The first of the three forms in the Wing Chun Kung Fu System reminds us
that in the beginning the kung fu student has to remember just a little
because the learning and understanding of the basics is crucial in order
that a good foundation is built. This will ensure further progress.
The form is divided into three parts,
each of which has its own vital role in the development
of the kung fu student and success now ensures success
later. Do not chew more than you can eat. Build your
kung fu upon the solid foundation of understanding.
The first section teaches the correct
structure of the horse stance, the centerline and the
punch. It emphasizes correct structure of the techniques
all based upon relaxation. The elbow is emphasized
throughout the first section to maintain safety and
structure of the hand positions on the centerline.
Your body generates and stores energy (qi) through
very slow movement, open energy channels from the stance
and relaxed and expanded breathing. Eventually you
will be able to move your qi from the core of your
storage area to all areas in your body; from core to
extremities and back again. This is your qi gong training
within the Wing Chun system. This part of the form
is completed very slowly to ensure proper learning
and structure. The mind and body begin to integrate
and the training of the “ye” or intention
begins to take place. In this way we find that the
nature of SIL LIM TAO is to help the student build
a good foundation in order to progress to the next
stage.
In the second section, we now focus
on releasing the qi that we have stored therefore it
is done loose and fast. Keep the movements clean and
simple and avoid being overly concerned with applications.
Concentrate on keeping the moves simple and on the
centerline. This section trains us to use long arm
energy at different angles.
The third section concentrates on a
combination of technique culmination with hitting the
centerline. The correct timing of this section allows
the student to feel the “flow” of the various
hand techniques to its inevitable conclusion which
is to strike either with a vertical fist or palm. Each
movement must be precise, efficient and reasonable.
At the same time we complete the set of TAN, BONG and
FUK which is the structural foundation on which the
hand positions are built.
SIL
LIM TAO is to be played for a lifetime. The more you
do it, the more it helps every aspect of your Wing
Chun both physically and mentally. The “horse” or
stance is trained as a stationary foundation and the
basis for footwork later on. Without Sil Lim Tao, your
footwork will not have the required balance and unity.
Chum
Kiu– Searching
for the Bridge
Since Sil Lim Tao develops proper
structure, stance, centerline, hand-eye coordination,
qi development, body unity and the power of proper
intent, Chum Kiu adds and develops three more energies.
These are forward momentum, pulling momentum and
turning momentum. These energies add significant
power to all Wing Chun techniques though coordinated
movement of the body along both linear and circular
paths. Practicing Chum Kiu will lead to a heightened
awareness and understanding of the ways in which
these movements enhance and magnify natural body
power –qi. The nature of this form is to train
your body balance by playing the form. The more you
practice this form the better your balance will be.
Chum Kiu is a brined to a greater understanding of
the Wing Chun system.
This form is divided into three sections.
In the first section we train several crucial concepts
that will enhance your kung fu. These movements train
the body to move in coordinated unison to fully maximize
efficient use of the body’s qi in implementing
hand techniques while maintaining balance as the
centerline is changed. These movements train our
timing as well as develop flawless hand replacement;
as one hand retreats from the centerline to the guard
position, the other hand replaces on the advance
position on the centerline. This ensures that control
of the centerline is never given away. Our “dead
horse” stance from Sil Lim Tao now becomes
alive in the practice of Chum Kiu.
In the second section, Dim Gerk kicking
is introduced in the form. This practice allows the
student to deliver powerful, economical and efficient
kicks while maintaining optimal balance while communicating
little visual intent with the upper body. The student
learns to shift his/her weight to the back leg to
help deliver power to the kicks while maintaining
balance and sensitivity along the centerline with
the leg/feet.
The
third section focuses the student to develop unity
of the horse stance and hand techniques to better
develop body power through kicking, stepping and
changing the centerline.
Biu
Chee– Thrusting
Fingers
This
form has a nickname “GOW GUP SAU” which
means “Emergency Hands”, the 911 of Wing Chun.
This is appropriate because Biu Chee techniques are used
to recover from a loss of centerline control. Biu Chee trains
our hands to go back to the centerline, just as the compass
points to North; hence another name for the form is “Standard
Compass”.
This
form is also the scrutiny and understanding of the source
of each Wing
Chun technique. After mastering Biu Chee,
the student should have sufficient knowledge to express Wing
Chun at a more personal level. The introduction of advanced
principles and techniques are found in Biu Chee which underlines
the importance of this form. The nature of this form is to
train the hands to return to centerline as soon as possible
as this is the strength and pillar of the Wing Chun system’s
theory.
As important
as this form is, students should not rely on the use of
the
Biu Chee techniques or energy as it should
be used only when thing have gone badly such as when the
centerline, structure and/or balance have been lost. Elbow
techniques are introduced in this form and should only be
used in an emergency situation when one’s hand/arm
structure has been collapsed or jammed. Train diligently
to AVOID the use of Biu Chee techniques in a real self- defense
situation and feel safe and reassured that you have them
in your pocket if you ever need them.
Mook
Yan Jong– Wooden
Man Form: 108 Moves
Mook
Yan Jong is a training device precious to the Wing Chun
system. It is the final stage of training for hand and
foot techniques. Therefore, those who have studied this
form must have achieved a high level of proficiency in the
art
of Wing Chun. The Jong techniques include practically all
of the hand and foot techniques. They are those techniques
in various combinations and applications. These can be
broken down into three categories: 1) Neutralization maneuver
2)
Confrontation and counter Attacks and 3) Blatant Attacks.
Precision and understanding are of the utmost importance.
The form trains one to respond to an attack with a counter
that is not only instantaneous and spontaneous, but the
most appropriate and effective in any given situation. Some
techniques
may not seem to conform to Wing Chun’s theory of economy
of motion, but they are actually to compensate for the fact
that the Jong itself doesn’t turn as a real opponent
would when struck or blocked with force. Remember it is
a training device, not a real fight!
The Jong also teaches the proper hand and foot distancing
between the student and an opponent so as to prevent jamming
of hand/leg techniques and the resultant blocking of qi.
When
studying the Jong, importance is placed on the understanding
and sequence
of movements and mastering them fully. Approach
the Jong as one would an opponent, with the intent of mastering
it and not vice versa. Understand and master each section
before moving to the next one. Allow time for understanding
of each section and applying it to your chi sau. You can
also practice this form "empty-handed” without
the use of the Jong, in order to realize the full potential
of your movements. Both modes are essential to proper training.
Luk
Dim
Poon Kwan – Long
Pole Form
The use of the Luk Dim Poon Kwan is learned
in four phases:
1.
Battle Punches (Jin Tsui)
2. Biu Kwan (Thrusting Pole)
3. Chi Kwan (Sticking Pole)
4. Luk Dim Poon Kwan- (6 1/2 point pole form)
A firm understanding of the three forms and the wooden dummy
is essential prior to studying the pole. One needs a partner
to learn the pole correctly. Play the pole form until it
becomes second nature and overall proficiency is attained.
“Always remember, the advanced techniques are the
basic techniques mastered.” To master the techniques
takes patience and time, hard training and perseverance.
The long pole trains the development of your punch to make
it exceptionally strong and powerful. This weapon is very
powerful and dangerous. It is unforgiving in that no one
can withstand one hit from the Kwan. This training serves
to enhance and refine one’s empty hand skill as well.
You will find that it expands your understanding of the
Wing Chun system and particularly the centerline theory.
“Kung
Fu power comes up from the ground and is generated by the
legs, directed
through the hips, magnified by the
torque and alternate arm pulling motions, enhanced with forward
momentum from stepping, released out of the hand into your
weapon and delivered through your opponent: - Late Grandmaster
Moy Yat.
Pah
Chum Do – Eight
Slash Knives
This weapon provides training in mobility and further enhances
precision in movement. Practicing the knives is comparable
to practicing the pole and dummy techniques. The principle
is to overcome the opponent with fast, simple, straightforward
strikes. The horse stance must be extremely mobile, agile
and the energy forward requires total body commitment and
coordination. The weapon enhances the application and exertion
of qi with the wrist and forearms, which improves your skills
in hand combat. Because the weapons extend your energy range,
you ability in Chi Sau and combat will be vastly improved.
In order for the knives to be effective against longer weapons,
the emphasis on footwork and controlling the centerline will
improve your overall Wing Chun kung fu tremendously. Understanding
and mastering the nature of each technique will lead to greater
insights into the principles of economy of motion, recovering
the centerline and unity of footwork, hip and hand movements.
Few Wing Chun families can claim the knowledge existent
within our family in all aspects of Wing Chun; the knives
are seen as the treasure of the system. The knives give the
student the attitude of relentless pursuit until the opponent
is incapacitated.
Chi Sau
Chi Sau (sticking hands) training is a signature component
of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Chi Sau allows the practitioner to integrate
various aspects of the Wing Chun system. It is first and foremost
an energetic sensitivity exercise. Through prescribed arm positions,
structure and movement you can begin to attune to the energy
of your training partner. You begin to focus and sense the
energy (qi). The connection through the arm contact is the
portal wherein each person learns how to deeply sense and feel
movement, tension and energy from your partner.
I emphasize
the word partner, because chi sau must be done cooperatively
if there is to be proper learning about energetic
sensitivity. In the beginning of chi sau training, the movements
must be done in a slow and relaxed manner, to allow the body
to learn how to sense and feel energy. In doing chi sau this
way, you can set an intention to “pay attention” to
sensation and energy on a subtle level. If chi sau is done
quickly and aggressively without cooperation, the body learns
to become tense, rigid and insensitive. The body reacts to
fear or anger instead of learning how to respond with proper
technique and energy in an intentionally relaxed manner. Remember,
the more relaxed the practitioner is, the more he/she will
be able to develop speed and power.
Once
a basic foundation of proper technique, structure and energetic
sensitivity
has been laid, you can slowly start to
integrate a variety of hand strikes, blocks, and trapping techniques.
Again, this needs to be done in a cooperative manner where
each person intentionally assists his or her partner by taking
turns feeding energy (initiating techniques) to the other and
allowing the other to respond properly in a calm manner. Soon,
the practitioners’ energy begins to flow between them,
almost like dancers, where one person leads and the other follows.
Through this prescribed mode of “playing chi sau”,
your ability to respond becomes quicker and more powerful as
your body has been allowed to learn progressively under ideal
training conditions.
Chi
Sau training can now progress to include shifting, stepping
and
coordinating
the flow, exchange and release of full body
energy. At this level, all chi sau movement and energy originates
from the daan tin, or qi storage area, located just
below the navel of the body. Through the initiation of leg
and hip
movements and coordinated with breath, the qi is moved from
the core of the body to flow outwards. The qi is released in
a direct and focused way through strikes, blocks, kicks or
traps. In this way, the qi is radiated from the core of the
body towards the extremities (hands, feet) and is then gathered
back up into the core, via breath and relaxed muscles. The
qi is again ready to flow and be released at lightning speed
with maximum power and effect. This oscillation of “relaxation
and release” is the ideal state of being when practicing
chi sau. With the exception of a strike, when we release qi
we train to use the least amount of energy required to accomplish
our goal. Our goal, via blocks or traps, is to control the
centre line of the partner. We want to use the least amount
of energy because it is consistent with the Wing Chun principle
of efficiency and when we use less to achieve more, our ability
to maintain sensitivity is at an optimal level. Even as we
train to block, trap and eventually strike we want to maintain
our ability to sense and perceive changes in our partner’s
energy and movements. This is so we may be able to further
adapt to our partner’s attempts to avoid being controlled
on the centerline. Only when we know that there is no escaping
our dominance of the centerline, we can know that we can hit
at will. In chi sau there is no need to hit your partner. You
know you could if this were a real self-defense situation.
Chi Sau is not combat, it is a training technique to prepare
you for combat.
If you practice chi sau aggressively, with little sensitivity
and control, and no cooperation, you are no longer training
chi sau. You are now training your ego and pride. Under these
less than ideal conditions, skill development is arrested.
Further, your partner will become demoralized and tired. It
is not pleasurable to be hit and to use aggressive energy in
chi sau. You will deplete your qi, muscles will become sore
and tired, sensitivity will become numbed and your spirit will
suffer. Your kung fu training will stagnate and you will likely
give up training, thinking that you have learned all there
is to know about chi sau. Chi Sau, when practiced properly,
will offer a lifetime of learning. There are no limits to how
energetically sensitive you can become.
There
is a time, place and means to train with more “realistic” self-defense
energy within the Wing Chun system. This comes only after much
training, discipline, control and skill development. Training
with this self-defense energy should only be done when there
is a solid base of integrated Wing Chun knowledge and skill
within you. Chi Sau training is one of the tools to prepare
you for this.
