Sum Nung Wing Chun Kuen Methods
Rene Ritchie, February 26th, 2008
The fifteen year old had been learning Wing Chun kuen for the last couple of years from a fellow Foshan restaurant worker. During those years, the he’d oticed that every once in a while, a slender looking old man would come to the restaurant to take tea. Sometimes, following dinner, the old man would remain behind long after the establishment closed and watch their Wing Chun kuen practice. Although the old man looked on intently and was presumably quite interested in their activities, he always sat quietly, never criticizing anything he saw. Thus, it came as quite a shock to the youth when, one day, his teacher came to him and stated that the old man was in fact a Wing Chun kuen master of highly advanced skill. His teacher went on to tell the youth that the old man had been impressed by his dedication and hard work and had offered to take over his training. The youth was uncertain how to proceed. He turned his attention first to his teacher, large and powerful and then to the old man, who was small and thin and presumably long passed his prime. The youth’s observations led him to express doubts about the old man’s abilities. Nevertheless his teacher, Cheung Bo brought him over and introduced the youth, Sum Nung, to the old man, Yuen Kay-San. They spoke for a few minutes and Sum again stated his reservations. Intrigued by the youth and sensing his potential, Yuen decided to offer him a potential solution. The old man told the youngster that he was going to place eggs inside his pockets and then they would have a match. If, during the match, the youth succeeded in breaking even one of the eggs, the old man vowed he would admit defeat and be on his way. The youth quickly agreed to the simple sounding challenge and the contest was soon underway. Sum attacked repeatedly with all the power and skill his hard work and training had given him, yet each time he felt himself cut off and unable to continue after only one or two actions. Yuen remained calm throughout and hardly seemed to be moving at all. Nevertheless, when the match ended, Sum Nung stood back, confident that he had been victorious. It took mere moments for that confidence to shatter, however, as Yuen Kay-San slowly pulled all the eggs from his pockets. None were broken, not even so much as a crack.
Wing Chun kuen is not a technical style, it is a conceptual system. More than a set combinations of pre-patterned movements, it is an ingenious index and guide to the core principles of Southern Chinese martial arts. Thus, in the Wing Chun kuen of Yuen Kay-San, as taught by grandmaster Sum Nung, it is the yiu dim (yao dian, important ideas) that are vital, since from them come the many individual applications and implications.
Origins
Yuen Kay-San (Ruan Qishan) was born in 1889 to a wealthy family who owned a fire-works store. The fifth son of the family, he was often called by the nickname Yuen Lo Jia (Ruan Laozha, Yuen the Fifth). At a young age, Yuen Kay-San and his elder brother Chai-Wan (Jiyun) began studying Wing Chun kuen under a Foshan constable named Fok Bo-Chuen (Huo Baoquan). Fok had learned the art from Hung Suen Hay Ban (Hongchuan Xiban, Red Junk Opera Company) classmates Wong Wah-Bo (Huang Huabao) and Dai Fa Min Kam (Dahuamian Jin, Painted Face Kam). After completing their studies under Fok, the Yuen brothers sought out another student of Painted Face Kam named Fung Siu-Ching (Feng Shaoqing). Fung had worked as an Imperial Marshal and a guard for the Sichuan governor but by the time the Yuen’s approached him, he was just over 70 and ready to retire. The Yuen’s invited Fung to move into their family estate on Foshan’s Songyuan Dajie (Mulberry Gardens Main Street) where he taught Wing Chun kuen to them and a few of their friends. Since Yuen Kay-San was already accomplished in Wing Chun kuen, Fung Siu-Ching concentrated on teaching him practical application and close-body fighting (including joint locks and breaks, reverse locking, etc.)
Following their training with Fung Siu-Ching, the Yuen brothers took different paths. In 1936, Yuen Chai-Wan moved to Vietnam where he taught Wing Chun at the Nanhai and Shunde Expatriates Association. Yuen Kay-San, on the other hand, stayed in Foshan and worked on developing his Wing Chun kuen. Throughout his lessons, Yuen had always taken copious notes. He then spent time analyzing the scientific principles of Wing Chun kuen and became one of the first to document its formal concepts. Linking together and refining all the knowledge he had acquired, he developed a complete understanding of Wing Chun kuen and went on to found remarkable methods and principles encompassing its forms and functions.
One of Yuen Kay-San’s close friends at the time, Cheung Bo (Zhang Bao), worked as a chef at Tien Hoi, a local restaurant next to Kuaizi (Chopstick) street. Cheung, a large and powerful man, taught san sik (san shi, twelve separate forms) based Wing Chun kuen to a small group of fellow staff members at night when the establishment was closed. One of his students at the time was a teenager named Sum Nung (Cen Neng).
After a brief introduction and quick lesson in the skills of Yuen Kay-San, Sum Nung became Yuen’s student. Over the years, Yuen and Sum spent much time together, constantly practicing Wing Chun kuen. From Yuen, Sum learned the siu lien tao (xiao lian tou, little first training), chum kiu (chen qiao,sinking bridge), biu jee (biao zhi, darting fingers), muk yan jong (mu ren zhuang, wooden dummy), luk dim boon gwun (liu dian ban gun, six-and-a-half-point pole), yee jee seung do (er zi shuang dao, parallel double knives) and worked at developing his chi sao (chi shou, sticking arms) and other skills. When not practicing, Sum would sit beside Yuen Kay-San while Yuen discussed Wing Chun kuen’s concepts. Under Yuen’s guidance, Sum continued to refine and polish his Wing Chun kuen, developing an intelligent and practical system, as efficient as it was effective.
By the mid-1940s, Sum Nung had gained a great reputation in Foshan for his depth of knowledge and fighting skills. In the late 1940s, Sum Nung moved to the nearby provincial capitol of Guangzhou to pursue his medical career. In the early days, he supported himself by teaching Wing Chun kuen and providing medical services to members of the local Workers’ Unions.
Although Sum Nung, like Yuen Kay-San before him, did not boast of his abilities nor seek out confrontation, he did on occasion have friendly tests of skill with practitioners of other martial art styles. Although he seldom spoke of the encounters out of respect for his opponents’ reputations, it is said that in them, he never met with failure and his reputation in Guangzhou grew steadily.
Following Yuen Kay-San’s passing in 1956, Sum Nung renamed his system in his teacher’s honor in order to ensure Yuen’s name and contributions to Wing Chun kuen would live on. Due to the turbulent times of the Cultural Revolution that followed, Sum Nung taught his system privately. Over the last half-century, however, teaching only those whom he felt were upright and trustworthy, grandmaster Sum Nung has gone on to train many outstanding students.
Due to the quality of his training, and the many sources from which Wing Chun kuen flowed down to him, grandmaster Sum Nung was able to give his students not only his practical experience in application, but also his deep insight into the concepts and principles behind it.
Wing Chun Kuen Concepts
There are many important concepts in Wing Chun kuen such as “linking defense to bring in offense”, “techniques come from the heart”, “sticking hands is like asking the way”, and one of the most famous, the “meridian line”.
The jee ng sien (zi wu xian, meridian line), sometimes referred to as the central line, sagittal place, etc. is behind many of the major concepts of Wing Chun kuen. Like most Chinese concepts, it can be viewed in several different ways. Firstly, it defines the line that vertically bisects the practitioner’s body from the crown-point all the way down to the central point between the feet. Secondly, it indicates the same line through an opponent’s body. Thirdly, it encompasses the most direct root between the practitioner’s center and that of the opponent.
Wing Chun kuen seeks advantage by aligning its structure and weapons on the central meridian, striking the opponent’s center of balance, and maintaining dominance of the line between the two throughout combat.
In addition to the general principles, Yuen Kay-San left behind several formal written sets in poetic form, including the sup yee faat (shi er fa, twelve methods). Wing Chun kuen is based on these methods of joining, intercepting, sinking, darting, sticking, feeling, pressing, swinging, swallowing, slicing, stealing, and leaking. They are at the same time the simplest and yet the most profound of Yuen Kay-San’s written principles. Profound in meaning, the twelve methods provide a gateway to deeper understanding of the style.
Although each of the twelve methods can be interpreted and applied in different ways, basic explanations can help give insight into their potential. Joining is to make contact with the bridges. Intercepting involves the cutting-off the offense of an opponent. Sinking deals with the destruction of the opponent’s structure. Darting advocates the relaxed and accurate thrusting of power. Sticking relies on contact to gather information. Feeling uses contact to maintain positioning during the dynamics of combat. Pressing applies power like an iron on clothing. Swinging turns the reactions of opponents against them. Swallowing accepts an opponent’s power instead of resisting it. Slicing carves into an opponent to disrupt their center of gravity. Stealing fills the empty holes in an opponent’s defense. Leaking runs through an opponent’s actions.
Tactical advice is passed down in the system through sets of four character rhyming couplets such as the yiu ku (yao jue, important rhymed formulae) and the similar faat mun (fa men, methodologies).
These formulae impart advice including; as force comes, it should be received and kept. It is never resisted or knocked away but accepted and adhered to. As force goes, it is accompanied, escorted back, and added to. When a loss of contact occurs, or the body is crossed, a practitioner is advised to charge straight down the central meridian.
Wing Chun kuen does not prepare or plan out ahead of time and stubbornly enact these plans regardless of circumstance. It attacks according to current conditions and is alive and ever changing. Every offense is a defense and each defense is an offense. When changes are done skillfully, a practitioner can achieve twice the results with only half the effort.
Wing Chun kuen boxers must learn to apply their power in the most advantageous way, moving with the wind rather than against it. Its power is soft, calm, and quiet. Practitioners must therefore have faith in themselves to use it. Soft is employed to overcome hard, but both hard and soft are combined in use. Enemies are fought fiercely and attacks may be initiated in order to gain control. Once an initial attack is made, it is followed in succession until the target is no more.
Sets of five character rhyming couplets pass along training principles in the Yuen Kay-San system. They include the yiu jee (yao zhi, important ideas) and the ching yan (qian yin, introductions). These sets relate to working hard, being healthy, studying, being nimble, using the eyes, and being first.
Some of the training principles include that strength must be exacting in position, never overextended. It is aware, follows, and changes with feeling. During training, the eyes should be angry and look straight forward. Changes should be explored through sticking with a partner. A teacher must correct these practices. When there is no teacher and no partner, a mirror and dummy should be used to aid in this pursuit and one must imagine an enemy is present.
In addition, practitioners are advised to follow the methods of the ancestors, but to remember to change according to conditions. Lastly, it is said that if one works hard and trains, one is unlikely to meet with failure.
Preserving the Legacy
Among the better known individuals fortunate enough to have learned from grandmaster Sum Nung (with apologies, far to many to list completely here) are Leung Dai-Chiu (Liang Dazhao), Ngo Lui-Kay (Ao Leiqi), Kwok Wan-Ping (Guo Yunping), Lee Chi-Yiu (Li Zhiyao), Wong Wah (Huang Hua, Tom Wong), as well as Teddy Wong and many, many others.
Ngo Lui-Kay followed grandmaster Sum Nung from the mid-1960s until he relocated to Canada in 1982. As the concepts were passed from Yuen Kay-San to grandmaster Sum Nung, and from grandmaster Sum Nung to Ngo Lui-Kay and his many classmates, so have Ngo Lui-Kay and his classmates begun to share them with their own students and descendants. It is hoped that by introducing these concepts in the west, it will help to preserve the rare and unique system of Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun Kuen, and the teachings of grandmaster Sum Nung for future generations
Im really interested on the history of Yuen Kay San Wing chun, im one of the fanatic practioner of wc system our group existed for more than 10yrs, our group is researching for our lineage and the master who is kind enough in sharing the beautiful art of wing chun. we are from philippines and so far we havent heard and see the same movement of wc here in philippines, some of our movements and principles are the same with Yuen Kay San Wing Chun Kuen, hope there is somebody out there who is willing to help our group in tracing our lineage..
Russell
Hi Mr. Russell,
Warm Greetings!
I’m interested to know your lineage because you’ve said that you were from the Philippines and your group existed more than 10 years now. I’m eager to know where you from because I think we both share a common denominator, finding our WC lineage here in the Philippines that does not surface in public since 1970′s till this time. Our group also think that we came from this Lineage of Yuen Kay San Wing Chun. Because of the teachings of our humble teacher and sharing his knowledge the system that we’ve learn, if i’m not mistaken, almost the same as Yuen Kay San Wing chun however, due to some secrets our teacher taught us bit by bit and when the unexpected situation came we haven’t seen him since then. After that me and my brother in WC have been searching for a long time and we haven’t found anything that make us excited about it not until you surface. I’m from Cebu, Philippines. Where in the Philippines are you sir? How can I contact you though? One unique thing (a teaser), our teacher taught us how to jot down notes in mook jong that we alone who was practicing under him can understand the movement and also in making a notes, the techniques should not repeat again and again. All his teachings was in scientific in explanations. By your permission, my group would like to learn about you since we are from the same country and I hope I’m not wrong that our lineage is close to yours and to Yuen Kay San Wing Chun.
WCpercival
I’m interested in finding a reputable Wing Chun school here in the Philippines. will appreciate if you could point me to some options — specifically in QC or nearby areas (not in Manila). Thanks! I’m just a visitor here so would appreciate if you could send your reply to bobby_caingles@yahoo.com.sg.
Where can I find a Wing Chun school in Manila?
Sir Russel,
I to am from the PH. Manila to be specific and am very much interested in the art of WC. If possible please do send me contact details so that I may be able to get in touch with you. Thank you. — Dean — neicon27@yahoo.com
Where in qc can i study the art of wing chun? thanks… im very interested… please email me at franzivyzamora@yahoo.com.ph… thank you very much!
Je réside dans Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. J’ai lu vos textes en divers endroits sur Internet et ceux des membres de votre lignée de WC.
Est-ce que vous ou l’un de vos proches enseignez dans la métropole? J’ai 50 ans et j’aimerais m’initier à ce style d’arts martiaux.
Vous pouvez me contacter sur kempoka2@hotmail.com
Merci
hi please send me an info about a reputable wing chun school here in metro manila philippines. or anywhere in the philippines, thank you.
There is an awesome Wing Chun Kung Fu school, located in Angat, Bulacan, just north of Manila, here’s the number to the school: 0928-696-8203
Gud Am! Im very interested to learn wing chun kuen very practical the way of movements, the way of internalizing mind & body system, very synchronize of fist, i m looking for this school somewhere in manila or laguna, i hope that you can give me some information.. THanks..
sir san po ba may wing chun kung fu sa metro manila?
i believe that wing chun is my effective fighting method. I studied this style for 2 years and it saved my life 15 times against grave threat. i was able to confront with an aikido expert, and wing chun reigned supreme.
I am Edmon willing to join your team…. with wing tsun… can i join the team???? i’m from makati city….This is my Cellphone number 09157741500 and tell number 7298349 pls pm me edmonluna@yahoo.com i wana learn wing tsun… this is what i been searching for…a long time ago.. i am a good servant a humble…person… i really wna learn the art of wing tsun
The Wing Chun School in Angat has a new phone number: 09152047411
excuse me.. is there a wing chun school in Davao City or a wing chun instructor living there?
Greetings Sir Russell,
How do I get in touch with you? I am really interested in learning Wing Chun. Unfortunately, I do not know of any schools that teach the art. I know Wing Chun only in theory, learning about it form books. But would really be more meaningful to engage in the practice. I hope you will allow me to join your group. Please email me at ancient_xylem@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you soon Sir
Sincerely,
Nix
Hey there,
I recently moved over here in the Philippines from New Zealand. Iv been looking for a Wing Chun school in Alabang but no luck. If anyone knows of any schools in Alabang please let me know, would greatly appreciate it! Thank you
hi.
i want to know if there is a wing chun school in metro manila. i hope you can tell me please. tnx
hello all, is there a wing chun school in quezon city. ive heard that diliman preparatory school teaches wing chun. is it true?
i am willing to learn wing chun im from novaliches Quezon City
here’s my contact number 0933492339 and 09162205775.. thanks..
im from bulacan.i want to learn martial arts that associates with kung fu because i want to master the art of chi. do they accept students of any age? (like 20 above)
I wanted to learn wing chun.. But.. I’m living here in cebu.. And you’re in Bulacan. How can I? :/ I can’t find a place. Where i can study Wing Chun here in Cebu.
im interested in wing chun. im from las piñas area and working in makati.
09395687591 this is my number. please indicate the rates of every session if possible
i wanna join… guys.. if u have any info about the school and the rate, please dont hesitate to pm me.. i wanna join with you guys.. my number is 09152440915/09194291257.. thanks a lot… lets help each other..
i wanna join… guys.. if u have any info about the school and the rate, please dont hesitate to pm me.. i wanna join with you guys.. my number is 09152440915/09194291257.. thanks a lot… lets help each other.. thank you so much!!
pls. tell me where to find Wing Chun schools here in manila. thanks
hi there! I’m really looking for a Wing Chun school, can anyone tell me if there is one in manila or somewhere in alabang or maybe in las pinas? Please do pm me or email me the details e.g. location and rate, here is my e-add: hazjoy_97@yahoo.com
thank you!
hi!!! Very interested…any school in alabang or laguna?? pls reply and send email to luvxiaori.22@gmail.com…
hello i’m interested in wingchun..any school here in makati? tnx
hi. im from dasmarinas ,cavite , and i want to learn wing chun,, this is my # 09202659964
Good Day! Is it true that Diliman Preparatory School offers Wing Chun? Can I have the contact details. Thanks.
hi sir im fernando frome davao city.is there a chines kung fu school here in my place? plsss reply my quistion sir i want some answer……!!!!!
hello! is there a school of wing chun just near here in manila? thanks!!
hi my name is danny.i am moving to manila to live around 4 weeks.i have been tought from the best you can find.i dont like to say any names as my master and sifu are old now. and they like to be left alone.i was tought only to say one thing. and that was yes sifu. i will be open to teach some students who are willing to learn the fine art of wc. i teach strait to the point. unlike some teachers takeing 10 years befor the student learn a thing.wc was made to put fighters out to protect the temple in 6 months. so why do they take so long to teach. well there is only one answer .money. thank you.if you like to contact me. email lymarie.gelaga@yahoo.com
hi danny..i want to be your disciple..pls teach me wing chun…where are you in manila? this is my e mail…oww_yeah123@yahoo.com
im interested in learning wing chun but i guess bulacan is far from my place…do you guys know a nearer one…thanks a lot
kindly email me josemariportillo@yahoo.com
I want to learn wing chun… do you have school in cebu… thank you… email me.. rodel_odz@yahoo.com.. or text me… 09225430472…
Do you have school somewhere in manila near valenzuela city? Jus email me d place.. kristine_ganda08@yahoo.com.. tnx
gus2 ko po matutunan ang wing chun..inspirasyon ito kay bruce lee..idol ko po cya..at nakita ko ang mga epektibong galaw ng wing chun laban sa mga ibang Martial Arts …
till now wala pa ding reply… dami na pala natin naghahanap ng wing chun school
unfortunately mukang sa UP diliman na nga ang pinakamalapit for us here in luzon.. another one would be in cebu which is Sifu Percival’s but that’s it..
there is no school in davao city but if you want to practise i live there at the moment and would love to train together. i’ve practised wing chun for 9 years. my shifu is wan kam leung (a student of wong shun leung, who was a student of yip man). hit me up on donmegathebigfish(at)hotmail.com or 09275291229
Hey you seem like the only guy that has learned proper WC in the entire PI.I come there often, spend most of last January at the Pearl Farm and should be back soon. My lineage is Leung Sheung..I have met your Sigung and had dinner with him twice prior to his passing.I liked him but he did not touch me or my teacher. Let’s hook up and touch hands sometime. My teacher is Ken Chung one of the top 3 students of Leung Sheung.Studied with Ken for 14 years straight.
Is There a Wing Chun KungFu School Near Cebu?
Please Reply and Tell me Tnx
I’m From Talisay City Carmen Vill.
art, alrighty i got ur message. u got my phone number there in my previous post so hook me up when u’re around. i live in El Rio (just 1 short jeepney ride from Victoria Plaza Mall). i’m also planning to check out some beaches in samal island this coming january but it’s prolly easier to meet up someplace closer to El Rio
I just got your reply and can’t see your phone number. Send it to me at arosajas@yahoo.com. I was in the Philippines last January for the entire month. I spent the last week at the Pearl Farm. Sorry I missed you.
Hello, I’ve been trying to find wing chun classes in the west island (I live in Pierrefonds). I’ve been getting these 2 names through multiple websites: Rene Ritchie and Ngo Lui Kay. I’ve tried all the emails and phone numbers I found to contact Rene Ritchie, but still have no answer. Could someone help me find a phone number, email or website that could be helpful to me? my email is p.paschali33@hotmail.com
I know someone who knows wing chun…he lives in Valenzuela City…you may try to contact him if he is still teaching the art…here’s the e-mail add..michaelsandagon@yahoo.com
Hi All,
What a great website. Can anyone help me find a wing chun school in Sydney Australia who has been properly trained in the yeun kay san style. I can only seem to find a proper school in Canberra.
Your help would be greatly appreciated
saan po build nagtuturo nang kung fu?
Hi everyone, If you’re interested to learn Applied Wing Chun, you can visit our website http://www.appliedwingchunph.com. The location is in Makati and the training session is T-TH 8:30-10PM or Saturdays 4:00pm to 7:00PM. Applied Wing Chun is from Sifu Duncan Leung’s lineage. He was a private disciple of Yip Man. The instructor of Applied Wing Chun Philippines is Yuri Timg, his sifu is Joseph Musse Jr, a student of Duncan Leung and Sifu Guy Lai of Jiu Wan lineage. Please do visit us. Thanks.
Hi. There is Wing Chun in Davao City also. Lineage is Yip Man -> Wong Shun Leung -> Wan Kam Leung. Our schedule is: monday, wednesday & thursday at 7-9pm. Instructor with 11 years of Wing Chun experience. 500php/month or 80php/class only. Can try 2 classes for free. Teaching is in english, bisayan/tagalog translator. If you want training outside the regular classes schedule you can request for a private class for just 100php/hour.
Address: El Rio Pad. Lot 22 & 23, Block 16, Kamuning Street, El Rio Vista Phase 4A, Bacaca, Davao City 8000. Instructions: If you ride an El Rio jeepney, ask the driver to stop at El Rio Phase 4A and next to Living Water you’ll see a poster for El Rio Pad. Come to room #1/rooftop.
Contact information: 0949-722-6586 (sms/call)
DavaoWC@yahoo.com (email, msn/yahoo! messenger, facebook)
wow! thanks a lot for this info,finally i found what i was looking for! i want to enroll my 10 yr old son in your school and learn wing chun.we are from davao.tnx!
Good morning Sifu,
Where is the exact location of Wing Chun here in the Philippines.
Dear Sifu,
Where is the exact location training wing chun in Makati?
Please get in touch with me. thanks
Hi I’m very interested in learning wing chun. i’ve been looking for a school within cavite,philippines preferably here in dasmarinas or alabang. please text me 09165321380 / 09272748259 or email me at whitelighter_mitch@yahoo.com. thanks