WHAT IS wING cHUN?
It is a close range boxing form that delivers rapid striking with emphasis on control and simultaneous movement. See the videos for some examples.
How is wing chun used in self defense?
First and foremost self defense takes place by de-esclating violence. Situational awareness and confidence can help you avoid most fights. When violence is the answer Wing Chun focuses on delivering many attacks rapidly to any vulnerable target available. Punches, elbows, kicks to soft spots and joints are used to break down an opponent and rapidly incapacitate the opponent.
what is a class like?
Class is not a ridged militaristic setting, we focus on cooperative learning and having a good time. The uniform is whatever you are comfortable in or what you want to train in. A fellow student who was in the military at the time came to class in fatigues and combat boots as often as his tennis shoes to ‘train as you fight’.
We start with the forms and quickly move to working out with a partner doing drills and eventually chi sau. This type of training provides instant feedback on your techniques and helps you progress much faster than solo drills.
We start with the forms and quickly move to working out with a partner doing drills and eventually chi sau. This type of training provides instant feedback on your techniques and helps you progress much faster than solo drills.
What is chi sau?
Chi sau translates as sticking hands. The purpose of chi sau is to develop the sensitivity in the arms and the ability to receive, control and hit an opponent. It is a drill that allows practitioners to develop the skills of wing chun at an agreed upon intensity between the students. As you gain in skill the intensity can increase but the control is still expected to be there to help avoid injury.
what are the wing chun forms?
The 3 empty hand forms of WC are different from katas of other arts, in that they don’t mimic a fight. Instead Siu Lim Tao, Chum Kiu, and Biu Gee are more like dictionaries of movement. Once the movements are learned they can be applied in any combination that fits the need. The first form siu Lim Tao focuses on hand technique, it’s stance is stong and immobile so that one can focus on proper motion with the hands and elbows. Chum Kiu teaches proper stepping and shifting for adding power, changing distance and angles and closing with an opponent. Biu Gee rounds out the hand forms by adding simultaneous but opposite movement, yin/yang force. It also teaches recovery techniques to help the practitioner regain footing and position when it is lost in a fight.
does wing chun have weapons?
Traditionally a practitioner learns the long pole, Look Dim Boon Quan, and the knives, Baat Cham Doe. The pole is used to learn how to pick up any long weapon, it focuses like the handwork on straight lines and economy of motion, it is also a great workout with it’s low stance and the added weight of the pole. The baat cham doe are twin knives, about as long as a person’s forearm that are used simultaneously just like the hands to redirect and attack at once.
where is wing chun from?
Wing Chun is a southern Chinese art with roots in the shao lin temple. Wing Chun flourished in Hong Kong when Ip Man began teaching publicly.
who can learn wing chun?
Wing Chun is designed to deflect and avoid the power of the opponent. Historically speaking it was developed by a women named Ng Mui and named for Yim Wing Chun, the first student of the art. So even if a person is smaller or older wing chun’s focus on relaxation and deflection rather than stiff blocking make it an art everyone can employ.
are there any famous people in wing chun?
Bruce Lee studied wing chun and used it as a basis for his Jeet Kun Do.
Donnie Yen has studied and currently plays Ip Man in the movies of the same title.
Robert Downey Jr has studied WC since 2003 and credits it to helping him with his sobriety, the art is also subtly featured in his recent movies.
Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, Nicolas Cage, and many Hong Kong action stars all use Wing Chun in some of their movies.
Donnie Yen has studied and currently plays Ip Man in the movies of the same title.
Robert Downey Jr has studied WC since 2003 and credits it to helping him with his sobriety, the art is also subtly featured in his recent movies.
Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, Nicolas Cage, and many Hong Kong action stars all use Wing Chun in some of their movies.
why study wing chun?
Much like anything else each person should have their own answer for this question. As for me, it has helped me with my confidence, in fighting as well every other part of my life. It has afforded me the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong several times and I have a huge Kung Fu family that spans the globe that I enjoy hanging out and working out with. It is also my calm and collected medium of choice, some people paint or play music, I play kung fu to help me center myself and find balance in my life. A happy side effect of the time I've dedicated is the ability to defend myself, my family, and those around me who may also need defended.