Post by Dan on Jun 9, 2006 10:47:56 GMT
Ok here is another article from my book and is the introduction to the section on the hand forms: hope you enjoy and give me feedback let me know what u think of it good or bad comments apreciatted 
The hand forms of Wing Chun
Wing Chun has just three hand forms [i.e. without weapons] which compared to some other martial arts is very few. However the forms in Wing Chun serve more as a reference for fighting rather than a set of moves which can be directly used into a real situation. So in Wing Chun once the forms have been learnt, the techniques are know and then they have to be understood and applied. That is the hard part.
The forms each train different aspects of the system. It is only when they are combined that they provide the effective martial art that is Wing Chun. Therefore it cannot be said which form is more useful than the others for they are only useful together. For example if sil lim tao was to be abandoned the foundation for the system would be destroyed. The training of power and energy in the first section would be lost along with the foundation of strikes and blocks. That is why sil lim tao is learnt first. However without chum kui the basic movement that is used to apply the techniques in sil lim tao and the movement used to bridge the gap between oneself and ones opponent is lost, and without biu gee the system is not complete due to the lack of advanced movement, advanced hand techniques and so called emergency techniques for escaping the elbow being pined etc.
Therefore it is only when the system is complete that it is truly effective. Hence it cannot be said which form is more useful than the others for they are all essential in creating true ability. So how does the system work?
As expressed earlier the Wing Chun system starts with sil lim tau which trains the power in the legs through the stance and it trains correct use of power and energy of hand techniques in the first section of its form, on top of this it provides the Wing Chun practitioner with a useful arsenal of blocks and strikes. This therefore provides the foundation for the Wing Chun practitioner.
Chum kui then introduces kicks and movement into the system and also show how to use both the feet in footwork and kicks at the same time as the hands in the form of blocks and strikes not forgetting that chum kui also trains the use of power from the hips. It also trains the practitioners body positioning and foot positioning which with its turning enables the practitioner to deal with threats from multiple directions, enabling quick efficient turning. This therefore builds on what sil lim tao has provided.
Bui gee then builds on the chum kiu stepping by introducing circle stepping which is most effective when combined with chum kui straight stepping. Biu gee also brings in the training of perfect use of last minute power, enabling the practitioner to use all their techniques to maximum efficiency. Other techniques such as kop jarn enable the practitioner to block when trapped or strike at extremely close distances, this combined with other ‘emergency techniques’ like the biu tse Sau from under the elbow enable the practitioner to recover from bad situations, and also the recover at the end of the form which allows for recovery from a fall . Hence biu gee completes the system.
However let us not forget the Dummy form which is extremely useful for applying the system in all aspects. It also contains a few additional techniques like the neck pull and some additional kicks. The system, as can now hopefully be seen builds from one stage to another. And once fully learnt and most importantly once fully understood, the forms can be used and applied together in a fighting situation. With the use of Chi Sau training this will hopefully, come instinctively to the practitioner as he/she becomes as one with their martial art.
The hand forms of Wing Chun
Wing Chun has just three hand forms [i.e. without weapons] which compared to some other martial arts is very few. However the forms in Wing Chun serve more as a reference for fighting rather than a set of moves which can be directly used into a real situation. So in Wing Chun once the forms have been learnt, the techniques are know and then they have to be understood and applied. That is the hard part.
The forms each train different aspects of the system. It is only when they are combined that they provide the effective martial art that is Wing Chun. Therefore it cannot be said which form is more useful than the others for they are only useful together. For example if sil lim tao was to be abandoned the foundation for the system would be destroyed. The training of power and energy in the first section would be lost along with the foundation of strikes and blocks. That is why sil lim tao is learnt first. However without chum kui the basic movement that is used to apply the techniques in sil lim tao and the movement used to bridge the gap between oneself and ones opponent is lost, and without biu gee the system is not complete due to the lack of advanced movement, advanced hand techniques and so called emergency techniques for escaping the elbow being pined etc.
Therefore it is only when the system is complete that it is truly effective. Hence it cannot be said which form is more useful than the others for they are all essential in creating true ability. So how does the system work?
As expressed earlier the Wing Chun system starts with sil lim tau which trains the power in the legs through the stance and it trains correct use of power and energy of hand techniques in the first section of its form, on top of this it provides the Wing Chun practitioner with a useful arsenal of blocks and strikes. This therefore provides the foundation for the Wing Chun practitioner.
Chum kui then introduces kicks and movement into the system and also show how to use both the feet in footwork and kicks at the same time as the hands in the form of blocks and strikes not forgetting that chum kui also trains the use of power from the hips. It also trains the practitioners body positioning and foot positioning which with its turning enables the practitioner to deal with threats from multiple directions, enabling quick efficient turning. This therefore builds on what sil lim tao has provided.
Bui gee then builds on the chum kiu stepping by introducing circle stepping which is most effective when combined with chum kui straight stepping. Biu gee also brings in the training of perfect use of last minute power, enabling the practitioner to use all their techniques to maximum efficiency. Other techniques such as kop jarn enable the practitioner to block when trapped or strike at extremely close distances, this combined with other ‘emergency techniques’ like the biu tse Sau from under the elbow enable the practitioner to recover from bad situations, and also the recover at the end of the form which allows for recovery from a fall . Hence biu gee completes the system.
However let us not forget the Dummy form which is extremely useful for applying the system in all aspects. It also contains a few additional techniques like the neck pull and some additional kicks. The system, as can now hopefully be seen builds from one stage to another. And once fully learnt and most importantly once fully understood, the forms can be used and applied together in a fighting situation. With the use of Chi Sau training this will hopefully, come instinctively to the practitioner as he/she becomes as one with their martial art.
