Yes, Wing Chun Kung Fu has efficient kicks that can be delivered with as much devastation as any other art. The foundation of the kicks are found in the Wing Chun stance. In the basic toes in stance, the practitioner is trained to be balanced with either leg. The simple side kick usually takes aim at the closest target, which could be the knee or shin. A straight kick could be delivered to the knee or timing the inside thigh of a … [Read more...]
What is the Science behind the Wing Chun Punch ?
What is the science and mechanics of the Wing Chun Punch? The typical Wing Chun punch is delivered from the centerline in rapid "Chain Punches". For example when one punch is delivered,in rapid succession it is replaced in an instant by several other punches to the same target. By focusing on a target , more damage can be done instead of hitting without a purpose. The fist is vertical the arm is extended and shoulders are packed and not … [Read more...]
What Is So Good About The Wing Chun Stance?
What is so good about the Wing Chun Stance? I believe the people who don't understand the stance, don't appreciate how simple and sophisticated the stance is. It is always difficult for me talk certain Wing Chun concepts without mentioning Wong Shun Leung. In Sifu David Peterson`s book , Look Beyond The Pointing Finger, Wong states,"Although Strong in structure, the stance is not rigid as some people believe,but extremely flexible when … [Read more...]
What Is Different About Wing Chun?
What makes Wing Chun different is the logic of the system. If one is not true to the concepts of simplicity and efficiency , it would be a challenge to excel in Wing Chun. While many styles pride themselves on a multitude of techniques, Wing Chun strives to streamline and to eliminate the unessential. While others strive to be harder, Wing Chun is concerned with being softer in order to be sensitive to a assailants intentions. There are many … [Read more...]
My Kind of Cross Training
On several occasions in my adult life, I have suffered back problems. The back problems have been severe enough, that I would have to crawl on the floor to get to a chair or table to help me stand. Being active all my life, I am not sure if it was football or competitive weight lifting or a combination of both that would lead to the diagnosis of a bulging disc in my lower back. Acupuncture , massage therapy , chiropractic, stretching are some … [Read more...]
Too Many Grandmasters ?
I have been very fortunate in my lifetime to have trained or met many Grandmasters. Fortunately for me, everyone that I have encountered has be very approachable. It seems that the ones who have truly something to say are the most genuine, because they have nothing to prove. It seems that lately there is an overabundance of Grandmasters. Not long ago , I was watching a program on martial arts and the host of the show was asking a question and … [Read more...]
Wing Chun Cinema
In the late 70s and early 80s , Honolulu, Hawaii had three Theaters to watch Chinese Martial Arts Movies. We saw movies at The Empress , which feature primarily Shaw Brothers movies, Golden Harvest, which had well , Golden Harvest Productions and Liberty, which showed everything else. I remember the only 2 Wing Chun Movies that we saw as a class, was ,"The Prodigal Son", which told the story of "Leung Jan" and "Warriors 2 ", which told t about … [Read more...]
The Secrets of Wing Chun
Many people want to know the secret of Wing Chun Kung Fu and spend their hard earned money trying to find it. I remember when I started training in Wing Chun, a little over 30 years ago, I would buy every book and video tape (Beta tapes by the way), anyway to supplement what I was learning in class. When I would learn something new in class, I would go home that night and practice the technique in the air a few times before sleeping. Me and my … [Read more...]
The Ego and Progress
I find it funny that many of the lessons that I learned in martial arts came from my years of competing at Olympic weightlifting. Although I was far from the best, many people who surrounded me where Masters in their own right. Olympic Champions, World Champions and National Champions ,what a great impression it all made on me. To clean the weight means to approach the bar, squat down with two arms gripping the bar, keeping your back tight , … [Read more...]
Wing Chun Combatives Hawaii Q & A
Before coming to train in Wing Chun, it is common for people to have questions about what is unique to the art. I feel that there are many instructors who have done a fine job of writing in detail about acquiring this incredible skill. Like my instructor, I find that there is more value in demonstration than in explanation. What follows is a few answers to some common questions. What kind of Stance does Wing Chun Kung Fu have ? According … [Read more...]