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A Guide to Wing Chun Kung Fu

The History Of Wing Chun Kung Fu

The in late 1600's and early 1700's Kung Fu became very popular at the Siu Lam (Shaolin) monastery in Honan Province, China. The Kung Fu exercises were designed to help keep the monks and abbots awake during the ling periods of mental training and meditation. By exercising their bodies as well as their minds they developed even further in their spiritual training. The Manchu (non-Chinese) government in the North at the time were deeply suspicious of such activities, believing the monastery to be training an army. They eventually attacked the monastery, burning it to the ground and killing many of the monks and disciples.

A few escaped the attack though, and one of them was a Buddhist nun named Ng Moi. Ng Moi hid on Mt Tai Leung and it was there that she met a girl names Wing Chun and agreed to teach her Kung Fu to defend herself from unwanted admirers.

Wing Chun carried on training in Kung Fu and taught her husband. He named the system after his wife and passed it on to many famous masters the most well known the late Grandmaster Yip Man.

1950's and Yip Man To The Present Day:

Chan Wah Shun Taught the system to a man named Yip Man, who attained a very high level of skill in Wing Chun and in turn taught many people, including the late movie star, Bruce Lee who he personally trained in the 1950's in Hong Kong. The late Grandmaster Yip Man simplified the system including removing the long and complicated names for shapes and movements. He is mainly responsible for the Wing Chun system as we know it today. Yip Man was a superb teacher and taught according to the individual's own skill and knowledge, adapting his approach where necessary. Wing Chun flourished in Hong Kong and the late Grandmaster Yip Man passed his knowledge to his two sons Yip Chun and Yip Ching, as well as Wing Chun Grandmasters Leung Ting, the late Wong Shun Leung and many more.

Wing Chun Today

Wing Chun is the complete self-defence system covering all of the 5 ranges in unarmed combat. In order of distance, the ranges are;

Kicking - Longest unarmed range

Punching - Most common range for self defence

Elbows & Knees - Closer than punching range

Stand-Up Grappling - Shortest unarmed stand-up range

Anti Ground Fighting - Groundwork

We begin by teaching punching range, as this is the most common range for attacks to begin. Our teaching system is constantly looking at realistic self-defence situations, and adapts to suit the needs of today's society. Remember, Wing Chun is self-defence, not how to fight in a ring, in competitions, or how to score points in sparring.

Wing Chun is a system based on concepts & principles, not hundreds of fixed techniques. These simple principles apply in all situations and can be learnt by anyone, without requiring a high level of strength, stamina or overall fitness to perform them. The basic concepts & principles are as follows;

The Basic Wing Chun Concepts
The Centreline:

Control of this line during attack & defence

Attach the core (vertical central line) of the opponent

Economy of Motion:

Small (therefore quick) direct movements

No drawing back (telegraphing)

Simultaneous attack & defence

Strength Vs Strength:

Pointless. The stronger person wins

The 4 Basic Wing Chun Principles

If the way is clear, go forward

if resistance is met, stick with it

If you encounter great force, yield

If the opponent withdraws, follow

Every motion in Wing Chun is an application of the above principles. It sounds simple, but in a self-defence situation less is more. (This is one reason firearms are so popular in some countries - Draw, Aim, Fire all in one movement. A simple and effective solution, but one which often creates many more problems than it solves.)

The complete system teaches total self-defence at all of the above ranges, including programmes on multiple assailants & facing weapons. In addition, we teach courses and hold seminars on advanced techniques, ground fighting, sparring, and also the breathing, healing and internal health components of the art, which is called Chi Kung - The Art Of Healthy Movement.

How Wing Chun Is Taught

Learning Wing Chun Kung Fu is very much like learning a foreign language. Everything will seem odd & unfamiliar at first, especially as the Wing Chun principles are logical but not instinctive. However the training is designed to turn the logical Wing Chun reaction into the natural one. The correct movements begin to happen automatically, so when you need Wing Chun, you'll find it there without conscious thought.

However knowledge is not power in Wing Chun, and knowing what you should do is not enough. The student must train with a serious attitude in order to obtain the correct reactions. It's like a hammer hitting your knee - your reflex reaction is instant & automatic.

When beginning your Wing Chun training, you will start with the 1st Student Grade (1SG). This takes about 3/4 months to complete and provides you with a basic grounding in the Wing Chun System. Areas covered in 1SG include the following:

Basic concepts & principles.

Basic guard & awareness of range.

Chain punching & the correct power line.

Basic kick defences.

Stances & footwork.

Basic movement.

The beginning (Sections 1-3) of the Siu-Nim-Tao Form (The 'ABC' of Wing Chun)

Pre-emptive attacks against the most common attackers, right & left handed.

Basic 'what if' situations, such as headlocks, grips, chokes, rugby tackles etc

In all Wing Chun training, beginner to senior, we have four stages that are inherent in the teaching of the system:

Free yourself from your own strength. Power comes from relaxation

Free yourself from your opponents' strength. Use of correct shapes & technique.

Use your opponents' strength against them. Take them where they are trying to go.

Add your strength to that of your opponent. Help them to defeat themselves.

After the first few months, we are convinced that you will be better able to defend yourself. In addition you will be more relaxed, co-ordinated, at ease in close quarter situations, and more aware of yourself and aggressive intent in others. However the complete system of Wing Chun Kung Fu cannot be taught in 3 or 4 months, which is why you are then able to continue training for as long as you wish.