Student Spotlight: Bojique
To say finding good martial arts instruction is difficult is an understatement. Finding Sifu Och Wing Chun has impacted the foundations of my daily life. In terms of my own self improvement, having a third space and now discipleship I have been blessed.
“ If you have to fight, end the fight quickly.
Beginning
I grew up traveling the world with the US air force. In this lifestyle it’s hard to put down roots in any one place as you will always be moving on to the next base. I briefly had some stability for a few years in Ft. Myers FL so I trained for approximately three years learning JKD with Bruce Lee’s philosophies like “If you have to fight, end the fight quickly.” (paraphrasing) This philosophy still resonates with me today as I’ve found myself in situations where I may have to fight. Though Bruce Lee’s foundation was in Wing Chun I was taught that JKD mixed the best parts of Wing Chun, kickboxing and fencing into the ultimate fighting style. I thought for a split second that if it came down to it I probably could end a fight quickly. None of the above was true.
Tampa Wing Chun Kung Fu
The first time I fought Sifu Garret was a humbling experience to say the least. I was trash. I threw everything I had at him and could not touch him even once. I went and looked up Sigong online. Just seeing Sigong demonstrate techniques showed me the enormous gap in skill, speed and power that I’m lacking. Both Sifu and Sigong could end a fight in an instant, the very philosophy I’ve sought to embody. So I told myself it’s time to start over from scratch. I’ve been training under Sifu for almost a year now and my fighting has improved significantly. I am already closer to my goal of ending a fight instantly if I had to. Having that end goal to work towards has given me a foundation that was missing in my life. Being able to look to Sifu and Sigong as my end goal pushes me to become stronger. When I’m laying half dead in a pool of sweat and tears and look over to see Sifu still doing pushups I’m immediately able to dig deeper. I’m in the best shape of my life and my wife can’t keep her hands off me. Wing Chun has made a foundational impact for my self improvement.
Third Space
In addition to having something to work toward everyday, Wing Chun has provided me with a third space. When I say a third space I mean a space that you spend time in that is not work or home. Coming out of the pandemic a third space has been something everyone has been clamoring for. Humans are social creatures that fail in isolation. Having so many Wing Chun brothers and sisters all helping each other improve is a dream come true third space.
Discipleship
Finally, I am still uncertain about the formalities of discipleship but it is something that I have started to take seriously. Reading about what the Elders and the lineage had to go through to get Wing Chun to us today is no joke. It seems like something that should be considered sacred. If Sifu thinks I’m worth spending the time to teach the art form to, I am honored to have it passed onto me and I will strive to perfect it as well as him. I think to have a relationship like this is foundational to humans but many won’t ever get to experience this.
Again, I am blessed.
