MANILA, Philippines—Across time and continents, the martial art that makes masters into legends, Wing Chun kung fu, is now in the Philippines. Fusing physical form and technique and inner spiritual meditation, one might say that it is a perfect mix of fighting arts and yoga. Its popularity can be traced back 400 years to simple origins in China. What is now known as a study in the perfection of power and form was, in-fact, rooted in the desperate tale of a seemingly powerless woman, Yim Wing Chun, after which it was named.
Yim Wing Chun, being forced to wed a powerful warlord, sought mentoring from a Shaolin Buddhist nun in a self-defense craft thought lost to the pages of history. Under the guidance of a pioneer of the style, Shaolin Master Ng Mui, Wing Chun learned this mystical and nameless style. A year later, she fought the warlord and quickly defeated him.
At the time it was created, Wing Chun as designed to be the ultimate weapon of the weak, poor, and the oppressed.
No less than the world’s greatest martial arts star, Bruce Lee, standing a mere 5’7” and 120 lbs was known to defeat many foes far superior in size. Lee also developed the 1-inch punch, hinging on one’s ability to harness one’s core strength or “chi” to deliver a toppling blow without having to gain momentum from a full swing. Lee was a disciple of Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man, before moving on to develop his own martial art form called Jeet Kune Do.
Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man only recently gained renewed popularity and fame due to a series of movies and biopics on his massive influence upon kung fu as we know it today. Before the onslaught of films on the subject, Wing Chun was an art unknown and Ip Man was known to none. Once again, Wing Chun rises from the shadows.
With headquarters in Osaka, Japan and now in the Philippines, Golden Harvest Wing Chun is a quick and easy way to learn not only how to defend oneself, but to rise to most challenges and gain self-confidence as well. Classes are regularly held in Quezon City and Taguig (near The Fort) and are open to anyone from 10 years and up. Led by Sifu Robert Green who just recently began teaching here in the Philippines, following years of experience in Hong Kong and Japan, training is individualized based on each student’s needs. For more details call (0917)879-5954 or FaceBook search: Golden Harvest Wing Chun. Also visit www.goldenharvestwingchun.com to learn more about the martial art of the legends.