Wing Chun Kung Fu

Wing Chun Kung Fu is a Southern Chinese martial art with a focus on using the least amount of energy to execute techniques.

Popularised by Ip Man, Wing Chun has been said to be one of the most effective martial arts in existence for self-defense - the techniques are said to be so efficient, that a skilled practicioner should be able to win a fight within a phone-booth.

There are a couple of core principles that shaped Wing Chun as we know it today, the most important being the concept of "the centre-line."

Centre-line theory focusses on the defense of an imaginary line that runs vertically from your head down to the bottom of your torso. When it comes to attacking, as opposed to defense, techniques are focussed toward your opponent's centre-line instead.

Wing Chun traditionally does not involve high kicks or flashy movements, but focusses on efficient striking methods, jabs to soft tissue, chain-punching (rapidly punching a component multiple times) and chops.

Blocking involves deflection, instead of straight on "blocking" (as it is in some "harder" martial arts). If you deflect a punch, even if it passes an inch past your face, then you have succeeded in avoiding getting hit - and Wing Chun gives you a lot of options on how to proceed from there.

Wing Chun also involves a lot of joint manipulation and does in fact have techniques for grappling - although, the idea is that a fight should never have to get to that point.

There are many lines within Wing Chun, taught by the various different students of Ip Man. For instance Foshan Wing Chun involves quick, snappy movements, as well as smooth, soft movements; while traditional Hong Kong Wing Chun has a bigger focus on softness. Softness is a core principle in Wing Chun, since having muscle tension can restrict your movements and reduce punching and deflecting speed.

Wing Chun has been featured in the main-stream, in the following movies:

* Ip Man (the life story of Grandmaster Ip Man)
* Sherlock Holmes (with Robert Downey Jr.)
* Bangkok Dangerous (with Nicholas Cage)
* Rumble In The Bronx (with Jackie Chan)

To find out more, check out the links below...