When I was very young, I was impressed by Kung-Fu movies and Ninjas (and yes, Turtle-Ninjas were just as great).
I don't particularly remember a specific scene but I guess I did some jumping and rolling on the floor re-enactments of them too.
With about 5 years I build myself some Nun chuck with witch I remember defeating a huge teddy-bear that, at that time, was as tall as I was. In that manner, it was a fair fight.
In our circle of family friends, we had some people who practiced martial arts and I always been shown a few moves. Including Tai-Chi Chuan, Taekwon-Do, Bo-Staff, Kenjutsu, Boxing etc. However, I didn't take regular lessons or anything similar to that.
When I started going to school, I was a fairly shy boy. Having moved to Germany and not speaking the language that well yet, probably did its part with that too. Because of that, my mother, smart as she is, decided to offer me to take Taekwon-Do lessons. Obviously I accepted.
The following years I went to my TKD lessons and learned a lot about self awareness, body control and balance as well as subconsciously being influenced, making me more self-secure. It sure did help in my development. At least I like think it did.
When we moved away from Germany to go to Spain, I stopped doing TKD.
For some reason, Taekwon-Do was more of a street fighting style in Spain and thus the complete opposite of my prior Instructors teachings. I also tried Ju Jutsu in Spain but that didn't do much for me. Eventually, there was a small WingTsun demo in a local fitness studio which I went and watched. First I thought to myself that its some Chinese acrobatics like many other Kung Fu styles you see in movies, but after a short while watching the demo, I was proven very wrong. I think I liked it straight away...
The efficient, straight forward system that could handle many different situation was something different from TKD. With WingTsun I noticed that TKD was a good sport, but it was just that: A tournament sport.
Thats how I started doing WingTsun for the first time with 13 years.
The demo had been held because a Sifu (Instructor) started to give classes in that area and tried to attract new students. This way, when I started, I was the only student aside from his wife. Unfortunately for my Sifu, it stayed like this for a year, fortunately for me however, I practically had private lessons including a sparring partner. However, after one year my teacher decided to just teach at his other school he had. With no way to get there every time, I stopped doing WT just when I was getting started.
Fast forwarding 10 years.
I've moved back to Germany with my girlfriend this time. After some time with the everyday job, I felt like I should do some sort of sport.
(I work the office so I just sit all day)
I did try a regular fitness studio but that just teached me not to subscribe to a fitness-studio again. Its just not my thing and to be honest, I didn't really notice much of a physical change.
After the subscription was over, I started looking for something different. Something I knew was good for me.
There I remembered WingTsun.
I started doing some research on the web and found a few promising schools. I contacted them, some I visited, but somehow I was not happy with any of them. Either with the teacher, the school itself, the times or the journey I had to take to get there.
At some point I had decided to go to yet another school and check it out.
After only 30 minutes I was glad I had found this school and signed up right after my trial class.
The instructors aren't some sadistic street fighters who want to show you how to kill as many people as possible. They teach a well being with your body and your mind with efficient skills and technique. I know this because I notice the difference it does and if you ever did some sort of martial art with an instructor like this, you know what I'm talking about.
I did a fresh start to learn everything from the beginning again. Good thing I did because it seams like a lot of things have changed in the constantly developed system of Wing Tsun in the past 10 years.
My Sifu, Rudi Hoffmann, is doing a great job as well as his apprentices. If you live in Germany - Hannover, you should definitely check out his School.
Now I go there 3 times a week and if my times allow me to, even more than 3 times.
That's how I found myself doing WingTsun.
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