“Siu Lim Tao” • (Little Idea)

Our first form, nearly all of the style’s hand techniques are found in this form. Great emphasis is placed on learning the centerline structure and proper use of Jing within each technique. Stance and posture are simple in this form. The stance and posture trained in this form is the base to which all other Wing Chun stances and postures are derived from. The basic stance must be trained diligently and held for as long as possible, building endurance over time.

“Chum Kiu” • (Seeking the Bridge, Sinking the Bridge)

Our second form contains a more complicated variety of combinations than found in the first form. These movements are based from the movements learned and mastered in the first form. Due to its complicity, Chum Kiu cannot be taught until the first form looks very clean.
In this form, we work on moving the stance and changing of weight. The first kicks are also introduced at this level, side kicks, front kicks, and stomp kicks. Great emphasis is placed on proper weight distribution, body unification and correct angles in turning and stepping with the stance. This form unites and coordinates the upper body with the lower. The name of the form symbolizes the understanding it provides to the practitioner. Once this form has been studied and movements are clean and smooth, a student will have great ability in closing the gap and sinking the opponents arm bridges.

“Biu Jee” • (Thrusting Fingers)

Our third form and a form that was very rarely taught to outsiders of the Wing Chun system.
A traditional Wing Chun Sifu will be very selective with whom they share this form with. It is a treasure of a form, containing the more advanced hand weapons of the style.
The skill learned in this form is for emergency only. When one is out numbered, or out matched in size, strength and skill.
The life saving techniques included in this form are not to be used in common sparring, as they will leave the receiver with permanent damage and often unhealable injuries.
If a student makes it to this level, they should use great caution when sharing this knowledge, and great caution when training the techniques with a partner.

“Mook Yan Jong • (The Wooden Man)

Our fourth form is practiced using a very powerful training tool unique to Wing Chun Kung fu, often referred to as a “Wooden Dummy”.
The wooden man does not move, and as a result, it forces our techniques to spill around the arms, rather than trying to force our way through, water through the cracks if you will. Proper distance in relation to the opponent and proper flanking angles are a focus of this form. Upper body and lower body must be in unison, along with stance and immaculate posture. Without those ingredients the form will lack a certain quality.
The drills I teach from day one are cherry picked out of this form and from various techniques elsewhere in the system.
When one has mastered 10 or more drills they will absolutely have a jump start on the form. In addition, mastery of the drills will super charge a students skill, often times at a much faster rate than through normal two man drills.Wing Chun in CT
It can often be a worthy substitute when a partner is not available.

“Lok Dim Boon Gwan” • (6 & 1/2 Point Pole, Dragon Pole)

The fifth form and one of the two weapons trained in Wing Chun. This weapon is often said to have once been a battle spear without the metal tip. It is also believed to have been used to push along small rafts and boats in the harbors of Hong Kong. The pole typically measures between 9 -12 feet in length, heavy at one end and tapered to a point at the attacking end. Powerful thrusting, dropping, circling and parrying movements are trained here as well as strong horse stances, bracing stances and agile cat stances. If you can imagine taking someone off a horse with this weapon, being in the front lines of the infantry, then you will have some idea of its purpose. It is the only long range piece to the Wing Chun system, and it is believed to have been added during the time of the Red Junk Opera.
Grip, arm strength and the ability to focus Jing are all trained in this form.

“Baat Cham Do” • (8 Angle Swords, Butterfly Swords)

The sixth and final form of the style, the Wing Chun swords are the pinnacle of the system.
Here we train to master the 8 angles of attack and how to relate our existing Wing Chun knowledge to the edge of a blade. We begin with power training of the grip, wrists, forearms, arms, and shoulders.
The stances are quick and mobile, while the swords chop with incredible fury. The Wing Chun swords are exactly like the hands, understanding of the sword techniques brings a practitioners’ awareness to a new level.

Chi Gung • (Energy Work, Cultivation)

Chi Gung is practiced at all times in all forms. However, it is focused and found most distinctly in the first form. Combined with Hei Gung (Breath Work) Chi Gung is a mind intent and means of transporting energy and life force to every inch of the body. Chi Gung training is used to cultivate health and build internal energy. A regular regimen of Chi Gung training encourages health, blood flow and proper electric conductivity through the body’s meridian channels.

Fon Sao Training • (Trapping/Replacing Hands)

Trapping training teaches lines of attack and defense in a close quarter situation. If you are within hands reach, you are in trapping range. We begin this training from a reference point just inches out side of trapping range. Wrists are crossed and one person attacks the other.
In Wing Chun style trapping, we point our center at the opponent in order to give both arms an equal reach.
We parry and attack at the same time, using counter attacking motions and off balancing pulls to aid in taking the opponents structures away.
Trapping a persons hands by pressing them down and pinning them to open the upper torso for an on coming onslaught. Trapping is not sparring, and it is not true fighting, it is merely a series of drilling methods that teach lines of attack and defense in close range.

Dan Chi Sao • (Single Sticking Hands)

Sticking to the opponent is one aspect of Wing Chun that sets it apart from many other styles. We cling to the opponents limbs developing a heightened sense of touch, or as we call it, a sensitivity.
Sensitivity brings a student’s overall skill to the next level. It seams their techniques together and gives a polished look to all motions. At first we train sticking hand drills with one arm at a time. Preparing our coordination and quality of motion for the double handed exercise.

Chi Sao • (Double Sticking Hands)

Double sticking hands is a higher level of sensitivity training. Chi Sao begins with a serious of rolling blocks, upper gate, lower gate, and centerline are worked all at the same time. The triangle structures of the limbs fuse together and spinning in harmony. One must learn what correct structure looks like before they can learn when it is incorrect. When an opponents structure is incorrect, one will only see and feel gaps and openings waiting to be attacked. A well based knowledge of trapping hands is needed to begin Chi Sao training. Much of the Wing Chun system is refined through Chi Sao and the application of its motions.
Again, Chi Sao is not fighting and it is not real sparring. Chi Sao is designed to build sensitivity and is a logical next step to trapping hands training.

Chi Gurk • (Sticking Leg Exercises)

For most of us, our legs are just about half of our body height. Our legs connect us to the earth and our stance gives us our balance and ability to bring the upper body into the fight. If we are kicked in the legs, the legs are used to defend. Sticking leg exercises are not only trained in kicking range, but also fighting stance vs. stance. We weave our steps into the stance of the opponent. We must train to have a stable, yet supple stance, our legs must develop sensitivity if they are to detect oncoming footwork. Sticking legs work much like sticking hands. Redirecting, guiding, parrying, in an effort to finally creating openings for attack.

Kham Na • (Joint Locking and Seizing)

Joint locking and manipulation most often happens as a result of being grabbed. Wing Chun employs Kham Na when a situation calls for it. Most situations require a combination of striking and joint manipulating. Joint Manipulation is often used as a non-lethal form of subduing an opponent.
Most Kham Na does not work unless the opponent has been struck first. Some type of distraction is helpful when seizing the limbs. If the technique is resisted, it is important that we do not force them into the hold, but rather sense the resistance and use it to flow into another controlling position.

Mui Fa Jong • (Plum Flower Poles, Footwork patterns)

The footwork of Wing Chun originates from the Chinese plum flower.
A 5 pedaled flower that forms many triangles in its geometry. Traditionally these are poles planted into the ground raised to a height ranging from 2 feet to 4 feet. They can be posted in one arrangement or several pentagonal arrangements linked together. Footwork can be trained on top of the poles, or in between them.
Kicking the poles when on the ground and/or isolating stepping patterns when standing on top. These can also be drawn on a flat surface and are helpful when learning stepping sequences and linking Wing Chun stances together.