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July 2011

The Origins of Wing Chun

Wing Chun Kung Fu is a Chinese martial art, with its roots in the Southern Shaolin Temple and a history of over 400 years. It is said that a nun, Ng Moi, fleeing the imperial troops of the Qing Emperor, taught her martial art skills to a young girl (Yim Wing Chun) who was being bullied by a gang of thugs. Thus Yim Wing Chun was able to defeat the thugs, even though they were far stronger than her.

Ng Moi taught Yim Wing Chun three bare hand forms, 108 wooden dummy techniques (Muk Yan Jong) and a weapon form (Baat Jam Dao or 8 Chopping Knives). Later, a long pole technique (Luk Dim Boon Kwun or Six and a Half Point Pole) was added through the influence of the Red Boat Opera performers. This today gives us the complete system of Wing Chun Kung Fu, namely:-

• Siu Lim Tao (1st Form)
• Tsum Kiu (2nd Form)
• Biu Jee (3rd Form)
• Muk Yan Jong (Wooden Dummy)
• Baat Jam Dao (8 Chopping Knives)
• Luk Dim Boon Kwun (Six and a Half Point Pole)

From generations of master and student the skills of Wing Chun eventually came to Foshan, in Southern China, and were passed down to the legendary Grandmaster Ip Man (1893-1972), whose dedication has resulted in the widespread popularity of Wing Chun.

Ip Man taught many students, the most famous being the film star and martial artist Bruce Lee. Sadly, Ip Man passed away in 1972, but his teaching lives on through his eldest son, Ip Chun.

1. Be disciplined and respect the Martial Art morals

2. Understand courtesy and loyalty. Love your country and respect your parents.

3. Love your Kung Fu brothers and sisters. Unite and enjoy to be a group.

4. Control your passion and protect your spirit.

5. Practise the skill regularly and keep the skill with you at all times.

6. Nourish your Qi. Confrontations and fighting are forbidden.

7. Be gentle to handle any events and situations.

8. Protect the weak and small. Use your martial art skill with integrity.

9. Carry on our ancestors' path and strictly follow their instructions.

Curriculum

In the Wing Chun Class you will learn Chi Sau (Sticking Hands), Siu Lim Tao (1st Form) and Six a Half Point Pole.

Siu Lim Tao is divided into 3 sections, each designed to train a particular aspect of Wing Chun. It also teaches us the basic stance as well as helping the body to relax and the mind to be calm.

Grandmaster Ip Chun passed the Wing Chun skill on to Master Michael Tse, who is Ip Chun's most senior student teaching in Europe and also my Teacher (Sifu).

Grandmaster Ip Chun and Master Tse Wei Jing (Michael Tse)

On the wall of Grandmaster Ip Chun's Wing Chun school in Hong Kong there is a marble plaque, on which is inscribed the Wing Chun Ancestor Rules. These Rules provides us with a set of guidelines to being a good student, a good teacher and a good person. My Sifu says that this is because in order to be a good martial artist we need not only to have a good skill but also a good heart.

Wing Chun Ancestor Rules(詠春祖训)

Chi Sau (or Sticking Hands) is a partner exercise for both training the applications found in the forms and developing the sensitivity, footwork and timing necessary to enable you to overcome a stronger opponent. Beginners start with single sticking hands before moving on to double sticking hands.