Wing Chun Kung Fu (Chu Shong Tin lineage)

What is Wing Chun?

Wing Chun is a southern Chinese martial art based on principles such as simplicity, directness, practicality, efficiency & minimum use of brute strength.It is the only fighting system in the world largely founded by a woman & therefore works for smaller framed people.

 The main training components in Wing Chun

Siu Nim Tau

Siu Nim Tau is the first form and the foundation of Wing Chun Kung Fu and the whole form is performed in a stationary position with the movements in the arms only. The aim of this form is to create a unified and relaxed body which allows the free movements of the joints together with the training of mind force (correct intention). This form practices:

  1. The Stance (Yee Gee Kim Yang Ma) - developing a free, relaxed and unified structure and concentrating the force of impact at the centreline or to a point through back straight and Tei Gong;
  2. Theory of Centreline - using minimum movement for defense and attack;
  3. Theory of Straight Line - this is the application of speed and force of impact;
  4. Force from the mechanical structure - using the natural rotation of the joints to develop power; and
  5. Mind Force - using the subconscious power continuously to direct, but not force, each movement. Itcan strengthen the movements through the infusion of spirit into every part of the body. It can induce the absorbing and rebounding effect in fighting. This is a way of thinking, but not forcing.

Chum Kiu

Chum Kiu is the second form in the system and a method to contact with the opponent's arm(s). As the first form does not have any stepping movements, this form starts to train how to move with the body through the centre of gravity together basically with the movements in Siu Nim Tau to create the two-way force which is difficult to stop. The effectiveness of this form depends on the degree of perfection in practicing the Siu Nim Tau form. This form works on:

  1. Centre of Gravity- this is the central most point of the mass. If every movement starts from this point, the body mass can be moved in a unit which also provides the main source of power for the movements. This point can be found through the surface pivoting of the body;
  2. Two-way Force - applying forces deriving from more than one direction simultaneously for defense and attack. It can be two or more, e.g.. body movement together with arm(s) movement(s). The application depends mainly on the freedom of the joints and the ability of the Centre of Gravity to control the body;
  3. Physical and Mental Co-ordination - the mind is always on the target, not movements, so that the force is consistentagainst the target while the body and the limbs attack from different angles or positions; and
  4. Simultaneous attack and defense - further minimizing the movements.

Biu Gee

Biu Gee is the last free-hand form in the system which creates enormous destructive force. The effectiveness of this form depends on the degree of perfection in developing Siu Nim Tau's structure and Chum Kiu's body mass movements together with the infusion of Mind Force. This form trains:

  1. Speedy Rotation Power - creating the internal sucking and external rebounding power that is the whirlpool effect;
  2. Multi-angled Rotation - through intentions from Centre of Gravity rather than just physical movements; and
  3. The Control of the Cohesive Force - the mass of the body can be directed to any position freely for the best usage of defense and attack through intention. The position includes the weakest part of the body, e.g. finger tip.

Wooden Dummy

The Wooden Dummy is regarded as the secret skill in Wing Chun, but yet it is not. Those movements are actually based on the combination of the techniques of Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu and Biu Gee. The purpose of the Wooden Dummy is to practice the theories and application of movements from the three forms as well as angles of attack up to a person's limit which one cannot apply on a real person, e.g. practicing the cohesive power. It also allows time for self-correction on any weak points which could not be easy to adjust when under pressure. On the other hand, one can also use the dummy as the opponent to invent attack and defense techniques.

 

Sticking Hands

Sticking Hands (Chi Sau) is to train the application of the forms and the ingenious responses in fighting to foster the natural reflexes of the movements. The practice of Sticking Hands is divided into: single sticking hand, rolling hands (double sticking hands) and free sparring and requires learning step by step. It also practices the skill from the mottos of Wing Chun, such as: Loy Lau Hui Shun, Lut Sau Ja Chung (Attacked by someone, be able to neutralize the force. When the person retreats, keep the pressure on. If the person moves the arm(s) away, strike in.); Chiu Ying (directly facing the person); Jui Ying (chasing the person); etc.

Butterfly Knives

The Butterfly Knives is the combination of the movements of the three forms. All the theories and application are the same but the only difference is the special body movements to transfer body mass to the knives. The form also emphasizes the importance of wrist turning power. Usually, one is used to defend while the other is used in attack but when facing heavy weapons, both of them will be used to defend first before attacking back.

Six-and-a-half Points Pole (Long Pole)

It was said that the Six-and-a-half Points Pole was not created by thefounder of Wing Chun, the late Abbess Ng Mui. It was Wong Wah Bo who exchanged the Siu Nim Tau form with Leung Yee Tai's Pole form who learnt from the late Abbot Chi Sin. Whether this is true or not, we cannot verify. The form has only six and a half techniques as it is named. The mind force and basic principles of the three forms are applied. In the past, the pole should be over 11 feet, but nowadays the pole is about 9 feet long only.

History of Wing Chun

One of the most recognised versions of the origin of Wing Chun, as told by Ip Man, tells of the story of Ng Mei, a respected female martial artist of several Shaolin styles around 300 years ago.

Ng Mei taught a style based on directness and simplicity that didn't rely on strength to another female Kung Fu practitioner called Yim Wing Chun. Yim Wing Chun married Leung Bok-Lao, also an accomplished Kung Fu practitioner, and taught him this style. While passing on this new system Leung Bok-Lao named it Wing Chun after his wife.

Other versions of Wing Chun's origins exist, though like the Ng Mei version there is no written documentation, they have only been passed on orally. 

All versions however, generally interweave with other Kung Fu styles and point to an origin of the Shaolin temples around 300 years ago. Documentation does exist of Leung Jan, Yip Man’s grandmaster. Leung Jan was a Chinese herbal doctor in Fushun and a gifted practitioner of Wing Chun. This binds with Yip Mans own statements.

Yip Man taught Wing Chun in China before migrating to Hong Kong in 1949 and where he started teaching Wing Chun there. One of his earliest disciples was Chu Shong Tin, who is now a grandmaster himself, and a living legend. One of Chu Shong Tin's earliest students was the famous Jim Fung, who began teaching Wing Chun in Adelaide, Australia in 1973.

 

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