I was involved in karate for about six years. I was dedicated, and I’d even say I was good. Not the best by any means, but capable. I enjoyed it. It was something I didn’t know I needed until I was immersed in it. I made red belt, which in this particular system is two degrees from black.
Unfortunately, a variety of circumstances began building up that made my involvement increasingly difficult. My work schedule became more restrictive, my injuries piled up, and my mental health was in decline. For all these reasons and more, I had to step away. It takes a lot for me to admit that I need to do so, but it needed to happen.
The last year or more of my time in karate, I developed an interest in Wing Chun, a style of kung fu that features simple movement, quick strikes, and redirection of energy. Bruce Lee was involved in this style before developing his own, and his Wing Chun teacher Ip Man has had a series of movies based on his life.
For months after I left, I pondered whether to begin anew in a Wing Chun school. The one that I found near me had a much simpler schedule, and the system as a whole would be far less demanding than what I’d done before. Wing Chun is known as “the old man’s martial art” due to it being much more accessible to a wide range of ages and body types.
All of that together made pursuing this long-held interest very appealing. I could continue in my martial arts journey at an easier pace, in a style I’ve been curious about. So I finally signed up, and began in mid-June.
The very first thing I noticed is that many of the formalities I knew before aren’t observed here. There are no uniforms or gis: I just show up in athletic wear. Many of the militaristic observances of respect have been stripped way: students still defer to instructors but not in any overly rigid way. And there are different colored sashes rather than belts to show progress, but as with most kung fu systems they’re not really emphasized or featured. I don’t know what rank any of my fellow students are unless I ask them.
Fortunately, my previous experience has helped me adapt to many of the basic strikes, blocks, and kicks in fairly quick order. I still have much to learn, but I’m glad that I already have a foundation on which to build. I should be able to earn my first few indicators of progress when Ranking Week rolls around in December.
I’m very glad that my martial arts journey has been given a second life. It’s been good for me. I look forward to where it goes next.
Jeffrey A. Nelson 