| Most people when they think of serious | | | | Wing Tsun is designed much like today's modern |
| self-defense for their home and family think of | | | | firearms. This unique art stresses great mobility |
| acquiring a gun. The logic of such an acquisition is | | | | with its footwork and put emphasis on rapid rate |
| compelling; simplicity, easy of use, firepower and | | | | of firepower. Chain punching in Wing Tsun can be |
| the finality of results. | | | | likened to a machine gun, and with its fast and |
| The role of guns in our history is profound and | | | | flexible footwork, it simulates a mounted machine |
| historically well documented. "The right to bear | | | | gun on a mobile turret. Additionally, much the low |
| arms" is embedded in our constitution and the | | | | thrusting kicks can be likened to a pump action |
| very notion of freedom and liberty is closely | | | | shotgun, with their powerful blast like effects on |
| associated with firearms. Guns are considered | | | | the mid section, thighs, knees, shins and insteps of |
| equalizers for all people. Anybody, regardless of | | | | an enemy. |
| status, size or physical power becomes a | | | | Wing Tsun Training to Supplement Firearms |
| potentially formidable threat when in possession of | | | | As previously mentioned, complete, total |
| a firearm. Given the availability and prominence of | | | | self-defense based entirely on firearms is not |
| guns in our society, most people tend to scoff at | | | | sufficient or even adequate for today's needs. |
| the need to train in martial arts. Why spend years | | | | It has been well documented that many a law |
| of time and commitment to forge our bodies, | | | | enforcement officer has been disarmed by |
| minds and spirits in the ways of the warrior when | | | | determined criminal assailants when taken by |
| all one has to do is acquire a firearm? | | | | surprise in close quarters. There has been much |
| People don't realize that guns are just tools and | | | | discussion on weapon retention techniques and |
| with such powerful tools comes great | | | | programs. These in fact, constitute a study of |
| responsibility. Tools used in the wrong way can | | | | martial arts. It is also known that most savvy, |
| become a threat to the user and to society and | | | | veteran law enforcement officers, carry a backup |
| training is required even in the domain of guns. | | | | smaller pistol, in the event that their primary |
| Legal issues, safety issues, control and effective | | | | firearm fails, or is lost to them. In similar fashion, |
| deployment and use of these tools is critical to | | | | we in the civilian world can only learn and emulate |
| the existence of a safe, secure and functional | | | | form our better trained brethren. While the |
| society. | | | | average citizen may not go on daily or weekly |
| If training is not important then why do our elite | | | | military maneuvers, martial art training is an |
| protection agencies of society such as law | | | | undervalued, misunderstood and unappreciated |
| enforcement groups and military forces engage | | | | tool for survival. |
| so extensively in it? The prestige and reputation | | | | "The preservation and protection of our health" |
| of various agencies is distinguished by the amount | | | | are foundations of our very existence here in this |
| and type of training each has received. Special | | | | world. It is known that the law of nature is harsh, |
| military forces such as army rangers and navy | | | | and the so-called civilized human world is no |
| seals are held in higher regard than the average | | | | different at its core. Just like wild nature, human |
| soldier because of their higher level of training. For | | | | predators and prey abound. In every sphere of |
| the same reason FBI and Secret Service is held in | | | | being, it is important to know where one is and to |
| higher regard and status than the average | | | | hone our instincts and intuition; to avoid, escape |
| municipal police officer. | | | | and, if necessary, fight predators. Self-protection |
| Similarities of Wing-Tsun-principles and firearms | | | | and the protection of our family, loved ones and |
| A gun is a relatively simple but sophisticated tool | | | | nation are primal instincts, desires, and |
| for firing small projectiles at high velocity to | | | | responsibilities of everyone. Military and law |
| penetrate the target with a straight trajectory. In | | | | enforcement are there to supplement our |
| a similar fashion, Wing Tsun (WT) is an unarmed | | | | self-protection needs, not the reverse. Learning |
| system designed to achieve similar results. | | | | the ways of the warrior are necessary skills to |
| Wing Tsun trains the body to be like a firearm | | | | our survival and growth, for we are all on the |
| mechanism. The hands accelerate explosively | | | | "food chain" whether we are aware of it or not. |
| along a straight path to the target with the | | | | In some states of our country, it is relatively |
| centerline analogous to the barrel of a gun. The | | | | easy to legally acquire a firearm for hunting or |
| forward steps serve as the gunpowder, or | | | | self-protection. In fact, more states allow a |
| charge for the projectiles, as well as being the | | | | concealed handgun permit for law-abiding citizens. |
| flight path for the attacks. In addition to the hands | | | | Even in these states, where people have |
| being likened to bullets, they can also be viewed a | | | | exercised their rights to possess firearms, it is not |
| soldiers in war. Man Sao, or the front hand, is | | | | always practical or convenient to carry a firearm. |
| likened to one's perimeter defense. Wu Sao, or | | | | In addition, within a radius of 10-15 feet, unless |
| rear protective hand, is likened to rear defense. | | | | one's firearm is deployed, it is not a useable |
| The value in guns and soldiers for self-defense is | | | | option, and in fact, in a close encounter, it could |
| actually their offensive firepower to protect | | | | be readily taken from and used against the |
| targets. Similarly, in Wing Tsun, when the limbs (i.e. | | | | owner. And not every self defense encounters |
| the hands) are sent into "battle" and hand attacks | | | | legally and morally justifies the lethal, final results |
| are "chained" together, an "army" is created. | | | | that firearms produce. Martial art training gives the |
| The invention of guns and firearms changed the | | | | user many greater options of control. |
| whole philosophy and approach of warfare. In | | | | Similar to veteran officers and warriors, martial |
| Medieval times very heavy body armor was used | | | | arts training is the "backup pistol" we all need to |
| to protect one's targets and consequently large | | | | invest in our survival and well-being. In this regard, |
| heavy weapons such as the claymore | | | | Wing Tsun is the perfect addition to every |
| broadswords and heavy battle maces were used | | | | modern, contemporary citizen. Besides the |
| to penetrate this heavy body armor. Mass and | | | | aforementioned technical features that virtually |
| power were the order of the day. With | | | | make Wing Tsun resemble a gun, the |
| combatants dressed in chain mail and body armor | | | | accompanying physical and spiritual training of the |
| empty hand attacks were just not practical at | | | | programs make it the best value of this century. |
| that time. The advent of firearms rendered bulky | | | | The average person of modest physical talent |
| metal armor and chain mail obsolete as well as the | | | | and ability can effectively and readily employ Wing |
| use of heavy hand weapons for warfare. Rapiers, | | | | Tsun to protect and improve the quality of their |
| sabres and light clothing, hand held muskets and | | | | lives on a daily basis. Not every martial arts style |
| cavalry, evolved and developed. Speed and | | | | or program can truthfully make this claim. Many |
| mobility became more important, and in that | | | | styles and systems require excessive physical |
| regard, fencing was the principle swordplay that | | | | power and ability, rendering them impractical for |
| came into being. | | | | the average civilian. |
| Ironically, because of those developments that | | | | Our Wing Tsun and self defense programs are |
| were set into motion by firearms, modern empty | | | | fun, logical and train the students on multi-levels in |
| hand boxing became a practical supplement and | | | | a short period of time. They strengthen the body |
| alternative means of self-defense. Straight | | | | and the balance, and hone ones physical, mental |
| combination hitting, falling steps and shorter | | | | and spiritual abilities. Strategy and tactical skills are |
| upright mobile stances became the foundation for | | | | also taught, and these are further integrated into |
| modern empty hand combat. Additionally, grappling | | | | an understanding of philosophical and legal arenas. |
| arts have evolved with modern times and in this | | | | The Wing Tsun system is based on an ingenious |
| arena speed and mobility are also paramount. | | | | integration of mathematics, physics and |
| Firearms have also continued to evolve and | | | | philosophy. It continues to grow and evolve based |
| develop in terms of improved materials and | | | | on its scientific and Buddhist, Confucian and mainly |
| design. Modern guns possess greater firepower | | | | Taoist philosophical roots. |
| and have higher capacity clips and magazines. | | | | In summary, firearms are effective self defense |
| Today's preferred handgun of choice for most | | | | tools but you may need Wing Tsun training to fill |
| police officers are semi- automatics, as opposed | | | | the gaps in your personal safety net. Do you |
| to the standard six shot revolver. Similarly, | | | | have your gun on you right at this moment? |
| modern assault rifles also have large rates of fire | | | | We offer several classes and programs for |
| and high capacity magazines. These types of | | | | beginners, advanced martial artists and instructors |
| arms have proven the most effective on the | | | | who are looking to offer new classes to their |
| battlefield. | | | | members. |