Wing Chun

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Date of Origin: 18th Century Country of Origin: China Technique: Hands, Feet, Dragon Pole, Butterfly Sword

Wing Chun
What is Wing Chun?

Translated literally, Wing Chun means "beautiful springtime," or "radiant springtime." Wing Chun is also called "Wing Shun" or "Wing Tsun." According to Wing Chun, there are five ways of defeating the enemy: striking, kicking, joint locking, throwing and through weapons use.

Wing Chun is different from many of today's popular styles, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Kung Fu. These styles block first and then attack. Wing Chun emphasizes self-defense, focusing on methods that allow a block and an attack in the same movement. The style is based on human biomechanics rather than animal movements, using primarily straight line, fast, direct strikes and sophisticated simultaneous blocking and striking techniques, redirecting the force of an opponent rather than attempting to meet a possibly greater force directly.

The way the art produces efficient fighters in a relatively short amount of time is by sticking to several core principles and by taking a very generic approach to techniques. Much training time is spent cultivating "Contact Reflexes." The student practices guarding various zones about the body and deals generically 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.

More than half the techniques taught are hand techniques and the style is best known for its quick punches. Only low kicks are used. Traps and other kinds of controls are important as well. Trapping and speed are developed through the famous "sticky hands" (Chi Sao) training, which also teaches balance. The Mook Jong, a wooden dummy used for repetitive striking drills, is also a well-known training method. There are three forms used in the style: Sil Lum Tao, Chum Kil, and Bil Jee.

Only two weapons are taught in Wing Chun. The Dragon Pole and the Butterfly swords are generally taught only once the student has a firm foundation in the art. Weapons training drills offer the same generic ideas and concepts as the open hand system, including the use of Contact Reflexes. Many of the weapon movements are built off of or mimic the open hand moves - this is the reverse process of Kali/Escrima/Arnis, where weapon movements come first.

The aim of Wing Chun is to develop physical, mental and spiritual awareness of which will transcend you to a higher level of life. Self-awareness, self respect and a duty to serve should be the goal of life in every martial artist. Additional benefits are stress control, discipline and improved concentration, confidence and overall well-being. Wing Chun's skills are within the reach of anybody regardless of sex, age, body type or muscle development.