My grandmother who arranged for me to attend classes in the Okinawan style of karate furthered my initial interest in martial arts. As an eleven-year-old kid, I felt lost in a sea of brown belts that seemed to float through the air as their kicks and punches snapped with tremendous power and accuracy. While certainly a learning experience, it was overwhelming at times for a kid getting his first taste of the arts, nevertheless, the waters of martial arts remained murky.


At 14, I attended the Wah Lum system of Northern Preying Mantis; it was there where the waters turned clear. I had spent every waking moment training and learning forms and weapons. I had entered many competitions whereby I had lost in the “Sparring” events because someone merely tapped me on the top of my head and scored a “Point.”  Winning all of the forms competitions was clearly not good enough for me; it was the governance of competitions that was holding me back, the power I had developed required a step in the right and consequently the last direction.


Wing Chun or Chinese Boxing as I was introduced to it, was addictive, I had poured over everything that was even remotely related to the art. I had my first Mok Jong at sixteen; I had every book to reference every move and motion but what I did not have was an instructor. I remained in the Wah Lum system but continued to study Wing Chun until I went into the military. It was in Special Forces where I was taught many things including self-defense, the kind that forces you to make certain decisions about life and exactly how much of it you would like to live going forward. Even still, in my mind I knew somehow that Wing Chun was superior in close quarter battle hence my continued studies in the art. I was fortunate to have found a Wing Chun school where I made some good friends, who are devoted to the art as well and interested in developing further.


Along this path I was introduced to SiFu Augustine Fong, it did not take long to realize the pinnacle of Wing Chun exists in Tucson, Arizona. Without speaking towards other lines of Wing Chun, I can certainly tell you that the useless comments among them are enough to fill volumes more than the art itself. That said, I have been extremely lucky to continue my studies where the water is not only clear; it is turning to wine!   

5 identical questions were given to each of the 3 instructors in Windy City Wing Chun, see how each one responded to them.

                   

Why WC over the others?


Wing Chun is the perfect equation to self-defense in its most simplified form. There is nothing that has not been addressed; there is nothing that is undefined. Wing Chun is an art embedded in simplicity of movement and yet difficult to master. The geometric underpinnings of the art are fascinating and drive the student to learn not only the movements but also the many applications within each movement.


Can anyone learn from you?


Maybe, maybe not. What is certain here is that your retention of the art will be directly related to your interest in learning, as is the case in any endeavor.


Why choose WCWC?


Because you are smart and you know nothing else compares to WCWC. If that is not convincing enough, consider the fact that we have spent the time in martial arts traffic and have found the freeway, which would allow you the student a clear and concise path to follow.


Suggestions for people thinking about joining


You can begin a path of studies numerous times, it is when that one single path or choice speaks the truth to you that you know you are in the right place. It is a decision made by you for you. We can show you to the door; it is you that must open it.


What is your approach to teaching?


I would ask, what is your approach to learning? I have been in situations where you must learn material from someone who is not capable of coming down to the student’s level. This is extremely frustrating. I can tell you quite simply that I will not progress with any student until they thoroughly understand the lessons taught to them. Everyone processes information differently and as such, it is the instructor who learns from each students learning style.