I am a passionate feminist and enjoy a good discussion regarding equality! Whilst I appreciate doors being held open for me and other good manners, I expect that because I expect courtesy and politeness with no regard to my gender. In the martial arts world women are training as hard and to be as strong as their male counterparts. It is a foolish mistake to disregard someoneʼs skill and power based on their gender. Women want and enjoy training. We need to see more women in Martial Arts enjoying the journey and extinguishing existing stereotypes.

Though fundamentally Martial Arts is the development of a warrior based skill set, all credible martial arts students and instructors will tell you the lessons they learn through their training and use regularly in day-to-day life, are self discipline, empathy, awareness, respect, courage and self-confidence, not their punches and kicks. Aside from the competition Martial Artists, Martial Arts is a lifestyle choice, a way to conduct yourself and to avoid conflict.

I am a student at Peninsula Kung Fu where we learn the Kung Fu discipline Wing Chun. The Wing Chun system was created by a Shaolin nun, Ng Mui who took knowledge from different aspects of Shaolin Kung Fu to create a fighting system that she could teach to a 15-year-old girl named Wing Chun. The system needed to be taught in a relatively short time and not require great strength. Our current system, though it has evolved, celebrates its origin as a discipline developed by a woman for a woman.

To commemorate Ng Mui and Wing Chun, and recognise the importance of women in Martial Arts on International Womenʼs Day Peninsula Kung Fu will hold 2 free from charge classes for women. They will take place at our school in Carbine way at 1.30 pm and 8.15pm on 8 March 2018. Come and meet some awesome female students and gain an insight in to training with us and learning Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Here are a few fantastic reasons why you should give it a try

• You will get fit and strong. All Martial Arts disciplines help you develop cardiovascular fitness, strength and endurance
• You will learn to defend yourself. This is an important skill and imparts a confidence that little else can.
• You will feel empowered and incredibly proud of yourself. Learning skills, especially those past through time and with great heritage is humbling and a honour to learn.
• You can join a school like ours and gain a community. Strangers become teammates. You build strong relationships with people who you train with, who you trust to throw punches at you again and again! You experience a journey together bound by a common goal.
• You will have fun.

Please contact Sarah at Peninsula Kung Fu

This post is by Sarah, a current student at Peninsula Kung Fu.