Why you should start Wing Chun Kung Fu Right now

This is my story of why Sifu Och Wing Chun is the absolute best choice for close range combat. I really hope that it help you make the right choice for your training. Distance and finances aren’t an obstacle for those with dedication.

“Growing up I was raised in a harsh environment. “

“The streets of New York showed and taught me a lot. I was only 5 years old when I got my first punch in the face. It is funny because I can still remember the whole situation quite vividly. I was going down a slide and thought everything was cool. There was a kid that was in front of me and once he got off the slide he turned around and hit me.

My mom did not raise me to be violent, so I started crying the moment his fist touched my face. My dad heard what happened and from there my Martial Arts career began. I was forced into a world that molded my character and played a significant role in the person I am today. I started with Karate and as time passed, I dabbled in other forms of combat like Boxing and different styles of Kung Fu.

Unlock your potential with Wing Chun Kung Fu Training

Every art form showed me different things that I can use to protect myself and my loved ones but out all of them Wing Chun is hands down my absolute favorite. I have finally begun an art that I will never stop doing.

Why Wing Chun Kung Fu Is Perfect for Personal Growth

Wing Chun training is something that runs in my family. My uncle and father trained together when I was younger but the Sifu did not allow kids to join the class because the training was too difficult. I used to hate the fact that I could not attend class but in time life went on. I have wanted to learn Wing Chun for years, but life just kept getting in the way.

One day last year I decided that enough time had passed, and I needed to make this happen. Doing alot of online research, I found Orlando Wing Chun. Under Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu and read about the teacher and his teacher as well. I looked up the lineage of the school and did my best to get an understanding of what they were about. I was scared to join a school that was not authentic so I did my best to learn as much as I could. After my research was done, I reached out to the teacher via email and joined as soon as possible. My training has been nothing short of awesome.

Begin Your Wing Chun Kung Fu Journey to Better Fitness

My instructors have been patient, understanding and extremely helpful. They have also inspired me to teach others when I am ready in the future so I can give people the gift that I have been given. Wing Chun has given me a newfound confidence in my ability to quickly de-escalate a physical altercation with minimal damage to myself. I have learned different styles throughout the years, but nothing is like Wing Chun. It is direct, straightforward and effective

I honestly believe anyone with the will to learn can develop the skills that Wing Chun has to offer. I highly recommend this art form to any and everyone who wishes to protect themselves and their families. In my eyes, Wing Chun has saved my life because I am now much more prepared for any situation that may be presented to me. Knowing that you can protect yourself and others is a feeling that is indescribable and worth more than any currency that exist in this world.

In conclusion, I am forever grateful for the skills I am learning every day at Sifu Och Wing Chun. It truly feels like a family that I will continue to grow with and love more every day. I will continue to do my best to honor the efforts of my Wing Chun family and strive for excellence with everything I have in me and more.”

– Ian H.

To learn more about our self defense classes, or our fitness bootcamps here at Sifu Och Wing Chun, visit our Classes Overview. We offer self defense and fitness for kids, teens, and adults!

The post Why Wing Chun Kung Fu Is the Ultimate Self-Defense appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Wooden Dummy and Chi Sau: Knowing When to Teach

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.

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 Wooden Dummy and 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.

However, 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

Stage 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.

 Why Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun?

Practicing provides numerous benefits, including:

• Physical Fitness: Enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Mental Clarity: Develop focus and discipline through structured training.
• Self-Defense Skills: Learn effective techniques for personal safety.
• Cultural Enrichment: Gain insight into a centuries-old tradition.

Want to Get Started?
Join Sifu Och Wing Chun today and embark on your journey through the world. Fill out our contact form to discover why we are your best choice for Wing Chun Kung Fu and martial arts training in Lakeland, Florida!

Related articles on the Sifu Och Wing Chun website:

Empower Yourself: Experience Personal Growth Through Chinese Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/chinese-martial-arts-lakeland-florida-kung-fu/

Unlock Potential: The Incredible Strength of Wing Chun Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/the-strength-of-my-wing-chun/

The post Wooden Dummy and Chi Sau: When to Actually Teach Wing Chun’s More Powerful Tools appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

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.

The post Wing Chun Entry Techniques appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

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 post Wing Chun vs Jab, Cross, Hook Takedown Combo appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

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.

Fighting Footwork Secrets for Stronger Strikes and Superior Control

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. 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).

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.

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 right).

Fighting Footwork Fundamentals: How to Stay Balanced and Powerful

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. But at Sifu Och Wing Chun; the rule is, if your engaged with the assailant keep a 50-50 weight. When you are not engaged and mobile its a 70-30 weight (more on the back leg then front.) You must be able to engage and disengange, move in and out, and adjust in any direction as quickly as possible. YOU should be in control and have a full range of motion. Able to shift and adapt to any attack that is thrown our way. Moving in and out of the assailant whenever we see the opportunity to attack an opening.

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.

The post Unlock Maximum Power with the Right Wing Chun Fighting Footwork appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

The Heart of Martial Arts: Chinese vs. Japanese Philosophical Focus

Despite it having a combat effectiveness, Kung Fu (also pronounced Gung Fu) is founded on the philosophy of attaining intelligence and wisdow. Two qualities that take years to develop and attain. Additionally, the first character, Kung, when translated, means “training intensely” or “skillful work”. Translation of the second character, fu, refers to “time spent”.

Together, Kung Fu may be translated as “time spent training hard” or “spending time on skillful work”. By this translation it is somewhat difficult to pin kung fu (time spent working hard) solely to martial arts (creative skill of fighting). Rather Kung Fu is referring to a skill or skills in a variety of subjects, and not just martial arts affiliated. 

Martial Arts Philosophies Collide: Chinese Depth vs. Japanese Focus

Kung Fu (Gung Fu): In today’s time when one speaks of Kung Fu, those involved immediately perceive it as martial arts—more specifically Chinese martial arts. However, this view contradicts the literal translation of kung fu as it predicates to a single subject. Kung fu is a meaning of achievement in a subject; be it in medicine, industry, mathematics, culinary or martial arts.

It represents the training process that one had to go through—the strengthening of mind and body, the learning and the knowledge gained from it. 

 Kung (Gung) = Skillful work, Fu = Time Spent, Kung Fu (Gung Fu) = Time Spent on Skillful Work

Take for example one that acquires self-achievement in the knowledge of medicine through a long period of time; in comparison, there may be slight difference from one that acquired self-achievement in a martial art. Considering that both went through intense years and massive amounts of effort to reach their goal.

It is difficult to deny that both carry kung fu skills. In this case you would say that the person has kung fu in medicine and the other person’s kung fu is in martial arts.

The Spirit of Martial Arts: Chinese Philosophy vs. Japanese Ideals

Kung fu to Wushu

The misuse of the word kung fu traces back to the misinterpretation of the word in Asian movie dubbings and subtitles. Since then Westerners often use it in its false pretense and is even defined the same way in the Oxford English Dictionary. Asia, even China, adopted the English definition of kung fu in the late twentieth century. The accurate term used that describes Chinese martial arts is Wu Shu. Wu, when translated, means “war”, and shu translates to “art”. Fully translated, wu shu means “the art of war” (which is also the title of Sun Tzu’s well known book).

Wu = War Shu = Art

Wu Shu = the Art of War

Explore the Unique Philosophies in Chinese vs. Japanese Martial Arts

Body Trinity

It also focuses on three aspects that make the human: the spirit, mind and body (some may refer to it as the “trinity”). The body contains all that we are—all that we are made up of—the legs, arms, torso, etc. although it may be a healthy body it is an instrument that can be improved upon. The mind is what drives us to live the lives we live and is fed with knowledge and information. Feeding it positive information will have a parallel effect on the body and will greater ones existence. 

 Why Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun?

Practicing provides numerous benefits, including:

• Physical Fitness: Enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Mental Clarity: Develop focus and discipline through structured training.
• Self-Defense Skills: Learn effective techniques for personal safety.
• Cultural Enrichment: Gain insight into a centuries-old tradition.

Want to Get Started?
Join Sifu Och Wing Chun today and embark on your journey through the world. Fill out our contact form to discover why we are your best choice for Wing Chun Kung Fu and martial arts training in Lakeland, Florida!

Related articles on the Sifu Och Wing Chun website:

Chinese Martial Arts: History and Philosophy
http://www.sifuochwingchun.com/chinese-martial-arts-history-and-philosophy

Understanding Wing Chun Kung Fu
http://www.sifuochwingchun.com/understanding-wing-chun-kung-fu

The Benefits of Martial Arts Training
http://www.sifuochwingchun.com/the-benefits-of-martial-arts-training

There is specific amount of time that it takes to achieve “kung fu” in Chinese arts. For some it may take a single decade, others it may take many! It all depends on your effort and dedication!

The post Chinese Martial Arts’ Unique Philosophy of Body and Mind appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Stop the Rotator Cuff Pain – The Wing Chun killer

Many of our coaches and instructors deal with this pain. It is caused by the elongation of the rotator cuffs, mainly the Teres Minor. This tends to happen due to the fact that the anterior deltoid and the pectoral muscles get a lot of use with Wing Chun. Its direct attacks firing straight off the shoulder strengthens only the anterior portion of the shoulder as well as the pectoral (chest) muscles. Without proper muscular compensation to counter act that strength the head of the Humerous will sit in a rolled forward position. With the rotator cuffs elongated any use in the shoulder can not only cause pain but fatigue as well.  You can see in the pictures below the shoulder position in it’s correct form and incorrect form. You will also see the rotator cuffs in the next photo to better understand what is happening.

Incorrect

Correct

Rotator Cuffs (posterior view)

Fight Back Against Rotator Cuff Pain

Now that we have identified the “Wing Chun Killer”, stretched and weak rotator cuffs, what’s the solution? The solution is twofold and simple: stretch out the muscles that are tight and strengthen the muscles that are being overpowered by the tight ones. To do this we must understand what muscles are being used. To counter-act the muscles pulling forward we must strengthen the rhomboids and rotator cuffs. The rhomboids must be included because of the role the scapula or shoulder blade. As you can see in the photo above the rotator cuffs actually attach to the scapula. If the rhomboids are also loose the rotator cuffs will not have a good anchor. The rhomboids attach from the spine to the scapulas and are used to retract the scapula towards the spine. View the photo below to better understand the rhomboid.

We already know now that rhomboids pull the scapula towards the spine lets look at the rotator cuffs. The rotator cuffs are used to rotate the shoulder posteriorly and hold it in a stable position. So what type of workouts should you do to help strengthen these muscles. In the videos below you will see some exercises to work out those rotator cuffs and a second video to help make sure that you are doing them correctly.

Watch These now

These videos are from Jeff Cavalier who is a Personal Trainer for professional athletes but comes from a physical therapy background.

Rotator Cuff Workout:

Rotator Cuff Mistakes:

These techniques have helped many students here at Sifu Och Wing Chun to minimize and eliminate the pain in their shoulders. You also want to make sure that you stretch out your pectoral muscles. To do this simply find a corner, spread your arms and lean into the corner. You can also grab a door frame with one arm and twist away from it.  As you train and become stronger make sure you seek to build your body has a whole unit! We hope this helps you on your Wing Chun journey!

 Why Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun?

Practicing provides numerous benefits, including:

• Physical Fitness: Enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Mental Clarity: Develop focus and discipline through structured training.
• Self-Defense Skills: Learn effective techniques for personal safety.
• Cultural Enrichment: Gain insight into a centuries-old tradition.

Want to Get Started?
Join Sifu Och Wing Chun today and embark on your journey through the world. Fill out our contact form to discover why we are your best choice for Wing Chun Kung Fu and martial arts training in Lakeland, Florida!

Related articles on the Sifu Och Wing Chun website:

THE OX DIET: Lose Weight Fast
https://sifuochwingchun.com/lose-weight-fast/

Unlock Potential: The Incredible Strength of Wing Chun Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/the-strength-of-my-wing-chun/

The post Rotator Cuff Pain? Here’s How to Fix It appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Since Wing Chun is about being direct and simple we should always seek the most efficient choice. We also don’t want to leave ourselves open to Wing Chun weaknesses. I only had a weekend to show you three techniques, these are what I would choose. They are simple enough to learn within that weekend but they are also effective enough to make a big difference. So you must learn these three moves: Intercepting Fist, Jum Sao, and the Inside Low Shadow Kick.

Self Defense Near You? Learn These Three Moves Today

Intercepting Fist

The Intercepting Fist does exactly what it’s name implies: it intercepts a strike instead of blocking. With the proper timing there is no need to block and then attack which makes this a very dangerous technique. Firing off the Wing Chun centerline with a shift of the body it is powerful and effective. It uses the forearm to deflect an oncoming strike off the line. When deflected it allows the fist to continue on it’s course to the intended target. This strike is used mainly against attacks coming down the middle in a straight line. Curved attacks need something else, bringing me to the next move.

Jum Sao

Jum Sao, one of the most versatile techniques in all of Wing Chun. It can be used against almost any initial strike. Driving from the elbow with a reverse L shape it can be used to deflect straight punches (jabs and crosses etc), uppercuts, and even front kicks. When doubled up, two Jum Saos simultaneously, it can be used to block outside kicks: Roundhouses Etc. It can even be used to assist in takedown defense! Not only does it stop the straight attacks but it can be used against wild hooks (not tight hooks) as a last resort. With it’s wide range of uses the Jum is a must for the Wing Chun practitioner!

Inside Low Shadow Kick

Finally, to round out the trio, I want to present the Inside Low Shadow Kick. Comparable to a stomp, it can be used to stop other kicks, blow out knees, and break ankles. Since it is kept low it is hard to see coming and can be used very quickly off the front foot. The foot turned away from the body it uses the heel to drive through the intended target. The most common target is the inside or outside of the knee. When combined with a deflection or strike it is near impossible to avoid or stop.

Self Defense Is Accessible to You

To summarize, Intercepting Fist, Jum Sao, and Inside Low Shadow Kick. Wing Chun’s knowledge goes deep; there are many effective and powerful techniques. However these three standout due to their simplicity. Learn these three moves and your Wing Chun will have a solid base. Be simple, direct, and devastating!

 Why Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun?

Practicing provides numerous benefits, including:

• Physical Fitness: Enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Mental Clarity: Develop focus and discipline through structured training.
• Self-Defense Skills: Learn effective techniques for personal safety.
• Cultural Enrichment: Gain insight into a centuries-old tradition.

Want to Get Started?
Join Sifu Och Wing Chun today and embark on your journey through the world. Fill out our contact form to discover why we are your best choice for Wing Chun Kung Fu and martial arts training in Lakeland, Florida!

Related articles on the Sifu Och Wing Chun website:

Empower Yourself: Experience Personal Growth Through Chinese Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/chinese-martial-arts-lakeland-florida-kung-fu/

Unlock Potential: The Incredible Strength of Wing Chun Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/the-strength-of-my-wing-chun/

The post Self Defense Near Me: Learn Three Strong Moves for Beginners appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Developing the Student Mindset Quickly is Key

After attending the school for just two years, I’ve seen hundreds of people walk through the doors and never come back. This usually occurs within the first 6-12 months. They come, participate, and walk away thinking they have studied Wing Chun. The truth, however, is that they have simply been exposed to Wing Chun. Far too many people make the mistake of associating exposure to Wing Chun with actually training in Wing Chun. The crucial difference lies in the mindset of the student. When a person has developed this correct mindset, they truly begin to train.

For the first time ever, after developing this mindset, the student will push their hardest.

What is the Student Mindset?

This student mindset goes above simply just reproducing various techniques across various lines done in class. This mindset is about making every single thing you do in class matter. How you train, is how your Wing Chun becomes programmed into your reactions. When you step into class, you are surrounded by an incredible wealth of knowledge and skill. The only thing that can keep you from becoming your best is yourself. Very few people come into this school with the right mindset, but everyone can develop it. The choice is yours. I believe this mindset develops into 4 things: Sweat, Perfection, Blood, and Tears.

Sweat

You can’t succeed if you don’t push yourself. These techniques will not mean anything if you just throw them out there and hope for the best. No techniques ever will. When I began developing through the very beginning ranks, I noticed that the upper sashes always seemed to be dripping in sweat. The rest of us were barely out of breath though, we complained about our arms being sore. I then realized that this was even the case when they were doing the exact same thing we were doing. I soon realized that this difference was due to how they trained. The more advanced the student, the harder they trained. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they could punch harder, but rather, they would give it everything they had.

A line that a lower student would do looks lazy in comparison. After a few lines, the upper sash would be breaking out in sweat. This doesn’t at all relate to their endurance, but specifically relates to how they are training. This same exact illustration can apply to workouts. When assigned to give 500 chain punches into the focus mitts, the easy method rushes through without giving much focus behind the strikes. You probably won’t even break a sweat. But what if, instead of just faking your way through the 500 attacks, you made every single one of those punches as hard and fast as you could? By the end of it, you’d be dripping in sweat. How much more did you gain from those same 500 punches? If you’re not sweating, you can be sure you’re not working your hardest.

Perfection

There becomes a crucial difference between giving a technique everything you got while still doing the technique, and just hitting as hard as you can. When you are drilling techniques, your focus should first be on perfection. If you train a particular block 100 different times, but 50 of them are sloppy, then when you draw from that “reflex pool” you have a 50% chance of successfully completing that technique. In other words, you have a 50% chance of getting hit by a knockout punch. Those are not the odds you want to be training. When you first learn a combo for example, of course you aren’t going to remember everything. You’re going to have to think about what comes next. So it is important to slow it down for perfection.

Don’t ever excuse a repetitive mistake. If it’s sloppy, if it feels rushed, or if something seems off, fix it. If you don’t know how, ask. There is a wealth of information around you, so use it. Don’t allow yourself to train imperfection. You have to learn how to balance power with perfection. If you go too hard or fast and lose the precision of perfection, you’ve failed to perform the technique. You can perfectly perform and land a technique but fail to make it have damaging power. That means you’re just tapping your opponent. Neither of these does you any good.

Blood

You have to accept the fact that you’re going to be hit. You’re going to bruise. If you can’t perform your techniques against resistance, then they’re not where they need to be. If you can use it against someone punching you, how can you defend yourself? It should also be noted that you are learning a new martial art: including your own body. This goes above just reproducing a technique. You have to condition your body for this art. It won’t necessarily be the greatest feeling in the world, but if your arms can’t hold up to training, they won’t when you need to defend yourself. Of course, this doesn’t mean that this school is a brutal death cage like gladiator school.

The same thing goes with working out. You are going to get sore lifting weights; you might accidentally drop weights on your feet; you will be exhausted; or you could pull muscles. If you’re too afraid of being hit, or you want to train without being hit, then you’re not training an art to defend yourself. You’re going to get hit. It’s how you learn to protect against that hit the next time. I get hit every day, usually multiple times, but it doesn’t bloody up my face or break my bones. If you’re not training against true resistance, you will never know if what you’re doing actually works. Here, I know what works. I know what I’m training works because I can prove it.

Tears

You’re not as good as you think you are. You’re going to struggle with some things. You’re going to feel like quitting. You’re going to want to stay home and relax instead of coming to class. You’re not alone in any of these feelings. Every single person above you has felt this way multiple times. The question is whether you are going to push through it or not. It comes down to you. It’s not going to be easy, but you can certainly do it. Just keep pushing. Never give up.

Conclusion

I wasted the first year of Wing Chun training without this student mindset and regret it. When I truly started to develop this mindset, my training exploded. I never felt as close to my Wing Chun family as I have now. I crave each day for the information I get. I am able to better accept my shortcomings because they will help me to be better. Tests are no longer something that I worry about, because I have trained it hard from day one of each rotation. Test days are incredibly fun. Train, and train it with everything you got. Push yourself, and encourage others to push. It’s going to be hard, but it is so worth it.

You will gain so much by training the right mindset. Don’t be afraid to fail because you’re going to. The only difference between a master and you is that they’ve trained it in the right mindset and failed more times than you have even attempted.

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There is a reason that professional MMA fighters are so dangerous. It’s not just their technique and skill, but they are athletes in every sense of the word. They push themselves to their physical limits every day of training to prepare for their matches. Obviously, most people don’t have the time to devote to the same regiment as an athlete. Fitting in training time for self defense techniques is a challenge. Take into account families, work, and any other activities, and you begin to see the problem. Still, when dealing with an attacker, remember that he or she may not be alone. Will your training last you past the first attacker, on to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th? What if you must carry an injured friend to safety? You want to ask these type of questions early to bring some reality into your training.

Building Fighting Fitness into TraIning

At Sifu Och Wing Chun, we build some of the fitness needed for scenarios like this right into our actual training. But to compliment the Wing Chun, Sifu Och includes a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) regiment within his schedule just before his kickboxing class to maximize cardio. Once students have pushed themselves to their limit, they can then begin increasing their cardio within the Wing Chun training. You cannot initiate hypertrophy in a muscle by going to its limit and stopping. You actually need to overload the muscle past its limit to get growth. The same goes for cardio. You want to take your training to the limit, and then push through that to increase the endurance capacity.

If a student is sparring, and they reach their cardio limit, it begins to manifest itself in weaker strikes and slower reaction time. In a situation hinging on split-second decisions, there’s no room for errors. One second could make the difference between life or death. Your fighting fitness level is your gas tank. The bigger the gas tank, the longer the drive. Without gas, your car goes nowhere. Without adequate fighting fitness, you go nowhere….Fast.

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Awareness is the first key to any situation where conflict can arise. Whether in a sports arena, on your way to your car, or in a busy subway, an attacker can defeat the greatest practitioner of any art if they are not aware of their surroundings. As a martial artist, learning to be aware of all of your surroundings is key. Also, learning to have awareness of specific attacks from an opponent is also crucial in overcoming a situation. By neglecting to develop your awareness you leave yourself open to anything, anyone, at anytime. But there are two kinds of awareness alluded to, lets call them single awareness and broad awareness.

Single awareness here, refers to having altercation with an individual in something like a sports arena. This would be in the realm of sparring or cage fighting, facing off with one person at a time. The crucial awareness here involves focusing more watching the fighter’s movements as a whole. If you put too much focus on his eyes, for example, you will not see his kicks or knees. If you place too much focus on his legs and take downs, you may not see his strikes. Therefore, by having a balanced focus, you gain awareness of the big picture. Practically speaking, the ideal location to watch is the chin or chest, giving you that balance to catch everything. Fighting with blinders on is the fastest way to get knocked out.

Moving to Broader Martial Arts Awareness

Moving onto broad awareness and why it is so important outside of the cage or ring. When crossing the road, we are all taught to stop, look, and listen for oncoming traffic. Why should your personal safety from the threat of a mugger or robber be any different? The Navy Seals utilize a checklist to make sure that they are operating with full awareness in any situation. Their checklist is as follows:

1. Attempt to guess what individuals are doing or thinking.
2. Watch for odd behavior.
3. Determine where you would go for cover from explosions or gun fire.
4. Find the closest two exits.
5. Determine whether or not someone is following you or taking an unusual interest in you.

These tips become very hard to accomplish if you focus in on any one specific thing. That includes looking at your phone, the ground, or even your friend. Learning to take in your entire surroundings while picking up specific details is a hard skill to acquire. But without it, the danger of threat grows exponentially.

Sifu Och trains his student’s against worst case scenarios: Head-locks, chokes from behind, bear-hugs, etc. But, to avoid these scenarios altogether is much more advantageous than having to deal with them. You cannot utilize the checklist mentioned above if you’re not actively choosing to be attentive to your surroundings. Be aware of your surroundings, and be alert and ready. In short, practice and hone your martial arts awareness.

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How exactly can you tell if your martial arts instructor is the real deal? While no one is perfect, there are characteristics you should identify in the person to whom you’re going to entrust your martial arts training. There are things you should look for and things you should avoid. I happened to find all the right qualities in Sifu (teacher, master, mentor) Justin Och and hope this article will help you find a true master for yourself.

Is Your Sifu a Fraud? Check Their Credentials!

Are they in a Hall of Fame? Great, but remember most hall of fames are businesses that you can write in what you get and pay them for the award and banquet. Sure, you dressed up, met a bunch of famous people, and took some photos. That doesn’t make you a Sifu.

Look for the certifications that your sifu has earned. Also, how did they earn it? Was it a weekend training course? How would you know? Was their main instructor from outside the country? If so, how did they truly learn the entire system from them? It could be likely they have only been to seminars with this person and done mostly DVD or distance training. How did they train with them if their instructor wasn’t accessible. It takes years of daily, hands-on attention in order to become a sifu. This is a warning sign that the certifications are less than genuine.

Remember, unlike many other systems of martial arts, Wing Chun needs one on one, personal instruction with an upper level master to become better in the finer aspects and details of the system. So what level of understanding and capability does your instructor have compared to others in the USA or other countries?

Training overseas or away from home is amazing and can improve your ability, but claiming certification from someone in another country is a red flag you should watch out for.

Instructors claiming they trained with “so and so” for years but who only have a photo of them standing next to their teacher sitting on a chair, may not be genuine sifus. Look for photos of your instructor in their youth training with the same teacher they claim, and then photos or video of them being older and doing the training. Without REAL (time-spanning) training photos or videos of them over time…well, this is possibly not a genuine instructor.

“But, Sifu is my friend and he is nice to me!” We’ve heard this before, but being nice to you or being your friend doesn’t make them a sifu or a good instructor.

Trust, But Verify

Check their claims. Stop believing things just because people have told you. If a person tells you they had cage fighting experience, look online and type in their name and check for records, photos and video. If you can’t find it, then they might not be a genuine instructor. If they told you they have a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu, but you can’t find any evidence online or otherwise (and the person’s name doesn’t really exist or is unreachable), they might not be a genuine instructor.

Most genuine sifus had to train for a multitude of years one on one and are going to proudly display their certifications and awards in their studio so they can be viewed by their students. Look around. Check out their website. Does he or she say she is certified at all? If so, in what are they certified? Who certified them—and is that organization reputable? Are those certifying organizations huge with hundreds of instructors under one teacher that resides in another country? If so, this could point to the fact that you are not in the presence of a genuine sifu with full training under their sash.

Final Thoughts

Remember there are some fantastic instructors out there that aren’t sifus and can give you a ton of information and make you into a fantastic Wing Chun Kung Fu practitioner. But you should look around, check out different schools, and separate the great ones from the mediocre.

A great instructor doesn’t have to be a sifu, or have a amazing lineage to show you. But how would you know the great instructors from the frauds unless you understand how to tell the difference?

Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu Studio
World Ving Tsun Association Regional Director for the Southeastern USA
863.800.0171
116 East Pine Street, Lakeland, Florida 33801
https://sifuochwingchun.com
http://facebook.com/sifuochwingchun

The post Is Your Sifu a Fraud or the Real Deal? appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

With today’s digital world, can Wing Chun be accurately depicted on the web? Does Wing Chun work? The answer is in person training debunks everything. The instructor and students have good training for real combat or they don’t. Seeing videos of a school can give you a great idea if it actually teaches real combat or not.

Debunking the Myths: Why Wing Chun Works in Real Combat

A system that is used to defend oneself on the street should not be evaluated via the Internet. Any martial art (or instructor), whether it be Karate, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, or Tae Kwon do, has to be judged on the instruction and instructor. There are good and bad schools and teachers everywhere. The internet can definitely help you narrow down a good school but it should not be your determining factor.

The Truth About Wing Chun: Does It Hold Up in Modern Combat?

Either Wing Chun works or it doesn’t, and people training at the right or wrong studio will make a potentially life-changing decision. The only way you can know if something actually works without seeing it for yourself is to see it in person and ask questions. Speak Wing Chun instructors in depth and hearing what they teach and how they teach it. You might as well determine whether or not YOU like Charles Steakhouse or McDonalds because of what someone on the Internet said. Now, information does need to be taken into account, but you cannot let someone else’s experience—good or bad—determine your decision. But allow the information to help you keep an open mind to the good and bad, raising your level of awareness

How Effective Is Wing Chun in Real-Life Fights? Expert Insights

When testing a martial art you should by all means do your research. Go and meet the instructor. Watch his students, and then TRY IT! As far as Wing Chun is concerned, it absolutely works. Two of Sifu Justin Och’s top students are a testament to that. Garret Brumfield is an ex-professional Boxer out of California and Jeff Gardner was an Army Ranger widely versed in many martial arts prior to Wing Chun. The fact that two experienced, well-trained men now adhere to Sifu Och’s instruction is a huge testament not only the system, but to Sifu Och himself. Will you make Wing Chun Work for your self defense goals and needs? Where is your dedication?

Making Decisions Based on Online Research

Does Wing Chun work, Absolutely and it is insanely effective. But does your instructor, does the instruction they teach? There are many effective, brutal, powerful martial arts systems out there. That doesn’t mean that every instructor knows or understands how to effectively teach that system. That is where your research comes in. Watch his students and see their capability in action.

Lineage is good, but seeing what the instructor and students under them are capable of is a great determining indicator. Good combative instructors teaching the real ways to use it in fighting are hard to find. Even harder is finding a teacher that is dedicated to Wing Chun, and not mixing it with other styles. Or touting a certificate and “ways of fighting” but unable to realisticly teach it or have students fight with it. Due to the commercialized versions of Wing Chun and False instructors with a siver tongue or online following. Now popular after the release of the Ip Man movies. Movies based on Ip Man, Bruce Lee, many “Sifus” began to emerge and teach the “real” Wing Chun. Many videos surfaced of these fraudulent Wing Chun practitioners losing fights to other systems. So Faith in Wing Chun was weakened.

Why Wing Chun Is the Best Martial Art for Real-World Self-Defense

Wing Chun works, and there are real Wing Chun instructors who understand the system, the combative effectiveness, the speed, and the the ability to teach it. From Europe with Sifu Philip Bayer, Asia with Sifu David Peterson, and the United States with Sifu Justin Och. There are instructors who are truly capable and knowledgable in your area ready to teach you.

The truth is, do you actually have the dedication and will
you put in the time it takes to learn from great teachers.

Find a good school, do your research, and try it out! If you are anywhere in the United States near Central Florida, visit the HUB for the entire southeastern board of the USA World Ving Tsun Athletic Association and its Regional Director, Sifu Justin Och.

Visit us at sifuochwingchun.com

Are you dedicated enough to make it? Will you stick with it?

Ready to experience real-world self-defense with Wing Chun? Fill out our contact form to start your training at Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy today!

The post Proven Wing Chun Techniques: Does It Actually Work for Self-Defense? appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Why Two Hands are Better Than One

Let’s take a look at two of the most popular and widespread styles of striking in America: Boxing and karate. Boxing (also called pugilism, meaning “fist fight”) was a sport dating as far back as 4,000 B.C. in ancient Africa. Karate is a self defense system that originated in Okinawa, Japan. Karate has become increasingly adapted for sport use as well. Both systems, for the most part, strike with one hand at a time. Karate has a few exceptions, but we’ll stay with general concepts here. Boxing uses the non-striking hand to keep the body covered while Karate’s chambering hand is prepping for power maximization. Karate does have other uses for the chambering hand (one being to pull the opponents hand down to clear for easy striking). Primarily, however, striking occurs with only one hand. In karate, the goal is to have as much power as possible focused into those strikes and to end the fight quickly.

The Wing Chun Two Hands Option

To achieve this maximum power, both systems start on their toes, connect to their hips, and rotate through the striking arm. However, if one could block and attack at the same time—and have enough power to knock someone out—would that not be more advantageous? As Master Sifu Och puts it, “Why pull away half your army when you can utilize all of it?”. Wing Chun seeks to demonstrate why two hands are better than one in martial arts. Wing Chun uses both hands (and sometimes a foot) as a single unit. This is achieved by driving the power from the heels and propelling the entire body forward as one cohesive unit. Instead of rotating the hips away, as in boxing, Wing Chun keeps both hips facing forward. With both hips engaged, both hands can now be activated simultaneously. With two hands going forward, opponents can now be blocked and attacked at the same with every strike.

Here is a video of Sifu Justin Och demonstrating the use of two hands in a practical self defense scenario:

In the video you can see how two hands allows the practitioner to double the effectiveness of his striking. When this happens, you have doubled your chances for effectively dissolving or resolving the situation. In an altercation every advantage is needed. If you’re facing one opponent—or two or six—every second is precious. By utilizing two hands, you gain valuable seconds by cutting out the time needed to alternate between strikes.

Two hands are truly better than one.

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Is Wing Chun great for physical exercise? Yes. Is it attainable to study at both young and old ages? Absolutely. But is Wing Chun beginner kung fu? No, because it’s flexible and extensible enough to produce amazing, real-world combative techniques and results.

Give me an opportunity to acquaint you with why you hear the phrase Wing Chun Beginner Kung-Fu – it’s simply an excellent style to jump into at any stage. It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in kids kung fu to help with your child deal with bullying in a mature manner or you have experience and want advanced Wing Chun training, thus form can always advance you further. The Wing Chun style is possibly the best you can study. We like to say that it “joins the Yin & Yang together” to help you cut your adversary down from close quarters as fast as you can. Wing Chun is a close-range fighting system, made for self-preservation in the city to help a smaller, and potentially weaker, individual successfully combat a stronger, larger attacker. This style doesn’t use any ornate or fancy movements, just the most economic. Frequently, Wing Chun style takes the straightest way to the target, breaking the adversary’s structure as fast as can reasonably be expected. Mastering Wing Chun can help you overcome dangerous situations peacefully as well as shrewdly. Even a Wing Chun beginner begins to find useful and practical applications within a few classes.

After Studying Multiple Forms, Wing Chun covered everything

Throughout my 16 years of preparing and instructing Wing Chun Beginner Kung-Fu, I considered Wing Chun, in my notion, covers everything that I need; Self-Defense  due to which I am able to adapt to any issues in the city, Chi-Kung that is the usage of Inner Energy to enhance my health, mental in addition to physical energy, Meditation to rewind from the daily schedule, or help with bad circulation or even bad posture, enhance my levels of serenity, sharpness and cognizance, Body Conditioning & Fitness  that is reinforce the form, to enhance fitness and stamina, pick up self-assurance, etc. The most imperative of all is self-discipline & self inspiration. Let Wing Chun Kung-Fu represent itself with no issue, as this workmanship has been passed down from era to era for countless years and as of recently made numerous celebrated Grandmasters and Masters. I adore this workmanship.

New students grouped in pairs

All new students will be grouped into two and they will be trained on how to experience each other’s power gaining augmented understanding which helps students assault and defy a challenger’s movements exactly, rapidly, and relate the suitable technique to boost your pace, time, reaction and authority.  If the adversary tries to pull out or convey the hand, the learner follows, frequently by means of the movement to help trapping in addition to striking simultaneously, ad infinitum to the rival’s weakest spots.

Travel the distance and try out our classes, there is only one way to know and that is to join.

The post Is Wing Chun Beginner Kung Fu? appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Penetrating the Cylindrical Core

The cylindrical core is also your energy core. It’s everything from the head all the way down to the groin. By  shattering or breaking this energy core, you can shut down an assailant. To practice, find something deep and solid you can visualize, and focus intently on it. Visualize the amount of resistance a cylindrical core of ice can give and the amount of power, technique and skill needed to shatter it. Once you have visualized it place deep within the body, strike at it. Striking at the surface will not affect it—strike through it. Whether you visualize that you’re striking all the way through to the spine or simply shattering ice, you must strike through the surface to the center in order to be effective.

Wing Chun Centerline Theory Explained

Wing Chun Centerline Theory deals with controlling the center which is only possible for brief moments against an advanced opponent. Opponents who are not advanced can be controlled for longer periods of time. Highly mobile assailants with advanced training and skills will try to slip, move, or pull out and attack to counter controlling movements. All aspects of Wing Chun centerline theory must work as a whole. Being taught, learning or understanding only one piece of Wing Chun is like having a car with only one gear. Any martial art can use centerline theory, but Wing Chun was created to maximize its potential.

Every aspect of Wing Chun centerline theory focuses on the best way to protect and devastate this integral part of the human condition, while controlling all aspects of the body in a fight. Every attack and defense radiates from this center. To control it is to control every action and reaction an opponent makes. Practicing and enhancing your peripheral vision will allow you to encompass not only your opponent’s body, but also any additional opponents that may decide to join a fight. A good centerline keeps your back straight, the head is slightly down, and the knees always bent to strike, move, and redirect incoming attacks.

Don’t try to watch an assailant’s eyes, hands, or legs. Rather, look at the center chest and allow your peripheral vision to take in the rest of your surroundings. Always keep your hands in front of you—this gives you a reference point for your vision. You can actually calculate the distance and speed of your assailant’s attacks based off of their distance and movement in reference to the length of your arms from your body.

Centerline Theory for Practical Protection and Defense

Placing your hands in an active forward protecting position psychologically forces an assailant to attack from the outside—the center is already occupied by your arms. Any time you can force an assailant to take the longer route to their intended destination you win. A Wing Chun practitioner will always seek to travel directly through the center.  Using this tactic, you can start to practice centerline theory, control, movement, protection, and devastation.

Remember, an assailant has to attack your centerline in order to harm you. Attacking your shoulder, arms, and legs will only cause minimal damage unless left unchecked. Any effective punch, kick, or body attack from an assailant goes for your center.  This is the only way to engage and shut you down quickly in a fight.  Any other attack, whether grabbing, pulling, Chi Na, or a take down will need more than a single motion to shut you down. Any attacks that cause immediate shutdown are on the centerline.

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Building Striking Power: The Ultimate Guide to Explosive Force

You can quickly build up balance and eye-hand coordination by practicing kata—otherwise known as Kung Fu kicks. This conventional kung fu practice focuses on flexibility and stretching (also good for holistic muscle development). It also serves to build striking power—even when practiced at a young age.

It Takes Time to Build Striking Power

Building striking power takes time, but not as much as you may think. Building power to oppose another’s force during a confrontation can be done by practicing with an opponent. While this assumes the lively application of training with an partner—you can also train your body through resistance training with objects, training your muscles with free weights or body weight exercises. You can employ hanging bags, speed bags, rice bags, wooden dummies, focus mitts, and anything else that builds knockout power from repetitive blows.

Discover How to Improve Your Striking Power Fast

You can further build striking power by doing pushups, or even striking one thousand times a day at a focus mitt. Make use of anything and everything that is accessible so as to build your muscles as well as your endurance. Nothing is useless as long as it can be used to build striking power. Try your hands at lifting or even benching for focused periods of time. This type of exercising will prove to be very useful later on when you start combating in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Bear in mind that, in terms of effectiveness, using a 25 lb weight in both hands and punching fifty times will not be as useful as punching 1000 times with 5-8 lb weights in each hand.

Using a Partner

Finally your power build-up will be best built-up when using a partner. Remember—you may have power, but it will prove to be useless if you are not able to land the hit in the right place. Use a partner, and your training will be increased exponentially.

Knockout Power

Whenever you practice for control, velocity, endurance, intention as well as accuracy, knockout power is created. The ability to deliver power as a steady flow lets you execute and release a perfect build up of power against an opponent. Working towards a flawless execution style isn’t enough. Aptness of speed with a deficiency of power means that even if you hit a person with a hundred chain punches it will be devoid of power. You punches will simply “tail off”. Conversely, raw power will also not result in fully useful strikes unless coupled with proper velocity, control, accuracy, precision, and aim.

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Why Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun?

At Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu, striking power is developed through time-tested methods and personalized coaching. Located in Lakeland, Florida, the academy offers:

• Expert instruction in Wing Chun techniques for striking power.
• A focus on practical applications and self-defense.
• A supportive community dedicated to martial arts excellence.

Sifu Och Wing Chun ensures every student masters techniques that translate into real-world strength and skill.

Are you ready to build unstoppable striking power? Take the first step today by filling out our contact form and training with Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu!

The post The Path to Striking Mastery: Boost Your Power Now appeared first on Sifu Och Wing Chun.

At Sifu Och Wing Chun, you learn traditional Wing Chun. But what a lot of people may not know is that there are specialized courses, which teach you to fight in the modern world. With street fighting Wing Chun is one of the more practical techniques that seeks to diffuse the advantage of any opponents – big or small. The Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu style teaches techniques that you can implement in the modern world.

Our Wing Chun real world self defense classes and Advanced Wing Chun classes are courses designed for all ages. In fact, we wish (and even recommended) that Polk County schools teach parts of this course to students, getting them started at an early age. With street fighting, Wing Chun techniques work to diffuse the advantage of the opponents. While there are certainly instant advantages, trained over time, these techniques can have a real impact in the lives of your children.

Common Mistakes Made in Street Fighting

There are few big mistakes that people often make in street fighting. We teach our kids and adults to avoid these in our Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu classes. It has saved many a kid from getting seriously injured. In particular, the face is the most susceptible region for any person. Wen street fighting, people don’t protect their face – and get hurt quickly as a result. Wing Chun Kung Fu techniques seek to diffuse any advantage of an opponents while protecting the face and neck. A hit to the neck, eye or nose, can cause serious damage, or at least cause you to stagger and/or fall. In a street fight a fall can result in more injuries – for one, your head could bang against something hard, or your attcker could decide to continue the fight when you’re on the ground.

Sifu Och Wing Chun Teaches Real World Self Defense Techniques

The real world techniques taught by Sifu Och Wing Chun involve sparring with a live opponent, using constant-forward force. This more closely simulates street fighting as opposed to drilling alone. When you can’t have a live opponent we also tech you how to practice solo and continue your training on your own when class isn’t in session. Our Wing Chun practice techniques also utilize a wooden dummy and practices called “Chi Sau” or “Sticky Hands” meant solely for this purpose.

Even if an opponent is bigger and more muscular, they should not have a significant advantage with someone well-trained in Wing Chun. The force for sparring and attacks come from distinct stances taught in Wing Chun. Those with smaller stature can easily counter much bigger assailants and escape with little harm.

Wing Chun does not train to fight only with honor, it trains to fight when required and escape.Street fighting Wing Chun techniques seek to diffuse the advantage of the opponents. The idea is to incur the least amount of damage. This is the truth of street fights. Rarely are street fights about honor. They are mostly about people ganging up.

Kids and bullies in the schools of Polk County, like most other schools, generally rely on the pack mentality, to harass or attack someone. Critical blows can lead to the hospitalization of the child.

The techniques taught by Wing Chun Kung Fu academy can help to avoid such injuries.Street fighting Wing Chun techniques seek to diffuse the advantage of the opponents. Special courses for kids in schools of Polk County are provided, under the banner of Sifu Och Wing Chun to fight in street fights, and against difficult odds.

Enroll your child in a course. Attend the some sessions at the Academy free of cost.Street fighting Wing Chun techniques seek to diffuse the advantage of the opponents. The accomplished teachers at the Wing Chun Kung Fu academy will be more than happy to guide with personalised training.  – by Wing Chun fans of Sifu Justin Och

Remember, aggression knows no age, colour or sex. Small street fights can end with dire consequences. Act today to avoid such situations.

Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy
Lakeland Fl Wing Chun Kung Fu school
https://sifuochwingchun.com
http://www.facebook.com
sifuochsifuoch@facebook.com
116 east pine street, Lakeland Florida
863.800.0171

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Brutal combatives are the escalation of combatives that have one objective—to incapacitate your opponent quickly and effectively. Such fierce training can only be learned in the company of masters. Lakeland Wing Chun combative is a collection of training programs meant to achieve this goal.

Wing Chun, as a branch of Kung Fu, is among the Traditional Martial Arts (TMA) that sought to mold Kung Fu into an aggressive form. Kung Fu was initially conceived as more defensive than offensive.

When fighting in close quarters, and in disadvantaged positions, many practitioners over the years felt that a more aggressive approach was required to get out of a situation. Wing Chun Kung Fu trains a common person to be able to fight quickly and, yes, brutally. Our Lakeland Wing Chun combative classes and techniques are a carefully designed model that allows people of all ages to come and train together effectively.

With Sifu Och Wing Chun combative training, you’re given personalized advice. People of different ages, physical conditions, and goals, all come to train under the single banner of Wing Wing Chun combative. Our Sifu Och Wing Chun combative training includes a collection of courses. They’re targeted at varying physiques and ages. There is, for example, a distinct training that involves hand-to-hand training. Yet another training regimen is dedicated to honing your kicking techniques.

In all honesty, we’re hardly the mirror image of Bruce Lee, who made Kung Fu famous. We’re also unlikely to go up against some “evil warlord” in martial arts games. In all likelihood, we’re more apt to find ourselves in a street fight. This maybe to ward off an assailant or even thwart an assault.

Real life training is what’s essentially provided for exactly such situations under the Sifu Och Wing Chun brutal combatives banner. The idea of Wing Chun combative is to use your techniques and quickly incapacitate or disorient the assailant, thus giving you enough time to escape to safety.

Of course, if you’re a martial arts fan, you want to train with the best. You will find the most accomplished trainers at Sifu Och Wing Chun. The best part is that you don’t just meet the Sifu at some high level course only. Rather, your training—no matter at what level—is personally supervised by Sifu Justin Och. Personal attention is an every day thing for the Lakeland Wing Chun school in downtown.

Learning Wing Chun will require at least six months of practice before you can see and feel some results, just like learning to play the piano or learning a new language. Sifu Och Wing Chun combative is a modern series of effective requirements meant to produce quick and targeted results.

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This overshoot of the assailant creates a close quarter combat situation which is ideal for the Wing Chun practitioner.  If the assailant decides to back up and create distance then the Wing Chun practitioner will attempt to destroy and cause damage to every limb thrown at them by the assailant by means of attack. After causing damage a Wing Chun practitioner will then close distance and “eat” their way into the assailant’s centerline vitals.

Some assailant’s—if knowledgeable about your skills—will keep backing up and will rarely attempt to throw strikes so that they do not get damaged. These assailant are attempting to escape your attacks and create their own timing. Don’t let this happen. Any control of any aspect of the fight is crucial to keeping the Wing Chun practitioner as safe as possible and maximizing the damage to the assailant. Very fast low to medium long range kicks to the ribs, organs, groin, ephemeral arteries and knee’s are employed to cause damage and hesitation in the assailants movements. This hesitation or pause is all a Wing Chun practitioner needs to take back control.

Close Quarter Fighting Ranges in Combat with Wing Chun

Never stay in mid-range. It’s purposeless. Instead, bait, time, and trap the assailant using close-quarter in-fighting combinations that trap, redirect, and allow you to end the fight decisively.

When the fight is no longer close-range make your assailant pay dearly for drawing out the fight by destroy and striking at areas that will cause the maximum amount of pain while maintaining the height of your defensive and offensive Wing Chun tactics.

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Originating from the Shaolin monks of China, Wing Chun is a hard-hitting combat fighting style where the goal is to take the opponent down as quickly as possible. To win a street fight using Wing Chun you have to train, push, and gain real ability to protect yourself and your loved ones. To compare Wing Chun with other types of martial arts, you see that the idea behind Wing Chun is to attack the center portion of the body while striking the vital areas. This breaks the opponent’s balance. To win a street fight using Wing Chun you learn to absorb strikes, which deflects an attacker’s energy.

Hand Movements

Most martial arts teach individuals two movements: the offense and the defense. However, Sifu Och Wing Chun (and indeed, Wing Chun in general) combines these two movements into one. That means you can block attacks and strike at your opponent at the same time. Unlike boxing, however, the strike doesn’t have to involve more power—although you can do real damage if everything is done correctly. In general, to win a street fight using Wing Chun you need to perfect and grow your speed, balance, technique, and efficiency.

Weapons

More of manual combative technique, Wing Chun instructors can also teach their students to handle traditional weapons such as the dragon pole and the butterfly knives. These weapons could seriously hack down an opponent, so in the training session a wooden dummy is used to boost strength during actual combat.

Win a Street Fight Using Wing Chun in Actual Combat

Mastering the principles of Wing Chun takes time, but it’s a powerful self-defense system when learned correctly and practiced in depth. When perfected, Wing Chun can be used effectively to defeat a much larger opponent. There is no time limit in an actual street fight, but you can’t exactly tell an attacker to “wait for a minute” because you’re tired. The more prepared and fit you are, the better you’ll fare. As a form of self-defense, wining a street fight using Wing Chun is absolutely likely—particularly with its techniques to end an encounter quickly and effectively. Most street fights only last a short period of time. As a street fighter, it is important to be familiar with different martial arts like Wing Chun.

To sum it all up, learning Wing Chun fro Sifu Och requires both effort and determination. Yet, the highest degree of learning can be achieved through the careful tutelage of a professional Wing Chun instructor. It was way back in the 1950s when the modernization of this martial art has begun to earn popularity…and it continues to grow in both popularity and recognition.

Today, Wing Chun practitioners can be seen all over the world. Even in the United States, and particularly in Florida, there are schools like Sifu Och Wing Chun that accept students who are willing to learn this type of self-defense. If you are live in the central Florida, Sifu Och Wing Chun in Lakeland FL may be the best and most accessible option for you.

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How scientific is Wing Chun Self Defense

From the human anatomy point of view, Wing Chun observes that the groin, throat, eyes and many of our other key susceptible targets all perch down the centerline of our body. Due to this and several other causes we invariably assault and oppose all attacks along the middle.

Follows Geometry axiom

An adage in geometry states “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.”  It’s for exactly this reason that Wing Chun practitioners forever strike as well as defend directly in front of, and all along, the center. As an alternative of parrying first and then striking back, a Wing Chun student will concurrently block as well as a hit—even when the opponent is mid-strike.

Physics in wing chun self defense

A law of physics states that “two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.” With this in mind, the science of Wing Chun self defense, at all times, aims to constantly engage the center line with punches in addition to kicks, conceding to and redirecting all obstructions. It also persistently substitutes the arms back transversely via the center line. As soon as you are able to control the center in Wing Chun, you can feel as well as take advantage of your challenger’s under- and over-committals by means of sticky legs or hands sensitivity.

Follows triangle or pyramid in structure

The triangle or pyramid is the firmest shape in nature. Realizing this, Wing Chun frequently applies in its arrangement as well as movements in triangles in addition to 45/60 degree angles. For instance, when training, Wing Chun has you stand somewhat pigeon-toed with knees curved in and with both arms pulled out—creating 3 triangles by means the our arms, legs, and feet.

45 or 60 degree angle to deflect

When parrying or even attacking, Wing Chun makes use of the control of 45 or 60 degree angles to ward off, pass on and cut across an opponent’s defenses. If substantial force is aimed at at the centerline, then Wing Chun “triangle evades” and moves forward at 45/60 degrees, letting you move beyond your initial location by means of not brute power or muscle, but merely the control of angles.

The SCIENCE OF Wing Chun IS truly a science of self-defense

There are quite a lot of other examples in addition to the reasons why Wing Chun really is the science of self-defense. It’s sufficient to say that by taking into consideration characteristics of anatomy, geometry, kinesiology, and physics, Wing Chun self defense is more of a martial science than an art. In fact, the application (along with the workouts and training forms) is the “art” part of the martial art, while the “science” is subconscious in addition to second-nature, implanting the muscle-memory, memorizing to control the opponent’s power, thereby productively expressing yours.

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Wing Chun has historically, however, focused on a close-combat range, focused on an area between the actual striking range and a grapple. Because many schools fail to train using tosses and grappling during sparring—or fail to do much sparring at all—strikes are often trained in response to a contact initiation (someone throws a punch). Long-range fighting skills as well as ground techniques and grappling may be left untouched—at least for many years. At Sifu Och Wing Chun we combat these tendencies by emphasizing sparring, grappling, and ground techniques for all of  our Advanced Wing Chun classes and students.

Without sufficient training and sparring practice and techniques being mastered, Wing Chun can be vulnerable to less conventional fighting styles like wrestling or more common professional boxing. If you’re learning Wing Chun you simply must spar and ensure that you’re not simply learning programmed responses to predictable attacks. Those who fail to do so may find themselves unable to adequately defend themselves in a street fighting scenario.

Multiple Styles Incorporated Into Wing Chun

For schools like Sifu Och Wing Chun that emphasize sparring and the integration of multiple techniques, there are less issues for those working on their techniques to develop sufficient skill and reaction time. Integrating techniques and styles from kickboxing or even MMA can really advance students in how to deal with non-traditional and long range attacks. Sparring against a wide range of potential styles and offensive techniques is a great way to reduce what might be considered Wing Chun weaknesses. When you are well-practiced and your defensive styles become natural and reflexive, you’l be in much betters ape when addressing what are otherwise considered Wing Chun weaknesses.

Where Wing Chun really shines is in its ability to deflect stronger attacks with both precision and speed. If, for example, a truck tries to derail a train by driving directly down the track, it loses. This is because it has to deal with the full momentum and force of not only the fist or front of the train but every “cargo section” that has built speed, weight and momentum behind it. A truck striking the side of a train has a much greater chance of derailing the intended target as it only deals with a small portion of the overall power and momentum built within the vehicle.

Another example is attacking the opponent’s attack.  This can be done in multiple ways.  Using the intercepting fist or turning punch, and striking or hitting the opponent’s strike from an outside angle.  Though the assailant may strike first, your angled deflection takes an inward and upward angle that meets only a fraction of its energy, to divert its intended destination point.

This first uses “live hand” which is using your arm on top of the opponent’s. As the opponent punches, you punch at their centerline, staying on top of your opponent’s punch, while keeping your elbow slightly bent, thus redirecting their strike as you hit their center.  This allows you to strike last but arrive first, with your assailant’s attempt redirected and your strike reaching its intended target, by blocking and attacking simultaneously.

Other examples of this type of redirection are the Jum Sau, also known as forearm block, Biu Gee, also known as thrusting fingers which can block and slip in an attack at the same time by keeping the fingers and arm forward and the elbow slightly down. A Bong Sau, also known as a wing arm block, that uses the angle of the forearm and the height of the elbow and shifting to redirect the opponents attack upward or to the side.

Want to eliminate the potential weakness of Wing Chun? Practice against multiple techniques, drill to perfection, and ensure you’re engaging in real sparring that exposes you to non-traditional attack methods.

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Zombies are Best to avoid

Without any doubt, your best strategy is to avoid zombies. But, as as one engaging in a Zombies versus Wing Chun Kung Fu all-out war, I would recommend situational cognizance empowers you to observe when zombie scenarios are improving so you can escape without needing to contact. Assuming that you perceive early enough, you can move far from damage by altering your direction or even by crossing the road. You can physically position yourself at favorable element by putting parked autos or different hindrances between you in addition to the dawdling moving danger.

Out of sight means out of mind

Keep in mind that out of sight is equivalent to being out of mind. The sooner you uproot yourself from the zombies’ field of vision, the better. Dodging a strike is best done from a distance. Once the hole between you and them has shut and they have you set up, the scenario is much dicier with a zombies versus Wing Chun scenario. There is a typical way in which the body or frame is integral to the Wing Chun form. Tragically, this doesn’t work whatsoever with zombies—at least not well. Some self-preservation types claim they’ve got the mystery equation for stopping zombies using verbal methods instead of hand-to-hand combat, however they don’t. When the predators complete their prey-choice process, nothing you say will dissuade them. You may be slanted to verbally engage them, particularly those you may have once known. Directly, I would prefer not to be joined with them; I need to withdraw totally.

Wing Chun Helps

The Zombies versus Wing Chun professionals that have survived an attack by the Zombie push into the top side above giving them a cheerful way out as the swarm presses its development. As his catch up strikes cuts into the neck and the neckline bone with the butterfly sword. Hacking, Kicking and Knocking the things back while like Spartans Fossi and Kaseem get long shafts striking advance and splitting skulls like to perfect pros. As the press in Fossi clears out the leg of a zombie as it liberates itself from the glass as well as runs at him. Smacking to the ground Kaseem finalizes it with speedy descending strikes to the head, face and figure. Huge Garret and Tom are laying the smack down their sheer size, speed and power drop the zombies such as flies. Thank God they had outfitted on as the zombies attempt to nibble into the clenched hands hitting into them as they just have it covered. Hence the war ends as well as proving that Wing Chun is A to B right?

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Wing Chun Countering Energies Increased with Two

Two partners working together can also generate increased strength and stability that they may have not been able to reach alone.  The point of balance between the two objects is called the center of mass, and this is the center of structural stability within this created dynamic. As the strength of one Wing Chun practitioner pushes through the lines of strength of the other, these Wing Chun countering energies and supporting forces create a balance point. Wing Chun works off of triangles found throughout the entire structure. This creates stability because at least one of the connective parts of a triangle is always pointing in the opposite direction of any force being applied. If this triangle or position is broken by leaning, over-committing, or otherwise losing your balance or power, then the triangle will dissolve into another shape and no longer have the structural integrity it once did.

This is why, in Wing Chun, having proper form is everything.

Countering Energies Through Practicing Continuous Flows

Depending on your lineage line, you may have attacks and drills that involve continuous flowing chains of offensive and defensive attacks and counters (like ours). Wing Chun is unique in these types of stand up reactive drills and even a third form that trains techniques for surviving and escaping a multiple attacker situation. This type of practical, repetitive training is exclusive to Wing Chun. No other martial art has these types of reaction drills.

A similar energy flow and sensitivity to balance and structure exists within Tai Chi push hands, and this is seen within Chi Sau. Wing Chun adds aggressive attack reactions into the mix. Wrist versus wrist doesn’t follow predetermined movements but is rather a constant barrage of attacks and reactions at extreme close-quarters. Wing Chun has kept this wrist against wrist tactic in order to keep both practitioners within striking range. Without this constraint, it’s easy for a student to start to run away or create huge distance between them and the assailant. This is a more realistic practice for dealing with a car assault, home invasion, bar or restaurant attack as the space, chairs, tables, and individuals surrounding you don’t allow for large, flowing movements. You must deal with what comes and survive or fail based on your training.

Car Assault Example
In the example of a car assault scenario, you are parked next to another vehicle, and you place your child in their seat. By opening the door you have cut off your only means of escape, and the assailant is upon you (plus you potentially have a child to protect). You have no space and no time—only room for a quick reaction. If we move this scenario to nighttime in your home or office, the lights are dim and the attack is on. Wing Chun asks “what if” questions and trains practitioners blindfolded so the only thing you can rely on are the skills instilled in you by your instructor and training. By having even one hand on your assailant in a low light you can “feel” where they are likely to attack (Ex. If the shoulder on one side moves in and down then the other is likely lifting and pulling back to hook punch.)

Precise Fighting applications with Wing Chun

Most people chamber the center torso when attacking with kicks or punches and so, by touching one side of the body, you can determine what the other person is likely to do. This reactive force of pulling back to strike forward can be sensed by the practitioner versus their opponent and can give them a pre-indication of the assailant’s next intentions. Nothing is foolproof, but if advanced drilling and training in this improves your effectiveness in low light fighting scenarios even a little bit, you can only gain.

Wing Chun’s small movements and properly timed attacks are used to defeat much larger and stronger attackers. Through proper power, speed, balance, and body structure, a small amount of force can be precisely applied. You not only deflect powerful attacks but expose the opponent’s vitals momentarily to a devastating counter-attack. Instead of blocking and then attacking as two separate movements, a Wing Chun practitioner will block and attack high and low at the same time. Techniques such as the Intercepting Fist “Cutting Arm” otherwise known as “Turning Punch” can cut into and disrupt the structure and attack of an opponent while allowing the Wing Chun practitioner to overtake and re-root any resistance. Through proven positions of power, the Wing Chun practitioner opens a pathway to the core vitals of their opponent both inside and outside of the assailant. These techniques automatically deflect while a countering attack, punch, and/or kick is delivered.

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Start Your Martial Arts Journey: The Ultimate Guide

Wing Chun Kung Fu is recognized as an exceptional martial art for beginners. Starting your journey in this discipline is encouraged, as it provides valuable self-defense techniques. Each class focuses on mastering effective movements, which are essential for both confidence and physical fitness. Additionally, many individuals find themselves drawn to Wing Chun due to its practical applications.

Unlock Your Ultimate Potential: Wing Chun Kung Fu

Students of any age can learn Wing Chun Kung Fu because it is broken down into stages of beginner, intermediate, and advanced. It’s therefore possible to move into Wing Chun if you are coming from any another martial arts system. As training progresses, individuals find that their abilities expand, enabling personal growth in various areas.

Understand the fundamental differences in shifting, footwork, blocking and attacking simultaneously. In addition to centering your body in the proper position. Rather than assuming Wing Chun Kung Fu beginners are kids, the reality is that many are adults—and some have even trained in other martial arts for many years.

Why Wing Chun Kung Fu is the Ideal Starting Point for New Martial Artists

1. Inclusive for All Ages:
It is important to note that students of any age can participate in Wing Chun training. Many misconceptions exist, suggesting that only children are suitable for this martial art. However, adults, including those with prior martial arts experience, are also welcomed into the classes. This inclusivity allows for a diverse range of students, enriching the learning environment.

2. Focused Training Benefits:
When beginning Wing Chun, several key benefits can be expected. Firstly, self-defense skills are prioritized, which are invaluable in today’s world. Secondly, improvements in physical fitness and self-confidence are commonly experienced.

3. Enhanced Reflexes:
Through consistent practice, reflexes are sharpened significantly. Training in Wing Chun involves repeated drills, which foster faster reaction times. Consequently, practitioners are better prepared to respond to any potential threats.

4. Development of Discipline:
Discipline is cultivated through the structured training offered at Sifu Och Wing Chun. In an age where self-discipline can be challenging, students are guided toward establishing control over their bodies and minds. This disciplined approach is crucial for success in martial arts and everyday life.

5. Stress Reduction Benefits:
Lastly, Wing Chun is effective for stress relief. As individuals engage in focused training, stress levels are reduced significantly. The combination of physical activity and mental concentration leads to a sense of calmness and well-being.

Ultimate Unlock: Getting Started With Wing Chun Kung Fu

At Sifu Och Wing Chun, exceptional instruction is provided to beginners and advanced students alike. The commitment to individual progress ensures that every student receives the support they need. As a result, the training environment is conducive to learning and growth.

Internal Links to Related Articles:

Empower Yourself: Experience Personal Growth Through Chinese Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/chinese-martial-arts-lakeland-florida-kung-fu/

Unlock Potential: The Incredible Strength of Wing Chun Martial Arts
https://sifuochwingchun.com/the-strength-of-my-wing-chun/

Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu in Lakeland Florida

Are you ready to embark on your martial arts journey? Join Sifu Och Wing Chun today to start learning Wing Chun Kung Fu. Fill out our contact form and take the first step toward enhancing your self-defense skills and personal development.

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You Should Fear Wing Chun

Cause fear in your opponent, and they will lose their intention to harm. Striking an opponent hard, fast and effectively injuring them will cause fear. When your opponent learns to fear Wing Chun then you may gain a sizable advantage—or even win by default if your attacker runs away). Your goal is to unbalance your opponent’s foundation and ability to react against you effectively. Fear will have your opponent’s mind and body in a constant state of unbalance. They will fall back when you attack and second guess their strikes, thus cutting power to them (lack of confidence in a fight = lack of power and intent).  Fear is a tool, use it when necessary and know that your opponent may attempt to use this tactic as well. When the mind is distracted it loses power.  Whether through fear or distraction the mind is fragile and will fold under a greater pressure.  This is the essence of the fight or flight mentality. Fear in Wing Chun or any system of martial arts is natural and the more confident you become in your application the more this fear will melt away.

Remember that Wing Chun is a combative kung fu style based off of muscular/skeletal structure. It draws its power from the intent of controlled full body system muscular skeletal structures recruitment. Allowing the impact of the muscles, body structure and  impact points with resisting pressures reinforced by the muscular/skeletal connection with the rest of the body in relation to the ground. This must be attained while directing your strikes at specifically trained areas of the body.  Such as the throat, eyes, temple, collar bone, lower floating rib and  multiple points around the neck and jaw to name a few.  Training these fast twitch muscle fibers (fibers in your muscles responsible for muscle speed and strength) and not tensing those muscles that will hold back or give resistance to those striking structures, means relaxation and explosive power at the end of each strike.

You Should Not Fear Wing Chun Training

Learning and getting good at Wing Chun also means training consistently in drills and isolating specific muscle groups. Later training will include using the entire body as a weapon. We do not train for just any type of strike or hit wherever we can. We train for specific places and to achieve specific results. The good news, however, is that student at any level can progress—and students at any level can be effectively trained to eventually become adept at Wing Chun Kung Fu.

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Wing Chun Kung Fu Training doesn’t emphasize elegance, points, or have a sports-oriented mentality. Its only interest is simplicity and using the most highly effective and proficient techniques. Your understanding and ability are based off of your teacher’s ability and your willingness to learn and practice. If they have it, and can teach it, you’ll be able to learn…if you train. Refining the taught applications can not only build strength, it will make you faster.

When you get faster, you not only move more quickly into your “block while attacking” movements, you develop quick reactions and response times to attacks from your opponent. We believe in conveying real-world training. I’ve heard all too often about students who have studied under instructors and have been led on for over a decade being told that “One day they will release ALL of the REAL information to them if they just stick around.” These same students have come down and—in one afternoon—seen and participated in more effective techniques than they have done in the past ten years—no questions, no tricks, just survival.

Fighting is Chaotic, train reaction and calculated action.

Fighting can be unpredictable and chaotic unless you have trained to respond accordingly to the movements and actions of your assailant.  Wing Chun’s applicable reaction should never be pre-calculated or preconceived. 

How can you decide how a fight will start or end before it has begun?  You can not. Don’t reproduce techniques but rather building direct response. Refining applications, trained as reactions in kung fu training. 

Respond to an opponent’s attack and training combinations that teach flowing response and are continuously interchangeable. You cannot think faster than an unpredictable attack yet you can train to react appropriately and be extremely effective. Reaction is an innate survival response in every creation, only human’s can train in various levels, weapons, styles and degrees of response depending on the situation.

Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu Training in Lakeland FL

You must train the body to naturally respond to any situation even if you have never faced it before. Wrist against wrist, Chi Sau, Don Chi Sau, and Bong Lop are all examples of Wing Chun training for a natural response. Two partners with the goal of assisting the other to develop rooting structure and weed out errors.

With onstant forward energy without leaning or giving up the centerline. Since both practitioners are seeking to train the center offense and defense, a meeting forward energy cancels each other out.

Master the Art of Kung Fu with Expert Training in Lakeland

By rooting, a Wing Chun practitioner takes the partner’s energy and roots it through the body then this energy is pressed back from the ground through the practitioner and into the partner once again. By placing and meeting energy, a practitioner can feel and calculate the next position of the partner before they reach their destination. 

This also means they can diffuse a large portion of the partner’s force as long as proper body structure is maintained (aka don’t lean, stop keeping the arms out from the body, completely relax, or stiffen up and attempt to overpower the partner)

Join Lakeland’s Premier Kung Fu Training Program Today!
Don’t wait—fill out our contact form to take the first step toward mastering Kung Fu and transforming your life. Discover the unmatched expertise and support at Sifu Och Wing Chun.

“Explore Lakeland’s Most Authentic Kung Fu Training Program”

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Pressure Points Defined: A pressure point is literally a “tender spot” whose entomology can be traced back to the meridian points in traditional Chinese medicine and ancient martial arts. A pressure point is any area on the human body that may produce significant pain or other effect (for example, movement in a particular direction) when pressed, squeezed, or touched in a certain way.

We have many classes that teach the valuable Wing Chun techniques associated with finding and exploiting pressure points, and even our summer after school programs touch upon these to a point. At Sifu Och Wing Chun we emphasize self defense as a means to get away from an attacker through any means possible. While we teach respect, discipline, and self-control, when it comes to protecting your family and loved ones, teaching and training in the aspect of applying and exploiting key pressure points in the human body is something we don’t shy away from.

Some Particular Pressure Points

1. Very vulnerable areas: The eyes, the testicles, the shins, etc.
2. Forehead: Striking the flat of the forehead forces the head back with little resistance. Beginners should use the heel of their palm.
3. Shoulder: Look for the collar bone and once located jab fingers behind bone and force to the ground.
4. Throat: The easiest way to strike is probably with a knife hand turned upside down.
5. Under the jaw: Grab the neck on the front and reach under the jaw and squeeze while pressing upward.

For those of you thinking that learning about pressure points is way too much for a summer camp in Lakeland, FL (or even an adult class), we tend to ask two questions: “What would you do to keep your kids safe?” and “If you weren’t there, what would you want your child to do to keep him or herself safe?” If your child is grabbed, assaulted, or taken by a 200 lb adult, we want to instill some simple skills to even the playing field and give them the skills to escape a potentially dangerous situation. It’s hard enough for a full-grown adult to stop another adult, so what self-defense skills do you want your child learning? We can teach them and do so in a responsible and respectful manner.

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Your center of gravity within the various Wing Chun stances and rooting is more than just bending the knees and getting a wider stance. It’s also more than simply visualizing yourself “sinking” into the ground. As my Tai Chi Grandmaster would say: “these are all great tools, but you’re still cheating”—cheating in the sense that anyone can widen their stance or bend their knees to gain this kind of rooting.

The Source of Good Wing Chun Stances and Rooting

So where does great rooting come in? First you must question and test your current understanding and abilities in rooting and moving. Wing Chun stances will undoubtedly alter your preconceived ideas about these positions.

Rooting without dynamic movement is useless stance work and impractical. When you practice static rooting or stances without movement it has no purpose or ability against a striking, multi-ranged assailant.

There are many tools and drills we use to check every level of Wing Chun stances and rooting from the arms, chest, hip, and legs into the ground.  Rooting downward and striking forward is a mystery to some. I remember learning other styles where the Master would tell us to bend the knees and “feel” yourself rooting. This is like saying knowing “of” and “feeling” out your A, B, C’s is like knowing, reading, and understanding the ‘Freedom From Fear’ by David M. Kennedy.  It isn’t the same and you will always question if your rooting could be better and what you might gain if it was.

Great Wing Chun Stances and Rooting Questions

What does wing chun stances rooting mean if it isn’t just bending the knee’s or widening the stance?
Is rooting for your school of Wing Chun shock value rooting?
Can you do it if you’re standing in a bar, restaurant or home or does it need preparation? 
Is it too close or too far apart? 
Does your rooting hold up when caught off guard and someone attacks with something you didn’t expect? 
Someone comes and pushes you can your rooting recover quickly or do you lose balance easily?
Is your stance tested and practiced reflex, or is it more of induced movement attached to a sequence of responses? 

Can you, while attacking in a fast or vicious manner, maintain this chosen rooting, wide stance, or structure at all times, or do you notice it changing? Choosing a stance that maintains your rooting, structural reinforcement of all of your techniques while keeping and increasing your ability to be dynamic within your footwork are all key.

Wing Chun Stances disagreements

Even within Wing Chun there is a disagreement of structure, Wing Chun stances, rooting, distance of footwork, knee positions, and even weight distribution. I have visited many different schools and heard the arguments and justifications of each thought. Some very well known instructors keep the knees in, almost touching each other in order to protect the groin.  Other well known teachers have stances that keep 80% of their weight on the front and 100% of their weight on the back foot. Still other teachers claim there is no set stance—just foot work that is used dynamically. The key is whether their students can use it for fighting. If so, then the explaination is backed by the beautiful and sweet music of practical application.

If your foot work can move dynamically; be used practically and under the tenants of pressure, shock, and surprise; and can still hold up and reinforce every attack and block you have, than you are doing your art justice. It’s easy to use the strikes and footwork of another art but to dive deeper within your own and find the truth and practicality in it preserves the art into the next generation.

We have our own ways of testing our downward rooting while pressing forward in and out of the dynamic representation of Wing Chun. That’s not to say we are not always students of this amazing art and that we have it perfect—we don’t. We are always improving, gaining, growing, and seeing new light that Wing Chun has to help us in every aspect of our self defense. Ask the questions, test yourself, and grow within each day as new skills are both discovered and revealed. If you have questions about our footwork and structure, please feel free to ask us. We would love to continue this discussion.

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Anger and Wing Chun Don’t Mix

Anger management within the martial arts is extremely important. Anger and Wing Chun don’t mix. Not only is calming the mind important—restraint of primal anger during a confrontation keeps you from having a “fogged” perception. The mind needs to be clear in order to fulfill its full capability and goals.  Wing Chun Kung Fu demands a clear mind swept of anger in order to be filled with purpose, skill and drive.  Though anger can have a drive of its own if not tempered it can run rampant in our lives and destroy that which is built and postive.

Wing Chun Kung Fu strikes such as chops, punches, palms, elbows, head butts, kicks, and knees are coupled with simultaneous blocks, traps, redirects, countering measures, and changing body movements and timing. If you succumb to anger, you won’t have the mental discipline to remember, let alone execute, the required movements to keep you safe. Stand up strikes require extremely fast targeting, and you need to keep your strikes along the centerline principle of the body. The centerline of the body contains most of the vital areas, pressure points and weaknesses.  Though when Wing Chun Gung Fu strikes these points it is concerned with the hitting of fists, elbows and knees into these areas.

Though there are few grappling techniques or holds within Wing Chun Gung Fu as it is seen as a waste to hold when you could be striking.  There is in fact the use of quick Chi Na (wrist and joint lock applications) that are taught widely within this system of self defense.

The discipline of Wing Chun teaches many other techniques such as gun defense, stick and knife defense as well as ground defense training.  Schools like Sifu Justin Och also teach no-gi ju-jitsu as a addition to in-depth Wing Chun Gung Fu instruction.  This addition of no-gi ju-jitsu for ground training and fighting teaches a practitioner that whether stand up or ground Sifu Justin Och students are covered.

Wing Chun Gung Fu is one of the fastest martial arts known, by striking the human bodies vital areas you can shut an assailant down quickly.  Whereas a Wing Chun Gung Fu stylist learns to protect these areas.  The centerline is the most vital battleground and tactic available to a practitioner.  It is the source by which all techniques seek to attain and strike.

All attacks, deflections, redirections, blocks are tools to attack and devastate the centerline vitals such as the throat, knees, groin, eyes, temples, joints, Xiphoid, collar bone and many other areas that can’t be built up.

Gung Fu in Lakeland Florida

The battle ground and warrior tactics within Wing Chun Gung Fu emphasize the short distance between two points is a straight line.  Wing Chun Gung Fu teaches you to strike directly instead of indirectly.  This aims every attack at this centerline.  Wing Chun Gung Fu spends alot of its time training and learning how to direct force, precision and power against this centerline while getting any and all defenses down.

Striking any one of the vitals found along the centerline can end a assailants capability to harm the Wing Chun Gung Fu practitioner.  A powerful blow to the throat, collar bone, eyes, groin, knee or joints could very well shut them down.  This is why Wing Chun Gung Fu has so many tactics from extremely fast chain punches to turning punches that involve the full momentum of the body, hip, torque, weight and speed.  Only one blow is needed but Wing Chun trains for many strikes to ensure increased success for its practitioners.

If above all you want real self defense for you and your family, choose Wing Chun Gung Fu.

Sifu Justin Och is in downtown lakeland florida and has classes that can give you and your family exactly what you need.   A Black and Gold Sash instructor under multiple proven Masters of the system of Wing Chun Gung Fu.  Sifu Justin Och is also recognized internationally as a amazing instructor that looks after his students and trains them to the highest capabilities they can and are willing to achieve.  A hard but fair Sifu in the world reknowned system of Wing Chun Gung Fu.

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Wing Chun asks a lot of questions. For example, even if you’re strong now, what happens when you’re attacked and are sick, weakened, have aged, or have incurred an injury? Can you still kick the same, use the same technique, punch the same? Can you struggle for as long, throw the same punches, or use what you have learned from now until the end of your days? What if the person across from you is a violent attacker? We try to teach universal Wing Chun applications that can stand the test of time and continue to work as you age and change.

There are many ways and many martial arts applications that can be used to answer a single situation—and no one martial art or form is perfect. The real answer is that you wan to find a style that can be used universally. A good way to identify a style like that is to see if the techniques and movements can be taught universally to women, children, and men. Removing ego and asking the hard truth, the universal Wing Chun application asks the question: Are you teaching to survive?

Universal Wing Chun applications are trained into quick and natural reactions and responses that will train your body (over time) to build the synapses and muscular reactions necessary for survival. The more time you practice, and the more patience you have to continue, the better you will get. A good technique will become a skilled reaction. Skill is an evolution of understanding, application, applied knowledge, and the ability to adapt.

Sifu Och Teaches Universal Wing Chun Kung Fu IN lakeland fl

As you start to understand the technique you gain a vital piece of the puzzle. You may not be able to use the technique yet in fast fighting, but you can see its benefit—and you want it.  Second, is application which is the ability to have the body mimic the movement of a technique.  During this stage the body doesn’t yet react under stress in order to apply it as the synapses and muscle memory are still being developed.

Applied knowledge means you are now applying the knowledge under stress as a reaction whether through conscience or unconscious application while under pressure. Last is the ability to adapt under pressure and stress using applied knowledge as a reactionary solution. Bringing this adaptation into the chaos of combat while maintaining your Wing Chun and changing your actions and reactions according to the situation is one of the highest levels of any martial art—especially Universal Wing Chun Kung fu.

For your ability to go through the first three stages takes time and has to be done with each technique you are taught. This is like learning and reacting with a different weapon perfectly. Think of all the different weapons, the differing weights their uses and situational expertise. With each individual technique it takes time and dedication to use, perfect and bring them to a high level of unconscious skill and reaction. The addition of the fourth step means that you can integrate it seamlessly with any of the previous techniques that have made it to the fourth stage. The fourth stage is the accumulation of all your applied knowledge that is capable of adapting, changing and integrating with any other fourth stage skill. Allowing you to bring reactionary control and momentary order under the chaos of combat.

Realistic Self Defense right in Lakeland Fl

Ip Man brought Wing Chun Kung Fu out from private instruction and into the public eye, teaching great practitioners and fighters like Bruce Lee, Wong Shun Leung, Simon Lau, Moy Yat and of course his two sons Ip Ching and Ip Chun. Train and follow a path of traditional martial arts and shaolin kung fu that is unmatched by its depth into realistic self defense right in Lakeland Florida.

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