Wing Chun is a style of Kung Fu that places an emphasis on close range combat, quick punches and tight defense to overpower opponents. This traditional Chinese martial art destabilizes opponents with quick footwork, defending and attacking positions taking place almost simultaneously, and using the enemy's strength to one's advantage. This complex method takes years of training to reach a good level, but beginners can easily approach it by learning and understanding its principles, fundamentals and theory.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Learn the principles of Wing Chun
Step 1. Learn the center line theory
One of the foundations of this martial art is the perception of the center line of the body. Imagine a line that starts in the center of the upper part of the head and runs across the chest, dividing it in half, down to the lower body. This is the center line of your body and it is also the most vulnerable area. It must be constantly protected.
- According to this theory, you should always attack your opponent aiming for the center line and defend yourself by protecting yours.
- The basic position of Wing Chun follows the central (or median) theory. When you are in the open position, you must look forward, the knees must be flexed and the toes slightly turned inwards. By facing the opponent with your head held high, you are able to attack with balanced strength.
Step 2. Be careful and thrifty with energy
The key principle of this martial art states that, during combat, energy must be used wisely and sparingly. Take advantage of your opponent's by deflecting or redirecting shots.
Always use movements wisely and "economically". The basic idea is to move the body as little as possible, for shorter journeys and for less time to make contact with the opponent. This also allows you to save energy
Step 3. Stay relaxed
A contracted body consumes energy unnecessarily. Try to keep your body relaxed and you will be much smoother.
If you are experienced in other martial arts (especially in the "high impact" styles), you will have to "empty your cup" and unlearn bad habits. Wing Chun is a "soft" fighting style with many neutralization techniques that require a "fluid" and relaxed body. You will need to reprogram your muscle memory and switch to relaxed habits; this could all be frustrating and time consuming; however, you will find that it will be worth it in the long run
Step 4. Refine your reflexes
In the practice of Wing Chun, the fighter reacts with quick reflexes to stop the attack and modify the fight according to his own style.
Step 5. Adapt your combat strategy according to the opponent and the environment around you
The enemy could be tall or short, large or small, man or woman, and so on. Similarly, the surrounding environment can change: inside or outside homes, in the rain, in the cold or in extreme heat and so on. You have to be ready to adapt to various conditions.
Step 6. The_forms_of_Wing_Chun Learn the forms of Wing Chun
The practice of this martial art is divided into a succession of six different forms, each of which is based on the previous one. For each form, you must learn the right posture, body position, hand and foot movements and balance. Here are the shapes:
- Siu Nim Tao.
- Chum Kiu.
- Biu Gee.
- Muk Yan Chong.
- Luk Dim Boon Kwun.
- Baat Jaam Dao.
Part 2 of 5: Deciding How to Study Wing Chun
Step 1. Find a Wing Chun school
Martial arts schools often only focus on one style, especially for busy students. Wing Chun academies or clubs are sometimes affiliated with martial arts associations. Do some research online to find the school closest to you.
- Check with gyms and martial arts schools to find out if they teach Wing Chun. Sometimes they may only teach the basics, which is why you will need to move to an area where advanced courses are available if you intend to learn this practice in depth.
- Find a shifu (teacher) and ask him about his training. Try to understand how many years of experience he has and how he learned Wing Chun.
- Take a class. Evaluate how the shifu handles the lesson and how other students respond to his teachings.
- Learning this martial art by following courses in person is the best method.
Step 2. Learn Wing Chun with online and DVD courses
There are many websites that offer self-paced lessons. You can usually find videos and instructions with differentiated cost levels based on the level of experience (beginner, intermediate, advanced, and so on) and the material you want to have access to. These lessons can come in handy if you can't rely on a qualified instructor or Wing Chun school. They could also be a valid addition to your training, if you already attend an academy. Choose a DVD or online course that is taught by a Wing Chun Master or Grand Master.
- Some online schools offer advanced students courses for instructor certification so that they can teach themselves.
- Private lessons via web-cam with a Grand Master are also available.
- There are mobile phone applications to help you study Wing Chun.
- Simply type the words “Wing Chun online courses” into the bar of your favorite search engine and you will find hundreds of solutions. Also browse YouTube, where you will find many demonstration videos.
Step 3. Choose a specific place to practice
Find an area in your home where you can train. Make sure there is enough space to move in all directions. Test this by waving your arms and legs. Movements must not be hindered by furniture in the room.
There should be a mirror to see and control your movements
Step 4. Find a partner to train with
Learning the movements alone is a limited part of the practice and does not allow you to improve; sooner or later you will have to learn how to interact with an opponent. A training partner allows you to practice how to react to the movements of another person. It can also provide you with the right encouragement and help you evaluate your practice.
Part 3 of 5: Understanding Siu Nim Tao
Step 1. Learn the Siu Nim Tao form
Siu Nim (or Lim) Tao, called "Little Idea", is the basic form of many Wing Chun moves. Thanks to it you learn the right posture, to control the body, to relax and the basic movements of the hands.
You should be able to master every aspect of Siu Nim Tao before moving on to the next section and before learning other techniques
Step 2. Understand Gong Lik
This is the first section of Siu Nim Tao and focuses on good structure and relaxation. You will learn the opening position, with your face turned to the opponent. You will train to keep the body relaxed.
Practice the Gee Kim Yeung Ma stance, or opening stance. You have to stand with your eyes forward. The toes are turned slightly inwards and the knees are flexed. The weight must be well distributed on both feet. You must also focus on the position of the arms and elbows in preparation for learning the movements of the hands and arms. This front stance gives you a great advantage in combat, because both legs and arms can protect the midline. You must use all the limbs equally without favoring one side over the other
Step 3. Learn Fajing
It is the second position of the Siu Nim Tao. Its purpose is to develop the release of potency; you learn to use force and how to save it together with energy. You need to focus on relaxing until your hands are ready to strike.
One of the most common movements in Fajing is the open hand strike (yan jeung), where the left hand opens, rotates downwards and moves downwards to strike the opponent
Step 4. Understand what the basic skills are:
the third section of Siu Nim Tao involves learning the basic movements of the hands and parades and represents the foundation on which the other techniques of Wing Chun are based.
Some of these basic skills are Pak Sau or Huen Sau (strike), Tan Sau (block with open hand), Gan Sau (block with cutting hand) and Bong Sau (movement with arms open like wings). Much of the Siu Nim Tao practice for this section involves the combination of these movements. Once you have mastered these fundamentals, you will first need to practice with your left hand and then with your right
Part 4 of 5: Understanding Chum Kiu
Step 1. Learn what Chum Kiu is
This shape, also called “bridging arms or seeking arms”, introduces the whole body movements to integrate the basics you have learned with Siu Nim Tau. In Chum Kiu you will have to focus on how to correctly rotate the body efficiently, paying attention to weight distribution and balance. Foot movements, such as rotations and kicks, are introduced in this section.
You should master each section of Chum Kiu before moving on to the advanced ones and before learning other techniques
Step 2. Understand the first section of Chum Kiu
This, called Juun, focuses on rotations, balance and structure. While learning Juun, you will need to pay attention to your surroundings, even if it is behind you, in order to fight efficiently. Additionally, you will be introduced to intermediate arm movements such as Jip Sau (ripping arm) and Fut Sau (asking hand).
Step 3. Learn the second section of Chum Kiu
She is called Ser and emphasizes the art of deflecting the opponent's attack by redirecting her energy against him. You will have to learn how to move your hands and feet as if they were one unit and then you will learn how to move them independently.
Step 4. Get to know the third section of Chum Kiu
In this section, you will learn how to use strength in conjunction with hand and foot movements. You will also be able to use a combination of quick arm movements and relaxed body movements to adapt to various combat situations. You will work on the rotations of the body to the right and left to improve balance and find your midline during the fight.
Part 5 of 5: Learn Advanced Forms of Wing Chun
Step 1. Learn the Biu Gee
The Biu Gee, also called "the fingers that pierce", focuses on the use of power in very close combat. Students also learn emergency techniques, such as how to recover the midline during a fall or when cornered. In each of the three sections of the Biu Gee you will use a combination of hand and foot movements from the first two forms to recover from a position of disadvantage. Later you will learn to bring your hands into an attack position where you can use the power at a short distance to make the opponent harmless.
Step 2. Understand Muk Yan Chong
This form, also called "wooden man", is quite advanced and you will train with a firm opponent (the wooden man, in fact). In this way you learn how your hand and foot movements come into contact with the opponent.
Step 3. Learn Luk Dim Boon Kwun
This shape is also referred to as a “six and a half point staff” and adds a stick as a weapon that you can use to attack. Fighting with a stick increases your balance and defense skills.
Step 4. Get to know the Baat Jaam Dao
The Baat Jaam Dao form (“eight-edged sword technique”) is the most advanced form, where you can use small daggers as weapons. It is not taught to all students who reach this level, only a select few have access to this form. It mainly focuses on accuracy, technique and position. The movements of the hands and feet are somewhat modified compared to the previous shapes to adapt to the use of knives.
Advice
There are many books that deal with the teaching of Wing Chun techniques and principles. Books, however, may not be as useful as live lectures, online teaching, or DVDs. Although you can find pictures of the various positions, techniques and styles, the texts cannot show you the correct movements, thus limiting your learning
Warnings
- When you practice or train in Wing Chun, you may experience minor bruises and marks. However, you shouldn't be shy during training for fear of hurting yourself. Proper Wing Chun training causes no more than a few small bruises.
- Consult with your doctor before starting any physical activity program.
