Traditional Wing Chun Baltimore, Baltimore

Nearly 300 years ago, the elders of China's Shaolin Temple convened to develop a new kind of martial arts. They dreamt of a style that would eventually overcome all the others, thanks to its combat efficacy and the fact that it would take a much shorter time to learn. They named this style Wing Chun, a Chinese phrase that translates to "forever springtime" and reflected their hope for a renaissance in Shaolin martial arts.

This renaissance never quite arrived, but traditional Wing Chun is still practiced today. This is largely thanks to the efforts of practitioners such as Grandmaster William Cheung and Sifu Tim Berkemeier, the latter of whom founded Traditional Wing Chun Baltimore. It's easy to see Wing Chun's appeal to modern sensibilities, as it emphasizes a scientific approach that draws on biomechanics and angular deflections. It's also ideal for students who don't have the muscles to send their opponents flying across the room, as it focuses on disabling rather than brute strength.