Fund a Kung Fu school in Portland OR!

Hi there! My name is Alyda Rodriguez and Im a teaching volunteer at Lightning Hand Academy of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Our School had been lucky enough to survive Covid and to continue to help folks throughout Portland, Oregon.

We have an opportunity to move into a dedicated space, where we can host more classes, add more diverse classes, host school events, and store equipment. The school has always operated at a “bare bones” cost and with an all-volunteer staff. With your support, we can make this move a reality and help individuals in all communities build self-confidence, discipline, and physical fitness and create community.

We envision a future where all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to martial arts training and the many benefits that come with it.

We believe that everyone deserves access to martial arts training, regardless of their financial situation. That's why we’ve always focused on helping marginalized communities, where individuals who may not have had access to training before can learn valuable skills and improve their physical and mental well-being.

With your contribution, we can take a step towards making that vision a reality. Your support means the world to us, and we cannot express enough how much we appreciate your kindness and generosity.

We are proud to have you as a part of our community and look forward to continuing our partnership in the future. Once again, thank you for your support, and we hope to see you soon at one of our training sessions.

For those who may not be familiar with Wing Chun Kung Fu, here is a bit of background:

Wing Chun is a style of Chinese martial arts that was developed over 300 years ago in the Guangdong province of China. The style was created by a woman named Yim Wing Chun, who was reportedly inspired to develop a new martial art after being harassed by a local warlord.

According to legend, Yim Wing Chun was approached by a local bandit who wanted to marry her against her will. In order to fend him off, she decided to create a new martial art that would be effective against larger, stronger opponents.

Yim Wing Chun began studying martial arts under the tutelage of a Buddhist nun named Ng Mui, who had developed a highly effective style of martial arts known as Shaolin Kung Fu. However, Ng Mui realized that the Shaolin techniques would not be effective against the bandit, and began to teach Yim Wing Chun a new, more efficient style of martial arts that focused on close-range fighting, quick strikes, and simple, direct movements.

Over time, Yim Wing Chun developed her own unique style of martial arts, which became known as Wing Chun. The style was named after Yim Wing Chun herself and was designed to be both practical and efficient, with a focus on close-range fighting and using an opponent's own strength against them.

Wing Chun continued to evolve over the years, with different masters adding their own techniques and variations to the style. One of the most famous Wing Chun masters was Ip Man, who is often credited with popularizing the style and bringing it to the wider world. Today, Wing Chun is practiced all over the world and is known for its practicality, efficiency, and emphasis on technique and skill over brute strength.

Wing Chun is also known for its close-range fighting techniques, which are particularly effective in situations where there isn't much space to move. By staying close to their opponent, Wing Chun practitioners can neutralize their attacks quickly and effectively, without wasting energy on unnecessary movements. Another advantage of Wing Chun is its emphasis on concept techniques and skill, rather than brute strength. This makes it an ideal martial art for people of all ages, sizes, and physical abilities, as it does not rely on raw power to be effective.

Finally, Wing Chun also has a strong philosophical component, which emphasizes balance, harmony, and respect for oneself and others. Practitioners of Wing Chun are taught to approach conflict with a calm, centered mindset, and to use their martial arts skills only as a last resort.

There are numerous benefits of martial arts both physical and mental. Here are some of the key ones:

Self-Defense: One of the most significant benefits of martial arts is learning self-defense techniques. Women can feel more confident and empowered knowing they have the skills to defend themselves if needed.

Fitness: Martial arts involve a lot of physical activity, which can improve overall fitness, strength, and flexibility.

Stress relief: Martial arts provide an outlet for stress and anxiety, as they require concentration and focus, allowing practitioners to clear their minds and release tension.

Confidence: Through consistent training and practice, women can improve their self-esteem, self-discipline, and overall confidence.

Empowerment: Martial arts can give women a sense of empowerment and independence, as they learn to rely on themselves and their abilities.

Camaraderie: Joining a martial arts class can provide a sense of community and camaraderie with other women who share similar interests and goals.

Mental focus: Martial arts require a great deal of mental focus and concentration, which can translate to improved focus and mental clarity

Overall, practicing martial arts can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental well-being, providing numerous benefits that can positively affect all areas of life.

Wing Chun has saved my life in so many ways. I've been so honored to learn, teach, and grow with this amazing community.

Thank you so much for considering donating!

Lightning Hand Academy

Wingchunpdx.com