Just a Wednesday.

Today's a Wednesday. And for those involved in the ATFC life run, we reported in civilian clothing. It's 0940 now. It's supposed to be movie time but the room was booked. So I went around the library, wanting to browse around before reaching for the unfinished book, 'Eye of the Viper'. But before I could, I came across a collection of book- 'The explosive art of close range combat- Wing Chun Gung Fu'.

Last Sunday was my second lesson. Inspired by Ip Man the movie which stars Donnie Yen? Yes. But not exactly the one to ten kind of fighting ability, but more of the it's spirit. The swiftness, efficiency, humility of this particular martial art intrigued me. Since then, I've tried to look for a school to learn. Thinking about the establishment of the commercial schools, the fees and all, I gave a halt to this idea. I know the importance of having a good club/ school, a good instructor as well as a mentor. It is very important in my opinion. And I'd say I'm very blessed in my TKD journey thus far.

But recently after a group gathering, I came to know of a friend who is teaching. So I decided to give to give it a try. Since I have nothing much really going on, on weekdays for now until course starts.

Sparring. Something I love, and something I look forward to when I was still very young in Taekwondo. I still do now, but sometimes prefer not to. I like to watch the exchanges of kicks and hear the clear snapping sound of a well executed kick. I like to watch my seniors fight. And from what my ma'am said, I watched with intense concentration every time. It can start from a very simple reason why I started. I think the sport is very cool. I didn't thought of using it to fight people, or use it a self-defence that time. I was just 14 then and I haven't anticipated any threats or what that may come by. But yes, I thought it's cool. Yes. That simple. And yea, this particular sport i especially love brought me quite far.

When I was reading the Wing Chun spirit section in the book, there's this paragraph which in my opinion is very interesting.

'Spirit, as it pertains to martial arts, encompasses many different qualities. The obvious qualities that come to mind are bravery, perseverance and self-confidence, but in wing chun, the list is expanded to include compassion, charity, respectfulness and humility. These spiritual qualities may not appear to go hand in hand with killer instinct and fighting 'heart', but in fact do. The spirit, as all elements of nature, is a blend of yum and yeung, which should ideally be in perfect balance. For every bit of toughness and 'rough and rumble' in the master's heart, there must be an equal amount of compassion and generousity to maintain a yum and yeung balance' adapted from the book.

Just take the yum and yeung as an illustration of balance.

I like the expanded list of qualities. And after the first lesson, I've learned that force is not encouraged. This is the softness. One element of the internal development.