Wing Chun - Frequently Asked Questions

What additional benefits does the Wing Chun system provide over other self-defense systems?
- Short learning curve
- Fast, focused and direct
- Scientific use of body mechanics to deliver and overcome force
- Economy of motion
- Trains the body to be relaxed and the mind to be clear

What are the roots of the Wing Chun System?
The Wing Chun system has its roots in the Shaolin Temple. According to legend, Ng Mui, one of the five elders of Shaolin, escaped the burning of the Shaolin temple by the Ching army. Ng Mui designed a system that would significantly shorten the training time required to produce competent fighters. Ng Mui passed on this combat system to Yim Wing Chun.

What was the design philosophy of the Wing Chun system?
The Wing Chun system was originally designed to quickly train fighters to rebel against the Ching government. The Chings were a Manchurian government which controlled China during the 1600s. The Wing Chun system focused on counter-fighting principles rather than offensive abilities. Wing Chun focuses on use of aggressive close-quarter fighting techniques which is ideal in tight spaces.

Who should learn Wing Chun?
Wing Chun is an extremely effective and simple self defense system. The Wing Chun system does not pit force against force, nor require extreme body flexibility nor stamina so it is suitable for most age, gender and weight groups.

Where does Wing Chun have its largest following?
Wing Chun is practiced around the world, having its largest base in Hong Kong and Foshan, Guangdong, China.

What is the difference between Wing Chun and Ving Tsun?
None. Wing Chun is the Cantonese pronunciation. A Hong Kong based Ving Tsun Association was formed in tribute to Grandmaster Yip Man.

How long does it take to become proficient in applying the Wing Chun techniques in self defense?
While it depends on the student's dedication and aptitude, 2 to 3 years is a conservative length of time to become competent in its base techniques. The length can be shorten to one year for those who are able to diligently dedicate practice time and have the aptitude to learn quickly.

Does Wing Chun teach fancy high kicks and acrobatic flips as seen in Kung Fu movies?
Wing Chun generally employs kicks to the mid body section and below. Leg sweeps and stomps are also used. It is generally believed by Wing Chun masters that low kicks are more difficult for the opponent to detect and it is much quicker to maintain and recover balance when delivering kicks that are waste and below. Flips are not taught nor practiced in the Wing Chun system as opportunities to apply them are rare and difficult in real situations.

What is the best age to learn Wing Chun?
Wing Chun can be adapted for students of just about any age, however, in general, students age 12 and above will be able to learn and adopt the techniques quicker.

Why is Wing Chun referred to as a street fighting art?
Wing Chun is an extremely effective and street-tested self-defense system and has been written up as such in numerous publications.

What is the purpose of Chi Sao training?
Chi Sao is an advanced energy drill practiced to develop higher levels of hand-to-hand awareness and greatly increased reflex ability. Chi Sao is not to be confused with sparring. It is a tool to enhance your sensitivity to an opponent's energy. It is also often practiced blindfolded.

What is the purpose of training on the Wooden Dummy?
The Wooden Dummy is a training device that develops proper positioning, distance and angles of control. It is ideal for solo training without a partner. It conditions your body and muscles for optimum power generation, balance, centerline control and close-quarters

Does Wing Chun have forms or katas?
Traditionally, yes. However, these are looked at in our school as Qigong exercises used as a form of moving meditation, relaxation and postural alignment.

Does Wing Chun teach ground techniques?
Wing Chun teaches the student about scientific principles energy and leverage. Although these same principles can be applied on the ground, the ground is the last place you want to be in a realistic self-defense situation. Extensive training is placed on stand-up sparring and controlling techniques in order to overcome a larger/stronger opponent.

What does it mean when Wing Chun is referred to as an internal style as opposed to an external style?
Wing Chun is an internal style that develops the internal strength by proper breathing techniques (Chi Gung) and a relaxed body. By developing breathing along with movement as the intensity develops, so does the Chi and internal strength of the practitioner.
Unlike other styles that chose to oppose force with force, Wing Chun chooses to economize strength with proper breathing in execution of movements and only use the necessary minimum force to be successful in subduing the opponent. Time is not wasted, and neither is strength, due to a philosophy that dictates the next guy may be just a breath away so there isn't a breath to waste. Wing Chun can be taught like Tai Chi and practiced without competition, and the benefits are equally compelling; but Tai Chi has lately been passed down to many without the fighting applications. This would be a contradiction of Wing Chun's purpose of self-defense and defense of others.

Why is the Wing Chun stance different from stances taught by other Kung Fu systems?
Wing Chun employs a natural shoulder width stance more similar to boxing than other low kung fu or karate stances. A stance used for training and transitions is a pigeon-toed stance. It trains the muscles and tendons needed for Wing Chun's devastatingly quick inch power. Although present however is generally not seen when sparring.

Since Wing Chun and Tai Chi are both internal styles, how do they differ?
Wing Chun and Tai Chi are similar in that their core principle is not to pit force against force, but to leverage the opponents force to one's advantage. Both emphasize breathing and relaxation and provide similar health benefits. Wing Chun differs in that it places much more training emphasis on the application of self defense and techniques.

What is the difference between Wing Chun and Wu Shu?
Wu Shu is collectively all forms of Chinese martial arts. "Wu Shu" means literally "military technique". Wing Chun is therefore a form of Wu Shu. Wing Chun differs from many of the other Wu Shu styles in that it is less stylistic for public performances; however, it is devastatingly effective as the fighting art it is meant to be.

What famous people have studied Wing Chun?
Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee, Robert Downey Jr., Scott Weiland, Duff McKagan, Sammo Hung, Michelle Yeoh, Bobby Davro, Yuen Biao, Mark A. Brighton, Dan Inosanto and many more.

Who is Yip Man?
The late Grandmaster Yip Man is credited with popularizing and spreading Wing Chun into the modern era. He is Bruce Lee's Sifu (teacher).

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What additional benefits does the Wing Chun system provide over other self-defense systems? - Short learning curve - Fast, focused and direct - Scientific use of body mechanics to deliver and overcome force - Economy of motion - Trains the body to be relaxed and the mind to be clear What are the roots of the Wing Chun System? The Wing Chun system has its roots in the Shaolin Temple. According to legend, Ng Mui, one of the five elders of Shaolin, escaped the burning of the Shaolin temple by the Ching army. Ng Mui designed a system that would significantly shorten the training time required to produce competent fighters. Ng Mui passed on this combat system to Yim Wing Chun. What was the design philosophy of the Wing Chun system? The Wing Chun system was originally designed to quickly train fighters to rebel against the Ching government. The Chings were a Manchurian government which controlled China during the 1600s. The Wing Chun system focused on counter-fighting principles rather than offensive abilities. Wing Chun focuses on use of aggressive close-quarter fighting techniques which is ideal in tight spaces. Who should learn Wing Chun? Wing Chun is an extremely effective and simple self defense system. The Wing Chun system does not pit force against force, nor require extreme body flexibility nor stamina so it is suitable for most age, gender and weight groups. Where does Wing Chun have its largest following? Wing Chun is practiced around the world, having its largest base in Hong Kong and Foshan, Guangdong, China. What is the difference between Wing Chun and Ving Tsun? None. Wing Chun is the Cantonese pronunciation. A Hong Kong based Ving Tsun Association was formed in tribute to Grandmaster Yip Man. How long does it take to become proficient in applying the Wing Chun techniques in self defense? While it depends on the student's dedication and aptitude, 2 to 3 years is a conservative length of time to become competent in its base techniques. The length can be shorten to one year for those who are able to diligently dedicate practice time and have the aptitude to learn quickly. Does Wing Chun teach fancy high kicks and acrobatic flips as seen in Kung Fu movies? Wing Chun generally employs kicks to the mid body section and below. Leg sweeps and stomps are also used. It is generally believed by Wing Chun masters that low kicks are more difficult for the opponent to detect and it is much quicker to maintain and recover balance when delivering kicks that are waste and below. Flips are not taught nor practiced in the Wing Chun system as opportunities to apply them are rare and difficult in real situations. What is the best age to learn Wing Chun? Wing Chun can be adapted for students of just about any age, however, in general, students age 12 and above will be able to learn and adopt the techniques quicker. Why is Wing Chun referred to as a street fighting art? Wing Chun is an extremely effective and street-tested self-defense system and has been written up as such in numerous publications. What is the purpose of Chi Sao training? Chi Sao is an advanced energy drill practiced to develop higher levels of hand-to-hand awareness and greatly increased reflex ability. Chi Sao is not to be confused with sparring. It is a tool to enhance your sensitivity to an opponent's energy. It is also often practiced blindfolded. What is the purpose of training on the Wooden Dummy? The Wooden Dummy is a training device that develops proper positioning, distance and angles of control. It is ideal for solo training without a partner. It conditions your body and muscles for optimum power generation, balance, centerline control and close-quarters Does Wing Chun have forms or katas? Traditionally, yes. However, these are looked at in our school as Qigong exercises used as a form of moving meditation, relaxation and postural alignment. Does Wing Chun teach ground techniques? Wing Chun teaches the student about scientific principles energy and leverage. Although these same principles can be applied on the ground, the ground is the last place you want to be in a realistic self-defense situation. Extensive training is placed on stand-up sparring and controlling techniques in order to overcome a larger/stronger opponent. What does it mean when Wing Chun is referred to as an internal style as opposed to an external style? Wing Chun is an internal style that develops the internal strength by proper breathing techniques (Chi Gung) and a relaxed body. By developing breathing along with movement as the intensity develops, so does the Chi and internal strength of the practitioner. Unlike other styles that chose to oppose force with force, Wing Chun chooses to economize strength with proper breathing in execution of movements and only use the necessary minimum force to be successful in subduing the opponent. Time is not wasted, and neither is strength, due to a philosophy that dictates the next guy may be just a breath away so there isn't a breath to waste. Wing Chun can be taught like Tai Chi and practiced without competition, and the benefits are equally compelling; but Tai Chi has lately been passed down to many without the fighting applications. This would be a contradiction of Wing Chun's purpose of self-defense and defense of others. Why is the Wing Chun stance different from stances taught by other Kung Fu systems? Wing Chun employs a natural shoulder width stance more similar to boxing than other low kung fu or karate stances. A stance used for training and transitions is a pigeon-toed stance. It trains the muscles and tendons needed for Wing Chun's devastatingly quick inch power. Although present however is generally not seen when sparring. Since Wing Chun and Tai Chi are both internal styles, how do they differ? Wing Chun and Tai Chi are similar in that their core principle is not to pit force against force, but to leverage the opponents force to one's advantage. Both emphasize breathing and relaxation and provide similar health benefits. Wing Chun differs in that it places much more training emphasis on the application of self defense and techniques. What is the difference between Wing Chun and Wu Shu? Wu Shu is collectively all forms of Chinese martial arts. "Wu Shu" means literally "military technique". Wing Chun is therefore a form of Wu Shu. Wing Chun differs from many of the other Wu Shu styles in that it is less stylistic for public performances; however, it is devastatingly effective as the fighting art it is meant to be. What famous people have studied Wing Chun? Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee, Robert Downey Jr., Scott Weiland, Duff McKagan, Sammo Hung, Michelle Yeoh, Bobby Davro, Yuen Biao, Mark A. Brighton, Dan Inosanto and many more. Who is Yip Man? The late Grandmaster Yip Man is credited with popularizing and spreading Wing Chun into the modern era. He is Bruce Lee's Sifu (teacher).