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Practice
A
Wing Chun class typically begins with each student doing empty hand forms.
Such practice of forms in Wing Chun serves to build the fundamental movements,
to integrate the mind and body in these movements and to understand their
function. Kung Fu martial arts typically have numerous forms based on
the movements of animals such as the crane, monkey, and praying mantis.
Wing Chun is distinctive because it only has three empty hand forms; they
are not thought of in terms of the movements of animals but in terms of
the movements of a human being. They are practiced slowly at first, without
any strengh, so that the movements can be internalized using the mind
awareness, without using muscle power They later become very substantial.
Forms
Forms practice in Kung Fu serves to bring all the movements together.
It is an ideal way for the student to practice individually. Kung Fu arts
typically have numerous forms based on the movements of animals such as
the crane, monkey, and praying mantis. Wing Chun is distinctive because
it only has three forms. Logically, they are learned in succeeding order.
- Siu Lum Tao: The first
and perhaps most important form. It takes 20 minutes to complete and
involves doing basic hand positions (such as, tan sau, fook sau, and
wu sau) slowly. It teaches the major defensive positions, how to form
a good base, hand fundamentals, and how to extend energy from the body.
Most importantly, this is the form where students develop the ability
to use the mind as the force behind movement (lim lik).
Siu
Lam Tao (6.1 MB)
- Chum Kiu: This form means
"searching for the bridge." Its aim is to join the opponent's
boundary at a proper fighting distance, as well as the coordination
of body movements with basic hand movements from Siu Lim Tao.
- Biu Jee: This is the "fighting form" used to develop a student's ability to deliver energy where and when needed through the lim lik (mind power) and the basic structures and hand movements of siu lim tao, and through the body integration and movement of chum kui. Though it translates as "shooting" or "darting fingers," it has nothing to do with "poking" or "striking" with the fingertips, but as with a whip one develops the ability to send a pulse of energy down the arm from the elbow as needed. The Biu Jee form also emphasizes rotating the body to deliver energy with speed and power.
After
forms, students will then pair off for grabbing (lop sau) and sticking
(single or double) hand drills.
Sticking
Hands (Chi Sau)
Wing Chun is perhaps most famous for its sticking hands training method.
It is a flowing energy exercise practiced between two students. The students
make continuous contact with their arms: in single sticking hands (don
chi sau) with one arm and double sticking hands (seung chi sau) with both.
They seek to roll their hands with feeling and awareness, searching for
openings or gaps in energy. This exercise helps students develop sensitivity
to their partner's actions, the ability to use both of their hands, integrate
the upper and lower body, and to be "rooted" in their stance.
Sticking hands is very subtle and must be learned under the guidance of
an expert and through constant practice. Therefore, these descriptions
are only meant to acquaint you with the practice.
Hand
Drills (3 Mb)
Equipment
More advanced students may also choose to use special training equipment,
such as the wooden dummy and square wall bag.
Wooden Dummy (Mook Jung)
Wooden
Dummy (Mook Jung)
The
wooden dummy is unique to the art of Wing Chun. It is modeled after the
human body and is approximately five feet tall and measures three quarters
of a foot in diameter. There are two short "arms" below neck
level and another in the center, along with a "leg" that extends
out and downward. Although not meant to replace a real, human sparring
partner, the dummy can be useful for practicing the following at full
force without causing injury to another person: The wooden dummy also
provides an excellent training method when one does not have a partner:
- Blocks
- Punches
and strikes
- Kicks
- Pulling
techniques
- Timing
and coordination
Square
Wall Bag
This is a square-shaped bag filled with sand and usually hung at body
level. It simulates the impact students might feel when striking someone
and develops hand, wrist and arm strength.
Square
Wall Bag
Principles
The Center-line principle forms the basis of all defense and attack in
Wing Chun system. The center-line is an imaginary line that divides the
body down the middle. Students are taught to attack whenever possible,
instead of blocking. The hands are kept in the center; elbows squeezed
inward and forward through the opponents centerline, but not literally
all the way to the center, since this may cause it to become vulnerable
to an arm break or punch. Likewise, if the elbows stick out, the strength
cannot properly come from the center, or sternum area, instead requiring
shoulder and upper body strength. Proper stance
is also fundamental to Wing Chun techniques.
Etiquette
In some schools of Wing Chun, students show respect by:
- Traditionally
in Kung Fu, students refer to their instructor as Sifu ("teacher,"
or literally "father") out of respect. The notion of "father"
indicates that the teacher is more than merely a teacher of martial
arts, but a fatherly guide in the students life. Wing Chun Kuen tends
to be less formal, although not disrespectful, than many other Kung
Fu systems in use of such titles or greetings.
- A
traditional Chinese bow can be performed to greet instructors and peers.
This is a non-aggressive salutation that is also traditionally used
during Chinese New Year celebrations and holidays. The student stands
with his feet together and hands placed to his sides. He makes a fist
with his right hand and brings it approximately one foot in front of
his chin and places it in the palm of his left hand.
- When students visit another teacher's class, they may put some money in a "red envelope," to show appreciation for being invited to their school and for taking the time to help them with their Wing Chun.
Like challenges? Take the Wing Chun Quiz.
Image
of "Wooden Dummy (Mook Jung)" from
The World Wing Chun Kung Fu Association (http://www.cheungswingchun.com/WWCKFAindex.html).
better.life@c031.aone.net.au. Aug 2001. Email message.
Video
Clips of "Siu Lam Tao" and "Hand Drills" and Image
of "Square Wall Bag" from
http://photos.yahoo.com/n_kitagawa
n_kitagawa@yahoo.com.
Aug 2001. Email message.
