After one is familiar with all the movements in the Wing Chun Forms, he should study and understand more in-depth the theory and contents of the Forms in order to establish the concept in training so that he could reach the revelation – “Lup Lim” (Means: determines to use the thinking process to achieve the basic principles of Wing Chun) – as told by the late Grandmaster Ip Man. Practicing in this way, one can be able to gain an ideal result and obtain enrichment.
Description of this Beautiful Martial Art
Now I will give a brief description of the philosophy of Wing Chun. This Kung Fu style always emphasizes not to use any muscular force but to conjugate with the mind and work it out as the source of power. This reinforces the importance of “Lup Lim” during training. I hope that the followers of Wing Chun can assimilate the logic of modern scientific theories in analyzing its movements. So one can learn more about the Wing Chun system and make it easier to understand why this beautiful art is so profound in its learning.
The Creation
During the Ching Dynasty of China, Wing Chun was created from the life martial art experience of the Abbess Ng Mui during her latter years. Now a few hundred years later, if one uses the modern scientific knowledge to analyze this Kung Fu art, no matter which movements, [Siu Nim Tau], [Chum Kiu] or [Biu Gee], are backed up by the logic of physics, dynamics and the theory of body structure. That is why I believe Wing Chun is an invented martial art that transcends time.
Generally, when beginners study the movements of the Wing Chun forms, most of them will find it very difficult to comprehend. Therefore, they will concentrate on the practical application of the techniques. Moreover, they neglect the importance of the logic of the theories of force and structure. The more comprehendible one will after analyzing this Kung Fu art with the theory of leverage believes that this is the highest skill of Wing Chun but overlooks the advanced effects which could be obtained from the energy developed from mind force, the reasons why it can save strength and the theories of force and structure, etc. which can help one to progress to a higher level.
When I try to explain the profound theory of Wing Chun Kung Fu, I found it very difficult to describe and put in writing. Even if I demonstrate the movements of people as I did in my previous seminars, I was still thought to be acting. Therefore, it shows that the practical effects of this beautiful art have reached a point of view that the force it can be generated is hard for anyone to believe.
Practicing Kung Fu and Forms
In practicing Wing Chun, besides studying the application of the movements, one should not neglect the theory of each Form. For example, in Siu Nim Tau, of course, its movements can be used for defence and attack but in practice, one should direct all the movements in the form with the use of the mind. In establishing this mind force theory by not using any muscular strength, one can derive the skill of how to generate force with his mind and a good example of this is the Bong Sau. Bong Sau can easily fling the downward pressing force of the opponent by not using any muscular strength. It is said that the Bong Sau was created by the late Abbess Ng Mui when she sighted the fight between a crane and a raccoon.
The crane just used its thin wing to rotate the raccoon away and it could continue to stand on one leg throughout the fight. She then suddenly understood the principle of why a lighter object could fight against a heavier object by not using any strength. It is difficult to prove whether Wing Chun was created from those incidents but it does not need to use any strength as an affirmative fact.
Achieving Mind Force
In order to achieve the mind force of Wing Chun, practitioners should first practice according to the functions of the Forms. Moreover, by trying to merge their mind and movements together. When one starts to feel the existence of the mind force, Wing Chun will become one of the enjoyments of life.
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 application, if one can combine the three forms together; Wing Chun will become a system that is practical and capable of deriving a highly destructive force.
Practicing, Discussing, and Questioning are the best ways to succeed!
– Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin – Hong Kong
Read also The Principles
About The Author
Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin
Chu Shong Tin trained in Ip Man’s school for 14 years and was the main teacher there, teaching for up to 12 hours on some days. The major focus in the early years of his training was the practice of “Siu Nim Tao” (meaning “Tiny Idea”). Which is the first empty-hand form and the essence of Wing Chun. This is because Ip Man used to say: “When well-versed in Siu Nim Tao, the other parts of Wing Chun training will all be well grasped and performed too.”