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Promoting holistic wellbeing during the polycrisis: An essay on inner development through the martial art of Wing Chun
PLOS Mental Health, Volume: 2, Issue: 9, Start page: e0000433
Swansea University Author:
Andrew Kemp
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© 2025 Watson, Kemp. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000433
Abstract
This essay explores the traditional martial art of Wing Chun through a psychological lens of inner development for holistic wellbeing. Originating in Southern China, Wing Chun emphasises fluidity, adaptability, and effectiveness, guided by five core principles: Simplicity, Practicality, Efficiency,...
| Published in: | PLOS Mental Health |
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| ISSN: | 2837-8156 |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71315 |
| Abstract: |
This essay explores the traditional martial art of Wing Chun through a psychological lens of inner development for holistic wellbeing. Originating in Southern China, Wing Chun emphasises fluidity, adaptability, and effectiveness, guided by five core principles: Simplicity, Practicality, Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Directness (SPEED). Grounded in Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, these principles provide a foundation for understanding and promoting psychological wellbeing. We propose a novel psychological framework that maps these principles to psychological constructs, including Radical non-attachment, Embodied empowerment, skilful Adaptation, self-Control, and psychological Hardiness (REACH). Each construct within the REACH model functions synergistically, providing an opportunity for holistic cultivation of a resilient and adaptable mindset, grounded in mindful awareness, psychological flexibility, and fierce compassion. Radical nonattachment (underpinned by the principle of simplicity) facilitates a socially-engaged mindfulness, supported by a compassionate awareness of self, others and nature. Embodied empowerment (effectiveness) enables navigation of internal and external cues with greater agency while promoting a deeper sense of groundedness and engagement with the world. Skillful adaptation (practicality) promotes flexibility, creativity and the experience of psychological flow, supporting dynamic engagement with the environment. Self-control (efficiency) supports nonconscious regulation, facilitating purposeful goal-setting with reduced cognitive effort. Psychological hardiness (directness) supports the development of fierce compassion, transforming adversity into growth and enhancing capacity for working toward social justice and resisting dominant social narratives. Presented as an opportunity to promote power resources, these interrelated constructs bridge martial practice, mindful awareness, and social engagement, providing a robust foundation for psychological interventions supporting inner development and wellbeing at multiple scales, focused on self, others and nature. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
This work was supported by a Mission Award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (Grant Ref: APP65361 OPP734) |
| Issue: |
9 |
| Start Page: |
e0000433 |