All About
Chinese Martial Art
Wing Chun
|
|
Wing Chun - Chinese Martial Art
George Royal
Brief History:
Wing Chun (also known as Wing Tsun, Ving Chun or Ving Tsun) is
one of the most popular types of Chinese martial arts. Though
it’s basically an unarmed combat technique, Wing Chun may
include weapons as part of its course. The origin of Wing Chun
can be traced back to China, but the real history of its
creation has long been a topic of much debate. The most
credible suggestion regarding the origin of Wing Chun dates
back to 1700 AD in the Henan Shaolin Monastery.
When the Qing forces raided and ravaged the Southern Shaolin
temple, a nun named Ng Mui fled to the distant Daliang
Mountains, the only survivor. Ng Mui already had knowledge of
Kung Fu in the Shaolin temple, which she assimilated with a new
form she had learnt while observing a battle between a snake and
a crane. She taught this new combat style to her adopted
daughter whom she named Yimm Wing Chun. The new system was
refined and then passed on from generation to generation, and
was eventually named Wing Chun, after Yimm.
The modernization of Wing Chun started in Hong Kong during the
1950s under a Grandmaster called Yip Man. The discipline began
to gain real popularity in Asia and the West when actor Bruce
Lee became one of the most famous Wing Chun practitioners.
The Concept of Wing Chun:
Wing Chun is based on three basic principles - Practicality,
Efficiency and Economy of Movement.
1. Practicality: Techniques such as Palm-up Hand (tan sau),
Wing Arm (bong sau), Slapping Hand (pak sau) are designed to
maim the most sensitive or vulnerable parts of the opponent’s
body such as throat, groin, eyes and lower torso. Many
movements and techniques in Wing Chun are often meant to be
fatal.
2. Efficiency: Wing Chun does not use force against force, in
order to gain the most efficient manipulation of the body's
energy. It believes in accurately timed and appropriately
positioned little movements, and counter-attack is based on the
opponent’s own force. This concept is also called Contact
Reflexes.
3. Economy of Movement: This is a linear concept in which
movements are based on an imaginary pole running vertically
through the center of the body. The Center Line spreads out
from this Mother Line, and since most of the vital points of
the body are located along the Center Line, many offensive and
defensive movements are based on this line. The Central Line,
on the other hand, is the shortest path between the fighters
where most of the combat exchanges take place.
Wing Chun Forms:
There are three basic forms in Wing Chun:
1. Empty Hand Form: This form has three more sub-forms - Siu
Nim Tao - the foundation of the art, Chum Kiu - focus on
advanced footwork and entry techniques, and Biu Jee - extreme
short-range or long-range techniques, low kicks and sweeps, and
emergency techniques.
2. Weapon Forms: The Dragon Pole and Butterfly Swords are the
two forms of weapons incorporated in Wing Chun, categorized
under advanced training.
3. Wooden Dummy or the Muk Yan Jong Form: A dummy made from
several wooden posts represents a human opponent. The
contraption is used to perfect angle, position, and footwork.
About The Author:
http://martialarts-hq.com/ Martial Arts HQ
offers articles, tips and tricks about different martial arts.
Back to Index of All Sports Articles
Find More Sports Related Information:
Index of all Baseball Articles
|
