VING TSUN KUNG FU

Interview with Gery Cahenzli

 

There is a wide range of martial arts and self-defense courses available. Why should one train in Ving Tsun Kung Fu in particular?
Ving Tsun is very effective. The techniques are short, direct, and can therefore be applied at high speed. We use physical principles such as the law of leverage to make optimal use of our own strength. This makes it possible to prevail even against heavier and stronger opponents.

There are no competitions in Ving Tsun Kung Fu. How can you know if a combat system is effective if you can't measure yourself against others?
Ultimately, no technique guarantees victory in a fight. Not even Ving Tsun. It takes a lot to prevail in a fight: good tactics, a good eye, a good technical foundation, and, last but not least, a little luck. When you really fight, you accept all the consequences. There are no rules or points. You can't train for a real fight. But in Ving Tsun, we do what is known as sparring, where you try to simulate a combat situation without protective clothing. This also allows you to explore your own strengths and weaknesses.

What are the physical requirements of this style of kung fu?
Apart from a solid basic constitution, there are no special requirements. Caution is advised if you have physical ailments, as training can get quite intense.

How great is the risk of injury during training?
Finger strains occur from time to time. However, in the 20 years that I have been teaching, there has never been anyone who has been sidelined for a long time due to an injury sustained during training.

How long do you have to train to learn the basics of the system?
If you train two to three times a week, you will usually have a basic foundation after a year. You should be able to perform the basic unarmed forms and also have a reasonable command of the wooden dummy form. In addition, you will be able to do more complex partner exercises. After that, it's a matter of continuing to work with this repertoire.

Have you ever had to use Ving Tsun in an emergency?
I've never had to use it directly. I've been in situations where I could have done so. However, I didn't consider the situation dangerous enough. You have to be able to assess whether it's just verbal abuse or a real threat and then act proportionately. However, before I started training in Ving Tsun, I had already been involved in fights and know what the consequences of physical confrontation can be.

How did you get into Ving Tsun?
Ving Tsun Kung Fu has fascinated me since childhood. I was determined to learn it and searched for a long time for good training opportunities. Finally, I came across a flyer by Philipp Bayer by chance. I attended my first seminar with him and was thrilled! From that moment on, I knew: this is the Ving Tsun I've been looking for. I began training intensively with him and through him met Wong Shung Leung, who in turn taught Philipp Bayer. They are both the martial arts ideals that I still look up to today.

You have been training Ving Tsun for over 25 years. What does the training give you?
Ving Tsun taught me discipline and patience, for example, two qualities that can be particularly helpful in difficult situations in life. You learn to focus and can thus also clear your mind. The physical tension during training creates a positive body awareness. In addition, there is comprehensive training of the reflexes. Of course, social aspects such as encounters with students of different ages are also valuable.

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