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I had the fortune of discovering Leung Ting WingTsun during my first semester of college. It is difficult to fully comprehend what WingTsun is via a static medium, perhaps because of the overwhelming stereotype and image of martial arts propogated by the media and other "martial artists". Seeing it first-hand would be far better, and trying it best. Still, I hope to provide an introduction to the martial art and philosophy behind WingTsun Kuen.

According to legend, the fighting style of WingTsun ("wing chun") was created by a woman, Ng Mui, in southern China two or three hundred years ago. Ng Mui was already a master of another fighting style, but as she grew older she knew a time would come when her expertise could not overcome the brute strength and energy of younger fighters. This lead her to create a style that did not rely on size nor strength, and instead made intelligent use of biodynamics, angles and efficiency of movements.

Ng Mui passed her style onto a woman named Wing Tsun, who taught it to her husband (who named the art after his wife). For a long time, many had heard of WingTsun but few had a chance to learn it. It was not until the late Grandmaster Yip Man opened his school that there were a large number of students of this art. Grandmaster Yip Man's youngest and last student, Prof. Leung Ting, has worked tirelessly to further develop and improve the art. Today, the ingenuity of Leung Ting's style of WingTsun spans all aspects; the logic and completeness of both fighting art and teaching system. It is a martial art without extraneous movements--resulting in something simple to learn yet highly effective.

This effectiveness is well-illustrated in an interview with Sifu Kernspecht (head of the European branch) by COMBAT magazine:

COMBAT: What was it especially about WingTsun that convinced you to dedicate so much time to it?
KEITH R. KERNSPECHT: In the middle of the Seventies I was a power-lifter, tipping the scales at 220 lbs. I was a black belt and instructor in many styles. However, the first master who offered to me to attack him in any way I wanted was Grandmaster Leung Ting. He did not say 'Give me a punch to the face,' or 'Kick me to the groin,' or 'Grab my arm,' or 'Try to bear-hug me'. He just said 'Attack me as quickly as you can in any way you like.' I tried my best but I couldn't punch, kick nor grab this 135 lbs Chinese master. He neutralised all my vain attempts so effortlessly that I knew this was what I wanted - to be able to stand confidently facing my opponent, offering him the chance to attack me in any way he wants.

I find WingTsun to be a great balancer to the stresses of daily life. To look a little further, check out some recommended schools for Leung Ting WingTsun.