Why Starting with Correct Wing Chun Techniques is Essential
Motor Programming - What is it?
The human body is an incredibly complex machine, capable of performing a wide range of movements and actions. From walking and running to jumping and punching, every movement we make involves a complex interplay of muscles, nerves, and bones. But have you ever stopped to think about how the brain and body work together to make these movements happen?
One of the key processes involved in movement is motor programming. This is the process by which the brain signals each muscle fiber to carry out a motor act without conscious effort. It’s what allows us to perform repetitive motions like walking, running, and punching without having to think about each individual movement
Motor Programming - How does it work?
So how does motor programming work? It all starts in the brain. When we decide to perform a movement, such as throwing a punch, the brain sends a signal down the spinal cord to the muscles involved in that movement. These signals are sent to each individual muscle fiber, telling it to contract or relax in order to perform the movement.
Thinking Stage
At first, this process requires conscious effort. We have to think about each movement and consciously send signals to each muscle fiber in order to perform the movement correctly. But with practice, the brain becomes more efficient at sending these signals, and the movement becomes more automatic.
This is where motor programming comes in. As we practice a movement repeatedly, the brain creates a motor program for that movement. This program is essentially a set of instructions that tell the muscles involved in the movement what to do without conscious effort.
Automatic Movement
Once the motor program has been established, the movement becomes much more automatic. We no longer have to consciously think about each movement, because the motor program takes care of it for us. This is why we’re able to perform repetitive motions like walking, running, and punching without having to think about each individual movement.
Motor Programming's Effect on Wing Chun Training
So how does this process affect Wing Chun training? Wing Chun is a martial art that relies heavily on repetitive movements. Practitioners spend hours practicing the same movements repeatedly, in order to develop the muscle memory and motor programming necessary to perform these movements effectively.
Through this process of repetition, Wing Chun practitioners can develop incredibly fast and precise movements. Because the motor program has been established, the movements become automatic, and the practitioner can perform them with incredible speed, accuracy and effectiveness.
Correct Technique from the Beginning
However, there is a downside to this process as well. Because the movements become so automatic, it’s difficult to make changes to the technique. If a practitioner has been practicing a movement incorrectly, it can be very difficult to correct that mistake, because the motor program has already been established.
This is why it’s so important to practice Wing Chun movements correctly from the beginning. By establishing correct technique early on, practitioners can ensure that their motor programs are correct, and that they’re not practicing incorrect movements over and over again.
In addition, it’s important to periodically re-evaluate and adjust technique as needed. By consciously thinking about the movements and making adjustments as necessary, practitioners can help to ensure that their motor programs are accurate and effective.
Access to a Qualified Instructor
Motor programming plays a crucial role in learning Wing Chun, and having a qualified instructor can make all the difference in developing proper motor programming. A qualified instructor can provide students with personalized feedback on form, technique, and body mechanics, which is essential for developing proper motor programming from the beginning.
In addition, a qualified instructor can help students identify and correct bad habits that can hinder progress and lead to injuries.
In conclusion, developing proper motor programming under the eye of a qualified Wing Chun instructor is essential for mastering Wing Chun techniques. While the effort of consistent practice and class attendance may seem time consuming and even cumbersome at first, the effort you put in now will save you time and frustration later.
Further, developing correct motor programming in Wing Chun is essential for effective self-defense and safety. Proper technique and muscle memory allow practitioners to execute techniques with precision and efficiency, giving them the ability to protect themselves and others in dangerous situations. By prioritizing correct motor programming now, Wing Chun practitioners can become more effective and confident in their ability to defend themselves.
