Even Sho'nuff Sucked in the Beginning

Post-surgery, I did what I said I was going to do. I enrolled in a Kung Fu class. It’s a little spot in Southern Brooklyn, that’s hidden in plain sight. Over the years, I must have passed it by 100 times and hadn’t noticed it.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. The only thing I know about Kung Fu is from movies and Wu Tang Clan songs. When I was a kid I did Tae Kwon Do. I wasn’t very good at it, but I enjoyed punching a lot.

Yeah I know, Tae Kwon Do is more of a kicking martial art — but hey grandpa was a golden gloves boxer. My legs are short, but strong so they’re better for footwork than using them offensively. Most of my musculature is all shoulders and torso.

Which I was hoping would help me out here, the Kung Fu style I ultimately chose is Wing Chun. It’s what Bruce Lee learned originally. It’s a style meant for close quarters fighting and is more about strikes and slaps than grappling and kicking.