Wing Chun, which means “spring chant”, is a Chinese martial art. It was made famous by the popular film “Ip Man“. It is much more direct and strenuous than some other martial arts such as Tai Chi, but its emphasis on relaxation, balance, and stance, and minimal physical exertion to achieve victory make it a possible choice for seniors contemplating taking up a martial art.
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Basics
Wing Chun teaches a firm but flexible, narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body. This firm, stable base is considered important not only for defense but for attack. In addition, performing techniques in a state of relaxation is emphasized. It is felt that muscle tension is a waste of energy and a source of fatigue, and that a state of relaxation takes away the emphasis on strength in an uneven competition. Short straight punches are primarily used in Wing Chun, using the strength of the body and not merely the arm. Kicks are generally kept below the waist. For more on the basics of Wing Chun for health and self defense, you can read this book by Ip Chun.
Ip Man
The man who inspired the film “Ip Man”, whose name was Yip Kai-Man, was a Wing Chun master who was born in Hong Kong in 1893. He established a martial arts school in Hong Kong and continued to teach well into his seventies. He had many renowned students who later became teachers themselves; among them was Bruce Lee. Yip Kai-Man died in 1972, but his oldest son, Ip Chun, appears in the film and was also a consultant.
Ever wonder about Bruce Lee’s training secrets? Here’s a great post on the components of being a good martial artist and Wing Chun student: the heart, the eyes and balance.
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So boomers, attempting a martial art like Wing Chun might seem challenging, but it might also be rewarding and a lot of fun. Why not give it a try? For more on Martial Arts for seniors, check out the benefits of Martial Arts and Tai Chi.
This post is a guest post by John Walters who is a freelance writer who attended the 1973 Clarion West science fiction writing workshop and is a member of Science Fiction Writers of America. He writes mainstream fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and memoirs of his wanderings around the world. For many years he lived in Greece with his Greek wife and five sons and taught English as a second language to help pay the bills, but he has recently moved back to the United States and now lives in San Diego.
