The Tools of Wing Chun by Michel Boulet

The Tools of Wing Chun
by Michel Boulet

Many practice Wing Chun but are not really sure about how they would be able to use it in a defense situation. Some tend to worry about certain scenarios and they look in other arts for answers. Many also feel that Wing Chun doesn’t produce enough power or even doesn’t look mean enough so, they concentrate on the most external aspects of the art, turning it into a hard karate like style. This is a common occurrence nowadays. People often will prefer to please their ego by doing something that makes them feel tough. They forget that there is always somebody stronger and tougher in the neighborhood.

Wing Chun, is clearly not for everybody. The initial stages are not hard to develop but if a practitioner wants to go deep, he has to show some commitment and be confident about the real tools of the trade.

What are these tools?

First there is the stance: Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma. It has to be patiently developed through Siu Lim Tao, the first set of the system. It produces a very stable and solid body structure that supports the hand techniques. Of course it looks funny and some Wing Chun circles sometimes criticize its role but it is the most important basic tool of the system.

Then, there are the three hand forms: Siu Lim Tao, Chun Kiu and Biu Gee. There, technique and relaxation join the basic stance to develop the power particular to Wing Chun. This power may lack the external appearance to impress some onlooker but it is still very real. This is not something that can come in a short time of practice.

Chi Sau, Is some kind of laboratory into witch a student will begin using the moves found in the forms while facing the attacks and defenses of a training partner. It is there that the flow is developed. It is there also that he will begin to discover how a proper relaxation is important. The old “Receive, follow” principle will show it’s meaning. The straight line and centerline theories will show their practicalities. It is an endless practice if the student is sincere enough. But this is not combat yet! Chi Sau gives a particular skill providing it is done according to the right way but how do we really use all of this?

The Mok Jong or Wing Chun dummy is usually the place where the student finally gets his answers. They were partially answered in Chum Kiu but now; things are at last starting to figure for our student. Angles of defense and attack, how to apply the power while deflecting attacks, how to strike properly, are covered A thousand ideas can be found in the dummy exercise. If the learning schedule was well planned, the student will be able to apply all his Wing Chun attributes with ease on this training device. If not, he will have to go back to find out what is missing with the help of his Sifu.

Once a certain level is obtained on the dummy, the student is ready to spar with his schoolmates and test his knowledge.

Michel Boulet
www.montrealwingchun.com

	Yip Man -> Ho Kam Ming -> Augustine Fong -> Patrick Gordon -> Michael Boulet
	About the Author: Michel Boulet believes that the real mastery of Wing Chun is a life long endeavor, he maintains a humble and open attitude toward his art and does his best in giving his students as much personal attentions as possible, keeping nothing for himself.

	Preserving the Media of the World's Most Advanced Martial Art.