Wing Chun: Introduction
Ip Man Family Wing Chun Kung Fu
Ip Man Family Wing Chun Kung Fu has passed in a direct line from Great Grandmaster Ip Man, pictured below (the teacher of martial artist and movie star Bruce Lee), through his sons Grandmasters Ip Chun and Ip Ching, and through them to their disciple Grandmaster Samuel Kwok. Tom Hamilton and Sandy Teenan are private disciples of Grandmaster Kwok and teach classes in Hamilton.
Wing Chun is a very unique and scientific form of martial art, relying heavily on key principles of redirecting energy by utilising precise positioning, accurate strikes and reaction to an opponents energy.Wing Chun's speciality is in close contact combat, using quick punches, open hand strikes, a tight defence, and an agile stance for quick advances. The effectiveness of Wing Chun is achieved by executing well coordinated attacks whilst simultaneously maintaining defence and vice versa. Energy is conserved by maintaining flexibility and relaxation during execution of technique, which in turn increases speed, combining this with accurate striking allows for a powerful delivery of technique without relying on brute force.
Unique to Wing Chun is "Chi Sau", a form of training to help develop and put into practice your techniques and the theories you learn during your training. Chi Sau teaches and helps you to develop:
- Responsive reflex.
- Positioning.
- How to overcome your opponents strength.
- Effective usage of energy.
- How to take advantage of the shortest possible distance between you and your opponent.
The principles, theories, and techniques of Wing Chun are founded on the three hand forms:
- "Sil Lim Tau" (little idea)
- "Chum Kiu" (bridge seeking arm)
- "Biu Gee" (thrusting fingers)
As students advance to an accomplished level they will also learn the "Muk Yan Ghong" (wooden dummy), "Luk Dim Boom Gaun" (six and a half point pole)techniques, and finally "Bart Cham Dao" (eight cutting double knives).
The Chinese symbol for the martial art of Wing Chun is picture below:
