Unlike other martial arts, Wing Chun is not a style nor is it a competitive sport. Think of Wing Chun as a guide that takes you through a never-ending pursuit of an ideal. Forget about the idea of Wing Chun techniques. Recognizable techniques define other martial arts. Recognizable techniques aren't what defines Wing Chun. Wing Chun is its concepts and principles. In Wing Chun, unlike other martial arts, concepts are the reason behind its movements. Trying to define Wing Chun to techniques (as most styles define a martial art) limits the very essence of what Wing Chun attempts to free you from. For more information, see Redefining Wing Chun.
What sets you apart from other martial arts schools?
That's simple. The phenomenal masters that have come before us! Because of them, we are able to offer a deeper understanding, exceptional quality and provide such meticulous detail in our training.
What kind of time commitment is involved?
Committing yourself to your training is a requirement of The Dragon Institute. We require beginners to commit themselves to attending group classes twice a week during our initial 6-month basic training program. Ask questions, take notes and practice at home. If you don't think you can do this, we ask you to wait to sign-up until you can.
What kind of financial commitment is involved?
At The Dragon Institute, we promise you the best value for your money in all of Orange County! However, don't confuse us with the cheapest. The knowledge you will receive is second to none! You'll see this in the quality of our program, the level of our instruction and the passion of our students.
Do you guarantee your program?
Absolutely. Our risk free program offers a 100% money back guarantee. It is the perfect way to start training with us without worrying about getting into something that you can't get out of.
Do you have any age limits?
We have different classes for adults, children and families. Our adult classes are ages 16 to those well over 60. Our children's classes group ages 4-6 together, ages 7-11 in another group and ages 12-15 in another.
What benefits does your kids program offer?
Our rewards system improves self-esteem. Our structured kids classes teach mental discipline. Our activities help channel aggression into a positive outlet. Our kids classes enhance assertiveness and teach lifetime self-defense skills. We know kung fu is the best thing you can do for your child!
What benefits does your adult's program offer?
Our workouts are a great way to get into shape. Our classes relieve stress. They're like a mini-vacation twice a week. Our class practice sessions help build confidence. Everything we teach is reality-based and could very well save your life. Plus, it's just fun!
How does Wing Chun work?
Wing Chun students defend themselves by using the simplest actions possible as well as leverage and angles to turn attackers' strengths against them. Wing Chun is effective for everyone, regardless of size, strength or gender. It teaches smaller, weaker people to be able to overcome stronger, larger people.
Does your Wing Chun system have all the traditional forms and principles?
Absolutely. Our Wing Chun system includes all the traditional Wing Chun material as passed down through Ip Man, his senior-most Hong Kong student, Leung Sheung. Our school has the honor of continuing this amazing legacy through our Sifu, Adam Williss, as passed down by some of best practitioners in the Wing Chun world today (Kenneth Chung, Ben Der, Karl Godwin and Bill Graves).
Is The Dragon Institute a fully-accredited Wing Chun school?
We are proud to be Orange County's first and only fully-accredited, professional Wing Chun school. We are recognized by several international associations for the authenticity of our instruction and quality of our program. Our beautiful educational facility is a representation of our dedication to quality and commitment to the highest level of Wing Chun.
Does your Wing Chun have boxing in it?
Yes. Our approach to Wing Chun incorporates American bare-knuckle boxing. In fact, we firmly believe boxing works better than most Asian martial arts. It's incorporation into our methods have taken what is conventionally a traditional martial art to higher levels of functionality.
Do I need to be in shape to join?
No. Wing Chun training is geared toward the individual. Everybody trains at his or her own level, pushing a little bit more every time. There is no pressure to do things that your body isn't able to do. Most students notice and increase in fitness, joint flexibility, and general strength after as little as a month.
Is our training good for self-defense?
Second to none! Our training program is designed to teach students what REALLY works on the street. Our Wing Chun training places a strong emphasis on giving students solid responses to real-world attacks, not for the ring, octagon or some other sports competition. Regardless of your size or age, the bottom line is that our methods work when it matters the most!
Do I need previous experience to start?
Absolutely not! In fact, students with little or no previous martial arts experience tend to have fewer bad habits to break.
Is Wing Chun good for women?
According to Wing Chun's legendary history, Wing Chun is the only martial art to be created by a woman. It is geared for smaller or weaker individuals to enable themselves to defend against stronger or more aggressive attackers. In fact, women are often the ones who pick up Wing Chun quicker because they can allow themselves to "feel" what is going on before reacting. Women seem to have an easier time allowing themselves to "yield" to overwhelming force in order to use an attackers force against them.
Is Wing Chun for everyone?
No, Wing Chun is not for everyone and we don't accept all applicants into our program. We have an extreme obligation to the brilliant masters before us to accept only those individuals as students that possess the character required to receive the knowledge and quality that has passed on to us.
Is our training safe?
Student safety is a primary concern during all classes. Students are taught how to train intensively and safely with a partner. In addition, the completion of our basic training program reduces the possibility of injury to a minimal level.
What can I expect in the training?
The classes are fun and challenging! We impart information in a friendly environment where the students engage in a wide variety of drills, exercises and training routines helping each other in a family-like atmosphere.
In class, students engage in:
- Moving meditation training - energy development exercises which teach concentration, mental focus, and precision body movement.
- Strength training - to build and improve your abilities to apply the powerful actions of Wing Chun.
- Reflex training - used to improve hand-eye coordination and timing. Chi Sau - a training exercise unique to Wing Chun which uses tactile reflex development and muscle memory to "program" the limbs to react to contact with an opponents attack.
- Analytic Sparring - a unique interactive approach to learning that teaches th
- Sparring - free fighting training, where the student learns to use the movements of the forms, drills and chi-sau for actual fighting.
- Footwork and kicking drills - provide for mobility and agility in attacking and defending.
- Equipment training - Using equipment such as wooden dummies, sand bag training, wooden blocks and 4x4 platforms to help the students develop striking force, structure, energetic connectios within the body, coordination, body conditioning, rooting and stance development, distance measure, angle orientation and just to improve general fitness.
We have small group classes that allow our instructors to focus more on the individual needs of the student. With this much individual attention, most students show noticeable improvement after 3-6 months. However, due to our high standard, black belt level certification usually takes no less than 4 years to obtain (depending on the student). However, in Wing Chun getting "good" is extremely relative. You'll find in many other schools, "black belt" level certificaties are awarded much too quickly. We hold firm that giving out easy "black belts" is ultimately to the detriment of students when they realize their training is ineffective.
Am I too old for Wing Chun?
Wing Chun can be practiced with great benefit well into your later years. We have students well into their 60's that train with people that are 19. It's never too late to bring new energy into your life.
I am a student of another Martial Art/Wing Chun organization, can I come just to learn some of your techniques?
At The Dragon Institute, we do not discriminate based on previous martial arts background or affiliations. However, all new students start as a beginner regardless of previous experience. If our own students have to work hard to earn the right to learn, why should we just sell them to outsiders? On the other hand, if a student is very talented or gifted, then that student will be promoted and advanced accordingly.
What should I wear? Do I need special clothing or equipment?
Wear comfortable clothing. There is no special requirement for intro students. All jewelry that can be readily taken off will need to be removed. Once a student becomes a member, the uniform consists of a shirt, kung fu pants and kung fu shoes. A groin protector (cup) and mouthpiece will also be need to be purchased.
What values do you profess?
Kung Fu is a way of life. We are deeply committed to meeting life's challenges head-on, constant growth through taking ourselves out of our comfort zones, being truthful to ourselves and to others, seeking to constantly improve ourselves, focusing on priorities, having courtesy for others, being respectful to others - especially those that are different than ourselves, serving the community, learning from those that have come before us, mentoring our juniors, respecting the environment and many more. Our developmental journey through Wing Chun can easily influence every aspect of your lives. The concepts, philosophies and training experiences bring about a refreshing perspective of life's challenges- helping us deal with life's situations in a whole new way.
Who is the Sifu/Head Instructor of The Dragon Institute?
Our Sifu/Head Instructor is United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee Adam Williss. With over 16 years experience, Sifu Adam has dedicated his life to the art of Wing Chun by empowering and educating people of all ages through his classes, private training sessions and seminars. He has trained numerous professionals, athletes and corporate executives. Sifu Adam is an instructor to groups ranging from employees of large corporations to university students. He is also the author behind "Self-Defense Advice with Adam Williss" as well as other publications where his ground-breaking work has been featured in several publications both online and in print. Sifu Adam also acts as president of the American Wing Chun Association & California Wing Chun Association. Previously, Sifu Adam was the editor-in-chief of Wing Chun Magazine. He has brought the unique personal developmental benefits of Wing Chun to recovering drug addicts, alcoholics and stroke victims.
Who is the Sifu/Head Instructor of The Dragon Institute?
Our Sifu/Head Instructor is United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee Adam Williss. With over 16 years experience, Sifu Adam has dedicated his life to the art of Wing Chun by empowering and educating people of all ages through his classes, private training sessions and seminars. He has trained numerous professionals, athletes and corporate executives. Sifu Adam is an instructor to groups ranging from employees of large corporations to university students. He is also the author behind "Self-Defense Advice with Adam Williss" as well as other publications where his ground-breaking work has been featured in several publications both online and in print. Sifu Adam also acts as president of the American Wing Chun Association & California Wing Chun Association. Previously, Sifu Adam was the editor-in-chief of Wing Chun Magazine. He has brought the unique personal developmental benefits of Wing Chun to recovering drug addicts, alcoholics and stroke victims.
What affiliations, associations and accreditation does The Dragon Institute have?
The Dragon Institute is Orange County's official representative of Ip Man lineage Wing Chun Kung Fu under his senior-most Hong Kong student, Leung Sheung. We are internationally recognized under the Hong Kong-based organization founded by Ip Man (Ving Tsun Athletic Association), a proud affiliate school of the Worldwide Leung Sheung Lineage Association and the official representative of California for Bill Graves' The System Wing Chun. We also have affiliations with Ben Der's San Jose Wing Chun, Karl Godwin's Seminole Wing Chun, Jesse Moon's North Florida Wing Chun, Kenneth Chung's Stanford University Wing Chun, Jonathan Petree's Atlantic Warriors Wing Chun Gung Fu (Florida), Tim Faughn's Wing Chun Fight Club, Patrick Miller's University of Miami Wing Chun and Wesley Lim's Leung Sheung Wing Chun (Singapore).
