter how big or strong you are, but how good your technique is and how you execute your thought force. It's realistic and completely fair, unlike some other fighting styles where the dominant person is the bigger one.
More Information
All general classes are unisex, but womens only classes are also available.
For more information on our women's classes, please select your nearest state: |
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