An honorable Wing Chun practitioner demonstrates respect to self and others. Respecting the boundaries of others and asserting personal boundaries are examples of respect. We train Wing Chun to learn an art form. Proper learning occurs within a safe and encouraging learning environment. Proper Wing Chun training does not involve intentionally hurting people. Becoming injured or feeling unsafe is not conducive to healthy learning.

Wing Chun, however, is a martial art and physical contact is necessary in learning how to be sensitive to and deal with energy. Individuals can take responsibility for themselves by clearly indicating their comfort level with the amount and intensity of physical energy that will be used in training. Be clear and explicit in what you are comfortable with. This will change in different times, circumstances and with different training partners. People who have trained for a long time and who have developed a relationship built on trust and respect may give each other permission to “hit” safely in order to train with more intense energy. It is not necessarily the level of intensity that determines respect, but the intention of the energy and the agreement between partners. The constant intention should be to learn from your training and to correct mistakes.

Respect can also be demonstrated through the use of appropriate language. We can demonstrate respect by addressing people by the way they wish to be addressed and by refraining from offensive or profane language.

Respect can be demonstrated by how we treat ourselves, our family, friends, neighbors, community and the environment. Do we show care and compassion or do we seek to gratify our needs and cravings. The self is an illusion; we are a small part of something bigger. We cannot truly respect “ourselves” without respecting others. Humility, gratitude, caring and compassion are all signs of respect that we can strive for.

Most important for me are the relationships that I build through my Wing Chun family. To feel connected, liked, loved, respected and valued and to offer that in return, this is priceless.

For further information contact Sifu Jim Kragtwyk