How do you know it works?

The ability to successfully use Wing Chun or any martial art in a real life situation can be difficult.  First of all you must learn to understand your own body and mind.  Once you are able to do this, then you will have the capability to understand your opponent in any given situation.  This, however, takes time.

When practising Wing Chun or any other style for a long time people often to question themselves as to whether a technique really works.  I believe that when practising each drill or form the technique needs to be internalised.  It should have the time to soak into the mind and body.  Otherwise, the technique will not come out freely when the opportunity and situation arises.

Each technique should be given time to grow.  All the techniques in the Wing Chun system are valid, they all just used in different ways depending on the dynamics of the situation.

The answer as to what works and what doesn't work eventually needs to tested, and this comes to light when sparring or doing drills with an opponent; but each person must know when they have won or lost in order for them to improve and understand each technique and know how and when to use it.  They shouldn't be just clouding their minds by seeing how many hits they can exchange.

Wing Chun is both strategic and tactical and could be compared to a game of chess . It needs a cool, clear head and experience.

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Wing Chun Forms

Siu lim tao, chum kiu, biu jee, pole, knife and the wooden dummy - these are all forms used when practising.

Each form is an extension of each other. The siu lim tao (first form) will teach the practitioner to stay in a position feeling their own movement and understanding their body, as well as feeling each technique in movement.  Whereas chum kiu (second form) teaches one to move the body and legs in time and coordination with each other. In a sparring scenario you may not have the time to think so the body will have to take over.  After studying these forms very well you will acquire the necessary skills and you will be able to implement these in practice. Each movement in the forms, no matter how small or subtle they may seem is used in real application.

In sparring you learn how to go from siu lim tao to chum kiu and visa versa, or even into biu jee.  These forms dont work in isolation. They can be mixed using any combination of forms.  i.e.  a person may punch straight into your face, but you have no time to respond with a punch so biu sao (thrusting finger) may be used.  Some times you can see the punch coming and so you may be able meet the punch with a punch. Therefore, the technique utilized from a particular form will be dependant on scenario presented.

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