The hidden jewel in Chinese martial arts

CEBU, Philippines - If you are familiar with the movie IP Man and other Bruce Lee movies, you probably have an idea what Weng Chun is like. If you have not heard of the word Weng Chun, well, count me in. For 19 years of living in this world, I spent at least 10 percent of it through watching Asian action movies, which weng chun is very famous second only to kung fu. Weng chun is the newest self-defense art that anyone can practice. But before applying it as part of your new routine, you should know first what weng chun really is.

Weng Chun is simply a combination of all the arts that Chinese martial arts have. It is a self-defense technique that utilizes your hands, legs and your skills. The difference that you can infer to kung fu and other Chinese martial arts from Weng Chun is first, the trapping technique wherein students are taught trapping rather than attacking.

The practitioner develops reflexes within the searching of unsecured defenses through use of sensitivity. They will undergo training through Chi Sao with a partner. Second, is the backbone of weng chun, which is the sensitivity feeling wherein you can feel the pressure from your opponent, and through that pressure or the energy.

It will be easier for you to analyze and to convert into offensive attack to your opponent. In this art, you do not wait for your opponent to attack. Instead, you will intersect with your opponent. Another difference that we can infer to this art is its principle. In other martial arts the user adapts the system or the style while in weng chun is the system that adapts the user.

Weng chun also uses technique wise, if you know how to use your techniques, definitely you will survive. In this kind of art, practitioners are not taught to mimic the actions, instead they are taught to let it register in their subconscious mind.

Balance, stance and structure. Weng chun also has its characteristics. First, is the balance, stance and structure. A correct wing chun stance is like a piece of bamboo, firm but flexible, rooted but yielding. This structure is used either deflect external forces or redirect them. A well balanced body recovers quickly from stalled attacks. Wing chun also favors a high narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body. Structure is also viewed as important, not only for reasons of defense but also with attack.

Centerline.

The practitioners attack within the central area of the body to transmit force more effectively, since it targets the “core center” or the mother line - the vertical axis of the human body punches. The wing chun favors the vertical punch for its directness, protection, strength and impact and alignment of structure.

With the help of the Philippine Weng Chun Kuen Society, I was able to know and to see what Weng Chun really is. The PWKS was founded in October 1990 and its disciples in Cebu holds their training at Fuente Circle under the guidance of Rucelo Madrona.

The Philippine Weng Chun Kuen Society opened to the public last June 22, 2010 with its new instructors Michael Ricablanca and Rodolfo ”Jun” Bellaflor, Jr. They agreed to open the class to the public because they want to propagate the art and want to share to others what they have learned from their teacher.

The sessions will last from 7:00 up to 9:00 in the evening. At least 15 students enrolled in their class on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Sacred Heart Center Sports Club along D. Jakosalem Street.

Some of the students are working professionals. This Weng Chun martial art will give you good health benefits. It is not only for self defense mechanism, but can also be a part of the daily routine. It’s an exercise and self defense rolled in one. (FREEMAN)