|
Wing Chun is a logical, scientific, yet simple martial art which provides both self-defence and fitness skills for people of all ages. It was founded in China 300 years ago by a female martial artist, Ng Mei, who - legend has it - developed the style after watching a fight between a rodent and stork. The name, Wing Chun, means 'everlasting springtime' and was taken from one of Ng Mei's top students, Yim Wing Chun, who used the art to successfully defend herself against an unwanted suitor. Wing Chun students develop skills in balance, speed and positioning through specific exercises (known as 'forms') to finetune movements and cultivate power, and in supervised combat which simulates real-life fighting situations. As in traditional boxing or street fighting, which the style closely represents, the focus is on protecting the body's centreline with short, sharp punches and kicks and following through with strikes to the opponent's vulnerable points.  |
Grandmaster Jim Fung is one of the world's few genuine Wing Chun masters with the skill and knowledge to take his students to master level. The protégé of respected Great Grandmaster Tsui Seung Tin, Yip Man's foremost disciple, he has trained continuously in Wing Chun for over 40 years. His International Wing Chun Academy, founded in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1973, is the largest martial arts school in Australasia and attracts students from around the world. Its membership includes prominent politicians, lawyers, doctors and top sportspeople. The Academy has also conducted specially tailored courses for the South Australian Police, correctional facilities such as Long Bay Gaol, government agencies such as the Departments of Immigration and Social Security and several private corporations. Grandmaster Fung's personal skill and achievement in helping to perpetuate Wing Chun in its authentic form were officially recognised by the Chinese Government through the Academy's inclusion in its All China Martial Arts Register published in November, 1998. The Academy also has the distinction of being the first martial arts school recognised by the Australian Government as a tertiary institution through its Certificate IV Course in Wing Chun Instruction (course code 90370NSW). Students of this course are eligible for student visas and the AUSTUDY allowance. Regular classes are conducted at the Academy's three state branches seven days a week, with specially tailored short courses for schools, corporate and community groups available throughout the year Why the Academy’s System is so unique
Some martial arts schools focus self defence training on assault targets and fancy, impractical techniques whose application in realistic fighting situations and even tournaments is severely limited. A distinctive feature of the International Wing Chun Academy's unique training system is that everything taught can be applied effectively in a real fight. Students learn how to utilise their bodies efficiently to generate more power. This is achieved through a series of logical, comprehensive principles which focus on simplicity, directness, practicality, economy of movement and minimum use of brute strength. The quality of movements rather than quantity is stressed. Maximising the use of body mass enables students from any style of training - be it martial arts or another sport - to enhance their ability to generate force and realise their full potential without resorting to brute strength. Wing Chun's use of leverage and redirection to overcome and neutralise oncoming strikes ensures that students need not fight an attacker's resistance, therefore eliminating the need for brute force. Through the improvement of body structure, co-ordination of movements and mind-body control, the unique determination force or chi of Wing Chun can be achieved. Using chi, students are able to develop power equal to that of assailants twice their physical size and more. Because Wing Chun is a scientific system of self defence, a thorough understanding of the art is necessary before students can execute the movements properly and remember them long-term. Academy students are allocated to groups relevant to their level of ability and are encouraged to analyse and question the reason for movements, not just copy them. The Academy's fitness regimen is designed by fitness experts, ensuring the exercises are safe and appropriate to students' progress. The aim is to sharpen mental as well as physical skills - relaxation, concentration and mind control forming an integral part of the system. The Academy's genuine Wing Chun system guarantees to provide the most efficient method of self defence arantees to provide the most efficient method of self defence
|
