WingTsun International: Monaco
Monaco is also called Manhattan on the Mediterranean. With approx. 32,000 inhabitants Monaco is the world’s most densely populated independent state. The inhabitants of Monaco are known as Monegasques. The indigenous population only accounts for a relatively small percentage of residents, however. 47% of inhabitants are French, while Italians and Monegasques each make up 16% of the population. The remaining 21% consist of 125 different nationalities. It is not easy to establish a martial art in such an elitist and multinational city-state as Monaco. Sifu Cosimo My explains why he is nonetheless convinced that the Monegasques will also come to appreciate WingTsun.
It all started 17 years ago
It was April 1989 when I first heard about a martial art named WingTsun. When a demonstration in Bad Wildungen was publicised that same year, I made sure I did not miss it. That was the moment when all my expectations of a martial art were met: no fancy, unnecessary acrobatics. Function was the only thing that counted. A martial art that could counter all kinds of attacks with a few movements, was quick to learn and included every phase of a fight. A few friends of mine and I registered for classes at once, and 17 years later I am still committed to this martial art, which has greatly influenced me and become part of my life.
The posture, dynamism and body tension give the whole thing the right basis. The flowing transition between every fighting distance, from the verbal distance to anti-groundfighting/groundwork is extremely important. The change between powerful attacks and giving way softly; the interplay between the different concepts, which complement each other and blend together, become increasingly clear and fascinate me more and more. The fact that WingTsun is such a many-facetted martial art makes it the most complete system of all in my view.
I devote 2.5 to 3 hours each day to my own training. For my heart/circulation I have a general workout tailored to the needs of WT. I do not do any strength training, because I mainly work with my own bodyweight and am more concerned with power/speed and endurance. Basic moves and forms are also a part of this. Applications and sections only if I have a training partner available. To close this gap I drive to Langenzell on as many Fridays as possible to take instruction from Sifu Thomas Schrön. Sifu Thomas Schrön’s teaching gives me a great deal in every respect. Being able to leave my role as a teacher and be a student makes a pleasant change for me. One of the highlights of my training are the private lessons I am able to take with my Si-Fu. Again and again I find that the essence in WingTsun is the function. Direct, simple and economical, and that basics are the important thing on which all the rest is built.
Opening of the headquarters in Edertal
After a long search I managed to find suitable premises for our headquarters, namely the WingTsun Factory in Edertal (Auf der Insel 3 – 4, 34549 Edertal-Giflitz). In an area of over 175 sq. m., our enthusiastic students have ben training WingTsun, Escrima and WT-ChiKung there since 01.10.2005 – up to 110 hours of classes per month are possible. This enables me to offer WingTsun as a full-time course of vocational study. Opening the new WT Factory was a personal highlight for me. After 11 years of so of teaching in different towns such as Frankenberg, Winterberg, Paderborn, Lippstadt, Herford, Leopoldshöhe, Borken, Homberg/Efze, Stadtallendorf and Schwalmstadt, I now have headquarters in a central location where all my instructors can get together on a weekly basis to exchange views and train together. Within a short time it has become a professional meeting point for people who are serious about the martial arts. More than 60 members already train in our WT Factory on a regular basis, and after 5 months mixed groups of children, young people and women are a permanent fixture.
On 01.01.2001 I was appointed national instructor for the Principality of Monaco by my Si-Fu. This was and still is a great challenge for me, and fills me with pride. At regular intervals we hold seminars for all those interested in the martial arts in Monaco and on the Côte d’Azur. The next one is from 13.-19.09.2006! Anybody who wishes to combine a holiday with training in a special atmosphere is very welcome to attend.
I am always concerned to keep our advertising uniform. This means that all our schools use standard advertising templates, either for posters, brochures or small print advertisements. Naturally we use logos and colours in line with the corporate identity of the EWTO. All our instructors and schools are presented on our Internet site. We have a hotline for all the schools, where interested parties can make an appointment for a trial session and are referred to the relevant instructor. In the future this hotline will be free of charge, and we are also planning a monthly Newsletter for all the students from the spring.
Where the physical aspect is concerned, my ability to defend myself has of course increased over the years, with much improved fine motor responses and coordination and an enormous improvement in physical health. Although I am now 33 years old, I can say that I have never been in better shape in my life. My attitude to life has changed in that I see my life as a challenge. I enjoy resolving day-to-day challenges with WT principles, and am glad that I can combine my hobby with my profession.
One of my long-term goals is to perfect my WingTsun at every level. I hold the 4th Technician grade and am preparing for my Master grade examination. Striving for perfection, whether in WingTsun or in daily life, is a goal I pursue consciously and am slowly approaching with constant training. Successfully completing my WT studies, building up my existing WT schools in Germany, establishing WTO-Monaco and opening a number of WT schools in my home town in southern Italy (NARDO`/LECCE) are other plans!
Cosimo My
www.wto-monaco.com
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