Applying a martial art to self-defense seems practical, learning that the biggest fight and the largest application of the art comes from defending against ourselves and our egos is hard to comprehend.
A martial art at full pace looks effortless, fast and hard. Ironically, with Wing Chun, it’s soft, relaxed, driven by intent and a sense of knowing. Yet to defend oneself we tense, we react and we retaliate. The fight or flight.
What if we were aware, confident and relaxed; how do we then respond?
All outcomes we experience in life are driven by two inputs; the events that occur and how we respond to them.
Could it then be that the outcomes we don’t like are in fact self created based on our responses or our reactions?
Perhaps true self-defense is disarming the self and taming the ego. Could it be that this tiny idea, taming the ego, is practised through Siu Nim Tao (Wing Chun’s first form)? The deeper you practice the deeper you’re understanding of the real danger of an uncontrolled ego and the need for defense of one’s self, self-defense.
– David McCann, Grade 3, 2018