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Wing Chun is a style of Kung Fu that was created more than
300 years ago by a young woman named Yim Wing Chun. Yim was
a native of Canton (Kwangtung Province) in China. She learned
Kung Fu from Ng Mui who was a monk from the Shaolin Monastery
of Mt. Sung in Honan Province. Today, many women are attracted
to this form of martial art, as one can learn to be a destructive
force in a short span of time.
The Honolulu Wing Chun Club was established in 2001 as an offshoot
of the North Shore Wing Chun Club (est. 1993). The school’s
Grandmaster is Yip Man/Chris Chan clan (a classmate of Bruce
Lee) and the instructor is Steven F. Zeigler a student of Sifu
Chan. The club is also part of the U.S. Wing Chun Academy. Classes
are held seven days a week, and private instruction is available.
HPU students learning Wing Chun have been gaining quality
knowledge, not only physically, but also mentally, according
to Michael Roels, a senior management student from Holland.
“It builds integrity into your character,” he said. Roels is
a keen surfer and has started using some of Wing Chun’s aspects
in his daily adventure in the water. “Balance is key, not only
in surfing but in many other aspects of life,”
Roels said. Wing Chun has helped him learn better balance.
It has also helped him develop his legs, shoulders and whole
body structure to improve his stance.
Sasa Pirc, a freshman from Slovenia who plays for the HPU tennis
team, has the same great things to say. He has used some of
the knowledge gained from Wing Chun to improve his tennis. “It
helps me build my legs stronger and is good for long hours on
the tennis court.”
Pirc has also started disciplining himself mentally. “When
you stand for a long time doing Sil Lum Tao [slightly bent,
on your knees, both feet facing inwards and all the pressure
on your thighs and calves] you feel pain! You have to discipline
yourself and not give up! I have started applying this during
my tennis. Fight all the way till the end!” Sometimes it's tough
to breathe in the small room, so Pirc has also started to develop
his own form of lung power.
Another student, Carl Vorwerk, has spent almost two years at
the Honolulu Wing Chun club. Being a veteran, he has seen many
lives change through Wing Chun. “I have seen the less responsible
turn into mature adults!” he said. Apart from a good workout,
Vorwerk loves the strength and motivation derived from his many
months at the club. “It's worth all the sacrifices you make
for three to four days of training per week. It is knowledge
which I will treasure all my life.”
Another HPU student, Aaron Kim, has been learning Wing Chun
for almost a year. Kim has been a loyal Taekwondo student since
he was five years old. He has learned that Wing Chun is the
fastest way to learn how to be a destructive force. “You can
understand why it was founded by a woman and is so popular with
many females,” said Kim. “One can learn these chi-building techniques,
which act as a destructive force and in turn help people be
safe on the streets, women or men.” With a strong knowledge
of many martial arts, Kim tried to explain chi-building: “When
you put force (dynamic tension) on your legs and arms and combine
it with breathing, you rejuvenate the energy which already exists
within.”
The guru and founder of the Honolulu Wing Chun club is Steven
Zeigler, who wants to teach Wing Chun to more students. He plans
to expand his classes and add more convenient times to suit
the fast-paced American lifestyle. Call 382-5864 or e-mail stevezeigler@yahoo.com.
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