Wing Chun

Wing chun, so little effort yet so muchpower. Most of us has seen the movie Ip Man, we saw how little effort and movement was done in this art of Wing Chun through the skill of the late Grandmaste Ip Man, portrayed by Donnie Yen in the movie. I believe that true and effective skills of martial art allows practicioners to do this, by physical power and strength also by internal strenght, the latter being much more important and crucial. I see Wing Chun practicioners practicing on wooden dummies, carrying out movements hard and fast on the wooden dummy, I guess it is important to do this over and over again not only to practice the movements and build it up in our mind, but to develop that power and physical conditioning. Even by hitting wood all day will make you stronger, as it goes "no pain no gain" Nevertheless, In my opinion it is not enough to develop physical strength and disregarding internal development, even though it is highly difficult to do so. Years of practice and guidance would be needed. Then again, alot of practicioners of various martial arts disregards or does not put enough emphasis on the development of mental strength and the use of internal energy which is very much vital to our body and strength. The body and mind is a delicate balance.


I still cannot realise to understand how to be perfect in the art of wing chun. The need to strengthen skin and bone, and also internal energy. I just cannot find guidance where I am at to learn ancient mastery of internal energy cultivation. I've read several good books on the subject in relation to internal strength, and one electronic book specifically regarding Wing Chun and internal energy.

I beleive that all martial art is internal, regardless of it is being generalised as external or internal. Other martial arts are considered to be more external or dwelving more internal aspects of course, such as; shaolin kung fu - being much more external than tai chi, but each style of martial art is both external and internal regardless.

Kwan-Sau

pictre courtesy of vechtsportschoolroermond - Bruce Lee with kwan sau and tan gerk

Kwan sau- block, double block. Kwan sau should be done is a sweeping stroke, flowing motion. Done as an initial block or re-block when hand is pushed by opponent.

Bong-sau

The application of bong-sau in wing chun is simple yet complex, just as wing chun is entirely about simplicity within complexity, if you catch what I meanBong-sau, I once was told that bong-sau was taken from the crane form - the movement imitates a crane blocking with it's wing. A bong-sau is as natural a movement as any block with an arm, hand, feet and leg. Just taking natural blocking movement to an application and increase it's effectiveness. I must say though, bong-sau does not always work effectively at all times. Bong-sau should be executed only when a wing chun straight punch has failed, changing this punch to a block - intercepting opponent's punch or kick with a twist, firm yet relaxed. Keeping the bridge between you and the opponent, hand and wrist in a relaxed state, dropping it in a flimsy manner. Despite its technicality, bong-sau is just a bong-sau as a block is just a block. A punch is just a punch
(of course, different people and different lineage teach techniques differently - whatever works for them and you.....stick to it and practice it)


picture courtesy of ukwingchun.com and www.wingchun.com.au