Wing Chun

I began training Wing Chun martial arts in July 2011.  This page is dedicated to track my progress and post resources I find useful.  Instruction comes from Indy Wing Chun.

Latest (2/15): Learned the movements to all 8 Muk Jong sets, working daily at proficiency.  Learned more long pole and have have started the Biu Jee.  Chi Sau and scenario training has been intense and learning a lot.

I *thought* I was doing pretty good against my usual Chi Sau partner but mixing it up against others has exposed a lot of serious weaknesses.  Good to face as many different types of opponents as possible to give the body the different neural sensations to learn from.

I just ordered halfway through a copy of "Complete Wing Chun: The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun's History and Traditions," by Robert Chu, Rene Ritchie, and Y. Wu.  This book is a recommended read from my Sifu.  According to this book, Yip Man practiced his fooks for hours at a time.

 

Training corner complete
Chris French Wing ChunThanks to Master Thornton at woodendummy.net for the great Muk Yan Jong.  This makes my training corner complete for a while.

I purchased the pvc bucket dummy because I wanted a freestanding unit I could bang away on in my garage.  I also wanted economical and after adding up what it would take me to do it, Master Thornton was a better deal.

I installed the alternative method meaning I chose to manage the dummy height by raising the whole bucket instead of adjusting height in bucket.  I did this so I could put the bucket on top of a platform (a diy made w/ 4"x"4"s and plywood) that allows my feet to "take over the dummy's space" by sliding underneath.  I also tweaked it so I can pull the body out in event I put another stand somewhere else.
 

Wing Chun Sa Pilipina - Chibi Moku & Golden HarvestMy favorite part of this blog is meeting interesting people from all around the world.  Not long after putting this page up I got contacted by Japanese filmmaker Chibi Moku asking if I'd take a look at a video they shot.  They were really cool and shared some details in how they shot it and the tools they used.  This 20min film on Wing Chun with Golden Harvest in the Philippines is fantastic: Watch Video (19:47)

I find this video series of Wing Chun and "in-fighting" with Sifu Wong Shun Leung valuable in reinforcing core concepts (particularly video 2).  Wong Shun Leung was a student of Yip Man and Sifu to David Peterson who wrote a great book detailing the combat philosophy of Sifu Leung which you may find here:  Look Past the Point Finger: The Combat Philosophy of Wong Shun Leung.

The Science of In-Fight Videos:

The Science of In-Fighting with Master Wong Shun Leung

Project Wing Chun - updated 2/15/2012
  • Learn and develop necessary physical and mental skills to gain proficiency in the art of Wing Chun.
    • Proficiency in Siu Lim Tau ✔
    • Proficiency in Chum Kue ✔
    • Proficiency in Biu Jee
    • Proficiency in Muk Yan Jong
      • First form ✔
      • Second form ✔
      • Third form ✔
      • Fourth form ✔
      • Fifth form  ✔
      • Sixth form ✔
      • Seventh form ✔
      • Eighth form ✔
    • Proficiency in Luk Dim Boon Gwan - Learning the movements
    • Proficiency in Baat Jaam Do
  • Integrate scheduled classes and self-practice into my weekly routine. 
  • Integrate sport specific drills into my exercise regiment.
  • Gain combat experience. (provided by Sifu and my Wing Chun brothers to date)

*Proficiency defined here as performing the sequence, understanding the concepts and principles behind movements.  Practice and refinement performed daily.

Self-Defense Supplemental

  • Learn key awareness principles
  • Understand the basic yet essential criminal psychology concepts
  • Learn optimal non-violent defensive tactics 
  • Simulated training to most effectively react in "fight or flight" physiological response situations

Comments

Golden Harvest (not verified)September 12, 2011 - 7:19am

Great info

Great info!!! And thanks a ton for sharing our doc with the world! Train hard brother!

mystery personDecember 31, 2011 - 3:45pm

Just curious to know what

Just curious to know what made you choose Wing Chun as I was seriously considering Akido?

chrisDecember 31, 2011 - 5:20pm

Good question!

After enrolling my daughter in Karate and observing her classes I realized that style wasn't for me.  Then shortly thereafter a friend recommended the movie Ip Man and that style appealed to me so I looked further.  It was a combination of the Wiki entry describing balance, structure, and relaxation as core concepts as well Indy Wing Chun's informal training format that appealed to me.

There is a Wing Chun brother in class that is advanced in Aikido and reports that the styles are somewhat similar in nature.

I didn't deliberate much and leapt in figuring I could always change course down the road.  I'm glad I did because I am loving it.

Hope that helps!

All the best,
Chris

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