"A Woman's Art" by Thi Thai Tran
It was a kind of serendipity that I discovered Wing Chun. I just came back to Shanghai, met my cousin Minh, who was about to leave and he introduced me to his passion. I had a very superficial knowledge of martial art. I though wushu and tai chi were the only Chinese martial arts , I did not know there were many kind and I never heard of Wing Chun, although of course I saw the Ip Man movies. And when my cousin told me that Wing Chun was invented by a buddhist nun that taught it to a girl named Wing Chun to avoid her an arranged marriage, I knew it was for me! I started jujitsu and krav maga when I was in France, because I always felt insecure and that these two were supposed to be the most efficient for self defense. I also had a glimpse of taichi. But I found these too technical and the teaching too superficial, and I was quite frustrated. I was looking for something deeper with profound foundation, more comprehensive, maybe spiritual. Then my cousin explained me the difference between internal and external martial art. He depicted me Wing Chun as not very spectacular, quite boring from outside, lengthy and tedious process, yet his eyes were shining and his face glowing. Then he told me about the Shanghai Wing Chun Association lead by David Davila, a small and informal group of passionate people from around the world, and the other fortunate thing was that the class was very close to my place. Minh then introduced me to David by email. David asked about my motivation and warned about 2 things: there is no other female in the class, and this is not for fitness. That was fine for me and I went for a trial.
During the first courses, we learn how to stand, looking for the 5 points. While my male classmates were kind of struggling, I found it quite natural. David explained us that as Wing Chun was invented by woman for woman, my anatomy was more suitable for certain positions and movements, due to the structure of the skeleton and the development of the muscles. It was the first time ever that I realized that my woman condition was an advantage! Wing Chun is based on position, sensitivity and timing; force and speed are secondary, therefore women can be at same level as men, and I have to say that I enjoy beating up my classmates although I clearly know that they are too gentlemen to fight me back.
From a personal perspective, I can feel how my body is transforming. From outside, I can say that, although David said Wing Chun is not for fitness, I regain the shape of my twenties. From inside, I'm learning how to feel and control my body. It is taught that your body is a temple, I knew that, but I never really took care of it, it actually took care of me, but now I m getting older, I can feel that it can not cope with the rhythm I impose to it. I was always tired and sleepy. After 6 months of Wing Chun, I regained vitality, I can hang out with my friends and still wake up every week end at 9am to attend the Wing Chun class, while they still recover from hangover. I guess practicing regularly any kind of sport would give you the same effect, but Wing Chun is more than a sport, it's an art, and this is not only about fighting, it's about feeling, sensing, acting, from inside to outside.
I don't know if in a real situation, I would be able to protect myself or my beloved ones. I never had to and hope I will never have to. But David is giving us the right mindset and toolbox, and I know I'm prepared for that situation. I am convinced that every women should learn how to protect themselves, the tool is here, why dont they use it? Is it more important to have the last Gucci bag? We live in a crazy world, and personally, I will not have children if I can not ensure them a safe and stable environment.
I asked David if he knew any female master, as a joke, he said I might me the first one. There are some female practitioners, some at good level, but they become manly. I know I wont be a master, but I hope I can dig the way for the new generation and ripple around me. I'm learning for myself but also for the others because this art should be widely and wisely spread. For this, David is doing such a good job, I'very lucky I found him, and I will take model of him. As Kung Fu Panda, I can hear my shifu's voice in my head anytime I encounter a difficult time. Everybody should have a shifu in their life. The world might be better then.
During the first courses, we learn how to stand, looking for the 5 points. While my male classmates were kind of struggling, I found it quite natural. David explained us that as Wing Chun was invented by woman for woman, my anatomy was more suitable for certain positions and movements, due to the structure of the skeleton and the development of the muscles. It was the first time ever that I realized that my woman condition was an advantage! Wing Chun is based on position, sensitivity and timing; force and speed are secondary, therefore women can be at same level as men, and I have to say that I enjoy beating up my classmates although I clearly know that they are too gentlemen to fight me back.
From a personal perspective, I can feel how my body is transforming. From outside, I can say that, although David said Wing Chun is not for fitness, I regain the shape of my twenties. From inside, I'm learning how to feel and control my body. It is taught that your body is a temple, I knew that, but I never really took care of it, it actually took care of me, but now I m getting older, I can feel that it can not cope with the rhythm I impose to it. I was always tired and sleepy. After 6 months of Wing Chun, I regained vitality, I can hang out with my friends and still wake up every week end at 9am to attend the Wing Chun class, while they still recover from hangover. I guess practicing regularly any kind of sport would give you the same effect, but Wing Chun is more than a sport, it's an art, and this is not only about fighting, it's about feeling, sensing, acting, from inside to outside.
I don't know if in a real situation, I would be able to protect myself or my beloved ones. I never had to and hope I will never have to. But David is giving us the right mindset and toolbox, and I know I'm prepared for that situation. I am convinced that every women should learn how to protect themselves, the tool is here, why dont they use it? Is it more important to have the last Gucci bag? We live in a crazy world, and personally, I will not have children if I can not ensure them a safe and stable environment.
I asked David if he knew any female master, as a joke, he said I might me the first one. There are some female practitioners, some at good level, but they become manly. I know I wont be a master, but I hope I can dig the way for the new generation and ripple around me. I'm learning for myself but also for the others because this art should be widely and wisely spread. For this, David is doing such a good job, I'very lucky I found him, and I will take model of him. As Kung Fu Panda, I can hear my shifu's voice in my head anytime I encounter a difficult time. Everybody should have a shifu in their life. The world might be better then.
