Wing Chun

Wing Chun is the name of a system of martial arts developed in southern China approximately 300 years ago. Its originator, the Buddhist nun Ng Nui, was a master of Shaolin Kung Fu and used this knowledge to invent a way to take advantage of the weaknesses inherent in the other Shaolin systems. This new system was well-guarded and passed on to only a few, very dedicated students, the style became known as Wing Chun, after Ng Mui's first student, a woman named Yim Wing Chun.

Wing Chun is unique among most of today's popular systems such as karate, tae kwon do, and Shaolin kung fu. the effectiveness of this Chinese Kung Fu system relies on principles rather than brute strength. It is a close range system known for its quick movements and trapping skills. The practice of Wing Chun develops extraordinary sensitivity, balance, and coordination. In Wing Chun the practitioner doesn't need to be very strong or extremely flexible. You need to learn the basic techniques and principles to defend yourself effectively. It is not a style that is beautiful, but it is sneaky and effective. While other martial art systems block first then attack, in Wing Chun you will defend and attack simultaneously. The Wing Chun practitioner does not draw back before striking: instead they strike from any position. This method increases the speed and eliminates the telegraphing of the strike. In this way, against one or two punches, a wing chun practitioner will throw eight to ten. While most other systems rely on a windup to generate striking force, Wing Chun uses the structure of the entire body to create power in a small space.

Because proper positioning will overcome sheer strength, much of a Wing Chun student's time is spent training the body to move precisely and efficiently. Wing Chun uses Chi Sao (sticky hands) training to develop this precision and economy of motion. No unnecessary movement or motion is used along with the minimum amount of energy. Striking movements are linear from point a to point b. Wing Chun uses the opponents energy against him. Students are trained to punch relaxed. This means that there is a minimum muscle resistance when the punch is launched allowing for maximum acceleration. Force = mass X acceleration. The force of a blow can only increase with the acceleration since mass is constant. Wing Chun was developed in a logical way and there are many meanings in each technique or theory. The challenge is to discover and utilize the deeper meanings to improve your understanding of the art.

As you learn Chi-Sao, things start to get fun. The object is to incorporate all the previous teachings and figure out (with an opponent) the best, fastest, and most efficient way to defeat techniques. It becomes a challenge, like a game of chess. Wing Chun is not just for men. Women may actually have a better predisposition to learning Wing Chun. Lessons learned in Wing Chun can be directly related to everyday life. Relax, don't use so much energy, see things at their basic level and then understand them better, and so much more...!