Wing chun Somerset Wing Chun, Kung Fu

Sifu Andy Chrysostomou

I've always had an interest in Martial Arts both as a teenager when I lived in Hong Kong and later as an adult when I joined the British Army.

In the Army if you wanted to do unarmed combat you started with boxing. A stint as a Regimental boxer gave me respect for this art, the physical effort required and the reality of both hitting and being hit.

I've studied Wing Chun for a number of years under the watchful eye of Sifu Bill McKay and having exited the service into 'civi street' I devote as much time as I can to its study.

Recognising the skills that my boxing experience had given me, Sifu McKay has developed my martial skills with an accelerated learning program that involved the use of drills such as Lap Sau, Dan Chi Sau and Chi Sau from a very early stage in my training.

I hasten to add that there are no short cuts to developing proper body mechanics and martial skills and everyone is different, each with their own skills and problems.

Like everyone else I have to train in my own time on a daily basis to maintain and improve.

Having been independently examined and assessed by a panel of judges of the International Association of Wing Chun Kung Fu, and with the blessing of my Sifu Bill McKay I have been authorised to teach Wing Chun.

I prefer not to teach large classes as I believe that the art is better transmitted one-to-one or in small groups and I now represent Somerset Wing Chun Kung Fu by tutoring (one to one) in the Glastonbury, Street area.

I continue my studies and my personal practice and meet with my teacher on a regular basis, both at my Sifus lesson on Sunday at the Taunton Class and in personal tuition at his home.

My best advice to beginners and intermediate students is this: Try to remember you are the "singer" and not the "song" make wing chun work for you.

Do not get into politics or discussions about the visual representation of a technique, as this is only an individual's perspective.

Better to gain an understanding of how 'you' work both mentally and physically and use the vehicle of Wing Chun to get you in tune with your body mechanics and improve your physical and mental abilities.