Let's Learn About Wing Chun

What is Wing Chun Kung Fu?waist; often felt and not seen! These are typical
"Simple yet effective, a no-nonsense martial artcharacteristics of Wing Chun in the world.
system developed for practical street survival." WingStudying Wing Chun
Chun is one of the most notable, effective andThe first thing that students are taught when studying
functional Southern Chinese martial art systemsWing Chun is that they should always use force to
available today. Up until the turn of the twentiethcounter force. By using force against force, weaker
century, the martial art known as Wing Chun was veryand smaller fighters can easily and quickly take out
obscure not known much about. Back then, Wing Chunbigger and stronger opponents. Whenever they get in
was just getting started, not practiced by a lot ofa confrontation, Wing Chun stylists will use their brains -
martial artists. Over the years, it became a veryand use an opponents strength and force against him.
dominant force in China, becoming one of the mostThroughout training, a lot of emphasis is put into that
prominent martial arts in existence. Even today,very concept. Students will learn all about force and
hundreds of martial artists study Wing Chun andstrength, and how they can properly counter it. What
everything it provides them with.The principle of Wingmany don't realize, is the fact that countering force
Chun is simple: to stop the enemy using the mostrequires very little strength from the stylist. Even the
direct and economical means possible. This means anyweakest Wing Chun stylist can take down an
"flowery" or complicated maneuvers or wasted motionopponent 3 - 4 times his size if he uses the proper
that are not directly applicable to combat are left out.technique and his opponents force against him.
Grace and elegance have no importance in WingWing Chun teaches other techniques as well, such as
Chun.punching, kicking, and a few grappling holds. It doesn't
Characteristics of Wing Chunteach much grappling though, as most of the
Wing Chun's practical success lies in its simplicity andtechniques use force against force through throwing
its fighting principles. Emphasis on utilizing position,and striking. The strikes that are taught with this martial
angling, body mechanic, knowledge in use of energy,art are very fast, and aimed at vital areas on the body
etc. to neutralize attacks rather then rely on powerof the opponent.
and size. This makes it especially suitable for womenA majority of the most vital areas on the human body
and people of small stature.are found along the center line, the very area that
Simultaneous attack and defense, instantaneous reflexWing Chun teaches stylists to protect as well as
attack when opponent's hand disengages; narrowattack with their techniques. This line is the most vital in
stance, agile footwork, economy of movement,battle, which is why martial artists should always aim
straight line punch along the shortest distance betweentheir attacks for any area that exists along this line.
two points, explosive power generated at very shortMost of the vital points found in the center line can be
distances like that of a coiled spring when released, butthe end of the encounter if the stylist is able to land
without tension, low kicks that rarely go above theone powerful blow.