Sunshine Coast Wing Chun

Cho Shong Tin

Sticking hands is the necessary step in learning the fighting principles of Wing Chun. The purpose is to train the application of the movements and the ingenious responses in fighting so one can foster the natural reflexes of the movements.

In order to develop the superior, natural and habitual reflexes, one needs to have a rigorous basis in sticking hands training. Because of this reason, the practise of sticking hands is divided into the following stages: single sticking hand, rolling hands, practising the defencing and attacking techniques and free sparring and requires to be learnt step by step.

When some of the people discuss the sticking hands of Wing Chun, they consider that the techniques in sticking hands are effective only when there is arm(s) contact with the opponent. The Wing Chun practitioner can then feel what the opponents are doing and respond to the action and fight back. In fighting, if the opponents can avoid arm(s) contact with the Wing Chun practitioner then they think the function of sticking hands cannot be used. This idea is due to the lack of their understanding of Wing Chun.

Sticking hands does not need to have arm(s) contact in its reponses to the action of the opponent. The purpose of sticking hands are diverse and need to be coordinated together in order to achieve the best fighting result.

The procedures and purposes of sticking hands, generally, can be divided as follow:

(1) Single sticking hands;
(2) Rolling arms or also called rotating arms;
(3) Practising defencing and attacking techniques or called the double sticking hands;
(4) Application of force (No actual force is required but it is difficult to find a proper phrase to replace it.);
(5) Establish and utilise the natural reflexes of “Loy Lau Hoi Shun, Lut Sau Ja Chung” (Means: when a person strikes in, one should neutralise his incoming force. When his force is withdrawing, one should move in. When he removes his hand(s) away, one should strike in.);
(6) Seek the profound techniques of facing one’s shadow, chasing one’s shadow and pointing towards the centre line.

(A) Single Sticking Hands: It is the first step in learning the sticking hands of Wing Chun by practising the usage of the defencing and attacking techniques of Tan, Bong and Fook Sau. Generally, beginners will find it difficult in using Tan and Bong Sau when they receive a downward pressing force from the opponent. They will feel that the application of force in Fook Sau has a dominant advantage over the other movements. However, if one can understand the rotational skill of Tan Sau and Bong Sau, not only can he intimidate the one using the Fook Sau but he can also tire out that person very easily. In contrast, if the person can utilise the Fook Sau properly, he can also make the user of Tan or Bong Sau feels very difficult to withstand his force. This is a contradicting matter but however, the one who can apply the movements the best will win.

(B) Rolling arms: Both sides try to practise with theTan, Bong and Fook Sau to form a circular rotating movement resulting in redirecting force, applying pressure on the opponent, finding the way to withstand the pressure from the opponent, feeling how to upset the balance of the opponent by using a proper technique and developing a complete relaxed shoulder-joints even when one is under pressure. If one can relax his shoulder-joints more, the force developed from the initial sliding movement of the joint(s) will increase which will lead to the acceleration of the rotation movements and thus creating the best result of tractive and striking forces.

STICKING HANDS AND
FACING ONE’S SHADOW,
CHASING ONE’S SHADOW, CENTRE LINE

Chu Shong Tin

Sticking Hands (Chi Sau) is the main exercise in parctising the fighting techniques of Wing Chun. When practising sticking hands, instructors always mention about facing one’s shadow (Chiu Ying), chasing one’s shadow (Jui Ying) and pointing towards the centre line (Gee Ng Sien). These are the main points in fighting techniques that have been passed down from successive generations.

But, no matter whether the fight is between humans or animals and when the fight is between a pair, it is natural to prepare oneself by facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line. These are the natural instincts in preparing for a fight and should not form the main points in fighting even though they have been passed on from generations. Whether it contains any hidden meanings, it should be worthy for us to research and discuss.

Wing Chun emphasises on facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line but the explanation for these words is not as simple as the literal meaning of these sayings. Actually, these words hide the skill of using the mind force in a practical application which will develop the automatic self-defence and attack together with a effective counter-attacking technique. It also speeds up the reflexes and become the best way to develop the subconscious power in fighting. Therefore, facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line together with the motivation and infusion of mind force will combine to form the profound fighting techniques of Wing Chun.

If one wants to understand this type of fighting techniques, firstly, he has to understand the purposes of the Wing Chun Forms and then analyses the reasons for it.

From the position of the stance of Siu Nim Tau, the legs are pointing towards the centre which also make the toes and the knees do the same. This is the basic position for the legs to face towards the opponent and the movements of Tan Sau, Bong Sau and Fook Sau are also pointing towards the centre. The coordination of the shapes of the arms and legs together will make the whole body to form a solid triangle pointing towards the centre. The front point of this solid triangle together with the forward movement of the body will become the cohensive point of the body mass. Using this shape and point to contact with the opponent will create the abilities to crack in, break through and thrust open. This means controlling the “Noi Mun” (Means: the hands are within the inner area closer to the centre) of the opponent and will destroy his defence and put him into a disadvantage position by opening up his central area.

By further analysing the relationship between facing one’s shadow, chasing one’s shadow and pointing towards the centre line, they all function under the same reason. Facing one’s shadow: it means to face the opponent directly in front. Chasing one’s shadow: when the opponent is moving either left or right, one has to chase towards the direction where the opponent is moving to so he can focus at the centre line of the opponent again. This is why it is named as chasing one’s shadow. Gee Ng Sien means centre line and it is a representation of time as used by the Chinese. Gee represents the middle of night time. Ng represents the middle of day time. (The meaning of Gee Ng Sien can be used very broadly. It can be used by the study of Fung Shiu. In geography, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is also called as Gee Ng Sien.) It just another word for centre line.

If one can control the skills of facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line, generally, he can achieve the following reactions:

(1) Accumulate the strength of the whole body mass;

(2) The limbs are in the condition that is ready to fight just like the arrow is in the bow ready to fire;

(3) Conceal the abilities to absorb the external pressure and to bounce back the incoming force;

(4) Develop the faculties for automatic defence and attack.

As facing the opponent, chasing the opponent, pointing towards the centre line can develop the above-mentioned skills which also contains the hidden profound power of Wing Chun, I find this difficult in expressing and explaining it in black and white. For this reason, it is necessary for me to demonstrate in the course so you can feel the power personally.

Chu Shong Tin

Bill Gee is the form which concentrates an enormous destructive power in attacking. It is to use the natural skill to release the potential power of a person to the highest level and is also the combination of the mind and the theory of force.

It is wrong to say that learning the form of Bill Gee will then possess the enormous power of Bill Gee as well as having the very high skill in concentrating the force. Without the basic skill of Siu Nim Tau and Chum Kiu, the Bill Gee’s power cannot be effected. Sometimes, one may even hurt one when applying Bill Gee in fighting if one does not possess the basic skill of Siu Nim Tau and Chum Kiu.

To analyse the original idea of Bill Gee from the moves of the form:

1. When practising Bill Gee, one must move in speedy motion. When one is familiar with the moves of Bill Gee, he should practise it speedily because everybody knows that the destructive power is greater when moving faster.

2. Using rotation as a source of releasing energy. Whether it is as hard as steel or as soft as water, once rotated, the steel or water can generate enormous power. It is obvious that one will be unwilling to approach a rotating steel. Also, when the air is rotated, it creates a powerful hurricane. The whirlpool formed by the rotation of water is just as bad.

Hence, when practising Bill Gee, one must infuse his mind into the moves. In the way, he can feel the speedy effect and the original idea of Bill Gee so as to obtain the greatest satisfaction.

The profound Skill of Bill Gee can only expressed through demonstration, as such complexities can never be expressed in black and white. Hopefully, I wish that the participants of this course can grab hold of this profound skill so as to increase their understanding of Wing Chun. Consequently, they can practise Wing Chun with great interest.

Chu Shong Tin

Wing Chun was created by the Abbess Ng Mui three hundred years ago. Amongst all the martial arts in China, Wing Chun is the one I like the most. The reason I say this is not because I am teaching Wing Chun, but the fact that the theory and structure of Wing Chun are very scientific and has reached the acme of perfection.

According to the oral statement of Master Yip Man, the Late Abbess Ng Mui became weak and less powerful as she was growing older. Consequently, the traditional kung fu which she was very familiar with and depended on the physical fitness of the person became less effective in fighting. In order to overcome this, she tried to create a special kind of kung fu which did not rely upon the physical fitness of a person in such a way that the effect in combat would not reduce because of old age. After researching for a long time, the perfect kung fu of Wing Chun was introduced.

It is considered that the Wing Chun kung fu is flawless. Its theory, structure and technique in attack and defence is very profound and comprise different aspects including the characteristic of human muscle, skeletal structure, the theory of force, and human thinking as well as the potential power of a person. The familiarization and understanding of the above aspects will lead to the highest level of fighting technique. One, who indulges in martial art, will find great satisfaction when one fully understands the theory through persistent researching and practicing.

Wing Chun comprises of three forms i.e. [Siu Nim Tau], [Chum Kiu] and [Bill Gee], and each form has a theory of its own. In order words, each form has a specific goal to be achieved. Each of the three forms will, on its own, generate a kind of manoeuvring effect. The combination of these kinds of manoeuvring effects will mean an invincible martial art which is powerful in both attack and defence. In addition to these three forms, the practice of Wooden Dummy will increase a person’s interest in practicing.

At first, I will give a brief description of the theory. Then, I will analyse in more detail. It is hoped that, in this way, a learner can understand how to practise so as to obtain the best result.

1. SIU NIM TAU

The basic concept of Siu Nim Tau is the adoption of some simple moves, and the skill of using the force together with the infusion of the spirit into different parts of the body. In this way, every simple move becomes a very strong structure and can withstand heavy impact as well as being efficient in arrack.

2. CHUM KIU

The basic concept of Chum Kiu is to use the body weight in connection with the moves of Siu Nim Tau to form different kinds of techniques in the use of force. In this way, one can overcome the opponent very easily without wasting much energy.

3. BILL GEE

The basic concept of Bill Gee is to generate explosive power with the body weight in speedy motion. This is basically the use of the simple moves of Siu Nim Tau together with the turning skill of Chum Kiu modified by increasing speed. When this is practiced well, one can strike out a fully concentrated power. This is why form is called Bill Gee (In Chinese, the word Bill Gee means “striking out a fully concentrated force with a finger-tip”).

Ip Ching

My late father, Master IP Man, actively promoted the art of ” Wing Chun” after coming to Hong Kong in 1949. In a brief period of 22 years（1950 - 1972）, the art of ” Wing Chun” blossomed in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. More than that, the seeds of Wing Chun were spread throughout the world and a firm foundation was laid in the major countries of the world. During his life, excellent disciples such as LEUNG Sheung, IP Bo-ching, CHIU Wan, Bruce LEE, LOK Yiu, CHUI Sheungtin, WONG Shun-leung and HO Kam-ming were cultivated and they inherited Master Yip’s wish to further develop ” Wing Chun”. Therefore, Master Yip was held in the highest esteem by his disciples and unanimously praised as the” Master of Wing Chun” after he passed away. （My late father was humble and prudent throughout his life and he had never claimed himself as the Master of Wing Chun or the elder of any school. I mentioned this point as a warning to fellow disciples of ” Wing Chun” who had completed to be leader of the school.）My late father could accept this title without feeling embarrassed.
My late father was born in Foshan at the end of Ching Dynasty. Foshan was situated at the most prosperous region of the Zheyieng Delta of Guangdong province and it was the hub of land and sea transport. From ancient time, it had been called one of the Ever Major Historical Towns of China in association with Jingde, Thuxian and Hankiou. Industry and trade, in particular handicraft trade, prospered all along and the residents lived a stable and prosperous life. As a result, culture and art developed fully and as Chinese martial art was part of China’s traditional culture and art, the trend of learn material art was very popular. Well known masters of the South School, e.g. WONG Fai-hung, CHEUNG Hung-shing, LEUNG Chan, LEUNG Siu-ching etc. came from Foshan. Master Ip was born in such an age and he was extremely fond of Chinese martial art. With talent and persistence as well as teaching by famous teachers（CHAN Wah-shun at the beginning and LEUNG Pik, son of LEUNG Chan later）, Master Ip’s achievement could be envisaged.
I came to Hong Kong in 1962 and followed my father to learn martial arts. Afterwards, I assisted him in teaching ”Wing Chun” until he passed away in 1972. I learned a lot from the way he taught. As it was the 100th anniversary of the birth Master IP Man, I would like to put forward a few points that I learned from the master’s way of teaching in the hope that all” Wing Chun” disciples would learn from them and study them.
The Master put great emphasis on the selection of talent. He always said,” No doubt it is difficult for a disciple to select a teacher. But it is even more difficult for a teacher to select a disciple”. It was extraordinary for someone who taught martial art for a living to have such a mentality. This meant that he was serious in his attitude and responsible to the disciples he taught. Throughout his life, the Master had neither hung up a signboard nor put up enrollment advertisement. The aim for this was just to reserve” the active right to select disciple” . The Master adhered to this principle strictly for the past 20 years. It was commendable for someone who taught martial art for a living.
“Wing Chun” is practical, simple and direct without any fancy element. The Master put great emphasis on the basic training of the new disciples. When he taught them Xiu Nin Tau, he imposed no time constraint on the learning of correct stance, co-ordination of the waist and the stand as well as the use of strength. He would teach a new topic only after the disciple could prove that he could meet his requirement. He would never teach perfunctorily. This was in fact, a kind of award to those who worked hard to meet the requirement.
Another characteristic of the Master’s way of teaching was teaching a disciple according to his aptitude. He would thoroughly analyze the mentally, character, physical fitness, physique, education standard, cultural accomplishment as well as power of absorption of the disciple first. Then he would teach him ways and means according to the different needs of individual to make sure that every disciple would absorb and learn easily.
In the course of teaching, the Master placed a lot of importance in practicing a show and free combat. The aim was to nurture disciple’s love of and confidence in” Wing Chun” so as to guide him to study the rules of “Wing Chun” and the wooden dummy.
Apart from great attainments in ”Wing Chun”, the Master received advanced education in his youth. Moreover, he continued to absorb modern scientific knowledge. Therefore, he could always make use of present day’s technological knowledge such as mechanic and mathematics theories to explain the rules of Wing Chun. The Master could even give up unintelligible wordings such as the Five Elements, Eight Diagrams and mutual promotion and restraint between the Five Elements that were commonly used in metaphysics. This helped purification of martial arts and this was also the secret for the Master to achieve such high attainment. The Master had never said and even detested anyone who said,” I met a genius or hermit who taught me extraordinary skill or unique move in martial art” to cheat his disciple and to promote himself. He thought that such person had no confidence in what he had learnt and he was extremely shallow in the rules of martial art. He only wished to scare people by telling this kind of specious story. Such person was doomed to failure by using this kind of unsubstantiated means to teach martial art.
The secret of the Master’s way of teaching was not limited to the above points. I hope that fellow disciples will explore more meaningful points in the future.