|
Our classes teach the ancient martial art of Wing Chun Kung Fu, which is widely regarded as one of the best martial arts for quickly learning effective self-defence techniques. Wing Chun contains startlingly effective approaches to reacting to physical pressure or outright attacks, and many of these approaches are readily adaptable to the particular needs and capabilities of kids. The ‘martial’ part of Wing Chun is largely about defending yourself when attacked at close range, by a punch, a kick, or being pushed or grabbed. As a ‘art’, it also teaches the kind of mental and emotional attitudes to have to keep calm and in control of yourself when under pressure In the process of learning the system, our young students are helped to develop their physical and emotional self-confidence, which can lead to behaviours and attitudes that can benefit them generally, particularly in their home and school life.
The kids classes make a particular point of encouraging co-operative work. Students are taught to approach each other as partners, sometimes feeding moves to one another so that one of them can defend with Wing Chun moves, and then exchanging roles. This promotes sensible and safe practices in the class, as well as more obviously educating students in the benefits of being a good partner.
Apart from teaching the Wing Chun system, the older kids classes make use of classic martial arts weapons, such as the Tonfa, nunchuka, bokken ( wooden sword ) and staff. Very little partner work is used in this case and NO contact is ever allowed on each other. Almost all the moves and techniques related to the weapons are practised in the air, though with some weapons, such as the Tonfa and staff, contact between weapons is used, but always with low levels of force that protect each other and the weapon.
Weapons training is always a very popular part of a class, and apart from the enjoyment kids get from working with them, weapons provide an intense education in personal responsibility and development of mobility and strength. Each student is encouraged to acquire their own weapons to encourage a sense of ownership and respect for the weapon and its capabilities.
|
