By Robert Chu
Since I have written about WCK power and body structure for may years now, the term “body structure” has become a bit of a buzzword. Since I am now semi-retired and not often teaching WCK, I decided to part with some of the secrets that I have been holding close to the vest…
Many people think, “Because I have a body, and it is a structure, I must have body structure!”
Or
What additional benefits does the Wing Chun system provide over other self-defense systems?
- Short learning curve
- Fast, focused and direct
- Scientific use of body mechanics to deliver and overcome force
- Economy of motion
- Trains the body to be relaxed and the mind to be clearWhat are the roots of the Wing Chun System?
The Wing Chun system has its roots in the Shaolin Temple. According to
By John F. Di Virgilio
Having entered my fourth decade of Wing Chun practice, I decided to write the following short reflective paper to help people interested in learning Wing Chun Kung-Fu. For those that already have years of martial arts experience, you will see some parallel experiences in your learning. But whether experienced in martial arts or not, some people will learn the entire
Those who practice Wing Chun King Fu know all about the incredible strength and power that the system can generate in the human body. For one reason or another we have all become believers. However, how many of us stop to reflect on where that power comes from, and why these angles and positions we create with the body are capable of withstanding or delivering near mythic amounts of force?The first thing to understand and meditate on is the number three. Three is the most powerful of numbers, and of course the Wing Chun system is based on this. For instance: what is the strongest geometric shape? Any math, physics, or engineering major will tell you its the triangle. How many sides to a triangle? Three. When you make a tan-sau with your arm - if someone looked at it from the side what shap
Wing Chun is an extremely close quarter combat system first made popular by Bruce Lee & (instructor) the Great Grandmaster Yip Man. It is a scientifically and mathematically formulated kung fu system that originated in China approximately 400 years ago.The concepts of Wing Chun Kung Fu are used together in order to use the minimum amount of effort and energy to gain the maximum result.Wing Chun Kung Fu is different from other martial arts because it utilizes the stronger persons' energy and force against them to defeat their opponents through the use of leverage, proper energy, body mechanics and sensitivity training.
By Phil Bradley
The sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) has, without a doubt, caused a renewed interest in the communities, as well as introducing the martial arts to a brand new audience. Personally, I love the UFC and what it is doing to promote it to the masses. And while some of you might think that since this article is titled “Wing Chun vs. Jiu-Jitsu” will attempt to “trash” Jiu-jitsu, you
The below letter is from a fellow Sifu in Florida asking for a card from each of us to be sent to his 15-year old student that was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. I'm asking everyone that reads this post to send a card or a letter. - Sifu Adam Williss
There is a family of 3 that participates in my class, mom and her two children. One child who's name is Logan recently has been diagnosed with
By Adam Williss
I started training in Wing Chun in 1995. I've looked into other martial arts only to find that Wing Chun is the answer. The more I learn, the more it proves to me how great it is.
The truth is that I was just really lucky to find Wing Chun and really lucky to find the specific line of Wing Chun that I found. All Wing Chun schools are not the same. You'll find a lot of schools
Below are excerpts of a thread from Kung Fu Magazine's Forum. Although some of the terms are different, I thought it was a good read.
First of all, different Wing Chun lineages use somewhat different terminology sometimes, so here goes my take on "triangle stepping":
To visualize it, superimpose a triangle parallel to the floor in between you and your opponent. You stand at the point, he stands
Orange County, California - The Orange County Wing Chun Association has a Hawaiian motto: "Holopono me ka lokahi", which means "Move forward with righteousness and unity".
"Woe to the man who throws the first blow" or "ku'i'akahi"--It is not a righteous act, and the god of lua, Ku'i-a-lua (literally, "the second blow") will not support it. Honor lies with those who rise to such a challenge,
By Yip Man
The text in Chinese was a rough draft written by the late Grandmaster Yip Man and was supposed to be the preface for the purpose of organizing the "Wing Chun Tong Fellowship" once upon a time. However, the Wing Chun Tong Fellowshp never formed. Instead, the "Ving Tsun Athletic Association" was established in 1967 by Yip Man's students.
The founder of the Wing Chun Kung Fu system,
Cleaning up the Mess the "Little Dragon" Left Behind
By Hawkins Cheung, as told to Robert Chu, in "Inside Kung-Fu" January 1992
To understand Bruce and his martial art, you have to look at his mother art, wing chun. Wing chun in the 1950s was a popular fighting system because of its reputation in challenge fights with other gung-fu Systems. Wing chun was noted for its simple, direct, economical
By Adam WillissFounded upon Taoist principles of simplicity, balance, energy flow and opportunity, the chinese martial art of Wing Chun Gung Fu is more than learning how to win a fight. It prioritizes issues by going with the flow of energy, seizing opportunities as they arise, staying within yourself and throwing away what doesn't work. Founded on time-tested scientific concepts, Wing Chun Gung Fu allows the wisdom of ancient warriors to guide its approach to a conflict. This ancient wisdom is more necessary today than ever before. To allow yourself to be in the now, to simplify life's ever increasing complexities and to make it a point to practice powerful habits of success are things that transcnd the test of time. These, among others, are the principle-centered concepts that we study in Wing Chun Gung Fu. These concepts transcend the art of fighting and permiate into every day wisdom. Whether at home or in the workplace, there's no denying the power of practicing the ancient wis
By Dr. John CrescioneRecently on the Internet Wing Chun Mailing list, an issue came up about bobbing and weaving as it could possibly relate to Wing Chun. Wing Chun, and many southern shorthand systems have been regarded as just "Chinese Boxing" systems by the more arrogant-and misinformed-"kung fu people" who only look, but don't see, as well as every other Martial Artist who only sees leg work as kicking, or low stances that move, twist and stamp.Boxing and Wing Chun share many fighting similarities-boxing is the American Martial Art, albeit created for the ring. And since it is every American's god given birthright to think they can box-a discussion of how a Wing Chun player deals with a "boxer"-real or amateur is in order. I have boxed for real-my first boxing coach was Arthur Mercante of the Ali/Frazier fights and done Golden Gloves, just for a little background.It is common knowledge to recite the theory-"Don't play their game"-but if their game is better then yours, you still
By Mario HostiosAs a new student to Wing Chun in 1993, I assumed based on what I observed that I had chosen a hand art. I was amazed by the lightning fast trapping and sticking movements of the hand techniques and didn’t understand why everyone insisted on this pigeon-toed stance. One month later, as I drove home from class with legs shaking from fatigue so badly I had trouble shifting the clutch in my car, I was illuminated. I know I’m not alone. Many students are surprised to find that Wing Chun is a leg art, or to be more precise, a horse art. Kim Yeung Mah, the pigeon-toed horse of Wing Chun and primary Chi Gong posture, is the source of Wing Chun’s power, and the misery of burning legs for new Wing Chun students. The Chi Gong development in Kim Yeung Mah expresses itself in several ways. Principle among these expressions is the cultivation of an effortless rooted-ness when facing the incoming force of the aggressor. To the aggressor, the Wing Chun man is seemingly able to
Kenneth Chung is a master of the soft approach to Wing Chun.He is what some have in mind for the ideal master.Many martial artists can totally demolish their opponent's but the master can do so with perfect control, with relaxation, without the need to intimidate or hurt the student in any way. Kenneth Chung fits this ideal master image. At the same time Kenneth Chung is a humble individual. He feels he is good, but doesn't claim to be the best. He says, "Just call me Ken."Ken suggests a two hour private lesson in order for him to explain his Wing Chun method fully. The first thing he does is to feel your touch. Often you can boast all you want but you can't hide your lack of skill when you are in contact with an expert. Ken is able to uprooot you easily, yet you can't uproot him. Students who thought they were quite rooted were surprised by their lack of root. Ken is one teacher who allows the student to have hands on experience. Many teachers don't let you touch them but Ken wan
By Yip ManThe founder of the Wing Chun Gung Fu System, Miss Yim Wing Chun was a native of Canton China. As a young girl, she was intelligent and athletic, upstanding and manly. She was betrothed to Leung Bok Chau, a salt merchant of Fukien. Soon after that, her mother died. Her father, Yim Yee, was wrongfully accused of a crime, and nearly went to jail. So the family moved far away, and finally settled down at the foot of Tai Leung Mountain at the Yunnan-Szechuan border. There, they earned a living by. All this happened during the reign of Emperor K'anghsi (1662-1722).At the time, kungfu was becoming very strong in Siu Lam Monastery (Shaolin Monastery) of Mt. Sung, Honan. This aroused the fear of the Manchu government, which sent troops to attack the Monastery. They were unsuccessful. A man called Chan Man Wai was the First Placed Graduate of the Civil Service Examination that year. He was seeking favour with the government, and suggested a plan. He plotted with Siu Lam monk Ma Ning Y
By Rene Ritchie, Robert Chu and Hendrik SantoThe hui (wui, societies) encompassed groups organized for a range of goals, from mutual-aid and protection, to criminal enterprise and predation, to cult expansion and rebellious sedition. They were distinguished by their drawing of members with different surnames, lack of regard for traditional hierarchies, and their practice of initiation involving blood-oath.The Evolution of the SocietiesThe origins of the hui are found in equal parts fact and fiction. Historically, elements of the societies can be traced as far back as the Tang dynasty when local villages formed yishi (associations of adopted social groups formed from above) for the pooling of funds (for the purchase of equipment and livestock, and the paying of funerals and child birth related expenses).The characteristic of jiebai xiongdi (sworn brotherhoods) of differing surnames is deeply embedded in the culture due to popular stories such as Sanguo Yanyi (Romance of the Three Kingdo
Taoism (pronounced Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy spanning over two thousand years. Taoist ethics emphasize compassion, simplicity, and humility. Taoist thought focuses on wu wei ("non-action"), spontaneity and emptiness. An emphasis is placed on the link between people and nature. Taoism teaches that this link lessens the need for rules and order, and leads people to a better understanding of the world and why things happen.Wing Chun also uses the philosophy of Taoism at its core. It is a martial art based on simplicity, relaxed power through softness, yin and yang, yielding and controlling, chi flow and natural responses. Wing Chun's principles go with the flow of energy rather than forcing against it. Wing Chun uses the power of relaxed softness to overcome an opponent's force. Tao means "path" or "way". Taoist philosophy focuses on ideas of wu wei (non-action), spontaneity, relativism and emptiness. This philosophical aspect of Taoism emphasizes various themes found in the Tao T
The 2007 IV issue of Wing Chun Magazine is now available online at wingchunmagazine.com. Check it out.Sifu Adam Williss is a southern California-based martial artist specializing in the Chinese fighting art of Wing Chun. He is the founder and publisher of Wing Chun Magazine as well as president of the California Wing Chun Coalition. He teaches the art in San Clemente, CA (Orange County) - redrebelmartialarts.com.More information on Adam Williss or the art of Wing Chun can be found at adamwilliss.com.For more information on internationally certified martial arts instructor, Adam Williss, please visit adamwilliss.com.
The latest issue of Wing Chun Magazine comes out this month. Article contributions include authors Simone Sebastiani, John Ryckewaert Sr. & Jr., Armando Sainz, Marc Debus, John Broster and Mario Hostios. These articles include highlights of such Wing Chun leaders as Chow Tze Cheun, Donald Mak, Wang Kiu, Karl Godwin, Lo Man Kam, Alan Orr, Shawn Rawcliffe (Yip Chun), Alan Gibson (Wong Shun Leung), Paul Smith (Samuel Kwok) and more. Wing Chun Magazine, formerly Wing Chun Teahouse, is the magazine of Wing Chun. Distributed in Adobe Acrobat format as well as available online at wingchunmagazine.com, Wing Chun Magazine brings community-contributed articles to eleven different countries world-wide. Sifu Adam Williss is a southern California-based martial artist specializing in the Chinese fighting art of Wing Chun. He is the founder and publisher of Wing Chun Magazine as well as president of the California Wing Chun Coalition. He teaches the art in San Clemente, CA (Orange County) - redrebel
Yip Man is largely responsible for spreading the art to where it is today. Without his influence, Wing Chun may very well be practiced in seclusion by only a few people in China. Thanks to Yip Man's teachings the Western world was introduced to the art through his many students including Bruce Lee. Here is rare footage of Yip Man demonstrating Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu and the Mook Yan Jong. Below is a chronicle of the life of Yip Man.Yip Man was Born on October 14th, 18931899 – 1905 - Yip Man 6 to 12 years old (Foshan)Studied Wing Chun kungfu with Chan Wah Shun (Money Changer Wah) at Yip's family hall, Main Street of Foshan (Song Yuen Dai Gai)At that time studying together with Yip Man were Lui Yui Chai, Ng Chung So, Chan Yui Min, Ng Siu Lo and others.1905 - Yip Man 12 years old (Foshan) Chan Wah Shun died, but before he died he asked Ng Chung So to help Yip Man to complete the system. Chan Wah Shun's body was taken by his kung fu disciples to Chan village in Shunde for burial.190
By Adam WillissWing Chun is a very simple system to understand. Its principles are extremely logical and rely on scientific concepts. Its techniques aren't what's important. The ability to adhere to its concepts and principles during fighting are the key to Wing Chun. First, you must understand how to connect your body structure and use whole body movements. The proper linking of the arms and legs to the torso, the geometric triangulation of the body and integrated postural alignment are a must. Its developed through You should develop it with a partner who tries to interrupt your body unity by pulling, pushing and other types of physical interruptions. Techniques can be learned from anyone. However, without understanding the principles of body connection and structural alignment, the techniques have no substance. When you are in a real fight, you will find out what techniques are good for you. Just because the technique may work for one person doesn't guarantee it'll work for you
By Jack Tak Fok Ling Legitimacy: Legend and the Structure of Wing ChunThe legendary figures of Abbess Ng Muy and Yim Wing Chun are generally accepted, with some reasonable skepticism, as the originators of Yip Man Wing Chun Kuen. For at a man of small frame and physique like Yip Man would learn not to rely on physical strength (Kong Gh'in) for fighting. In this case, a unique, coherent fighting system based on adroitness, economic deployment of body strength, sensitivity, subtle deflection skills and finesse can develop irrespective of (B), and the apparent relationship between (A) and (B) may be quite coincidental. Also, considering that the entire Wing Chun weapons system (Bak Dzam Do and Lok Dim Boon Gwun) grew out of the existing Sil Lum arsenal, one may attribute Yip Man Wing Chun's emphasis on "roots or rootedness" to the influence of a prevailing preference in Southern Chinese martial arts systems. Following this hypothesis of creative incorporation, one may also explain how a
Wing Chun Kuen - “Beautiful Springtime Boxing”Hoi Ma - Opening the horseKim Yeung Ma - Square horseDo Ma - Knife HorseQwan Ma - Pole HorseDoi Kok Ma - Side horseJuen Ma - Turning HorseBil Ma - Running HorseSil Lim Tao (Siu Nim Tao) - “Little Idea” (1st set)Chum Kiu - “Seeking the Bridge” (2nd set)Bil Jee (Biu Jee) - “Thrusting Fingers” (3rd set)Joan Sien - CenterlineSifu - TeacherSigung - Teacher’s TeacherSihing - Elder studentSidai - Junior studentKung Fu (Gung Fu) - “Hard work,” “time and patience,” or “practice and excellence”Mook Yan Jong - Wooden DummyGot Jong - Footwork DummyHong Jong - Air dummySao - Hand or ArmGurk (Gerk) - Foot or LegChi Sao - “Sticky Hands,” energy drill Dan Chi Sao - Single sticky handsSeong Chi Sao - Double sticky handsChi Gurk - Sticky LegsChi Qwan - Sticky PoleChi Do - Sticky KnivesPoon Sao - Rolling ArmsChung Choi - Chain Punches (Lin Wah Kuen)Chung Kuen - Vertical Punch (Yut Jee Kuen – “Sun Character Punch”)Tan
Don't be greedy to hit (Tom Da). People are already hit without realizing it.You don't always have to strike high. This exposes you to low hits.Sink your stance, bring your knees in and melt into the ground. You can practice for a lifetime but if your stance is poor you will have wasted all of your effort. Don't act before you know what is going on. You must feel what is happening first.Random flurries won't work.You can't just rely on speed.Keep the head back or it will get hit and it also brings the whole posture down to stiffen up the hands.Keep the head up and rely on your touch. Don't struggle. This is known as Dow Lik. Use positioning to overcome you opponent. Connect the hands with the feet.Learn to neutralize the opponent's force by wither absorbing it or by turning the stance.When the opponent retreats, don't just stand there. You must come forward. If you stand there you will get kicked. Don't be tense when striking. Train to develop a very heavy but relaxed hitting
By Armando SainzMost people today think of fighting systems as Asian. Some also even think of Brazil or Israel, but most don’t think of martial arts as being European or American.Some have heard of Bare-Knuckle Boxing but don’t equate it with other martial arts. They really don’t know how effective and brutal a street-minded European boxer could be. In fact, Bare-Knuckle Boxing was once considered one of the most effective empty hand systems in the Western world.When we think of Bare-Knuckle Boxing we envision the sport scene more than the self-defense aspect of the system. We think of the Queensberry rules and black and white visions of fighters who stood in a strange looking, more upright, primary fighting stance. People today consider the system a rather antiquated form of boxing which has grown to become a high level sport. That is exactly what it has become; A SPORT.There is a large gap between sport and self-defense, however. As a self-defense, today’s boxing has lost muc
By Adam WillissProprioception (PRO-pree-o-SEP-shun) is the awareness of one's own body movement derived from muscular, tendon, and articular sources. Unlike the five "classical" external senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing) by which we perceive the outside world, proprioception is an internal sense that provides feedback solely on the status of the body. It is the sense that indicates whether the body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other. "It's the precursor to good balance, which is at the core of human functioning," explains Dr. Scott Cuthbert, in a recent article featured in OC Metro. Cuthbert is chairman of the board of research for the International College of Applied Kinesiology. "Without it, we have no sense of our bodies."Proprioception is what allows someone to learn to walk in complete darkness without losing balance. Without the appropriate integration of proprioceptive input, a artist
Bruce Lee 李小龍 The heart of the JKD system is NOT a combat modified Chinese-American Wing Chun Gung Fu. This is a big misconception to all except his Wing Chun friends and those of his first students. Bruce's and Wing Chun's definition of modification are different then that perceived by most of his students and the Western mind.Wing Chun set's itself up for "modification". It is meant to grow and develop with the student and become an "expression" of the student. Wing Chun allows change for the sake of adaptability and survival. Because of his many personal experiences and lack of knowledge in certain areas of Wing Chun (he only knew the first two "instructional" forms, and a limited number of the wooden dummy forms), he came up with his "personal" solutions by using his own ideas and guidance mixed with those he had already learned, further developing his own "personal" wing chun tools. This personal wing chun he called Jun Fan to his early students. Jun Fan was Bruce's Chin
Here are a few videos that you make like that display Wing Chun in action... courtesy of YouTube.Short clip of Wing Chun application (Gary Lam)An example of Wing Chun's Chi Sao Training (Emin Boztepe)Wing Chun Kicking and Footwork DemonstrationFeel free to visit our home page at redrebelmartialarts.comRed Rebel Martial Arts of Orange County - redrebelmartialarts.com
Six Elements of Good FormMok Lik - directing the conscious gaze between the opponent's eyes & beaming with courage. At fighting distance, both of his/hers pupils can be monitored your peripheral vision. The opponents eyes can tell when, where and how they are going to act. This also aids in carrying an upright posture during conflict. Jung Dao - Head Up and shoulders down. How the head is held determines the posture and the effectiveness of motion and reaction. Keep the head upright as if a string through the top of the head is suspending the entire posture. By keeping the shoulders down the trapezius muscle can relax for proper power delivery and rooting. Mai Jeong - Elbow inward toward the center and elevated to the thoraccic plan, which divides the upper body into top & bottom halves. Once in position, the elbow is considered immovable. Sink the elbow and drop the shoulders; Guarding the centerline to protect both flanks.Kim Sut - Knees pressed together to form the spring of the lo
The Orange County Wing Chun Association has a Hawaiian motto: "Holopono me ka lokahi", which means "Move forward with righteousness and unity"."Woe to the man who throws the first blow" or "ku'i'akahi"--It is not a righteous act, and the god of lua, Ku'i-a-lua (literally, "the second blow") will not support it. Honor lies with those who rise to such a challenge, and Ku'i-a-lua will respond to their call for help...."--LUA ART OF THE HAWAIIAN WARRIOR, PAGE 10BISHOP MUSEUM PRESSAlthough in these times our religious beliefs differ from those in the days of the Hawaiian Martial Art of "Lua", the Koa Mana ("Warrior Spirit") is cultivated in our Chinese (now American) style of martial art. Bak Fu Sigung is a proud graduate of the University of Hawaii R.O.T.C. "Koa" Battallion and has endeavored to respect and honor these warriors from Hawaii, who, like the Chinese people that have migrated here, are now part of the United States. We remember to be thankful for their fighting spirit a
By Armando SainzTranslated literally, Wing Chun means "beautiful springtime," or "forever springtime." Wing Chun is also written "Ving Tsun" or "Wing Tsun." According to Wing Chun, there are several ways of defeating the enemy: striking, kicking, joint locking, controlling, throwing and the use of weapons are the most common.The way the art produces efficient fighters in a relatively short amount of time is by sticking to several core concepts and by paying strict attention to positioning. Much training time is spent cultivating "Sensitivity or Contact Reflexes." The student practices guarding various zones about the body and deals with whatever happens to be contacted or touched in that zone. This allows for a minimum of technique for a maximum of application, and for the use of an automatic or subconscious response. Because of this it is especially suited for the blind or visually impaired. In fact, Wing Chun's unique training method seems tailor made for any visually impaired pers
The latest issue of the Wing Chun Teahouse debuted the other day. Overall, I think its another successful issue. The cover article featured the late Lok Yiu by his European Association founder, Wilhelm Blech. Other articles featured about Wing Chun & MMA as well as one about running well-balanced Wing Chun school. Below is my publisher's letter from the magazine.Welcome to the Fall/Winter Issue of Wing Chun Teahouse online magazine... a publication that promotes Wing Chun as a whole, in all its forms. Whether you spell it Wing Chun, Ving Tsun, WingTsun, Vinh Xuan, Yong Chun, Ving Tzun, Weng Chun, etc and whatever specific lineage you come from, Wing Chun Teahouse is a publication for you. As our great art continues to grow as a whole, we can bring the intelligent principles of Wing Chun to more and more people in places never before. Currently, we distribute our magazine to international Wing Chun enthusiasts in eight different countries. The Wing Chun Teahouse is your stage... your
When Yip Man was thirteen years old he started learning Wing Chun. Because of his sifu's old age, Yip Man learned most of his lessons from his second sihing Ng Chung-sok. After three years Chan Wah-shun died, but one of his dying wishes was to ask Ng to continue with ...
In Cantonese, Chi Sao means sticky hands. This is one of the most important exercises in the Wing Chun system. Without Chi Sao, forms and drills are useless. Forms and drills are the soul of Wing Chun while Chi Sao is the heart of the system.
Chi Sao does not only ...
Wing Chun believes in using the least amount of required force in any fighting situation. It believes properly, correct timed position and movement can and should be used to defeat their opponent. This is achieved through balance, body structure and relaxation. The Chinese saying "4 taels to move 1000 catties" ...
