Photo by Gao erqiang / Shanghai Star

Wing chun is all about close contact, rapid punches, low kicks and tight defense. It may be your best way out of a barroom brawl and is the first choice in an elevator scrap (but these only happen in movies).

After a few lessons the self-defensive advantages over boxing and Muay Thai may become apparent, with inner peace and longevity thrown in for good measure.

"It's not a sport. There aren't any rules," says Battaglia. "But it's much more than just self-defense. It's a way to develop as a human being. You can apply what you learn to all areas of your life, and that body consciousness breeds self-confidence."

While it's all about self-control, there is a dark yin to the yang.

"We only attack the weak points of the body," adds the Italian-French instructor.

"We aim, as a strategy, to break knees, kick the groin, stomp on feet and push our opponent, all of which is illegal in mixed martial arts. Our primary aim is the Adam's apple, ear or eyes."

If this sounds brutal, bear in mind that Bruce Lee's favorite moves were the back fist and eye gouge.

Wing chun practitioners aren't chiseled, but they can still be lethal fighting machines long after most boxers have hung up their gloves. ?

"Have you ever seen a chimpanzee with a six-pack?" asks Battaglia, a trained psychologist who used to specialize in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). ?"It's not natural or healthy."

His club is one of at least two in Shanghai run by foreigners taught by disciples of Yip Man, that highly venerated and ghoulishly gaunt Guangdong native who bore a passing resemblance to Grand Master Oogway in the hit DreamWorks series.