My Reflections of Wing Chun Kung-Fu

By John F. Di Virgilio

Having entered my fourth decade of Wing Chun practice, I decided to write the following short reflective paper to help people interested in learning Wing Chun Kung-Fu. For those that already have years of martial arts experience, you will see some parallel experiences in your learning. But whether experienced in martial arts or not, some people will learn the entire Wing Chun system, and yet will become only passing collectors of knowledge because they cannot demonstrate the skills that only real experience can instill into a person.

The Wing Chun system was developed in old China. It was a time of revolution and turmoil, an era in which common people and revolutionaries needed personal fighting methods to survive. During this early period, firearms were only found in the ranks of the military. The common Chinese people carried only short utility knives and bladed tools. Bladed weapons practice for personal and family protection was a necessary part life. This was especially true in the vast rural and mountainous areas, where active groups of bandits operated without concern for any law enforcement. Hence, the early Wing Chun system was formed around the use of knives and unarmed (open hand) short hitting methods. Over several centuries, the system has been refined and regenerated by many teachers. However, what has not changed much is a core of useful strategies and tactics that really work. In contemporary times, the unarmed portion of the Wing Chun system is emphasized, while the double knives and the spearing long staff have almost completely faded into obscurity.

In all of human history, the universal mindset to survive an attack from other people is deeply rooted. First and foremost, the purpose of Wing Chun is to build strong personal character and fighting methods to survive predatory people. Wing Chun teachers vow never to teach bad people or give potential evil doers insight into their martial skills. Therefore, you must be prepared to carefully observe kung fu teachers, as the good ones will start teaching slowly and cautiously. With this in mind, it is best to find a highly-qualified teacher and start training your mind and body. Kung Fu means achievement (or development) of skill through years of hard and structured work. Though combat skill can be learned quickly, refined ability comes slowly. A good sifu (Si = teacher / Fu= father) knows well that the best skills and abilities ripen late. There is no universal time table of learning that fits everybody in the same way. Unless there is a clear and present danger nearby, you must expect to learn slowly.

Every person must evaluate his or her own personal needs and reasons to learn a martial art. Some people will find martial arts practice to be a great benefit for character building and personal confidence. Others will benefit from the heightened connection between psychological mind and physical body. Sadly though, a great many will lack either the patience or the self-discipline to stay with their teacher long enough to reap the benefits.

Wing Chun is a martial art with certain hard principles followed by many malleable patterns of applied skills. These hard principles are taken from the worst case (non-firearm) survival scenario in which the unarmed Wing Chun practitioner might have to face multiple opponents, some carrying bladed weapons. In this situation, even with the odds of survival greatly reduced, the Wing Chun practitioner still chooses to do his or her best to fight off the attackers.

First and foremost, know that any fist or kick that cannot be pulled back quickly will get chopped off. Hence, a great majority of Wing Chun techniques are kept close to the body. Wrestling techniques, far-reaching punches and kicks can easily become fatal for oneself and one's family. The best chance for survival can be found in effective use of quick footwork combined with short-range and quick techniques. At best, you will probably have only a few seconds to react. It is important to know that the Wing Chun system is a breakout system in which the person must engage and break through possible containment by multiple attackers. Wing Chun is not a bounce and shuffle tournament system.

The Wing Chun system is composed of a series of quick, short-hitting techniques called "ideas." The unarmed aspect of the Wing Chun system's ideas (applied techniques & methods) are grouped into five progressively-learned parts. All the parts must be carefully practiced under the guidance of a competent teacher and practiced with live partners. Written below is an overview of the five areas or arenas found in the Wing Chun open-hand system.

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By John F. Di Virgilio Having entered my fourth decade of Wing Chun practice, I decided to write the following short reflective paper to help people interested in learning Wing Chun Kung-Fu. For those that already have years of martial arts experience, you will see some parallel experiences in your learning. But whether experienced in martial arts or not, some people will learn the entire Wing Chun system, and yet will become only passing collectors of knowledge because they cannot demonstrate the skills that only real experience can instill into a person. The Wing Chun system was developed in old China. It was a time of revolution and turmoil, an era in which common people and revolutionaries needed personal fighting methods to survive. During this early period, firearms were only found in the ranks of the military. The common Chinese people carried only short utility knives and bladed tools. Bladed weapons practice for personal and family protection was a necessary part life. This was especially true in the vast rural and mountainous areas, where active groups of bandits operated without concern for any law enforcement. Hence, the early Wing Chun system was formed around the use of knives and unarmed (open hand) short hitting methods. Over several centuries, the system has been refined and regenerated by many teachers. However, what has not changed much is a core of useful strategies and tactics that really work. In contemporary times, the unarmed portion of the Wing Chun system is emphasized, while the double knives and the spearing long staff have almost completely faded into obscurity. In all of human history, the universal mindset to survive an attack from other people is deeply rooted. First and foremost, the purpose of Wing Chun is to build strong personal character and fighting methods to survive predatory people. Wing Chun teachers vow never to teach bad people or give potential evil doers insight into their martial skills. Therefore, you must be prepared to carefully observe kung fu teachers, as the good ones will start teaching slowly and cautiously. With this in mind, it is best to find a highly-qualified teacher and start training your mind and body. Kung Fu means achievement (or development) of skill through years of hard and structured work. Though combat skill can be learned quickly, refined ability comes slowly. A good sifu (Si = teacher / Fu= father) knows well that the best skills and abilities ripen late. There is no universal time table of learning that fits everybody in the same way. Unless there is a clear and present danger nearby, you must expect to learn slowly. Every person must evaluate his or her own personal needs and reasons to learn a martial art. Some people will find martial arts practice to be a great benefit for character building and personal confidence. Others will benefit from the heightened connection between psychological mind and physical body. Sadly though, a great many will lack either the patience or the self-discipline to stay with their teacher long enough to reap the benefits. Wing Chun is a martial art with certain hard principles followed by many malleable patterns of applied skills. These hard principles are taken from the worst case (non-firearm) survival scenario in which the unarmed Wing Chun practitioner might have to face multiple opponents, some carrying bladed weapons. In this situation, even with the odds of survival greatly reduced, the Wing Chun practitioner still chooses to do his or her best to fight off the attackers. First and foremost, know that any fist or kick that cannot be pulled back quickly will get chopped off. Hence, a great majority of Wing Chun techniques are kept close to the body. Wrestling techniques, far-reaching punches and kicks can easily become fatal for oneself and one's family. The best chance for survival can be found in effective use of quick footwork combined with short-range and quick techniques. At best, you will probably have only a few seconds to react. It is important to know that the Wing Chun system is a breakout system in which the person must engage and break through possible containment by multiple attackers. Wing Chun is not a bounce and shuffle tournament system. The Wing Chun system is composed of a series of quick, short-hitting techniques called "ideas." The unarmed aspect of the Wing Chun system's ideas (applied techniques & methods) are grouped into five progressively-learned parts. All the parts must be carefully practiced under the guidance of a competent teacher and practiced with live partners. Written below is an overview of the five areas or arenas found in the Wing Chun open-hand system.