by Philip Holder, Ph.D. Grandmaster: North American Wing Chun Association Copyright by Philip Holder

MOOK JONG – Simple Yet Complete

The Wing Chun training Mook Jong has become well known. You see it in movies about Bruce Lee, in movies done by Jackie Chan and in many others. Even those outside of the Wing Chun system know about the Mook Jong. Many people from styles other than Wing Chun even purchase them. The problem is that most martial artists, even some within the Wing Chun system, don’t understand the Mook Jong. For this reason, they do not get full benefit from it.

The Mook Jong is both incredible and beautiful in its simplicity. The fact that this simple device accomplishes so much is an amazing engineering feat. Once in a while, people will add a leg or some arms, springs, and other whistles and bells in an attempt to invent a new improved Mook Jong. These attempts simply indicate that the person does not understand the classical Mook Jong, (or he or she is primarily looking for a marketing device to set his or her product or organization apart from others). Although some people may think it good business to imply that they have somehow discovered something that others have not, it can be confusing to students new to the Mook Jong. Those who truly understand the Mook Jong realize that it needs no new attachments, batteries or buzzers.

Purpose

In Wing Chun, each training exercise has a specific purpose. The forms teach position and movement. The Mook Jong translates the movements within the forms into ‘Root Applications’. This does not mean that there are only 108 applications within the Wing Chun System. It simply means that the movements taught on the dummy are the root or base applications from which all others are derived. Once these are mastered, others grow out of them with relative ease.

DISPELLING MISCONCEPTIONS – NOT A MAKAWARI

One of the greatest misconceptions about the wooden Mook Jong is that it is for toughening your arms. This is pure nonsense. I instruct my students that if they have a question about whether or not they are doing something right (in Wing Chun), they should simply refer back to the core principles of the system. One of the primary principles in Wing Chun is “don’t fight force with force”. In Wing Chun we deflect rather than smash an attacker’s limb out of the way. It is logical then to assume that we would not smash into the arms of the Mook Jong. The object, in fact, is just the opposite. The goal is to work around the arms and find the path of least resistance. Those who smash into the arms are simply displaying a lack of knowledge about both the Mook Jong and about the core principles of the system.

Another misconception is that the Mook Jong is primarily for improving hand positions. Although the Mook Jong does have great value in this area, it has equally important value in training footwork, position, and angle. Students who train the Mook Jong conscientiously will find that their footwork in both Chi Sao and in sparring will be enhanced dramatically.

The Mook Jong, like a form, is a prearranged sequence of movements. It has no specific, separate footwork training exercises. In true Wing Chun form (ref: economy of energy), the footwork exercises are part and parcel to, and contained within the sets themselves. When the footwork is done correctly the hands seem to fall into place easily. If the footwork is incorrect, the hand movements become difficult or impossible.

(NOTE: Wing Chun has a kicking dummy (Star Dummy) used specifically for kicking exercises that I will cover in another article.)

Three Armed Space Monster

Although the Mook Jong has three arms, the three arms do not represent fixed limbs. All three arms can, at times, represent one arm at various positions. The end of the arm(s) represent the elbow, not the hand. The presumed line of energy extends out from the elbow. This is why the arms are so short. As well, the leg represents the active lower limb or the leg in play at that time. A second leg therefore is not necessary (the Jong is not a one legged amputee). In fact it would be an impediment to footwork and movement around the Mook Jong to include a second leg.

How Many Moves

There has been some disagreement over just how many movements there are on the dummy. Again, in an attempt to create a ‘sales pitch’, there are those who may claim to know extra movements. Classically, the accepted number of movements is 108. In fact this number has more to do with Chinese numerology that it does with an accurate count of the movements. Because of this, debate over the number of movements is really a non-issue.

In Chinese numerology, the number three (and multiples thereof) , as well as the number 108 have spiritual significance. For this reason, you will find that the movements in the Wing Chun forms and on the Mook Jong are contrived to fit into these numbers primarily for their numeric and spiritual significance. It has little to do with the actual number of movements.

Mook Jong Construction – Wooden Dummy

The dimensions of the Jong are not carved in stone. Remember, in days past, there were no facilities for mass production. Each dummy trunk was a little different. The critical factor is in the dimensions and relative spacing of the arms and the construction and pacing of the leg, relative to the arms. Basically, the trunk can be from approximately seven and a half to nine inches in diameter. On a classical Mook Jong, the trunk will be about fifty four inches tall. The arms should protrude approximately twelve inches from the trunk.

Setting up your  Mook Jong

There is no specific height for the Mook Jong. Just as you wouldn’t use the same settings for every person on an exercise machine the Mook Jong needs to be set differently for people of varying heights. Your Jong should be set up so that the upper arm is at the same height as the crest or top of your shoulder when you are in front of the Mook Jong in a neutral stance.

Result

The Mook Jong can help you to vastly improve footwork. It can give you the tools to redirect energy effectively. It can help you develop the skills needed to find the path of least resistance quickly and easily. It will train you to close off all windows of opportunity to your attacker. In short, it can make you a more proficient practitioner and increase your overall skill level, if you know how to use it properly.

If you know how to use the Mook Jong, it can be a great training partner. If you do not, and you choose to buy one, it may become a very expensive coat rack.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Philip Holder

Courtesy of Grandmaster Holder (WingChunCenter.com)

by Philip Holder, Ph.D. Grandmaster: North American Wing Chun Association Copyright by Philip Holder

THE BEST WEAPON IS YOUR MIND

Most of the time, when we hear or read about training for combat, the articles and conversations revolve around physical techniques and applications. In actuality, the physical applications are less important than mental attitude, perception, composure, and commitment that a person has.

In looking back over the many martial artists that I have met through the years, it is evident to me that the mental state of the person is far more important than the technical abilities of that person. This is not to say that technique and conditioning are not important…they certainly are. It simply means that often we underestimate the importance of proper attitude, will, and mental conditioning.

As an example, one particular instance comes to mind. You too may have witnessed this in your martial arts background too. What I’m about to pass on to you is not uncommon.

Years ago, a friend of a friend, was doing well on the sport tournament circuit. If you were to watch him doing forms, or kicking the bag, you would assume him to be an excellent fighter. He certainly had the physical skills and the technique. One evening while walking through a nearby city, he was confronted by a couple of street hoods. A fight quickly ensued. The two untrained thugs promptly beat the tar out of this “martial artist” and put him in the hospital. How could this be you ask? The reason is simple. He had all of the physical skills and none of the emotional skills. His training, to date, had been all academic. He had never trained in a way that would give him the coping mechanisms for the stress of a real threat. The result…he froze up when the threat was real.

If asked, what would you tell a person with no martial arts training who was likely to be involved in a situation requiring personal defense. Let’s say that someone came to me and asked if I could teach them some defensive tactics, because a bully was planning to kick the tar out of them in the immediate future. In this situation I would definitely not attempt to teach them “techniques” for self defense. Any instructor, who is truthful knows that you cannot teach a novice anything that will be of use in five easy lessons. My response would be to train their mind. To train their attitude and perception of the impending events. I would address such issues as stress management, the fact that there is no such thing as a fair fight (always stack the deck in your favor), maintaining composure, looking for a window of opportunity and so forth. These are issues that too often go un-addressed…even in presumed serious martial arts training programs.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

In a real fight, most often, no one wins. One person just loses a little more than the other (unless you consider hurting someone winning). The adolescent attitude that being able to kick someone’s but makes you superior is a farce. It is the way of a coward.

It is easy to hurt people. True courage is demonstrated in one’s ability to face the more difficult tasks in life. Such goals as maximizing your potential and doing something constructive and of lasting value. This might include being a better friend, teacher, or parent. In essence, helping others. The next time you hear someone talking about how tough they are, ask yourself, ‘What is this person doing that is of positive value. What is he or she contributing to make the world a better place’.

Let wisdom, not anger or ego be your guide. The practice of ‘Kung Fu of the Mind’ can be achieved by asking the following questions when confronted with a possible threat.

If you fight, will it be for honorable reasons or simply to protect my ego (often confused with honor). Is there anything of lasting value to gain through this fight. Would this be a hill that I would be proud to die on.

The answers to these questions should give you a clearer picture about whether the fight you are contemplating has any redeeming qualities.

PREPARING THE MIND

If in fact, fighting becomes necessary, it is important that you be mentally and emotionally prepared. No matter how good you are, in battle, there is always the chance of injury or death. No matter how good you are, there is always the chance that it will be your blood that is spilled.

The two best tools for mental preparation are meditation and full contact sparring. They both prepare the mind to manage stress. As well, they both give greater insight into your ability to withstand and tolerate hardship.

Full contact sparring has an inherent advantage in training. If you have experienced defending full contact kicks and punches hundreds or times, you will be more familiar with the nature of a real attack. It will not be something new to you if someone really attempts to actually hit you. As well, you will soon find that your body can withstand more punishment than you originally thought possible with little lasting effect. This will lead to greater confidence. As well, you will be less inclined to stop and inspect your wounds in the midst of combat. Often people are hit and injured while checking to see if they are injured. Contact sparring will give you the ability to maintain your focus.

Along with this familiarity of actual attacks comes reduced stress. With a greater knowledge of what is likely to occur, stress is reduced. Stress distorts perception. When stress is effectively managed you gain greater insight into what is actually going on at each moment.

Critics of full contact say that ‘technique goes out the window’ when people fight full contact. Although I don’t agree with that statement, consider this…each training method has a specific purpose. Forms teach position and movement. Chi Sao training teaches the ability to interpret intent through touch, and so on. It is not the purpose of contact sparring to teach form. Contact sparring teaches penetration and coordinated effort. Even more importantly, it trains the ability to maintain composure under stress. That is where the true value of contact sparring is found.

Meditation helps to calm the mind and to tune into the vast reservoir of internal energy that we all possess. It provides the tools to achieve personal detachment while maintaining emotional content. It provides an additional tool in stress management. Often, it gives devoted practitioners the ability to avoid those fights that lack merit by virtue of a greater self knowledge and maturity.

HYPNOSIS

For quite a few years, I have been using hypnosis as a tool to help my students relax and to manage stress. Hypnosis is a very powerful tool for establishing perceptual changes and facilitating growth. In many ways, it is more powerful than meditation. As well, it provides faster results. Hypnosis is a tool to access the powerful subconscious mind. This is the area of the mind where habits, emotion, and personality are housed (visit our web page for additional information about hypnosis).

In the final analysis, it is you strength of character, confidence, determination, will, and your ability to remain centered that will best protect you. Having a great right jab is an asset, no doubt, but without the heart and the emotional content, you will still be at a loss when trouble comes your way. There is great truth in the old saying, “It’s not the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog”.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Philip Holder

Courtesy of Grandmaster Holder (WingChunCenter.com)

by Robert Chu

Many have heard of the wing chun system of martial arts. Most articles deal with the techniques, the chi sao, the forms, the politics, and the variations, but I believe this may be the first article that deals with the wing chun mind. Master Hawkins Cheung, who has taught in Los Angeles since the late 1970s, outlines the concepts of wing chun in combat. An early student of grandmaster Yip Man, Cheung has practiced wing chun for over 30 years. Hawkins was also Bruce Lee’s training partner in the early 1950s and together they explored fighting concepts. Master Cheung stands 5-feet-5 and weighs 105 pounds. He is every inch a skilled fighter and excellent teacher.

Cheung explains the wing chun mind and the “how” and “why” of wing chun. He also explains where many wing chun men are incorrect Cheung states that the principles discussed here could be used by any system of martial arts to be applied in combat, regardless of the tools delivered. He considers stylistic differences, postures, techniques, forms and drills secondary to wing chun’s application in combat. Master Cheung’s advice here is reminiscent of Sun Tzu’s Art of War. He offers practical, straight forward advice on combat, very much like his style of fighting.

Wing  Chun System Combat

Wing chun is designed as a combat system. For this reason, the system emphasizes confidence, timing, intercepting, capturing the centerline, shocking the opponent, setting up for consecutive strikes, and trapping. But the most important weapon in the wing chun system is the mind. Cheung explains that the mind is the center, the “referee” that the system revolves upon. Cheung uses the term “referee” because it denotes a bystander, one who is emotionally detached. Cheung states that, “Having a calm mind will determine your success in combat” To Hawkins Cheung, the wing chun mind is the mental frame of mind you need to survive.

Wing  Chun System Confidence

Hawkins often uses an analogy of driving a car to convey his teachings. He asks, “Are you good driver?” A student nods affirmative. Are you a good driver in Europe? Are you a good driver with a manual transmission? Are you a good driver in New York?” The student looks confused, as Hawkins continues, “The difference between driving a car around the block versus driving a car on the freeway is confidence and experience. Confidence and experience go hand-in-hand. If you’re not confident, you will be a disaster in driving or fighting.” The students understand.

“Practicing with a partner develops confidence so that when you eventually face an opponent it will be like driving to the supermarket If you have fear, you will lose. Don’t fight it if you have too much to lose. If you must fight, you must destroy your opponent and not stop until he is defeated. You must have the fighting spirit and attend to the job on hand. Don’t have fear, let your fighting instinct guide you in destroying your opponent. This is the kind of confidence you need to face your opponent,” says Cheung.

“The basic drills pak sao (slapping hands), lop da (grabbing and striking) and dan chi sao (single sticking hands) give a beginning student a sense of facing an opponent. The first form, siu nim tao, advises the student to ‘not think too much,’ and gives the basic tools and how to utilize them, as in learning to drive a car, which you eventually do without having to think.” says Hawkins, “The wing chun system was designed to develop a person with no knowledge of martial art to eventually become a proficient fighter.”

“If you’re facing an opponent, you must have the confidence to walk straight in on his punch or kick! “exclaims Cheung. “There is no retreating step in wing chun; the idea is you have to ‘eat up’ your opponent’s space and step in. It’s not wing chun if you take a sidestep or retreat from an attack.”

Newton’s laws of physics states that only one body can occupy a space at a time. “You must rush in with absolute confidence. “Master Cheung states that knowing this is an important factor in mastering wing chun, “because if a practitioner can’t fulfill this requirement, he may as well study another style.”

Wing  Chun System Timing and intercepting – “Can you do it?”

Hawkins often states anyone can learn the entire wing chun system in a short time, but it difficult to master. He often asks his students, “You can learn so and so, but can you do it?” Being a close-range art, wing chun is based largely upon timing. “Hitting a person just as he is attacking requires perfect timing: The question is, “can you do it?” He notes many other martial arts styles are fast “The boxing jab is perhaps the fastest punch, and coming in on it is dangerous. By utilizing the proper timing, you can score a blow just as the jab is retracting or about to be launched.”

Timing is the prelude to intercepting or cutting off an attacking Says Cheung, “Fighting is based on shocking attack. To shock the opponent with a blow or through surprise will slow or stop his attack” Hawkins’ explanation is reminiscent of the German blitzkrieg (lightning) attacks of World Warn, and of the recent Persian Gulf War, where the Allied forces bombed Iraq through a surprise night attack.

Sifu Cheung continues, “You have basically two methods of capturing the centerline: the first is to have superior speed over the opponent, and the second is start entering just as the opponent attacks. The key determining factor is timing.”

Cheung states if there is no starting point, a wing chun man will not initiate his attack “if you move, I move; but I arrive first”‘ says Cheung. Sun Tzu’s Art of War states that you attack after, but arrive first.

“Having a fight is like arguing with someone. When you’re engaged in an argument, you and your adversary are emotionally charged and each side wants to speak his point of view. But in wing chun, the idea is to let my opponent speak first, and I will initiate my timing from his start.” Cheung continues, “From that point, I shock or scare my opponent and initiate my say-so.”

Like a gunslinger, Cheung states that a wing chun practitioner has to develop the fastest draw. “A wing chun player captures the centerline first, which means he has the opponent targeted. if I am pointing my gun at you, and you move, even slightly, I’ll shoot Other Systems want to shoot as soon as possible, but with wing chun, you want to be the one that draws first, then shoot if necessary.

“if you can strike your opponent at his moment of entry, the results can be devastating,” claims Cheung. “Impact is virtually doubled. The question is: Can you do it?”

Wing  Chun System Capturing the Centerline

Many martial artists understand the concept of the centerline, a principle emphasized in wing chun training. As master Cheung defines it, the centerline is the fastest line of entry between two opponents facing each other. The centerline concept is what differentiates the wing chun system from other systems of martial arts.

“In other styles, movement originates from outside toward the center. Other styles choose to use the curved line. Wing chun is different in that movement originates from the center outward. Wing Chun is designed to cut the motions from other systems, and timing is the means to occupy the center first”‘ says Cheung. “It’s not wing chun if the movement doesn’t originate from the center.

“One must capture and control the centerline to occupy a superior position. To occupy the centerline in an instant is the mark of expert skill, by controlling it you have immediately developed a sense of what the opponent can or cannot do,” says Cheung. “You have, in essence, presented a question or problem for the opponent to answer.”

“Many wing chun men ignore the skill of closing the gap and distance fighting,” says Cheung. Wing chun’s famous motto explains, “Stay as he comes, follow as he retreats; rush in upon loss of contact.” To “rush in” means to overwhelm the opponent with a blast An analogy of the pressure of a river behind a dam suddenly opening its gates should help you understand this feeling of ‘rushing in.” Master Cheung continues, “Seeing a whole body charge at you has a totally different mental reaction then a fist coming at you. A fist is small, but an entire body is big. This mental shock can be unbalancing to my opponent”

Wing  Chun System Shocking the Opponent

When you strike an opponent, you stun or shock him. The shock causes a sudden overwhelming stimuli which can overload the brain and delay reaction. This shocking action allows you to setup your opponent for further consecutive strikes. Whether you choose to strike, yell, curse, spit or slap your opponent, the result is the same if you are successful. Your shocking blow will delay the reaction time of your opponent, causing an opening. if you hit him again, it canes more shock; more shock will cause more delay; more delay in reaction will cause more strikes to land. As Cheung says, “My fists are like drumsticks beating on a drum.” But he cautions, ‘Don’t let the shock reverberate back to you, as you will delay your own timing. Only through correct muscle conditioning and relaxation will you break the vibration back to yourself”

One day Hawkins said to this writer, “Attack me, Robert, anyway you like.” I complied and prepared to attack. Just as I did, I suddenly felt stunned, and I had Hawkins’ fist in my face. He smiled. ‘”Did you feel the shook? Did your mind ‘blank out?”‘ I felt first-hand his skill on entering and setting me up. Hawkins did not rain punches on me, but had he, I doubt that my 6 feet, 185 pounds would be able to stop anything after shocking my system.

“To shock your opponent, you can use pak da (slapping strike), lop da or any other tool. You must catch your opponent with the correct tiling. When you shock your opponent, you cause him to blank out, and in that instance he loses himself and his surroundings, and there is an opportunity to destroy him!” says Cheung. “Anytime a martial artist, regardless of style, throws a punch or kick, he is blanking out because of the focus and emotional commitment” This blanking out gives you the time to strike your opponent.

The chi sao training is a famous feature of the wing chun system, but as master Cheung describes it, “Many wing chun practitioners overemphasize the drill. They find themselves unable to use the sticking hands in combat.” Cheung continues, “Sticking hands is for contact sensitivity. At long range and no contact with your opponent, you must have eye sensitivity. The problem with most wing chun practitioners is they have trapped themselves with only relying on contact sensitivity; you must have both. Both eyes sensitivity and contact sensitivity follow each other, where one leads off, the other follows to continue.”

“Chi Sao training is for you to get information on your opponent, but if you don’t have the contact and are at a distance, you must rely on your eyes. Master Cheung describes in detail that, “Eye sensitivity takes over when you don’t have the contact with your opponent; contact sensitivity takes over when you’re jammed up and or in close. If you don’t develop this, you win never he able to use wing chun.”

He cautions: “If a motion is too fast for the eye, it can be a trap, and if it is too fast for the hand, it may be a trap. In these circumstances, you must use your eyes to zoom in, or cut your opponent’s motion by rushing in and use your contact sensitivity.” Master Cheung’s advice is reminiscent of a Patriot missile sighting a Scud missile in mid-air.

“What is important to learn is to control your opponent’s bridges and set him up for the next shot. Good wing chun is like playing billiards, you must always look for the next shot. Make your opponent follow you, if you are fast, make him catch up to you. If he is faster, make him slow. If he is hard, defeat him with soft. If he is soft, defeat him with hardness. If you can master the wing chun principles of ‘stay as he comes, follow as he retreats; rush in upon loss of contact,’ you win realize the essence of wing chun.”

Lien Wan Kuen: Consecutive Strikes

After setting up the opponent with a shocking strike you must follow up with consecutive strikes. One of the most often drilled punches wing chun is called lien wan kuen. It is quick burst of straight line punches along the centerline that continues until an opponent is downed. Translated loosely in English, lien wan kuen means “chain punches” or “consecutive striking.”

“Lien wan kuen is a major application of the wing chun principle,” says Cheung, like an expert in billiards, each one of your shots scores and sets up for the next shot You do not give your opponent a chance to breathe. You strike and set up the opponent for more strikes until he is unconscious. You act like a butcher, cutting and hacking away at your opponent. Never stop until your opponent is down. That is the wing chun attitude.”

There is a certain amount of detached cruelty at work here. This aggressiveness has helped Hawkins survive many street encounters.

Wing  Chun System Trapping: Giving Frustration

Trapping is the heart of wing chun system. Sun Tzu wrote that all warfare is based upon deception, and to trap an opponent is to deceive him. Says Cheung, “When I trap your hand, your leg, or your body, your mind instantly freezes and considers the options. There is a psychological breakdown, and my opponent begins to lose his sense of confidence. When I don’t allow you the time to solve your immediate problem, I frustrate you, and therefore trap your emotions. You then have two opponents against you– me and yourself.

“If your opponent is fast, you be slow. If he is slow, you be fast. You must always keep in control of a fighting situation,” warns Cheung.

“If I can trick you, I am controlling your mid if I make believe there’s no pressure in my right hand, you may believe I’m not paying attention and want to attack there. But since I’m deceiving you, I want to draw your response so I can set up the next shot,” says Cheung.

An excellent example is the recent Persian Gulf War. Iraq’s strength was on the ground, but the Allied forces concentrated initially on air assault prior to any ground fighting. The tactic was to confuse the opponent and lead Iraq into concern of air assaults. Says Cheung, “You never allow your opponent to feel comfortable, that is the essence of trapping.”

Wing  Chun System Offense and Defense

“Offense is based on attack, defense is based on body structure”‘ says Cheung. Offense is only 50 percent of the art Many wing chun men only concentrate on the offensive portion because offense is the best defense.” He warns, “Mastering the defensive portion of the art requires that one develop a strong stance and correct body structure. Defense means that you have to depend upon being a half-beat slower and follow your opponent and respond from there.”

For the wing chun practitioner, defense relies upon the correct structure of the body. The wing chun body structure holds back the rushing in of an opponent, much like a dam holding back a river. Again, we come to wing chun’s motto of “Stay as he comes, follow as he retreats; rush in upon loss of contact” Your body must stay and be able to receive your opponent’s rushing in.

Cheung describes the body structure as eating up the opponent’s space and his pressure. This is the soft part of the art Cheung again refers to the importance of the mind. “When an opponent rushes in toward you, you must have the mental preparation to receive the attack. Your mind must be calm.”

A wing chun principle is that the striking hand is the blocking hand. Offense requires superior timing in one beat A defensive counter works on a one-and-a half or second beat Wing chun’s simultaneous defense and offense is in one beat According to Cheung, “The best wing chun players can combine both offense and defense simultaneously in one beat if offense and defense are separate, you’re not adhering to wing chun principles. Many wing chun men don’t realize the importance of timing which makes the concepts come alive. You have to make the opponent blank out if you don’t make the opponent blank out, you have lost the superior one-beat timing. A common reason is because you have jammed up your own timing because the shock has reverberated to you. If a wing chun practitioner can master superior timing, he can be free from the style. if you master timing, the style is secondary. You can use the opponent’s technique at that point You have to train to reach that point It takes years of hard work; you literally gamble with timing.” There is a wing chun saying of “glass head, bean-curd body, and iron bridges.” Master Cheung is a living example of this expression. “Being physically small, I can’t take a punch or a kick,” says Cheung. “Using timing and these methods of attack, I never had to draw my last card” The last card that sifu Cheung speaks of is defense. Like the ground war during Operation Desert Storm, the last card is the trump card.

“if I had a body like Mike Tyson’s, I could afford to wait and play the defensive role and wait for my opponent,” says Cheung.

Wing  Chun System Forever Springtime

The wing chun fist are is named after its founder, Yim Wing Chun, but to Hawkins Cheung, the words “wing chun” also mean “Forever Springtime”.

“If you look at wing chun this way, the art is always fresh and new.”

Sifu Cheung often explains that wing chun practiced in America has a different emphasis than in Hong Kong. “In Asia, we practiced wing chun to defend mainly against body blows, so you’ll have to emphasize crossing the bridge, gaun sao and other techniques,” he notes. “In America, you have boxers, wrestlers and other martial arts, each with their strengths, so you have to keep aware and adapt.”

Change and adaptation are essential to survival. That is why there are so many types of martial arts. He insists that like an immigrant, you have to change your ways to adapt to your new environment “A good wing chun player is a great pretender. He can adapt and change his tactics. You must change and adapt to circumstances to survive! That is the wing chun mind.

“Wing chun is a trap, too, because many practitioners get hung up thinking wing chun is the only way to fight. Many wing chun men are in the process of still developing the tools, so they can’t begin to conceptualize how to apply them properly in combat Changing to survive is universal, not just in wing chun,” says Cheung. “The frustrating part of wing chun is learning how to enter. This skill take years to develop.”

He concluded, “A master can only be a master today. You can’t tell what the future is, as the situation may change. You can only be a master up to the present An individual has to develop, continue with his own research and grow everyday.”

Wingchun is the name of a Kung Fu style passed on in southern China by a woman named Yim Wingchun. According to legend, Yim Wingchun learned this art from a Buddhist Nun Ng Mui, famous for her skill at fighting on top of the “plum blossom poles.”

Today it is difficult to verify the legends of Wingchun. Its origin has been attributed to Yim Wing Chun, Ng Mui and even to a committee of Shaolin monks looking for a quicker way to develop advanced Kung Fu skills in order to overthrow the Ch’ing government. It is generally believed that Wingchun is more than 200 years old.

Over time various branches of Wingchun have arisen. The best known today is referred to as the “Yip Man Style” or “Hong Kong Style” of Wing Chun. However, even under Yip Man, many differences have been introduced by his students. Yip Man himself changed his teachings during the course of his lifetime. Some students preferred his early teachings and stayed with these, while others have done their own research and thinking and prefer what they themselves have discovered. Thus today there are many styles of Wing Chun. Other non-Yip Man branches also exist with quite different lineages. Some of these other known branches are Yuen Kay Shan Wing Chun, Red Boat Wing Chun, Po Lai Fa(?) Wing Chun, Pan Nam Wing Chun several others in the Fatsan region of China, as well as some in other parts of China.

According to master Wang Kiu, an early first generation student of the late Grandmaster Yip Man, Wing Chun is called “Orthodox Shaolin” in Northern China and “Wing Chun” in the South because Yim Wing Chun introduced it there. “Orthodox Shaolin” means that Wingchun is basically the good movements from various Shaolin arts. Master Wang Kiu also believes that Preying Mantis and Hsing I are related arts of Wingchun, since many of their principles are quite similar.

Grandmaster Yip Man taught several groups of students and various private students. Recognized seniors from the first lot of students he taught are Leung Sheung, the first student, Lok Yiu, the second student, and Tsui Shan Tin, the third student. Leung Sheung, Lok Yiu and Tsui Shan Tin helped teach many others. Yip Man’s most famous students were Wong Shun Leung in Hong Kong and the legendary Bruce Lee, who moved to North America in 1959. Bruce Lee was influenced the most by two senior students of Yip Man whom he admired. One was Wong Shun Leung, and the other was William Cheung. Both still teach around the world. Wong Shun Leung was perhaps the most influential student of Wingchun because of the many challenge matches he engaged in against many popular Kung Fu styles.

When Yip Man died, there was no logical successor named to head up the art. Many of his students had made great achievements in the art so, for political reasons, a committee was formed to oversee its future development. Some people split and formed their own organizations. The Leung Ting Wing Tsun organization is probably the largest separate Kung Fu organization, while William Cheung’s traditional Wingchun organization is close behind. After much political rivalry between various Wing Chun students during the late 1960′s, 1970′s and 1980′s the Hong Kong Wing Chun committee and a few Sifu around the world are again trying to unite the Wingchun family.

About the Art of Wingchun

On the surface, Wing Chun is one of the simplest looking systems of Chinese Kung Fu. Three empty hand forms cover the complete essence of this art. Wing Chun also uses the long pole (some use a spear), and the popular Southern Chinese Butterfly Knives. Training consists of forms, sticking hands, the wooden dummy, sand bag training and finally freestyle sparring.

Behind the deceptively simple look to the Wingchun forms is a vast amount of knowledge. The first form is called the “Little Idea Form.” This form includes almost the entire theoretical basis for the art. Later forms enhance or add to the concepts of the first form. However, the first form contains the roots for all later techniques. The meaning of “Little Idea Form” is that it is like a seed which contains all the knowledge to make your Kung Fu good. When a seed is properly nourished it should grow into a healthy plant. Likewise when the first form is nourished by means of plenty of thought and hard work, your Kung Fu will be strong.

Why the Popularity of Wingchun?

According to master Wang Kiu, Wingchun is a jewel among the martial arts. There are other good martial arts but among these Wing Chun stands out. It is both simple, elegant, effective and enjoyable to practice.

Wing Chun’s appeal is due both to its simplicity and to its depth. The Chinese game of Go, chess, music and math enthusiasts are all aware of how a few well chosen concepts can produce a wealth of expression which can take a lifetime to explore. Such is the case in Wing Chun. Some dismiss it as too simplistic while others find enough depth for a lifetime of study.

Economy of action implemented through the centerline theory, is a key idea in Wing Chun. If it is simple and effective, then it is good Wing Chun. Flowery, showy actions are not part of Wingchun. However, the one-inch punch, blindfolded sticking hands, and the wooden dummy are impressive enough to influence many to join the art.

Wing Chun literature stresses that Wing Chun is a woman’s art. This idea emphasizes that brute strength should not be used. Correct positioning, feeling, timing and strategy are relied on instead. There are women today who are 5′ 2″ and weigh 105-115 pounds who can best stronger men 6′ 2″ tall weighing upwards of 200 pounds. This demonstrates that a difference in skill can make up for a difference in size. This was the original intention of the art.

Many innovative training ideas help make the Wing Chun practitioner effective in a relatively short period of time. These include wooden dummy training and Chi Sau or “sticking hands” training. Today many martial arts have incorporated some of these ideas within their own styles.

What is Wingchun Chi Sau?

Chi Sau is the trademark of Wing Chun, which literally means “sticking hands” or “clinging arms.” In a way this is a misnomer since Wing Chun practitioners don’t try to chase or stick to arms. Instead Chi Sau gives a heightened sense of awareness which makes contact reflexes better and sharper than those of people unfamiliar with such practice. Many arts opt instead for a sort of hit and run practice. The idea in Wing Chun is to maneuver into close range and handle whatever, once there, might come. Wing Chun nicely fills the gap between hit and run and grappling tactics.

Other arts try to incorporate a sort of Chi Sau into their training. However, from a Wing Chun point of view they often miss the purpose of the exercise. Just having two arms in contact with a partner, and to stick no matter where their arms go, is not a good idea. This loose kind of hand play does not lead to correct results. The purpose is rather to sense for centerline mistakes which are then met with short abrupt shocking counters.

Wingchun Training

Training in Wing Chun proceeds in a logical step by step way. The first form of Wing Chun gives all the fundamentals for the art. The second form teaches how to bridge the gap between you and your opponent. The Wooden dummy teaches how to proceed the instant contact is made. Sticking hands training teaches what to do if contact remains or comes apart.

People often ask, “Does Wingchun have this or that movement?” Wing Chun practitioners are not artificially restricted to only use certain movements. The achievement of an effective result is what matters most. Wing Chun uses punches, palms, pokes, chops, kicks, elbows, shoulder attacks, head butts, knees and hips. Sweeping, and other forms of off-balancing are also a part of the art. Short range non-telegraphed hits provide the arsenal of Wing Chun. Wing Chun is characterized by short explosive hand attacks, low kicks and simultaneous attack and defense.

What is not apparent from this description is the ease with which it is possible to apply control techniques rather than hurting and hitting techniques. Sticking, trapping, smothering, deflecting and evading are all products of Chi sau practice.

About the Different Branches of Wingchun

All branches of Wingchun have in general the same type of forms and the same tactical and strategic principles. Differences occur in the applications of these forms and principles, in the angles of the techniques and in the type of feeling and power used. Some schools believe a rough and tough approach at the start, and a refined softer approach later, is the way to go. Others disagree and prefer the soft approach right from the start. Kenneth Chung has written a good article for the Internet regarding this soft approach. In a way, “soft” is also a misnomer because Wingchun actions are not just powerless and limp. The Wing Chun touch can be soft or firm but is always sticky, sensitive and connected. Arm actions are minimal though short range power is quite substantial. All branches stress these latter ideas.

What is Wooden Dummy Training For?

The wooden dummy represents a person to train with. The design of the wooden dummy is such that nearly all Wing Chun techniques can be drilled on it. First and foremost, the dummy is a positioning tool. Because the wooden arms are at fixed angles to the dummy body, the practitioner’s movements become quite exacting and precise. All the ways of making contact with an opponent and the follow-up movements can be practiced. A formal set of wooden dummy techniques is taught by most Wing Chun schools. After this, a student is free to improvise. While wooden dummy techniques can be practiced with a partner, the usefulness of the dummy is for training when you have no partner. Chi Sau and sparring are also needed to develop sensitivity and timing.

The dummy is also used as a conditioning device to supplement the sand bag for training short range punches, palms, chops and kicks. The dummy’s advantage over the sandbag is that the deflecting movements of the system can also be practiced on it. Ideally, the dummy is constructed according to the dimensions of the user. A proper dummy reinforces correct stance, correct arm angle, correct stepping and correct power generation. Other martial arts cannot get maximum benefit from the Wingchun wooden dummy design without an understanding of these concepts.

by Philip Holder, Ph.D. Grandmaster: North American Wing Chun Association Copyright by Philip Holder

THE SOURCE OF FEAR

Fear is defined in Webster’s dictionary as, ‘an unpleasant, sometimes strong emotion caused by an anticipation or awareness of danger’ or ‘anxious concern’. That may be true but from my experience in my therapy practice I would modify that slightly. I think it more accurate to say that fear is an unpleasant, sometimes strong emotion caused by the anticipation of ‘loss’. It may be a loss of health (disease or damage to the body) or it may be loss of face (damage to the ego, pride, or image). It stands to reason then, that fear increases with an increased attachment to the physical world. It increases as well with a dependence on the approval of others. Fear is also more pervasive when there is a lack of faith that we have greater significance in the universe than what we own, or how others perceive us.

SIGNS OF FEAR

Fear is shown in many ways. Some show fear by withdrawing or by cowering (if you never take a chance there is no risk of loss). The most profound examples of fear are anger and hate.

Some people think that hate is the opposite of love. I disagree. Indifference is the opposite of love. Hate and love are often closely knit. Someone who can deeply affect your life can bring you loss therefore hate and love are often intertwined.

Anger is the primary sign of fear. Those who act out their insecurities as anger are the most fearful of all people. Often those who act “macho” or “bad” are perceived as brave. Look past the facade. Those who act with anger are deeply immersed in fear. When two kids get in a fight, it is fear that spurs them on. It may be fear of looking like a chicken to friends, or loosing their girlfriend (or boyfriend), or it may be fear of physical harm. It is rare that fights occur over reasonable issues. Fear is the catalyst that fuels anger.

THE EFFECTS OF FEAR

There are two areas to consider when contemplating the effects of fear on your life. The first is the physical short term effect and the second is in how fear effects your life in general.

Fear is more than a simply a mental state. If effects both the physiology of the body and the chemical balance of the brain as well. When people are afraid it generates stress. Extreme stress can manifest itself physically in a number of ways. In extreme cases it can cause tunnel vision, loss of color perception (color blindness), it can cause a distortion of both time and of depth perception.

Want a good example of this· Often when someone is involved in a serious auto accident they will describe these effects. They may say, ‘It was like everything was in slow motion’, or, ‘Everything was in black and white’. What they are describing is the effect of stress generated by fear. Fear (and the stress generated by it) will raise blood pressure. It will also deplete the immune system. Fear causes errors in judgment and prevents us from taking the most reasonable course of action.

The long-term effect of fear can be more devastating than the short term. We are all what we practice to be. If you practice baseball every day you will become a good baseball player. If you practice carpentry every day you will become a good carpenter. If you practice being happy every day, you will become happy. If you practice fear (anger) every day, you will become a fearful and angry person. People often train themselves to perpetuate these negative behaviors. There are times when this behavior has been practiced for so long that the person is unaware that they have a problem with fear and anger. It becomes their practiced behavior for dealing with any challenge.

CASTING OUT FEAR

To cast out fear one must first get past the ego. More fear has been created as a result of perceived or anticipated loss of face (ego) than was ever created out of anticipation of loss of physical well being. A great deal of this fear is a result of people as inability to prioritize. I always suggest that when someone feels himself or herself getting angry that they ask ‘is this situation really going to have any effect on the overall outcome of my life’. In most cases, the answer is no. Place you attention on what is truly valuable. Look at the bigger picture. In this life we own nothing and no one belongs to us. I don’t know who first said it but I truly believe in the old saying, ‘let go of everything and what remains is what is truly yours’. When you are angry, stop and ask yourself what you are afraid of. Only by being honest with yourself about what is causing anger can you take back control of your life from fear and anger.

When I see the mindless things that we adults often argue over, I wonder who the kids really are. Winning a meaningless and petty battle or point can cause you to lose the war. Remember never argue with an idiot. People watching can’t tell who is the idiot’. In an argument or confrontation people often lose sight of what the original disagreement was even about. Fear of loosing (or being outdone) takes total precedent over the importance or lack of importance of the original issue. People argue about whose religion is best, what martial arts style is best, who’s the toughest guy or the cutest woman. These arguments are all rooted in fear. Those who are condescending to others, or boastful, exhibit a state of perpetual fear. Someone who is truly centered, confident, and focused has no need for boasting or for petty squabbles. They are too busy doing things that are positive and constructive. The next time that you hear a person degrade or belittle another person, or criticize another martial arts style or instructor, or say destructive things about a colleague, know that it is the person doing the criticizing who is full of fear and insecurity. Anger is born out of fear. Fear is born out of a sense of inadequacy and/or the anticipation of loss. Fearful people are those who take themselves and the material things of the world far too seriously. Life is to be enjoyed by raising ourselves up to meet our personal potential. It has nothing to do with anyone else.

If you cultivate a sense of your spiritual worth, if you understand that there are greater things in this world than what we have or what others perceive us to be, then there is no reason to fear. When fear vanishes, so does anger. When anger is gone, your thoughts become clear. When your thoughts are clear, you function at your best.

Only lazy people attempt to make themselves look better by degrading others. You can practice being brave by being kind. You can practice courage by being tolerant of the beliefs of others. Accept that there is more than one way to accomplish any goal. What is the right way for one may not be the right way for others. Those who think that theirs is the only way, or that they know all of the answers have condemned themselves to ignorance. When you keep an open mind your potential for growth is unlimited. When you are free from fear, you can experience each moment to the fullest. This focused and centered state of mind will help you to excel in anything you undertake. Only by letting go of fear and casting out anger can one truly experience the joys of life.

Courtesy of Grandmaster Holder (WingChunCenter.com)

by Philip Holder, Ph.D. Grandmaster: North American Wing Chun Association Copyright by Philip Holder

FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD

In the course of development as martial artists, we will pass through many stages of growth. Our lives in general are very similar to our maturing in martial arts. We all go through many changes in our martial arts development between novice and instructor levels. Similarly, we all go through many changes from the time we are young children until we reach adulthood. Even after reaching physical maturity, it is hopeful that we will all aspire to higher levels of character and virtue throughout our lives. This is the higher goal in martial arts. It is significantly more important than the fighting.

GROWING UP

Some people actively pursue becoming better people. Others never learn from their mistakes and are therefore doomed to repeat them. Which group do you fall under? The martial arts need to be utilized as more than a means of fighting to realize their full benefit. They should be utilized to enhance the overall quality ones life. Let’s say that you have trained diligently for years. One day, you are attacked on the street. You fight like a champ, trashing your attackers. In those few critical seconds or minutes your training has saved your life. All of the years of training, sweat and practice would certainly have proven worth the effort in this situation, but is that all we train and study for. Isn’t it a waste of all the potential benefit of the martial arts if we can’t use this great knowledge to make our lives and the lives of those around us better in all respects.

STAGES

At one time or another every student is going to hear his or her instructor speak about the need for courage. What I rarely hear is an instructor defining courage for his or her students in an all-encompassing way. In order to have or display courage we first must define what it is. At different times in our lives, courage may take on totally different meaning for us. One thing for sure…it means more than merely standing up to the neighborhood bully.

Young children watch the ‘Power Rangers’ or ‘Batman’ and associate their actions with bravery and courage. At that young stage of maturity, if you are willing to run into a burning building to rescue a helpless alien, no doubt about it, you have courage.

As a teenager, you may perceive the toughest guy on the football squad to have courage, or the person who is not afraid to take on the badest dude in the school. You may be considered to have courage if you are always willing to take on a dare, skip school or badmouth your teacher. These are all juvenile and superficial interpretations of courage.

As an adult you may feel a sense of courage by going skydiving or by fighting in that full contact, no holds bared tournament. Again, this is a superficial type of courage. Don’t get me wrong. I think that skydiving (for those who don’t mind jumping from a perfectly good working aircraft), and fighting in contact tournaments is great. My students and I do a great deal of full contact fighting. Any constructive activity that you enjoy is a positive thing. The key to whether something represents courage or not, and whether it is a positive and constructive activity, lays in your motivation for doing so.

COVERING UP INSECURITIES

Acts of courage do not of themselves make a courageous person. Often times the person who has to be the toughest guy in town, or who is always the first to take on a dangerous dare, is in fact the most insecure. He or she constantly tries to prove to themselves and to others that he or she is not a coward. Often, the person who places a disproportionate value on winning that match or doing the most death defying dare has a core of insecurity. Their life is a constant battle in which they attempt to prove to themselves and others that they are not cowards.

BRAGGERS AND BLOWHARDS

Some people never learn. Even as adults (physically in any event), their primary concern is convincing others that they are the toughest or the smartest. Through convincing others, they hope to convince themselves. There are always that insecure few that insist that they have all of the answers and that everyone else is either incompetent or incorrect. You don’t have to look far to find this insecure behavior in the martial arts community. You would think and hope that martial arts would be the last place that you would find this behavior, but unfortunately, it is frequently found. Ultimately, however, people like this are usually viewed as troublemakers in the end. As well the ones that make claims about being the toughest guy in town, eventually come across someone who cleans their clock.

Those who constantly put others down do so out of an internal insecurity too. A person of true courage is too busy creating and building to take time out to be critical of others. A person of courage is content to be judged by his or her accomplishments. He or she does not attempt to condemn and judge others. An insecure, paranoid, and basically scared person will attempt to belittle others in an attempt to make themselves look bigger (If they are lower, I will look higher, mentality). They will always attack others in anticipation that they will soon be attacked. In actuality, this behavior will only serve to show such a person as the petty and paranoid individual they are.

In projecting the overall outcome of your life ask this…is who you can beat up, or who you can belittle going to help anyone, or uplift the quality of your own life? I don’t think so. Negativity breads negativity. Positive acts result in growth.

WHAT IS COURAGE

In youth, we tend to equate courage with daring and/or with violence and aggression. Some people grow up and pass through that stage. Others do not. They remain juvenile delinquents throughout their lives. They are consumed by the need to prove that they have worth through besting others. This is because they simply don’t feel, inside, that they have any value.

None of us are perfect. All of us have things in our past that we are proud of and things that we are not so proud of. I certainly have things in my past that I would have handled differently given the opportunity to do them over… Don’t you? The truth is that we cannot go back in time and do them over. But we can start each day by trying to be the best person that we can, in all that we do. We can each be a glowing example of, and demonstrate the honor and integrity often talked about but sometimes not evident in martial arts. I’m not talking about besting others. I’m talking about using each problem we encounter in our daily lives as a challenge to do better. I’m talking about using each challenge as an opportunity to develop our personal level of character and integrity. This is where true courage is shown.

Our goal should not be to convince others about how great we have been or how great we are now. We all have things of which we are proud. All of us, at times in our lives, have fallen far short of perfection. Being perfect is something none of us will achieve. Our goal should be to aspire towards perfection of character. The martial arts can be a great tool for this if not tainted by ego, selfish goals or self righteous pride.

True courage surfaces when you abandon the easy road and brave the more difficult path, when you know it is the honorable way to go. It surfaces when you are more interested in helping others than in having them think that you are a big-shot. It shows when you are able to do the right thing, even if your peers think you are a coward for it, or when there may be a cost to you for doing the right thing. It is easy to do the right thing when there is no risk. What separates the men from the boys (and ladies from the girls) is when you do the right thing despite the risk.

It takes much more courage to brave the ridicule of your friends and acquaintances than it does to fight the local bully. It is far better to look like a mouse to others and feel like a full grown lion inside, than to look like a lion to others and feel like a little mouse inside. Our pride is often more fragile than our flesh. It takes greater courage and character to help others along than it does to point out what another person is doing wrong. It takes greater courage to accept your faults and try to do better next time than it does to deny your shortcomings and blame someone else for your problems.

A person of true courage doesn’t where it like a neon sign. It is seen in his or her compassion and understanding. It is seen in a willingness to help others. It is evident in a persons ability to make decisions that show character rather than those that are easy or expedient. Courage resides subtly in those that aspire to higher levels of consciousness and understanding rather than in those with a quest for glory.

Gaining courage is not something that happens in a day, a week, or a year. It is an ongoing process throughout our lives. It is found not by looking for it, but instead through a constant effort to learn from the philosophy(s) of our martial arts, by a willingness to admit our mistakes and shortcomings, and by using adversity as a way to “exercise” our character. It is no different than how we use diet and exercise to enrich our bodies. The ability to show kindness, a willingness to be tolerant of those who disagree with you, and the ability to ignore those who try to insult you and distract you from your goals, takes far more courage than punching someone in the mouth.

GENTLE CONFIDENCE

Most of us, during our lifetime, have placed our values in areas that are less than what we should expect from ourselves. I am not pointing a finger at anyone. I am no different than you. There were times when being a great fighter was more important than being a helpful teacher. When being right was more important than facilitating growth. It is human to error. It is a shame not to learn from our errors.

You can use the great power of our martial arts philosophy(s) to grow and develop through these many stages of consciousness if you chose to do so. It is all a matter of having the “courage” to take the right path. You can aspire to higher levels of awareness. You will then be abler to say, “I am happier with myself today and for tomorrow than I was yesterday”.

Even if you are the best fighter in the galaxy, you will be forgotten when the day comes that you are defeated, or someone else replaces you. If you are viewed as a contributor, builder, and as a good person you will always have the support of others. This support contains far greater power than your fists. A person of true courage chooses his battles wisely and for the right reasons. It is never from ego, anger, fear, or pride. To gain anything, something positive must result from your actions. Hurting, or belittling others for anything other than your safety or the safety of another is not courage, it is cowardice and insecurity. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. Notice, he did not say beat them with a big stick. Powerful martial arts skills are your big stick. Having the powers acquired through martial arts training is only a small part of the battle though. Using those powers responsibly takes far greater courage.

Aspire to be a representative of the martial arts that will bring honor to the arts . Petty fighting, one-ups-men-ship, or trying to support your art by belittling the arts of others shows cowardice and insecurity, regardless of your fighting prowess. When you are tempted to say “Our art has “X” and theirs doesn’t”, or “our art is better than theirs because etc., etc.”, stop and think about your statement before your mouth makes you look foolish. Remember the old saying “It is better to be quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”. Why not just say… “Our art has ‘X’. Let me show you how that might benefit you.”, or “There are many good arts. I feel that the one I study is best for me. Maybe this approach will work for you too.”

In doing this, you show character, security, intelligence and courage. You will bring honor the your art and the martial arts in general. You will show that you have overcome insecurities and fears. You will show that you are a person of both character and courage.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Philip Holder

Courtesy of Grandmaster Holder (WingChunCenter.com)

by Philip Holder, Ph.D. Grandmaster: North American Wing Chun Association Copyright by Philip Holder

GREAT DEEDS

The past is gone and unchangeable. The future has yet to be revealed. The present is a means of developing our future. Great things are rarely accomplished in one explosive moment in our lives. Each deed that we do, whether positive or negative, constructive or destructive will, in the final analysis, represent who we are. Each small deed we do is a link in the chain of our existence on this plain. If our deeds are positive and generous, we will exist in a positive light. If the deeds we do are negative, we will exist as petty creatures. This is an evolutionary process and not something that happens by design or in an instant. By attempting to be great, a person will become infamous rather than famous. If you seek to do positive things and have a generous heart, you will be viewed as being a great person. This is due primarily to the motivation that drives these two very different types of minds. Adolph Hitler sought to be great. Although powerful for a short time on the cosmic clock, he is viewed as infamous. Dr. Salk sought to help humanity. He gave away his polio vaccine as a way of contributing to the benefit of others…Dr. Salk is viewed as a great man. These lives are both products of the chain of deeds that each man created during his lifetime.

LEVELS OF HUMANITY

In the philosophy of the Kung Fu system that I teach, we believe that there are three levels of human consciousness and behavior. These levels are the spontaneous, the calculated, and the imposed. They each have unique characteristics.

Spontaneous – Represents the highest form of consciousness because it dwells in the here and now. This mind can respond to life as it unfolds. It asks for nothing, harbors no ill for events of the past, and does not record or expect the repayment of debt. Because it expects nothing from others it is not disappointed. It does not seek to posses and is therefore never owned. From this non-possessiveness comes freedom, love and demonstrates a receptive nature.

Calculated – Represents the second level of consciousness. It is lower that the first because it requires manipulation. This mind attempts to steer events relative to it’s perception of right and wrong. It is focused on achieving the end that it thinks should happen. This results in a constant contention between what would be, and what this mind thinks should be. This mind’s creative energy is confined by it’s need to direct others.

Imposed – Represents the third and lowest level of consciousness because it requires force. It insists that all proceed in accordance with it’s plan. This methodology is both calculated and manipulative. As well, it addresses any opposition with punishment. This is rarely successful in the short term and never successful in the long term. A person of this mind becomes both jailer and prisoner. This mind is too focused on the control of events and people to experience life’s wonders in the slightest way. It is a task oriented mentality that sheds no light on what is really occurring.

FREEDOM

From where does freedom come? It comes, ironically, from adherence to the natural order. Manipulation and imposed force are a direct contradiction to this principle. Freedom comes from being one with the energy of the universe. It comes from being part of the process of living. This can only be achieved by first knowing ourselves. People will spend 2, 4, 6, 8 or more years in college learning a subject but often spend little or no time getting to know who they are or what, they themselves, truly think and feel. Some can go through their entire life and never have an original thought. A whole life can be spent vicariously living only second hand thoughts and experiencing little. It is said that, knowing others is wisdom and knowing ourselves is enlightenment. It is also said in the philosophy that I follow that, mastering others requires force and that mastering ourselves requires strength.

THE PATH

True strength results in a giving and compassionate spirit. The need to exhibit force is a sure sign of insecurity. When we have truly overcome our own demons, we feel no need to control, condemn or punish others. If others attempt to oppress you, you can chose not to take part. You can chose to lead your life outside of the control of another. In Wing Chun we say…”If I do not resist you can not push”. We all have the ability to chose our own path. No one can take that empowerment away from us. We only give it up by choice. Don’t strive for greatness. Live a chain of positive deeds and you will find peace. If greatness comes from this, it is deserved.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Philip Holder

Courtesy of Grandmaster Holder (WingChunCenter.com)

by Sifu Wong Shun Leung

It is this aspect of Wing Tsun training that makes it especially well suited for women who need to learn to fight back. Women are often more intuitive than men in their approach to problem solving. In the end, Wing Tsun is nothing more than a “new” way of problem solving. You learn to solve the problem of (usually male) violence. Developing the confidence, and the natural fighting spirit that goes along with that greater confidence is a natural part of Wing  Tsun training. Wing Tsun builds upon the student’s existing strengths to produce a more well-rounded, secure, and aware person. Everything depends on how much you put into your training. But Wing Tsun can literally set you free! (from fear of violence, from your own bad mental and physical habits, and from restrictive, counter-productive beliefs and attitudes)

The following article is a personal account of what Wing Chun master, sifu Wong Shun Leung feels are the main lessons he has learned about combat through his experiences of “beimo” or skill comparison, a somewhat subtle way of naming the many full-on fights he had with practitioners of literally dozens of Chinese and other fighting systems during his forty plus years as a Wing Chun devotee. The “beimo” is a long established tradition in the Chinese martial arts and in the Hong Kong of the 1950′s and 1960′s, one name shone out like a beacon when “beimo” was the topic of discussion. That name was Wong Shun Leung, student of Wing Chun patriarch Yip Man, classmate and trainer of Bruce Lee, and the man who became known in martial art circles as “Gong Sau Wong”, the “King of Talking with the Hands”. During these celebrated “contests”, which took place on rooftops, in back alleys, behind closed doors, in the countryside and anywhere else that was found to be convenient, sifu Wong is said to have never lost a fight, and most witnesses claim that the majority of exchanges took no more than three techniques to determine his victory. Quite a few of these “contests” were arranged by a journalist who was keen to conduct these “tests of skill” so as to obtain exclusive articles for his newspaper, “The Star”. Unlike the tournaments of today, these were real fights where rules and protective clothing were unknown, where serious injuries could and, occasionally, did take place, and where there was absolutely no room for “martial magic”. The “beimo” sorted out the martial artists from the bullshit artists.

From these experiences, and with much discussion with his teacher, grandmaster Yip Man, Sifu Wong developed his skills to what can only be described as an incredible level, and in doing so, brought the Wing Chun system to the attention of the Hong Kong martial arts community. He is even credited with modernizing the way in which the system is taught, even to the point of convincing Yip Man himself to rethink some concepts or techniques and actually change them or delete them from the Wing Chun forms and drills. To put it simply, Wong Shun Leung helped revolutionize what was already a highly effective fighting form and raised it to an even higher level of efficiency. He has influenced many people over the years, the late Bruce Lee being an obvious example (his art of Jeet Kune Do utilizing many of the concepts Wong put forward during the time that the two were training together and then later corresponding), and he continues to “spread the word” about his very practical approach to developing combat proficiency. This article has been translated from the original Chinese by his Australian student, David Peterson, a speaker of both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects, and a teacher of the “Wong Shun Leung Way” at the ‘Melbourne Chinese Martial Arts Club’ which he founded in 1983 following his “discovery” of sifu Wong’s method after more than 10 years of less efficient Wing Chun training.

The kind of fighting that I am referring to in this article is not that which one might see in the boxing ring because this kind of fight has been restricted by all kinds of rules and regulations, turning it into a game or sport which is far removed from real combat. What I am referring to here is the “real fight”, free of rules and restrictions whether it be as the result of a conflict, or by mutual agreement. Because fighting is relative, the opponents’ build and strength can and will directly affect the result of the conflict, therefore it is difficult to assume to know the outcome. The classic Chinese ‘Art of War’ by Sun Zi states, “In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured”. Each of these approaches can affect its counterpart in terms of cause and effect. Indeed, when it comes to the business of fighting, I fear that in an article of this size there is still much that cannot be adequately dealt with. But now I would like to discuss the most common mistakes made by Wing Chun practitioners in order that we can learn to avoid them.

1. CHI SAU

The Chi Sau (“sticky hands”) exercise is a reflex training drill that must be practiced repeatedly in order to develop skillful, quick and alert responses so as to satisfy the basic, essential requirements of the Wing Chun system, ie. “Intercept what comes; pursue what departs; when the hands are freed of obstructions, attack instinctively”. These are basic but profound principles which, when properly understood and drilled through Chi Sau, prepare the Wing Chun practitioner both mentally as well as physically for what should take place when one engages with the enemy and so, one gets into the contact condition from the very start. If detailed explanations are not given to the novice student, he or she will tend to over indulge the skill of Chi Sau, inventing their own interpretations until they end up following a totally incorrect form of Chi Sau which leads them straying from the intended path. For example, too much emphasis on the idea of “sticking to the hands” will cause such bad habits as “chasing the hands” of the opponent and thus totally contradict one of Wing Chun’s most basic fighting principles.

At the beginning of the “Young Idea” (Siu Nim Tau) form, one is taught the concept of “Chiu Ying”, or facing the opponent square-on, to facilitate favorable positioning even before the fight has commenced, allowing punches to be thrown along the shortest possible line with the most direct attack being able to be made on the opponent prior to contact being made with each other. Never is one asked in the basic form to consider doing “sticky hands” with the enemy as the range of motion possible by the hands is so wide that if one goes about “chasing the hands” the result is like a children’s game; you go left because he makes a sudden turn left, then you go right as he does, and so on. The result is that you always allow your enemy to dictate your actions, ending up in a passive position and unable to attack your intended target. By chasing the hands of the opponent in this way, like the man who puts the cart in front of the horse, you will end up at the mercy of the opponent. So, when fighting, one should fix one’s eyes firmly on the target with only one idea in mind, that of attacking the enemy most simply and directly. It is only if your attack meets with an obstruction that you have to change to attain your goal and this is where “sticky hands” comes into play, as a means to an end, that end being the winning of the fight.

2. GIVING THE ENEMY THE OPPORTUNITY TO STRIKE FIRST

To win or lose a fight often depends on who watches for his chance to attack the enemy first when both sides are fighting. As Sun Zi said, “When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, it is best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack”. You will reap twice the result with half the effort if the attack is launched with such favorable timing as the opponent’s intention, developments and movements can all be readily determined. Should this strategy be applied, the opponent will find it especially difficult to co-ordinate his body, making advance or retreat virtually impossible and the loss of the fight by him inevitable. A common error made by inexperienced Wing Chun practitioners is to throw their punches from too far away, leaving a lot of distance between their opponent and themselves. Such a clumsy and rash move gives the enemy the opportunity to attack first.

Therefore, when engaged in combat with an opponent, never be impatient. Do not launch an attack until there’s a distance of one step between you and your enemy, then launch a sudden attack so as to force the enemy to be caught totally unprepared. Launching a sudden attack in this way, one gains the advantage of an extra step towards the enemy, making it extremely difficult for him to react in time, the result normally being a feeble attempt to move half a step to the right or left, or else retreat straight backwards. This makes it very easy to remain in contact with the enemy, maintaining control of the situation by affecting the enemy’s balance and positioning. You therefore avoid giving him the chance to attack first and take away his opportunity to manage the situation.

3. GIVE UP EXCESSIVE IDEALS

Having excessive ideals with regard to fighting will cause one to be far too nervous. Wing Chun theory is flawless indeed if one can accomplish it absolutely, but a theory is only just a theory, never can a person reach such a state of perfection, human beings are all apt to make mistakes at some time or another. In normal combat situations, most opponents are of more or less equal size and strength. Everyone has two hands and two feet, strengths and weaknesses, and so on. Each is subject to the same conditions and so each has to fight hard. The most determining factor overall is the level of skill each fighter possesses.

If the possibility of your winning is 70%, there is still a 30% possibility of being attacked. If we look at World Championship boxing contests, even the winner of the match has to take many blows from his opponent in order to finalize the competition. Nowadays, however, many Wing Chun coaches make exaggerated boasts and purposely turn simple things into mysteries, misleading their students with “fairy tales”. They deceive others and themselves. This is the height of shame. It would be a far better idea to prepare the student both mentally and physically before fighting, informing them of the realities of fighting, especially that it is expected that one may have to in fact take one or more blows upon one’s own body in the course of the fight. Thus, when engaged in fighting, you will not be full of misgivings and be at a loss as to what to do.

4. AVOID HESITATION AT ALL COSTS

In order to fight, both parties must be within the distance whereby they can attack each other. Both have equal opportunity to attack, yet there is no time to think of the fight in terms of punches and kicks. The skills and experiences brought about by routine training will be brought into full play at this time. The question of victory or defeat is more or less an open one, to be determined by what one has within. No matter what happens, one must never hesitate once the engagement has begun. To do so will bring about many unnecessary troubles. The high kicks that one often sees in the movies that are performed continuously with consummate ease are, in reality, without foundation. If applied in a real fight, it is difficult, if not impossible, to land a second such kick should the first one be successful.

Whether the enemy falls down or not, he will be out of position for any follow up kicking technique to be effective. Perhaps, if the enemy is hit by a side kick and retreats backwards in a straight line, you may have the opportunity to kick continuously, but the Laws of Physics make such a situation highly unlikely. If the enemy is fearful of the fight, he will draw back quickly and your second kick will surely fail since your first kick would have also failed to find its mark, the timing rhythm being all wrong, just as in dance and music. Only those who hesitate will be punched. One must retreat or advance as the situation dictates, or else the chance to control the situation will disappear in the twinkle of an eye.

The above points will not teach you how to win, but will enable you to decrease your mistakes as much as possible. In fact, if you want to win, it will depend on whether or not you practice hard and persistently, your will to win the fight, perseverance, the development of physical power, confidence, and so on. As for the supreme state of “calm heart and refined breathing” (ie. the ability to fight calmly and with total control of mind & body), attaining that will be on the basis of all the above conditions.

by Ah Loong

All martial arts systems have sets of movements, (Katas, Forms, etc.,) as well as various drills, to develop physical strength, various techniques, ease of movement/agility and to develop the mind.

According to the cultural, historical and philosophical background of the individual martial arts styles different aspects of the art are emphasized. The movements/ techniques in some systems are more circular, others choose a straight line principle and some fall somewhere in the middle. In some systems development of a strong striking force is emphasized and some choose to concentrate in trapping and grappling techniques. Some systems endeavor to keep the opponent at a distance and others prefer a much closer proximity. And so the list goes on! Any approach has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. Thus, unless one can develop extra arms and legs, one cannot claim to have developed “the prefect martial arts system”.

Martial arts systems also emphasize, to various degrees, the need to develop the mental aspects of the art. The techniques range from carrying out the forms using an imaginary foe to maintaining an attitude of battle readiness (intent) whilst practicing with your sparing partner, to sparing full contact, to sitting meditation, Qi Gong, etc.

One can write forever about the various aspects of the art. However, I am going to restrict the rest of this article to the mental aspects of martial arts.

Personally, I have benefited greatly from practicing Qi Gong and sitting meditation. I found them extremely useful in developing internal strength, a strong stable stance, and calmness of mind. However, maintaining an attitude of battle readiness, using an imaginary opponent or imagining your sparing session is for real, although they help to develop your mind, they do not go far enough to prepare you for a real combat situation.

Normally, in my experience, what happens is that a martial arts student either never experiences real combat or he/she is eventually considered advanced enough to enter full contact sparing. Most full contact sparing sessions are supervised and have rules. However, more often than not, what happens to someone facing a full contact fight is that they become very concerned with hitting their opponent, everything they have learnt flies out of the window and the whole thing becomes a mess. If you fight full contact long enough you may eventually begin to get used to it and finally learn to stop panicking. On the streets there are no rules, no one stops to see if you are hurt and if you do get hurt the fight still carries on. It is entirely different when someone tries to hit you for real, they do not wait for you to do your counter, do not behave in a prearranged predictable manner and do not follow any rules. In western boxing sparing full contact is the only way used to train fighters. It is also common practice in most other martial art systems. Whereas some people are naturally able to face adverse situations such as this and some others may eventually normalize to real combat through such exercises, there are still students who may be demoralized at the prospects of “loosing it all” in a full contact fight. The feeling of being faced with someone coming at you is not pleasant to say the least. I know of many martial arts practitioners who were either so demoralized that they gave up martial arts or decided to ignore the facts and concern themselves with doing the forms/katas, etc.

However, it need not be like that! The techniques and exercises which already exit can be utilized and further adapted to overcome this difficulty in a much more efficient way. In Chen Tai Ji the forms are performed with the emphasis put upon an awareness of the posture as well as the Qi flow. In Wing Chun when the forms are performed more advanced students are expected to develop an awareness of the whole body. Sometimes, in Wing Chun boxing, the forms are performed slow as if they are Qi Gung forms in order to develop this awareness as well as to develop the Qi flow. Sparing or performing the forms with intent and conviction is important and so are all the other methods described above. One must not lose sight of the reasons and intentions behind all these training methods. They were created in order to develop the mind and prepare it for battle. Without a calm clear mind, no matter how good your techniques, you will have little chance of success in a real combat situation.

You may have a good stance, a powerful punch, the aggression but not the ability to keep a cool head and keep calm. Without that calmness of mind (the spirit) you will be in big trouble. When the mind is not calm the Qi moves up, the mind clutters up, your stance will weaken. It is not easy to floor a moving, thinking target that hits you back even if you have solid punch. Your mind needs to stay sharp and clear in order to outmaneuver your opponent.

What happens in most combat situations is that your mind becomes fixated on your opponent. You watch his moves and try to guess what he is going to do, etc. In short you lose the awareness of your own body and psyche. You also give up the initiative to your opponent by waiting for him to do something so you can react to it. You must learn to respond and not react, to be aware of your own Qi, body, posture, etc. The main point of Chi Sao in Wing Chun is about developing that kind of awareness and sensitivity, not developing hands sensitive to touch as some practitioners seem to think.

Try this out! Find a partner and ask him to spar with you. Ask him to try to actually strike you and you just defend yourself by blocking the attacks. Concentrate on him and his moves; react to his attacks and movements. I can confidently say you will not feel very comfortable. You will find yourself constantly on the defensive, psychologically as well as physically, and eventually you will be hit quite a bit.

Now do the same thing again, but this time, before you start, take some time to relax your mind, then start to raise your awareness of your own movements, body posture, Qi and psyche. Maintain this state of mind whilst your sparing partner attacks you. Provided you can maintain this state of mind I am positive you will find yourself responding to the attacks with confidence. Your Qi will remain low, your stance strong and psychologically you will have the upper hand. You will also find yourself parrying most, if not all, the attacks as well as putting your sparing partner on the defensive.

You can only feel, sense and experience your environment through your own senses. By concentrating on your opponent your mind becomes disconnected and you are no longer “centred”. As I mentioned earlier, all that I have said already exists in all martial art systems. All it takes is to look for them through eyes and minds not clouded by the limitations we put upon them.

There is also an exercise you can do to help you develop this awareness. Find a quite place and sit yourself down comfortably. Close your eyes and begin by feeling your left toes. Become aware of them and all the feelings in them. Extend your awareness to your left foot, (toes, ankle) then your left calf muscles up to your thigh and hip till you are aware of the feelings in the whole of your left leg. Then extend your awareness to your back, belly, chest, up the back of your neck and throat, back of your head to the crown of your head and down your face, and ears. Then you extend your awareness to your left shoulder, down your left arm to your wrist, palm and fingers.

Go on to extend your awareness further to your right shoulder, down your right arm, wrist, palm and fingers. Continue to extend your awareness to your right thigh, calf muscles, ankle and toes. You should now be aware of your whole body. This does not mean concentrating on a particular point, all you need to be is to be aware of the feelings and sensations in your body. Now extend your awareness to the sounds reaching you from your surroundings. No matter how faint, just become aware of them, but do not attempt to listen to them. After having done that, slowly open your eyes and, in the same way, become aware of what is in your visual field. You can then look around whilst maintaining this state. Practice this for ten minutes at first and then extend the duration to thirty minutes.

This exercise will help you develop a feeling of awareness that you need to have in combat. Then you can try to access and maintain this state in your sparing sessions and when performing your forms. Although most people do report to feel relaxed after this exercise, this is not a relaxation drill. Neither it is self hypnosis. The process in hypnosis relies entirely on different mechanisms.

As I mentioned again and again, this is nothing new. Sitting meditation and the way forms are performed in Tai Ji follow the same rationale. I can go into long winded details as to how and why this is important and how it works. The theoretical discussions to do with such exercises are perhaps more suitable for a separate article. Besides, “If it works, don’t fix it!” Just try this method and note the difference. With practice I am sure everyone would be able to enhance their martial arts performance.

You can visit Ah Loong at the Fatshan Wing Chun Association, Great Britain

by Philip Holder, Ph.D. Grandmaster: North American Wing Chun Association Copyright by Philip Holder

Chi Sao is designed to train contact sensitivity and reflex. It is designed to give you the ability to get in tune with your opponent thereby gaining the ability to determine what he or she intends to do at the instant that he or she knows. This skill takes a great deal of sensitivity.

What is sensitivity ? Isn’t sensitivity the ability to become part of the journey with another… To become part of the process, to be able to empathize with and make contact with the nature of the other person. If you are part of the process (as opposed to separating yourself from the other person and the process) you are able to understand the direction and focus of the other persons energy without being confrontational. What a wonderful advantage in knowing your opponent. What a wonderful advantage in life.

I often tell my students that the best Wing Chun Kung Fu is when you are able to achieve without fighting. The best weapon is your mind. Often times we become angry because we don’t understand what others are feeling. Often times a more positive result comes from tuning in to the other persons motivations and energy. By becoming a conduit for the other persons energy, you can better get in touch with that person. Having a better knowledge of that persons motivation, you are better equipped to solve the problem in a constructive way.

Remember, although there is a time to fight, most fights can be avoided. No one wins in a fight. One person simply looses more than the other. Be in charge of your life. Don’t let others push your buttons. By getting “in tune” you can better know the motivations and intent of the other person and be better equipped to deal with the situation. The ultimate sensitivity exercises are understanding and communication.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Philip Holder

Courtesy of Grandmaster Holder (WingChunCenter.com)