About Wingchun
By Ray Van Raamsdonk
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.
The Three Levels of Consciousness and Humanity
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)
Wing Chun Fight Quest
WING CHUN
Location: Hong Kong & Kowloon, China
Masters: Grandmaster Leung Ting, Sifu Kong Chi Keung
Features: Rapid fire punches & kicks.
Must say I was very disappointed by the fight scenes. Wing Chun is not all about chain punching and the WC practitioners simply let emotion take over their skill. Oh Well!
Fight Quest was a television show on the Discovery Channel that had a preview episode air on December 28, 2007 and began airing weekly on January 4, 2008. The show follows Jimmy Smith and Doug Anderson as they travel around the world learning different styles of martial arts, spending five days training with notable masters of the styles they are studying, before exhibiting what they have learned in a final demonstration and/or fight. According to quotes by the hosts, the show was cancelled after the first season. At the end of February a updated DVD box set was released that included the final three episodes not in the original release.