An Introduction to wing chun
The history of Wing Chun, as with most martial arts, has historically been passed from teacher to student as an oral history rather than through writing. As a result, there are several different accounts of the evolution of Wing Chun.Wing Chun starts to appear in documents during the era of the Wing Chun master Leung Jan, which allows us to more easily trace the subsequent development of Wing Chun and its divergence into branches.
Origins and History
The common legend involves a Buddhist nun, Ng Mui, who went to the aid of a young woman who was being pursued by a warlord and would-be husband, Yim Wing Chun. The young woman challenged the warlord to a fight on condition that should she win, she would be free not to marry the warlord. Yim Wing Chun sought the assistance of Ng Mui and was subsequently taught a style of fighting that allowed Yim Wing Chun to defeat the warlord. She then married and taught the fighting style to her husband, who then named the style after his wife.Wing Chun (springtime song) is a Chinese self–defence art which has its roots in the southern China. It is a well-known martial art thanks largely to a well-known student – Bruce Lee. The Wing Chun system, of Shaolin Kung Fu, includes short direct movements (straight punches and low kicks) that focus on efficiency and economy of motion coupled with immediate counterattacks. Whilst in essence the martial art is very simple and practical, it requires many years of study and devotion.
The Shaolin monastery was founded in China approximately 300 years ago. The Shaolin monks trained in the art of kung-fu – a system which developed their mind and body through spiritual training. During the Ching Dynasty, the Manchu government became suspicious of the Shaolin Monks believing they were planning an uprising against the government. They subsequently attacked the monastery with the intent to kill as many of the monks as possible. Five Shaolin Grand Masters who escaped the attack created the Wing Chun system as a new fighting style that would dominate other fighting arts.
Yip Man is considered the most famous Wing Chun master. Yip Man simplified the system, particularly by removing the long and complicated names, and was the architect of the Wing Chun system as we know it today.
Forms
Forms are meditative, solitary exercises that develop self-awareness, balance, relaxation and sensitivity. Forms also train the practitioner in the fundamental movement and the correct force generation of Wing Chun. It is from the forms that all Wing Chun techniques are derived. Depending on lineage, the focus, content and intent of each form can have distinct differences which can therefore have far reaching implications.Wing Chun generally comprises six forms: three empty hand forms, one ‘wooden dummy’ form, and two weapons forms.
Siu Nim Tao (little idea) is the foundation on which all other forms rely. Stance, balance, posture and breathing are developed in this form. The practitioner must pay great attention to the first form otherwise the foundation of his or her Wing Chun art will be poor and ineffective.
Chum Kiu (searching for the bridge/seeking arm) focuses on entry techniques to ‘bridge the gap’ between practitioner and opponent. Close-range attacks and some kicks are also developed as well as associated footwork.
Biu Jee (thrusting fingers) is comprised of extreme short-range and extreme long-range techniques, low kicks and sweeps, and ‘emergency techniques’ to counter-attack when one’s position has been seriously compromised, such as when the practitioner is seriously injured. Biu Jee incorporates strong strikes at specific body parts and pressure points which can maim or kill.
The Muk Yan Jong form is performed against a wooden dummy, representing a stationary human opponent. Wooden dummy practice aims to refine a practitioner's understanding of footwork and angles. It is here that the open hand forms are pieced together and understood as a whole. The dummy should be in proportion to the students height to allow for correct practice. The wooden dummy is designed so that the arms are angled away from the centre-line so the student must use proper footwork to enable correct use of angles and attacks.
Principles
- Centre-line – students are taught to protect the centre line (an imaginary vertical line bisecting the opponent's vitals) of the body, thus protecting the face and vital organs. The Wing Chun punch is delivered centrally from the student's chest rather than diagonally from the shoulders helping to teach the center-line concept. The Wing Chun guard provides a clear example of this. It follows that attacking techniques focus on the centre line of the opponent.
- Breathing/Relaxation - a fundamental principle of the Wing Chun system is to be relaxed when performing techniques such as straight punching. Tension causes fatigue, thus reducing speed and sensitivity. Correct breathing allows for relaxed posture.
- Simultaneous Blocking/Striking - deflection (of an attack) and counter-attack occur in the same motion. Alternatively, a student can intercept the opponent to nullify an attack, rather than blocking then attacking in two separate motions
- Elbows/knees – students are taught to observe their opponent – watching the elbows and knees as these joints give an early indication of an attack, thus allowing the student the most time to counter.
- Techniques are uncommitted. Should a technique fail, the student’s balance is not compromised – the student is able easily change to a follow-up attack.
- The vertical straight punch is a trademark of the Wing Chun system. It is usually thrown with the elbow down and in front of the body. The contact points also vary from the top two knuckles, to the middle two knuckles, to the bottom three knuckles These punches may be thrown in quick succession – chain punching.
- Kicks are introduced in Chum Kiu - traditionally, kicks are kept below the waist.
- The Wing Chun student uses touch sensitivity or ‘sticky hands’ to find weaknesses in their opponent for holes in the opponent's defense through touching. The student learns to maintain contact with the opponent and thus read what their opponent’s body is doing. The student learns to follow the opponent if they retreat. If the opponent attempts to withdraw or redirect the hand, the practitioner follows, often using the motion to facilitate a trap or a strike. Chi sao drills teach the student how to correctly use touch sensitivity and it’s importance as a fundamental concept of the system.
Conclusion
Wing Chun is a scientific system of self defence. It requires many years of devotion, patience and practice before students can execute the movements properly and remember them long-term. The art is within the reach of anybody regardless of age, sex, or body type. Additional benefits are stress control, discipline, improved concentration, confidence and overall well-being, making it an excellent form of insurance for a healthy life.
18 Hands of Wing Chun
1. Bong Sao
(wing arm)
2. Tan Sao
(palm up hand)
3. Pak Sao
(slapping hand)
4. Fook Sao
(controlling hand or bridge hand)
5. Lap Sao
(pulling hand or grabbing hand)
6. Wu Sao
(protecting hand)
7. Tok Sao
(lifting hand)
8. Jut Sao
(jerking hand)
9. Lin Lop
Sao (cross
grappling hand)
10. Huen Sao
(circling
hand)
11. Kwun Sao
(rotating
hand)
12. Gum Sao
(pinning hand)
13. Lan
Sao
(bar arm)
14. Man Sao
(searching hand)
15. Goang Sao
(lower outer
wrist block)
16. Guan Sao
(splitting hand)
17. Bil Sao
(thrusting hand)
18. Man Geung Sao (neck
pulling hand)