New year, new city, new martial art... today I tried my first wing chun class with the Seattle Wing Chun club. Having done wushu for the past few years I was not quite prepared for how different this martial art is. In fact it is unlike anything I have ever tried (boxing, hapkido, tae kwon do, karate, capoeira, and wushu).

The class starts with a basic warm up and we then proceed into the first form. This takes only about 15 or 20 minutes. The remainder of the class has the students separated according to their ability. This being mine and another classmate's first class we were paired up and instructed to review the form.

Throughout the class the instructor tried to convey some of the basic ideas behind wing chun. Finding and using the centerline. Econony of motion. Matching energy. We were introduced to the concept of sensitivity. Meaning that you should be able to feel when your opponent tenses or relaxes too much, or the energy isn't matched, that change is what gives you your opening to strike.

At the end of class, the instructor and one of the senior students demontrated a sparring drill called pak sao. The fluidness of motion made it seem choreographed even though it was totally random.

I will be returning to the class but it can't be my only martial art class for one reason. I left without breaking a sweat.

I now need to find a fight class that will work me until I puke.