By Christine Swan

For those of you that know me in real life, you will be aware of my unusual activity regime which includes Wing Chun Kung Fu. I first started learning the Chinese martial art of Kung Fu in 1985 but a move away from London meant that I wasn’t able to continue. Work and family life intervened too and I didn’t return to training until eleven years ago on the recommendation of a friend.

In the past, I have tried my hand at many sports and was equally bad at all of them. I’m quite tall and powerful, but not that quick. This didn’t lend itself to endless gymnastics sessions we seemed to have to endure at school in pursuit of elusive BAGA awards, of which I achieved only level 4. I believe that even this was what is known in the trade as a sympathy pass. However, I could throw a javelin further than many of my classmates and send a shot sailing into the distance. Neither of these held any interest to me and discus throwing seemed far too complicated in comparison with just chucking something as far as you could.

I travelled into London by train a great deal as a teenager and the Tube used to be a wild place on a Saturday night in the late 1970s and 1980s. There was no CCTV coverage and seemed to be fewer restrictions and fewer ticket barriers. Out on the streets did not always feel safe too. A few close shaves and one particularly terrifying incident led me to want to regain some control and manage situations better in so far as humanly possible. One day I saw an advertisement for a new self-defence class that was starting. “Looks interesting”, I thought, so I took myself to the local College of Further and Adult Education to sign up.

The first lesson was a shock. I had thought that this would be an informal class, a bit like aerobics with fisticuffs. It really was quite a long way from this. We were taught to bow before entering or leaving the place of learning, and to our Sifu, or teacher. We were taught how to stand in the horse, or goat-riding stance, and the style of a Wing Chun punch. I remember our Sifu demonstrating the famous One Inch Punch on an unsuspecting student who was wearing suitable protection and holding books as extra padding in front of his chest. He flew backwards, stumbling as the blow landed in a split second, too quick for the eye to register. What kind of trickery is this?! No trickery, just skill and energy. I was sold. This was what I had been waiting for!

An 18 year old Bruce Lee practising Chi Sau or sticking hands, with his Sifu, Ip Man By Unknown author – 搜房网电影人生, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27804442

Sil Lim Tao, or little idea, is a very important Wing Chun form to master. It teaches all important attacks and blocks. Precision, appropriate speed and control need to be learned with care. New students often see the movements as trivial or ineffective. This is, of course, completely incorrect. An angle, a height, needs to be correct for the technique to be effective but through careful practice and instruction, we improve. Wing Chun is mindful. I go into a trance-like state when performing the moves of Sil Lim Tao and imagine waves of energy moving slowly or quickly down my arms when the movements are performed. Controlling your breathing is important as well as maintaining an appropriate level of muscular tension. My London class ended with Chi Gung and meditation. Wing Chun isn’t just about attack and defence, it is a way of living.

After leaving London and joining my current club, I needed to essentially start again. Far too many years had elapsed and although I could remember Sil Lim Tao just about, I had lost what level of skill I previously had. The respect that I had been taught to show in my London club, served me well. I was keen to learn and improve. Whilst not being the quickest, I did make progress through persistence. I also made some great friends although there is always some coming and going of people joining and then leaving. The pandemic caused huge disruption to all sports and training but I continued on my own and as soon as we could have individual lessons in the open air, I went back and haven’t stopped since.

The author practising an elbow strike drill with a partner

I’m always amazed why so few women consider Wing Chun as a viable activity. Strength can be a real disadvantage although that may seem hard to believe, aggression leads to a loss of control and techniques don’t work as a result. My Sifu points out when my natural aggression kicks in, when in reality, control is required. That old adage of: “fighting like a girl” comes from deep inside, and it’s easy to get carried away. I care about all of my fellow students and am mortified if I so much as land a slightly-too-hard tap. I apologise immediately, as do they if the situation is reversed. What I really wanted was to be treated equally, and, I am. Women were very much at the heart of the early history of Wing Chun and, as it is not a style dependent on strength, but rather technique, this is something we can all learn.

I’m not the best student, but I’m also not the worst. I try hard and practise regularly. People often say to me: “You’d just freeze if you were attacked. You just think you can do things but you just wouldn’t have the bottle.” Number one, I’m far fitter than I would be if I wasn’t doing this so, running away will always be the principal option to consider. I train every week without fail. Not only am I fitter but I am stronger, both physically and mentally. Number two, I have options and the confidence to use them. If the first is to run away if you can, the second depends on what is happening but it is probably to give yourself the time to run away. It’s important to take on board that any martial art can do real damage, sometimes unintended.

The British Wing Chun Kuen Association led by Sifu Martin Lloyd

Learning a martial art or combat sport is empowering but it’s a social activity too and a great place to make friends. People from all walks of life can learn and Wing Chun doesn’t require you to be super-fit as some other combat sports do. There is a saying that if you can get out of a chair, you can learn Kung Fu. Wing Chun doesn’t have any high kicks or flying-through-the-air moves. It’s better to master the basics and execute them well. My Sifu, Martin Lloyd, has reliably informed that there is a national decline in the uptake of martial arts which is a huge shame. However, I may have inspired you to find out more, there is a link to my local club below but if you conduct a search online, you will doubtless find one closer to you if you are not based in the Midlands. Even if everybody isn’t Kung Fu fighting, a few more would be very welcome.

Further information

British Wing Chun Kuen Association http://www.britishwingchunkuenassociation.com/index.html

Photographs courtesy of the British Wing Chun Kuen Association