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Ving Tsun Kung-fu
Ah yes, it is time for me to talk to you, the viewers, about one of my favorite things in the world, Ving Tsun kung-fu! No, that is not a misprint, that is the
Chinese spelling. In America, however, it is spelled phonetically: "Wing Chun."
Anyway, about the system. In a word (or a few), it is very simple, yet very complex. I say it is simple because of its origin. Legend has it that a Shaolin nun
created the system by taking the simplest and most efficient techniques from the Shaolin style (and a few others) and streamlined them into her own system of fighting.
Incidentally, by "efficient," I mean the techniques that do not require great raw strength or tremendous flexibility. The same legend says that it was passed on to only a select
few people and their spouses throughout the next couple of hundred years.
Fun Fact! Bruce Lee studied many forms of martial arts, but his first was Wing Chun!
One of the things that I feel makes Wing Chun such a good system is its efficiency. Literally anyone, regardless of size, age, or shape,
can learn this system. Like I said, one does not have to have the strength of a bodybuilder, nor the flexibility of a gymnast, and not even
the stamina of a college wrestler. One you do need though, is the drive to improve and the ability to expand on what you know on your own.
Let me clarify that last statement: Wing Chun is a small system. When compared with arts such as Tae Kwon Do, or Tai Chi, the actual forms and
exercises that you must learn are considerably less in number in Wing Chun. The flip side is that these forms and exercises are very deep, or complex, and
cannot be taken at face value. One must study what each hand placement means, what every footstep signifies, and what every flick of the wrist
should mean for you and your training partner (or potential opponent).
Many of you may have heard of the word "sensei," and know that it means "karate teacher." In all forms of kung-fu, the word for teacher is "sifu" (see-foo). With your sifu, you will
learn the forms and exercises of Wing Chun, up until there is no more that he or she can teach you. Even after that, your sifu should always be there to offer you guidance and to answer any
questions about the system that you may have.
Now, this has been a very general explanation of the system of Wing Chun. However, I will leave you with a table that will show the different levels of Wing Chun. There are no belts or sashes in Wing Chun.
When your sifu feels that you are ready to move up, he or she will let you know by training you in the next form or exercise.
| Beginner
| Intermediate
| Advanced
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| Form Siu Nim Tao
| Form Chum Kiu
| Form Bil Je
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| Exercise "Pak Sao"
| Exercise "Lop Dar"
| Sparring "Chi Sao"
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