Interview with Gery Cahenzli

 

There is a wide range of martial arts and self-defense courses on offer. Why should you train Ving Tsun Kung Fu in particular?
Ving Tsun is very effective. The techniques are short, direct and can therefore be applied at high speed. We use physical principles such as the law of leverage to make optimum use of our own strength. This makes it possible to stand up to heavier and stronger opponents.

There are no competitions in Ving Tsun Kung Fu. How are you supposed to know whether a fighting system is effective if you can't compete?
After all, no technique guarantees that you will win a fight. Not even with Ving Tsun. It takes a lot to be able to hold your own in a fight: Good tactics, a good eye, a good technical base and, last but not least, a bit of luck. If you really fight, you accept all the consequences. There are no rules or points. You can't train real fighting. But in Ving Tsun we do so-called sparring, where you try to get close to a fighting situation without protective clothing. This also allows you to explore your own strengths and weaknesses.

What are the physical requirements of this kung fu style?
Apart from a solid basic constitution, there are no special requirements. Caution is advised if you have a physical disability, as training can get a bit rough.

How great is the risk of injury during training?
Finger strains happen from time to time. However, in the 20 years I've been teaching, I've never had anyone miss a long period of time due to an injury sustained during training.

How long do you have to train to learn the basics of the system?
If you train two to three times a week, you usually have a basic foundation after a year. You should be able to do the basic unarmed forms and also more or less master the wooden dummy form. You will also be able to do more complex partner exercises. After that, it's all about continuing to work with this repertoire.

Have you ever had to use Ving Tsun in a serious situation?
I've never had to use it directly. I've been in situations where I might have done so. But I didn't think the situation was dangerous enough. You have to be able to assess whether it's just a bully or a real threat and then act proportionately. However, before I started training Ving Tsun, I was already involved in fights and know what the consequences of a physical confrontation can be.

How did you get into Ving Tsun?
Ving Tsun Kung Fu has fascinated me since I was a child. I really wanted to learn it and spent a long time looking for good training opportunities. Finally, I came across a flyer from Philipp Bayer by chance. I attended my first seminar with him and was thrilled! From that moment on, I knew that this was the Ving Tsun I was looking for. I began to train intensively with him and through this I also met Wong Shung Leung, who in turn taught Philipp Bayer. They are both the martial ideal that I still look up to.

You have been training Ving Tsun for over 25 years. What does the training teach you?
Ving Tsun taught me discipline and patience, for example, two qualities that can be particularly helpful in difficult life situations. You learn to focus and can also clear your own head. The body tension during training creates a positive body awareness. It also provides comprehensive reflex training. Of course, social aspects are also valuable, such as the encounters with students of different ages.

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