Originally Posted by
D-FENS
Hello all,
this is something that has had me curious for a while, but since Wing Chun is supposed to be a system designed specifically with the needs of women and smaller people in mind, do you think it is naturally more geared toward those types of people (i.e. short, wiry people with good hand speed) or is there a lot of room for individual expression within the style? In other words, would someone who is short and stocky, or strong but not very fast be better suited for, say, Hung Gar or Ba Ji? Or does it contain ways of capitalizing on your natural advantages to cancel out those of others?
Just some things that have been making me go 'hmmm' this past few weeks.
Any thoughts?
Hung Gar isn't for the stock or short. Many great Hung Gar practicioners where quite thin, look at many of the old photos. Though I do acknowledge many of them are in great shape so perhaps strong was the words you meant?
As for wing chun, I don't think wing chun typically has a perference towards body type, though there may be a relationship. Leung Sheung was larger as was Chung Bo. In Cheung Bo's case it is said he modified the system. Perhpas Leung Sheung wasn't as big as Chueng Bo because he isn't noted as changing the system. Ihave seen plenty of larger stockier practioners that do quite well.
I have heard a couple of sayings that suggest longer arms are better if all else is equal. I have heard stronger is better if all else is equal. But if I use this idea, perhaps ANYTHING is better if all else is equal. LOL.
I think what MAY be important is what goes with body types. Perhaps, those that are bigger and larger may not fully trust in the system and tend to fight the tendencies to relax and not use muscles to overpower rather than proper technique. A smaller person may not have much choice if they can not over power their training partners. Of course this doesn't imply larger people are discouraged or can't get good, look at the aforementioned Leung Sheung and Chueng Bo.
Another issue might come into play with larger people though. Proper placement of the arms. Some large people have an issue getting the elbow into correct position. If this is true, then perhaps this would be a concern. However I think this is not very common and it seems a lot of people might actually suffer from this trait who may not be as large.
I've only just discovered my error, and I'm going to have to replay whole sections of my life through my mind to see what confusions I may have caused or fallen foul of.
--Douglas Adams