the way ("do"/"tao") is the goal. What is meant is that the object is e.g. to build one’s character by means of training, daily effort and self-discipline.
2. WingTsun as an efficient means of self-defence
But if we want to practice WingTsun to develop our self-defence capabilities – and there are currently reasons enough for this – then the goal is precisely this self-defence capability, and not the way (the traditional means such as forms, Chi-Sao etc.) that is meant to take us there.
We must always try to remember the form taken by a typical attack with which e.g. a man might be confronted.
We know that it starts with eye-contact, then some opening remark followed by the phase of being shoved or grabbed. If we are unable to prevent the situation from escalating by means of sensible behaviour practiced in advance, the aggressor will use his dominant hand (usually the right) to aim a roundhouse punch at the head. Nowadays social mores have degenerated to the extent that we must also expect life-threatening kicks to the head as a follow-up.
Anybody coming to one of our WingTsun schools expects that as experts, we will prepare him for the most probable attack with which he may be confronted. We are familiar with the phases of ritualised combat, and have a responsibility to ready him for these statistically probable phases above all else.
The training methods (the way) we use depend on the goal, and in the case of men the goal must initially be to provide protection against the dangers of degenerate, ritualised (macho) combat.
And in practical terms, less is more! The student must learn: to assess the situation correctly, respond appropriately to the opening remark, not allow himself to be pushed or grabbed and not to be hit by the roundhouse punch.
He must overcome his reluctance to strike by means of an anchor or trigger word, and he must be able to put the aggressor out of action. If there are traditional methods which lead directly to this goal, we use them. If not, our survival instinct and our responsibility towards the student give us the right and the obligation to develop suitable methods on a scientific basis.
When it comes to our lives, or that of the students in our care, safety has priority over the dictates of a beautifully executed ”picture-book“ technique. What Escrima grandmaster Bill Newman says is equally valid for WingTsun: “When things get serious, the point is to put the attacker out of action. You can perform your wonderful technique afterwards, when he is on the ground!“
Asians often have a different point of view, and in my experience many would rather allow themselves to be struck on the head than use a technique that is not part of their style.
As a goal-oriented European I revealed my own attitude to this in the last edition of WingTsun World, when I clearly stated: ”WingTsun is my servant!“ I am not there for WingTsun, WingTsun is there for me! It is I who makes use of WingTsun. I use it as a means: for self-defence, but also as a philosophy of life and to combat the contradictions inside me.
Best wishes Your SiFu/SiGung
Grandmaster Kernspecht is now a "Doctor of Science" Timing – Part 4: The hands of the clock turn differently in WingTsun Timing – Part 3: The preconditions for timing
© 2007 WingTsun GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved.
Home
Publisher
Contact
Press
Shop
Newsletter
Search
Three-Part structure
print 
tell a friend 
top
back