The Fight in the Dog

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)

The Wing Chun Mind: Learn to Think Like a  True Fighter

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.”

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.

Chi Sao the Ultimate Sensitivity Training Exercise

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)