Everything You Wanted to Know About Wing Chun Kung-fu
April 16, 2008
Translated literally, Wing Chun means “beautiful springtime,” or “forever springtime.” Wing Chun is also written “Ving Tsun” or “Wing Tsun.” According to Wing Chun, there are several ways of defeating the enemy: striking, kicking, joint locking, controlling, throwing and the use of weapons are the most common.
The way the art produces efficient fighters in a relatively short amount of time is by sticking to several core concepts and by paying strict attention to positioning. Much training time is spent cultivating “Sensitivity or Contact Reflexes.” The student practices guarding various zones about the body and deals 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. Because of this it is especially suited for the blind or visually impaired. In fact, Wing Chun’s unique training method seems tailor made for any visually impaired person to defend themselves as good, if not better than those who can see.
Most of 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 training footwork and alignment, is also a well-known training method. There are three forms used in the style: Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu, and Bil Jee.
Traditionally only two weapons are taught in Wing Chun. The Dragon Pole and the Butterfly Knives are generally taught only once the student has a firm foundation in the art. However, we teach modern weapons as well to enhance our training methods. Weapons training drills offer the similar 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 are learned first.
The system of Wing Chun is a survival system dealing with personal safety. Although it has traditional roots, it adapts and utilizes modern training methods. It is considered to be a twenty-first-century, highly refined, street fighting system, designed to be used against armed and unarmed attackers.
Wing Chun addresses a wide variety of aggressive acts which include punches, kicks, chokes, bear-hugs, headlocks, grabs, as well as defenses against multiple attackers and assailants armed with a firearm, edged weapon, or blunt object. It integrates elements related to the actual performance of the fight including the psychological dimensions of self-defense, with the use of the environment to your advantage. Because of Wing Chun’s combat-orientation, there are no competitions or tournaments.
There are multiple histories of Wing Chun in existence today, however, there is a generally accepted legend that says that a Shaolin nun named Ng Mui, a master of Kung Fu, developed the art nearly 300 years ago in southern China. At that time the Southern Shaolin Temple was sanctuary to the Chinese revolution that was trying to overthrow the ruling Manchu.
A martial arts system was being taught in the temple but it took almost 20 years to produce an efficient fighter. Realizing the need to produce efficient fighters faster, five of China’s grandmasters met and chose the most efficient Kung Fu techniques, theories and principles from the various styles. They then developed a training program that produced efficient fighters in 5-7 years. Before the program was put into practice, the temple was raided and destroyed.
Of those that escaped, Ng Mui was the only survivor who knew the full system. However, she realized that much of what she had learned was ineffective for a small, frail woman to use on a larger, stronger man. Discarding techniques that were slow or that relied on strength or size, She revised everything she had learned. She developed a system of fighting that enabled a smaller, weaker person to destroy a bigger, stronger person within a few seconds. Ng Mui’s 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.
Yim Wing Chun was a native of Canton in China. Her mother passed away just after her betrothal to Leung Bok Chau. Her father, Yim Yee, was later wrongfully accused of a crime. Rather than risk jail, Yim Yee and his daughter left the area and settled down at the foot of Mt. Tai Leung. It was here Ng Mui met Yim Yee and Wing Chun. Wing Chun was a beautiful teenager who had attracted the unwanted attention of a local man who continuously tried to force her to marry him by threatening to harm her father. Ng Mui learned of this and agreed to teach Wing Chun fighting techniques so that she could protect herself. In order to learn Ng Mui’s Kung Fu system, Wing Chun followed Ng Mui into the mountains to White Crane Temple. Wing Chun trained until she mastered the techniques. She then challenged the bully to a fight and defeated him.
The Wing Chun System was passed on in a direct line of succession from its origin. After her marriage to Leung Bok Chau, Wing Chun taught him Kung Fu. He in turn passed these techniques on. As techniques were passed along, the Six-and-a-half-point Long Pole was incorporated into Wing Chun Kung Fu. During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Wing Chun, like other martial arts, was banned in China and survived only through the persistence of practitioners like Yip Man.
The veil of secrecy around the art was finally broken in 1949, when Grandmaster Yip Man brought the style out of China into Hong Kong and eventually to the rest of the world.
In 1949, Leung Jan found out that one of its most famous teachers, Yip Man was currently in Hong Kong. He had heard about Wing Chun since he was quite young. Leung Sheung promptly introduced Lok Yiu and Tsui Sheung-Tin to Yip Man, and the three of them became the first batch of Wing Chun students in Hong Kong.
From 1949 until 1978, Leung Sheung remained Yip Man’s most senior student. He trained under Yip Man intensively and taught Wing Chun until his passing in 1978.
Among Leung Sheung’s more well know students are Kenneth Chung, Leung Ting, Jack Ling, Siu Wong, and others. Our lineage descends from Kenneth Chung who best retained Leung Sheung’s methods and most importantly, his unique energy.
Yip Man’s students began gaining noteriety for besting many systems and experienced opponents in streetfights and “friendly” competitions. The art gained even more popularity when one of its students, Bruce Lee, began to enjoy worldwide fame. Over time Wing Chun has been refined to it’s highest levels by a few of its masters. Wing Chun remains one of the most popular and most effective forms of Kung Fu today.
—
About the author: Armando Sainz has been involved in martial arts since 1979. His school is highly recognized in the industry as being one of the top Wing Chun schools in the country. www.centerlineacademy.com
Tips for Finding The Best Martial Arts School for Your Child
April 16, 2008
If you have decided to enroll your child into a Martial Arts school, you may now be wondering which one to go for. There is usually more than one school available within an area so you should have a mixture of schools to choose from. This can be hard for many parents as how exactly do you know which ones are better than others?
Things to Look For With Martial Arts Schools
All Martial Arts schools are different and not just in the Martial Arts that they teach. The teaching styles are often different so it is vital that you choose a school which suits both you and your child. In order to do this it would be a good idea to visit the schools beforehand.
Visiting the schools will give you a chance to see for yourself exactly how classes are run. Observe as many classes as you like and see how the teacher is with the kids. Are they strict? Do they give the kids a chance to do things properly before reprimanding them? Do they answer any child’s questions helpfully? By observing their teaching style you will be able to see whether you are happy or not leaving your child in their hands. Something else to look out for is whether or not they are being false in front of you. You will be able to tell this if they are being overly nice and if they keep looking at you throughout the lesson.
Another way of finding out how successful a Martial Arts school is is by asking other parents and children who go to that school. Ask them if they are happy enough with what the children are being taught and also ask the children if they are happy there. By finding out from people who actually go to the school, you will have a much better idea of how good it actually is.
Some questions you should ask the teacher before making your mind up include:
• What age range is the class aimed at?
• Is the class separated by gender?
• How is a children’s class different to an adult one?
• How much exactly are the classes going to cost?
The budget will obviously play a big part in whether or not your child can go to a martial arts class or not. All schools will charge a different amount of money per class so it is always worth shopping around and trying to find the best deal as well as the best training method. Remember, if you are not happy with the training method you should not leave your child in that persons care. You have to be completely comfortable that the class will be right for your child and so you need to spend as much time researching beforehand as possible.
—
Article author: James Liu. For more information go to www.ocjj.com.
Martial Arts Belts, Ranks, and Promotion
April 16, 2008
When people think of the martial arts, they usually think of people wearing belt ranks, or more specifically, the Black Belt. What is not common knowledge is the fact that the belt rank systems modern martial arts styles use are a fairly new addition to the ancient traditions of the martial arts.
Martial arts historians agree that the founder of Judo (means “the gentle way”), Jigoro Kano, was the first instructor to use colored belt ranks sometime around the turn of the century. Soon after Kano sensei started using colored belts for his students, many other instructors from other martial arts styles and systems began using them as well. Now, virtually every martial arts style uses some sort of colored belt rank system as an easy way for the instructors and students to tell how long a student has been training, and how much they have learned.
The standards for what a student should know and the techniques they should be able to demonstrate to earn a particular rank vary from school to school. As a new student in the martial arts, you should be aware that students in some schools may move through the ranks at a faster or slower pace than other schools do.
Does not mean that their school is “better” or “not as good” as yours? Although you should respect students from other styles and schools, be wary of schools that turn out black belts and instructors very rapidly. Generally speaking, it should take an average student at least four years to earn a legitimate black belt in a striking style. And, in some grappling styles (like Brazilian jiu jitsu) 8-10 years to black belt is the norm.
My suggestion is that you forget about earning rank and instead focus on learning skills. It is important that you focus on learning first, and advancing in the belt ranks second. A good student knows that they earn their rank by living up to it… working hard in training, paying attention in class, listening to the instructors, and practicing at home. Worrying about how long it will take to get the next belt will not get you to the next rank any faster. Just keep working hard and that martial arts belt display rack on your wall will fill up before you know it.
—
About the Author: Mike Massie has been teaching the martial arts for over twenty years, and is a well-known and outspoken advocate on the topic of ethical martial arts school management. He resides in Austin, Texas and runs a full-time martial arts studio in nearby Hutto, TX.
A Glossary of Korean and Japanese Martial Arts Terms
April 16, 2008
ai - (Jap.) Blending, harmony, joining or union. (Syn.- hap)aiki - (Jap.) Unity of force and will.
budo - (Jap.) “Martial way”; martial arts practice for self-improvement.
bunkai - (Jap.) Application of technique, especially in forms.
chung - (Kor.) Blue (used in sparring).
dan - (Jap., Kor.) Degree or grade. Often indicated by black belt.
do - (Jap., Kor.) A suffix meaning “way” or path.
dobak - (Kor.) A training uniform. (Syn.- gi)
dojang - (Kor.) A training hall, also called a “house of discipline”. (Syn.- dojo)
dojo - (Jap.) Literally, “way place”. A training hall. (Syn.- dojang)
gu-mahn - (Kor.) Command to stop.
gi - (Jap.) A training uniform. (Syn.- dobak)
gup - (Kor.) A category of rank for those students below black belt.
hapkido - (Kor.) Way of coordinated power.
hong - (Kor.) Red (used in sparring).
hosinsool - (Kor.) Self-defense applications.
hyung - (Kor.) Pre-arranged pattern of movement. (Syn.- kata, poomse)
ju - (Jap.) Suppleness, flexibility, or yielding.
judo - (Jap.) Yielding way.
jutsu, jitsu - (Jap.) Art or technique.
kae sok - (Kor.) Command to continue.
karate - (Jap.) Empty hand.
karate-do - (Jap.) Modern budo form of karate.
kata - (Jap.) Formal, pre-arranged patterns of movement. (Syn.- hyung)
ki - (Jap.) Force or energy.
kiai - (Jap.) Focused or concentrated force; also a controlled yell.
ki-hap - (Kor.) Same as kiai.
kumite - (Jap.) Free-style sparring.
kwanjangnim - (Kor.) Master instructor, fifth dan or higher.
kyong-ye - (Kor.) Command to bow.
kyorugi - (Kor.) Free-style sparring.
kyosanim - (Kor.) Senior or higher-ranked student.
kyu - (Jap.) A grade of rank below black belt. (Syn.- gup)
sabumnim - (Kor.) Instructor. (Syn.- sensei)
senpai, sempai - (Jap.) One’s senior in the training hall. (Syn.- kyosanim)
sensei - (Jap.) “One who has gone before”; a teacher. (Syn.- sabumnim)
si-jak - (Kor.) Command to begin.
tae kwon do - (Kor.) The art of kicking and punching.
te - (Oki.) Hand. Name for old Okinawan striking arts.
yudansha - (Jap.) Graded student, first dan and above; holder of a black belt.
Starting Martial Arts Classes in Isshin-ryu Karate
April 1, 2008
A Brief History of Isshinryu Karate
Isshinryu, which means One-Heart Way, was created by Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku, who was classically trained in Okinawa in Shorin-ryu and Goju-ryu as well as other styles. Isshinryu (sometimes spelled Isshin-ryu) is characterized by the vertical punch, low kicks, and more natural stances than most Okinawan styles. The result is a style that is suitable for every body type, with stances that provide a superior balance between strength and mobility. The techniques also contain pressure point applications built into the proper execution, though those are often not explicitly taught until higher ranks.
The style consists of eight empty-hand kata: Seisan, Seiechin, Naihanchin, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, Sunsu, and Sanchin. They are normally taught in that order, with the exception of Sanchin. It’s sometimes taught after Naihanchin or before the student begins sparring. Sunsu was created by Shimabuku, is unique to Isshinryu and reflects techniques from all the other kata. Some dojos also teach various kyu kata or have in-house short sequences or series of movements resembling kyu kata.
The style also includes traditional weapon kata for bo, sai, and tonfa.
Isshinryu also teaches what are called “The Charts”, a list of simple techniques and combinations. Chart I consists of upper body techniques and combinations while Chart II focuses on kicks and lower-body stretches. These are usually the first movements taught to a student and provide a solid basis for later learning kata. Charts may vary slightly from dojo to dojo but those differences are generally minor.
Starting Martial Arts in Isshinryu: What to Expect
Workouts will often begin with stretching, followed by the Charts, then kata and sparring. Isshinryu dojos tend to begin sparring early in a student’s career. At a minimum, lower belts should expect light contact sparring that gradually progresses in intensity as the student advances. Isshinryu tends to be a tougher sparring style with a strong street orientation.
Students will be expected to have a mouthpiece. Male students will need a groin protector or cup. Most dojos use some form of sparring gear as well, usually the foam formed style of headgear, hand and foot gear, although it is not uncommon to see senior students sparring without protective gear or with only light MMA gloves. Shin guards are often available if optional. Those dojos with more cross-training programs may have other gear, such as hand wraps or dojo training shoes.
It’s increasingly common to see Isshinryu practitioners expanding their ground games and mixed martial arts skills through cross-training or exploring those applications inherent in Isshinryu.
Expected Training Costs
Dojo fees can vary, ranging from free classes taught at churches and youth facilities to upscale dojos charging $100-150/month. Students will normally be expected to have a gi and to purchase weapons when weapons kata are taught.
Advancing in Isshinryu Karate
Belt structures also vary widely from school to school. Traditionally, the sequence was white-green-brown-black and the time to earn a black belt was generally 3-6 years, depending on the student’s training. Many dojos have expanded that structure to provide belt advancement and “tip testing” at each kyu rank. There is no standardized sequence of belts in the below-black-belt rank structure.
In Conclusion…
Isshinryu provides a solid foundation in traditional martial arts and is an excellent choice for students of any age.
—
About the author: Cyn Mobley is a black belt in Isshinryu. She is senior editor at Bushido Press, an independent martial art book publisher specializing in dojo books as additional income streams and in preserving the legacies of the masters. Martial arts instructors who wish to publish their own dojo manuals can contact Cyn at Bushidopress.com.
Advertisement
|
|
|
-
Sections
-
Archives
-
-
