What is Wing Chun Kung Fu by Sifu Panagopoulos

WHAT IS WING CHUN KUNG FU?

Wing Chun Kung Fu is an offensive system of self defense.
(Offensive: To simultaneously counterattack, the opponent's attack). It consists of small, direct movements, designed so as to keep energy loss at a minimum, and increase the speed of the counterattack.

Wing Chun is based on centre line attacks. Blocks are used to alter the direction of the opponent's attack, so that the Wing Chun practisioner may counterattack, either with the blocking hand, or with the other, since the smallest distance between two points is the straight line.

Training in Chi Sao (sticking hands), develops wrist and forearm sensitivity, so that the Wing Chun practisioner, can foresee the power and intended move of the opponent.

The Wing Chun martial artist, can use the small and fast movements of Chi Sao, so as to be in an advantageous position, striking before the opponent is even aware that an attack is taking place, or from where it is coming.

It is an art where, if the practisioner does not understand the fundamentals, or tries to compare it to another, he will be unable to master it.
I have met many who practice Wing Chun, who know how to discuss the basics of the system, yet who cannot apply it in practise. Why? Because their basic techniques are incorrect, and their movements do not have the correct angle.

So, if you wish to become a good Wing Chun fighter, you need to give great attention to the basic techniques and train correctly.
Remember! Fundamentals and the correct execution of techniques constitutes a unified total. Techniques are the body and fundamentals are the spirit. These two must be in harmony. You cannot ignore either one.

Trainers are taught by the system, and they simultaneously teach their students humility, self control, concentration, discipline, restraint, respect.
Trainers or students who take pleasure in being censorious, egotistical, arrogant, have no place in the Wing Chun classes, or Kung Fu in general.

Basic Characteristics of Wing Chun.

Wing Chun is a direct system of Gung-Fu, and emhasises attacking along a straight line. It is based on the theory that the shortest distance between Pont A and B is a straight line that joins them. It is a fast system, without irrelevent moves. In Wing Chun we always protect our "Central Line" and simultaneously attack and defend.

FORMS

There are only three empty hand forms.

The first form is called SIU NIM TAO.
It teaches the student the basic stance, what our body is, how to relax, how energy is produced, and what the independence of hands is. When we learn the moves of the form correctly, we execute it very slowly to produce more energy.

The second form is called CHUM KIU and it teaches us how to walk, the independence of techniques using both hands and feet, as well as how to use the techniques of the first form in motion, how to close the distance with our opponent, and how to move.

BIU GEE is the third and final form and it teaches us energy combined with technique. It also teaches us speed of movement in the fingers of our hands, as well as how to transfer energy to the fingers. Lastly, it teaches us the various elbow techniques.

To an untrained person, the first two forms may appear very simple and slow without fighting content, however they contain hundreds of techniques, which the student discovers during his period of training at the school.

KICKS

An erroneous impression people have about Wing Chun is that the system has no kicking techniques. Wing Chun has eight basic kicks which are very destructive and never aim for the head.
The philosophy of Wing Chun states that the higher we kick, the more we are in danger of losing our central point of balance.
From the lowest point that the foot kicks from, up to the head as a target, it is logical that the distance is much greater, one time aproximately from the distance of the body's waist. Therefore it is preferable to strike the head with our hand, due to the smaller distance we need to travel, and we will surely have the greatest speed and most stable balance in our body.

Kung Fu provides discipline, respect, concentration.

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CHI SAO (STICKING HANDS)

Chi Sao is a method of developing our senses (touch and intuition). It sensitizes our entire body, especially our hands and feet, so as to feel the intentions and movement of our opponent.

Chi Sao teaches us to use our opponent's strength, and not to expend unnecessary energy. In Chi Sao the student learns how to defend and attack simultaneously without thought, simply using his reflexes.

Chi Sao techniques are never done with speed, but with sensitivity and clear thought.

PHON SAO (TRAPPING HANDS)

In Wing Chun, PHON SAO is the immobilizing of our opponent's hands. PHON means to seal or isolate an object or territory.

In self defense, if you momentarily immobilize the attacker's hands, his ability to counterattack is drastically reduced, especially if you also immobilize his feet, making it more easy, quick and safe for you to manage a series of strikes.

Your ability to trap an opponent's hands, depends on your "sticky hands" training (Chi Sao), from your ability to perform the techniques, and on the correct sensitivity, which will only come by learning from experienced teachers in the Wing Chun System.

WOODEN DUMMY TECHNIQUES

The wooden dummy (MUK-YAN-CHONG) is a unique Wing Chun training devic for accuracy in the techniques and hardening of our limbs.

It includes a set of 116 techniques with synchronization of hands, legs and trunk.

The dummy facilitates the training in CHI SAU, and increases the speed of our techniques.

LUK-DIM-BOON-KWUN
(STAFF TECHNIQUE)

Wing Chun Kung Fu uses a staff of 9 feet (2.74 metres), with the purpose being to strengthen our hands and especially our wrists.

There are 12 techniques using the staff.

The techniques teach accuracy in striking, control, and transmitting of power over distance.

BART JARM DAO
(BUTTERFLY SWORDS)

Wing Chun uses the small butterfly swords as an extension of our hands, with the purpose of increasing speed, transmitting power to our limbs and in accuracy of our techniques.

Generally, Wing Chun, is a very effective system of self defense with wonderful, non superfluous movements.

It teaches us to defend ourselves from the very first lessons.

Finally, the essence of Wing Chun is the birth of speed.
Speed consists of two elements; reaction time and movement time.