I recently came across an article that Robert Downey Jnr had taken up Wing Chun training as part of his preparation for the his role as the legendary Sherlock Holmes .

If you haven’t heard he is one of the most talented if not troubled actors of our time.  Unfortunately most of his publicity has surrounded his drug use and arrests.

But what really struck me was the impact that wing chun training had on him.

He said it gave him focus and was a life changing experience 

That is not so uncommon.  Wing Chun, as with any martial art, is the focus of energy and discipline into a channelled force.  For me I can say that I have a lot of nervous energy, which led to scattered thoughts, which needed an outlet. 

Our scattered thoughts can be best resolved whenever we have a conduit to focus our energies and target that on a single purpose.  That’s when we see progress and gain a sense of achievement. This why in order to reach a level of proficiently in any martial art, whether you’re starting your wing chun training or practicing aikido techniques or even karate- it is not an easy process.

That is why the martial arts go a long way to improve your self-esteem and confidence. It can have a ripple effect into other areas of your life.  When I started wing chun, I was all excited on learning how to be the next Bruce Lee and learn all these moves and look cool.  I couldn’t wait to shoe off my new moves.  But as I progressed I gained respect for the art and my fellow students .  As well as other martial artists. I learnt that I did not have to show off my new skills and prove anything to anyone else.  I had to have the confidence in myself.    I did not have to prove my self in any confrontation unless it was necessary.

Others pick a fight to see how tough they are to prove to others they are a great fighter- how strong they are. 

This is the height of insecurity and a true wing chun practitioner or any martial artist does not need to prove themselves in such a way.  They already have the confidence and high level of self worth in themselves and respect for other to go down such a petty path.

Indeed Wing Chun training not only taught me to be a better fighter, but also to be more comfortable and confident with who I am and the kind of person I want to be. 

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