'An Open Mind'

''By opening your mind you open your potential'' - Sifu Paul Blissett

You will often see various Martial Art groups describe themselves as having an open minded approach to their practice...but have you ever thought what this entails?

After many years of study, teaching and research into the skills of 'Wing Chun' and seeing or experiencing first hand seven distinct and different sets of methods to the practice of 'Wing Chun Kung Fu' and with knowledge of several other branches, I feel I have 'an open mind'  towards my perception of the art.

Since the worldwide explosion of MMA (mixed martial arts) encouraging students of combat systems to pick up a core of four or more martial disciplines to be successful, the knock on effect in many martial art schools is to attempt to prepare and provide for the ripple effect of this requirement - but are you planning to fight in a cage???...maybe...maybe not...

I believe Wing Chun is a complete system in its own right and perhaps following one path will answer all our questions - but rather than profess to have all the answers myself I actively encourage my students to maintain an open mind and search as I do for what works for them - even if it means they follow a different path to get there, either by cross-training in other arts or researching other Wing Chun schools of thought.

An open minded person is someone who is willing to consider ideas, opinions and arguments based on their merit.

With Wing Chun being conceptual in nature there are many and varied ways of applying these concepts and these can be explored as Wing Chun is, or should be, a lifelong quest for knowledge and progress.

So as a final note, remember on your journey on the path of Wing Chun beware of anyone who claims to offer the 'best' or 'only' way to practice...there is more than one way to cook your potato!!!