Conceptual Thinking in Wing Chun

Whatever style, lineage or method of Wing Chun/Ving Tsun you come from, have you taken time to consider exactly what it means by saying Wing Chun is a conceptual art?
What concepts?..or ideas?..how is it concept base?..more importantly..why?
I see and hear and have experienced many approaches to the system and until I began some research into the methodology of the Wong Shun Leung interpretation I admit my knowledge of concepts was basic to say the least...

If asked this question 5 years ago i would have confidently replied something along the lines of Wing Chun being about the centreline and economy of motion as well as defending and attacking together where possible...which, to be fair is correct but doesn't really begin to scratch the surface of conceptual Wing Chun..

Back in those days I was taught Wing Chun based solely around set drills, endless footwork drilling without a partner, and a huge variety of how my new found ''techniques'' could be used with a compliant partner who kindly left his slow, out of range punch floating in mid air for me to pull or slap out of the way so I could develop?..my speed and accuracy without response and leave class feeling fulfilled and untouchable...blindly being led towards a collection of techniques and form movements that I only half understood..of course in hindsight this time wasnt all wasted as I was also developing my teaching style and skills and learning an enjoyable martial art...I did find however that I still had many questions...how I was being taught didnt seem to align with the multitude of Wing Chun conceptual ideas id read about in many articles and publications..but at the time i was too busy chasing the completion of the system to remove my blinkers

(pictured ABMVT students)


Now when im teaching Wing Chun if I take a simple concept out of Siu Nim Tau like the ''Taan Sau' concept (to disperse) I can explain it and explore it with a variety of tools; the shape or action itself, the basic punch, the chopping hand, palm strikes, Bong and Paak Sau even..all to ''disperse'' an incoming energy or bridge in contact in order to open up an attack line so I can return to a more simple action of attacking and cutting off my opponent in a direct manner, sometimes I may need the use of another concept such as Fook Sau (to subdue) in the same manner..should these ''concepts'' get countered or jammed or equally dispersed - I can explore why and begin to remedy it and often its a case of another concept not being applied as efficiently as it could be..maybe my facing (chiu ying) is out, or distance is outside Wing Chun bent elbow range for that moment - or intent is lacking, or not following the Loi Lau Hoi Sung - Lat sau Jik Chung concept (receive what comes, escort what goes - hand free go forward) etc etc...also the Taan sau ''shape'' can employ the Fook Sau concept and vice versa..so an understanding is required at least to an elementary level

My Wing Chun now is NOT about this technique is used for this attack and if that doesn't work then there is this technique and so on..I also don't need to ramp up the speed and dynamics to demonstrate this.. speed is an element of course but we shouldn't need to rely on it....especially as a mask to our knowledge as im there to coach..not impress and show off...drills are generally ''free'' so that exploration can take place and in turn understanding of that piece of the puzzle...the actions found in the forms help us also train attributes, encourage natural movement, structural integrity and a direct, no nonsense mindset..this is turn develops more functionality in your Wing Chun..with a string of ideas and attributes tied in with assertive intent stands you in a better place to deal with a violent street confrontation, should it happen...an over reliance on technique and wishful thinking can quickly lead to a great deal of pain and suffering when faced with real aggression...where a base idea of simply attacking the attack is easier to follow once the adrenaline flood takes away the use of your legs..

  
The concepts of Wing Chun are vast and deep yet the most young, simple idea (concept) is often enough to cover a wide range of situations once understood a little better..you then begin to shockingly realise that the good stuff isn't at the end of the system but in fact right at the beginning and runs as a vein throughout the entire journey and can be applied in many ways..and the concepts ARE the good stuff..they ARE the method..and dictate through them how good Wing Chun can be applied..without concept exploration all you have is a technique based system based around something that looks a bit like Wing Chun

So if you step into your training hall and your teacher begins to explain that Taan Sau is simply ''Palm Up Block'' - question how it works with the example given and how that relates to the entire system..should they not know, or explain Wing chun is a concept based art and then teach it as a technique based art, it may be time to reassess your path in Wing Chun.

Alan Gibson Chum Kiu Seminar Report

On Sunday 10th July 2011, Alan Gibson (seated) and his student Sean Collison (bottom row far left) visited our Next Level Wing Chun Academy club in Bury St Edmunds to hold yet another seminar on the WSLVT methods...this time covering their version of Chum Kiu (seeking the bridge)

Alan proceeded to discuss and explain the salient concepts of the form with his usual array of supplementary drills to further understand each aspect and cover any questions on the whys and hows along the way.

Sean began by demonstrating the form with Alan giving commentary, then mainly focused on explaining the use and purpose of waist power and more importantly waist and stance combined (Yiu Ma Hap Yat) as well as illustrating in this version there are 3 specific "Bong Sau" actions - one in each section, namely;

Section 1: Yi Bong - Shifting - in contact to open an attack line that has been jammed and its transition to and from Laan at close quarters
Section 2: Paau Bong - Throwing - generally out of contact though action can and is used in contact when needed
Section 3: Dai Bong - Low action - when pulled by opponent, force redirected through Dai Bong to close, executed off same leg as arm being pulled to maintain stance and facing

The Dai Bong off the rear leg could be used to defend the lower gates to a low thrusting attack if hands were down but accepted as a low action Paau Bong.

These 3 Bong sau situations illustrate the ONLY times Bong Sau MAY be needed in the WSL approach due to the fact that Bong is a primarily defensive action and doesn't provide an elbow driven attack option.
Initial bridging with Bong Sau as some schools teach is frowned upon for this very reason simply due to lack of efficiency and simplicity, defending a single punch with Bong, Laap Fak Sau for example is 3 actions to deal with 1 attack...however it is important to point out that the Laap sau fak sau response can apply should your initial straight interception attack should get jammed and forced off centre, calling for a possible Yi or Paau Bong response...even then, often a Laap is surplus to requirements if a simple punch within Wing Chun range (bent elbow distance) can be employed upon creation of an open attack line :-)
A full understanding of the Taan sau and Fook sau concept punches from the Siu Nim Tau level illustrates this perfectly.

(Tony Poynton and Neil Turner drilling Yi Bong to Laan transitions)


Alan also emphasised throughout the importance of stance and footwork to supplement the hand actions in whatever drill we trained as well as highlighting the form to be an extension of the Siu Nim Tau ideas in movement.
Three students also attended from an outside association from the Bristol area who requested to attend in advance and to see their faces light up in near disbelief when such depth was shown and explained in full to supplement their current understanding of Wing Chun and its ideas. I would like to thank the students present for making them feel so welcome and helping them better understand this approach.

As I say on a regular basis, I myself am not a Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun coach but I am enjoying the exploratory look at the system over the last 2-3 years and incorporating some of the ideas into my practice and teaching and thank Alan Gibson and his students wholeheartedly for their genuine help in trying to improve our Wing Chun skills and understanding. The more time I apply these ideas I feel my Wing Chun improving and becoming more simple, direct and efficient - three words that exemplify the Wong Shun Leung system more than any other method I have encountered to date.

If you are reading this and happen to not have met Alan Gibson or any others from this lineage, I cannot recommend you do so highly enough. Alans website is www.wingchun.org.uk and other coaches can be sought through there also.

Chum Kiu Seminar by WSLVT Coach Alan Gibson

Alan Gibson has agreed to return again to our club in Bury St Edmunds to hold a seminar event breaking down the concepts, actions and reasoning behind the second form in Wing Chun - Chum Kiu (Seeking the Bridge)

SUNDAY 10TH JULY 2011 - 3.30PM - 6.30PM - £25 per student (please pay in advance if you are a regular ''Next Level Wing Chun'' student)

MORETON HALL HEALTH CLUB
MOUNT ROAD
BURY ST EDMUNDS
SUFFOLK
IP32 7BL

Alan's past seminar visits have been very enlightening and i'm sure some more detailed information on this section of the WSLVT system will help to consolidate our understanding of this level or introduce the thinking behind it depending on your experience.

As always this event is open to all Wing Chun student levels regardless of experience or lineage and we welcome visitors from any Wing Chun club members in the UK who may wish to attend and involve themselves. We are a non political association and myself and Alan are open and happy to share this opportunity with people outside of both his and my respective clubs.

Please feel free to email me or phone to reserve a place using the details above or visit Alan's website

www.wingchun.org.uk

Practical Wing Chun Workshop - Sifu Jon Abdey & Seminar Report

On Sunday 27th February 2011 at 4pm - 6.30pm at Moreton Hall Health Club - Mount road - Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7BL

Sifu Jon Abdey will be conducting an Introduction to the Wing Chun methods of his Sifu Wan Kam Leung, a very highly regarded master and direct student of the late Wong Shun Leung.

Jon is the only UK representative of the grandmaster and im sure he will help us understand the methods and drills in an open way and make the event an enjoyable experience for all.

£25 per person - as usual with these events please try and make payment before the event or let me know your availability at the earliest convenience.

All Wing Chun enthusiasts welcome regardless of lineage as always.

Further information of Jon's group can be found on his website www.wklwingchun.co.uk

 An Excellent workshop introduction to the Wan Kam Leung Practical Wing Chun methods held by Sifu Jon Abdey and some of his students on Sunday 27th February 2011 at our 'Next Level Wing Chun' club in Bury St Edmunds.


Jon led us through their version of the Siu Nim Tau form and the differences to other interpretations and more importantly explained why it was different, then explained the concepts behind the movements and thinking and demonstrated how that related to application both in Chi Sau and fighting scenarios.
It was clear from the offset that this system is a very in-depth, sophisticated method of Wing Chun that favours the more controlling and subduing aspects of kung fu over the bullyish smashing down of an opponent from the off..which isnt always necessary in some situations although is there within the system if needed...anyone can punch someone else but it takes real skill to be able to control them and at least give them a chance to calm down before it escalates further.


There were some unique aspects such as a different setting of stance and 8 punching methods, 5 centreline's and 135 degree structure angles in the techniques and some terminology which we were not familiar but essentially many common similarities in relaxation, elbow and waist power generation and Duen Kiu Lik (short bridge power).


For myself I have found another like minded friend in Jon Abdey who has extended his friendship and we have talked already on meeting up again to spend more time looking into their methods and training together in the near future to exchange ideas for the benefit of both of us. There are in my opinion still far too much politics and back biting in modern day Wing Chun and its refreshing to leave that for others and crack on with training and learning more about Wing Chun Kung Fu.


I would like to thank all the students who made the commitment to support the event including those who traveled from London,Cambridge and Norfolk as well as Sifu Jon and his students who made the three hour drive from Reading in Berkshire to help us understand how they roll. I look forward to my next meeting with Jon and exploring further into the Wan Kam Leung Practical Wing Chun.

Chinese New Year Celebrations 2011

Chinese Lunar New Year this year begins on 3rd February for one week and to celebrate this we are planning a visit to our local Chinese Restaurant on:

Sunday 6th February 2011 at 7.30pm (table booked for 8pm) - Training is still on this evening and will be Chi Sau based.

Canton Chinese Restaurant, 15 Hatter Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1NE

2 course set menu is £18 per head - so £20 each will cover the tip also and we can buy our own drinks on the night...Please pay all monies in advance to Gary Lisseman in class as soon as possible - maximum numbers for this are 14 as the restaurant is already busy so book your place soon...first come first served.

Gong Hei Faat Choi!!!

The class meal 06/02/2011

Developing an Open Minded Training Mentality

Pictured: Bruce Lee in 'Enter the Dragon' Pak Sau scene


In 2011 I have decided to adopt an even more open minded, dynamic approach to my personal training and teaching within the 'Next Level Academy'.
I am in agreement with the modern martial thinking that cross training is nigh essential if you wish to become a fully accomplished martial artist and worthy of teaching an effective method.
There are still in my opinion too many with the traditionalist mindset that choose to stay nicely within their bubble and not risk getting their feet wet by even trying other arts or looking at alternative perspectives to modern day combat methods.
Although my main passion will always be Wing Chun Kung Fu and I do see it as a complete system that amply covers many potential street situations of danger to us, I have discovered first hand in recent years by dropping any ego and fanciful ideas that Chi Sau will miraculously save us from a violent encounter, that by cross training it enhances our base skill set and keeps us in a beginners perspective, eager to continue our studies and further our skills.

This coming year I will be returning to cross train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to broaden my knowledge of grappling and fighting from the ground as well as stepping back into the realm of Muay Thai classes for fitness conditioning and fight training and even trying out some Jeet Kune Do classes and seminars as they more than anyone are open minded to varied ideas and methods of close quarter combat...

In my classes in 2011 I am planning to break the common Wing Chun traditions found in many schools and aim to cover and teach ALL aspects of the Wing Chun system including Wooden Dummy (pictured above) - Long Pole (right performed by Ng Wah Sum) and Butterfly knives (below) to all levels - opening up the teaching and making these so called 'advanced' areas available so that students can appreciate a full flavour of what Wing Chun has to offer!!

Some will gain much from this attitude, others not so much but at least you will have had the opportunity to see how the system fits together like a puzzle and then choose for yourselves if cross training may enhance some areas of practice as I feel it has done to mine or whether you remain loyal to Wing Chun - its your choice, best to make an informed choice once you better understand what the options are.

I will also be teaching various empty hand energy flow drills to improve speed, reaction time and co-ordination learnt over my 15 years experience that I had put to the back of my mind but now see as potentially very beneficial to you as students and myself as a teacher.

On top of this we have visiting Instructors from various Wing Chun lineages coming to our club in Bury St Edmunds to hold workshops/seminars on their methods to help us better understand the diversity available in training our art...more details to follow...

Have a great Christmas and New Year and be prepared for a hectic, fun and dynamic training year ahead!!


''If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them''.
Bruce Lee 

Dates for your diary

Hi all, with Christmas fast approaching please make note of some upcoming important dates for our club:

Unfortunately the Seminar held by Sifu Michael Yan Choi Seminar (Gary Lam Wing Chun) on 19/12/10 had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions and will be re-scheduled for the new year as and when the weather improves and is safe for driving.

Tuesday 21st December - Last 'Next Level Wing Chun Academy' class of 2010 - Xmas drinks afterwards at Benson Blakes, up the road from the hall - this is not a big event just a get together for those who wish to attend..this is again subject to the snow/ice as we've had a very heavy snowfall in Sudbury...please feel free to attend the drink/meet should you wish regardless of whether I can make it safely.

Sunday 9th January 2011 - First class of the new year and we have at least 4 Seminars booked at our club during the year, the first being held on Sunday 27th February 4pm - 6.30pm Sifu Jon Abdey, the only UK Representative of Sifu Wan Kam Leung, again £25 per student...and in the following months visits also from Sifu Ged Kennerk a representative of WSLVT under Sifu David Peterson and Alan Gibson is due to return again too...as well as other events which we may attend in London and Southampton.

We will also get together for a meal for Chinese New Year early February, most likely at the Canton Chinese Restaurant in Bury St Edmunds more details to come.

An exciting year ahead for us im sure!!! You'd be a fool to miss out!!

In the meantime I hope you all have a very merry Christmas holiday and New Year celebrations and return in 2011 ready for an action packed year!!