Steel hands, gentle hearts

In Vovinam martial arts, Vietnamese masters blend soft and hard physical moves with a philosophy of giving

By ANNE C. MAYER / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Looking for a fitness program that will give you more energy, flexibility and strength, and a sharper mind? Vovinam, or Vietnamese martial arts, not only offers these health benefits for participants of all ages, but also teaches students initiative, focus and discipline and how to be good stewards in their communities.

The motto of Vovinam is "a steel hand over a gentle heart." Desiring to help his people overcome domination by the French, Grand Master Loc Nguyen founded Vovinam in 1938 in northern Vietnam. Primarily "defensive" by nature, Vovinam combines martial arts techniques woven into soft and hard moves. Students can learn basic self-defense moves or go all the way up to yellow belt, which is the equivalent of a black belt in other martial arts, or higher.

Vovinam nearly died out during the Vietnam War, which ended when South Vietnam fell under North Vietnam communist rule in 1975; Loc Nguyen's protégé, Grand Master Sang Le, was thrown in prison for more than 13 years. But the blueprint was saved, and in the last three decades, Vovinam masters have carried it to more than 60 countries. Interest is rising, as more masters have come to the United States to teach Vovinam in California, Washington, Illinois, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas.

"What makes Vovinam interesting is that our founder studied and combined what he thought were the best techniques of all the martial arts and wrestling techniques and Oriental philosophies," says Grand Master Hoa Tien Nguyen, 60, who teaches Vovinam at Bally's Total Fitness in Arlington and at Gold's Gym in Garland. "We have a very strong philosophy of showing respect to others, especially the elderly, and helping people in our communities."

Survival skills

Grand Master Nguyen demonstrated this philosophy when he taught Vovinam to U.S. Green Berets during the Vietnam War. He credits the strength he gained through Vovinam with helping him to survive pirate attacks on the South China Sea as he made his way by boat to freedom in Malaysia and finally America in 1982.

Vovinam teaches that when an assailant strikes, you move quickly out of the way while he uses up his energy. That is your "soft move." Then you gain the advantage by using your "hard move."

A soft move might be a dodge-and-roll. In fact, learning how to fall without getting hurt is the first technique a Vovinam student must learn. A hard move might be kicking the assailant's legs out from under him. When he falls, you can get away.

"Through classes and practicing, you can learn to think faster and develop quicker reflexes," Grand Master Nguyen says. Each class is one hour long. Master Nguyen also encourages his students to practice at least 45 minutes a day outside of class.

Vovinam beginners get a deep blue uniform, chosen because it represents the peaceful blue of the ocean, and a light blue belt, which means you are a student. Depending on your personal goals, you can next move up to a deep blue belt, then yellow, then red. There is also a rare white belt with a rainbow, which is worn only by the Vovinam president, who is Grand Master Sang Le in Vietnam, now 86 years old.

When you achieve the deep blue belt, this signifies that you have made the commitment to learn the highest level of Vovinam martial arts, serve your community and adhere to the Vovinam philosophy.

The yellow belt means you have the Vovinam philosophy in your skin, as in the Asian skin that is yellow. The red belt means that you have the Vovinam philosophy in your blood. The white belt means that you have the Vovinam philosophy in your mind. The rainbow represents all the colors of achievement. Blue indicates the "yin" element of the sea and hope, and the red indicates the "yang" element of the invincible spirit.

Within the different colored belts are several levels you must achieve before moving on to the next color.

"It generally takes six months to a year to pass one level," says Grand Master Nguyen. "Before you move onto the next level, you must pass a performance test and written test."

When you achieve yellow belt, you can become an instructor. To become a master, you must pass the performance test and defeat three opponents out of five. You must also do a research paper and design your own martial arts technique. If your technique is approved, you are qualified to become a Vovinam master.

Grand Master Nguyen is a red belt of the third level in Vovinam, which is the equivalent of a black belt of the seventh degree in international martial arts.

Health benefits

In addition to being fun, Vovinam offers health benefits. According to Dr. Duc Nguyen of Arlington, author of several nutrition books and now a retired primary care physician, Vovinam helps relieve stress, ease joint pain, improve sleep, improve circulation and lower blood pressure. And children can benefit as well.

"I have seen good results in my grandsons and other young children," says Dr. Nguyen. "These children who take Vovinam seem to focus better, seem more disciplined and learn patience."

When Vovinam masters, instructors and students become too old to practice Vovinam, they turn to Viet tai chi. This was developed by Vovinam masters so they could continue to keep active and fit.

Master Nguyen not only continues to teach and practice Vovinam techniques, he also teaches Viet tai chi at Bally's in Arlington and Gold's Gym in Garland. Master Nguyen says he has seen improvements in his older adult students who have had trouble with high blood pressure, diabetes, back discomfort, asthma, allergies and other health problems.

One of the most important aspects of Vovinam is proper breathing, which can help us to relax and be less stressed.

"Learning how to breathe is one of the main exercises of Vovinam," says Dr. Nguyen. "When you learn the proper breathing techniques, you can actually bring more oxygen to your brain."

And, although feeling good is the name of the game, students feel even better when they reach out and do good to others. Professor Phap Dam of Texas Woman's University and founding president of the Vietnamese American Community of Dallas, sums it up: "Compassion, kindness, generosity, and serving others represents the essence of the Vietnamese culture."

Anne Mayer is a Dallas-based author.

YOUR VOVINAM PRIMER

What is Vovinam? Vovinam is a style of Vietnamese martial arts that focuses on practical and effective "hard" and "soft" applications. Vovinam was founded in 1938 by Nguyen Loc, after he researched the best disciplines of Vietnamese martial arts and wrestling techniques, as well as many foreign martial arts. From his extensive knowledge, he developed a unique martial arts form called Vovinam that enables students to develop strength, quickness and flexibility.

Guiding principles of Vovinam. The philosophy of Vovinam is "a steel hand over the gentle heart." It describes the Vovinam disciple who has a combination of bravery and kindness toward humanity. The foundation of the principles is a blend of martial arts philosophies of the East and the practicalities of the West, based on humanity and harmony. A Vovinam disciple lives in harmony with others and lives for others, too, giving back to his or her community and helping the poor.

Where can I take Vovinam classes?  Master Hoa Tien Nguyen is the Vovinam master in the Dallas area. He is currently teaching classes at two locations and hopes to expand his locations in the future.

Bally's Total Fitness, 2306 S. Collins, Arlington, TX 76014, 817-274-7177

Gold's Gym, 1332 Belt Line Road, Garland, TX 75044, 972-675-6102

To reach Master Hoa Tien Nguyen directly: 817-521-8002

Anne Mayer