(via Ernie on KFO)  

Coming soon to a theater near you:

Is the [Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma] stance used in fighting?

First, I would preface this by saying that Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma (Trapezoid Shaped Yang Pressing Horse) is not a stance, just like Tan Sao is not a pose.

We don’t just hold out a Tan Sao and hope that someone punches us in the exact way that Tan Sao will intercept. Rather, we put out an arm, and if the opponent reacts in a way that creates Tan Sao, Tan Sao is created in that moment, and the bridge is on to the next job.

Keep reading »

Toby asks:  

[What about] anti-grappling?

Great question!

There are four main kinds of “anti-grappling” in Wing Chun Kuen.

The first is the basic, core mechanics of almost all Wing Chun, where the paths and positions themselves make it difficult for an opponent to initiate or counter with a joint lock or throw. Keeping the elbow down and in, for example, makes it hard to lock the elbow; keeping the weight far-loaded makes it hard to sweep the closer-leg for a takedown.

Keep reading »

Toby asks:

Everyone here should be aware of the surface level knowledge that is taught to a white sash student.

Traditionally, Chinese martial arts (of which Wing Chun Kuen is one) do not use “sashes” to denote student level, rank, or instructor experience. They don’t use anything.

Judo began the practice of using colored belts (initially a few, later more) to designate experience levels for competition. Philosophically, Judo was trying to move away from the older practice of Jujitsu and into a modern, sport-based structure. In martial arts, you know something or you don’t; you can use it or you can’t.

But the Judo idea quickly spread to Karate and other Japanese arts, and into Tae Kwon Do, American Kenpo, and other arts. Instructors realized that belts were a motivator for students (status being desirable) and a financial incentive for themselves (desire creating demand). White, brown, black became White, yellow, orange, blue, green, brown, black, became purples and reds and half-colors and stripes and all sorts of other ways to increase the steps, increase the motivation, and (for those who instituted belt fees, testing fees, association fees, and other surcharges) increase the profits.

Keep reading »

I just want to ask, what would a wing chun practioner do while being on the floor in the guard position. Would you rely on chi sao skills? to controll the opponent’s hands or would you rely on grabbing him close to you to avoid getting hit?

Wing Chun Kuen tends not to chase hands.

If you’re being blitzed, you may have to worry about immediate protection, but just like standing, if all you do is engage the hands, eventually the hands will engage your face.

Keep reading »

KPM asks:

I understand that Sum Nun and Yip Man weren’t on the best of terms.

I believe Sum Nung and Yip Man were mostly on good terms. Sum Nung visited HK before China closed the borders, did a brief seminar on locks and throws, and had dinner with Yip Man sifu. It’s my understanding that this is when a lot of stuff got patched up in terms of Mainland relations as well.

Keep reading »

I just saw the WVTAA awards and didn’t realize I was being inducted alongside Wang Kiu sifu. How terrifyingly humbling.

Wang Kiu sifu holds a special importance for me, as the simple statement he released over a decade ago (about a lot of the “history” people had been quoting was the product of Lee Man and his own (Wang Kiu was a journalist, I believe), putting together old Wuxia stories with famous figures from Foshan to try and help Wing Chun, a previously closely held and seldom taught system, get a foothold in Hong Kong.

That profound act of straight forwardness (and bravery, given the climate back then), that huge and amazingly selfless gift to succeeding generations of Wing Chun Kuen inspired me (and I’m sure many others) to look beyond the surface, the public perpetuations, and realize there was something more, and people who were there willing to talk about it. It helped motivate Complete Wing Chun and much more since.

Congratulations to Wang Kiu sifu, an amazing man, an amazing legacy.

Interview conducted September 25, 2007 by Robert Chu.

Photo by Ord Millar

How do you feel to receive this award?

Equal parts flabbergasted and honored. As I’ve said repeatedly, the only time I go out and do something publicly is when I can’t first find it myself. When I first came on the Internet, I was amazed that the lineages of Wing Chun Kuen from mainland China were almost completely unknown. So I began writing about them. It was a very natural process, so the idea that other people have found interest in my various projects as well is very satisfying.

Keep reading »

For the guys interested in the Chi Sao event at Seni London in April.

We will be holding an open evening on Tuesday 19th Feb 7.30 – 9.30 at St Mark Church Hall, St Johns Wood.

This is so people interested in entering the event can come and try out the rules at a controlled pace and ask questions, go over rules, see demo’s of the rules and so on.

We will have lots of different branches coming along, all with the goal of bringing Wing Chun forward together.

Please contact me if you have any question etc.

My best

Alan