Wing Chun Kung Fu, By Greg LeBlanc
This is an article I wrote about my Wing Chun teacher Sifu Gary Lam.
Wing Chun Kung Fu is perhaps one of the best-known martial arts in the world; originally from southern China it has spread with great enthusiasm to every corner of the world. Brought from southern China to Hong Kong by Grandmaster Yip Man, the art has enjoyed great attention based on its efficient fighting methods and its many famous practitioners. One of Yip Mans most notable first generation students was the late Wong Shun Leung. Sigung Wong made a reputation for himself and for Wing Chun by fighting and winning over 60 skill comparison matches (beimo) early in his career; as Yip Man's assistant coach he was considered the principle Wing Chun instructor of Bruce Lee. Sigung Wong was also an accomplished Doctor of herbal medicine, as well as a highly sought after calligrapher.
In Monterey Park California, one of Sigung Wong's most senior successors has for the past several years been quietly teaching the Wing Chun system of his teacher. That successor is Sifu Gary Lam (Lam Man Hok). Sifu Lam trained with Wong Shun Leung for over 15 years and during that time was his assistant coach for 6 years. Sifu Lam distinguished himself by winning the Hong Kong full contact elimination tournament in 1978, defeating all challengers in three elimination fights. This fighting victory resulted in being awarded the coveted champions gold coin medallion, gaining him the respect and admiration of fellow martial artists from all styles. Sifu Lam has also been a competitive Hong Kong Thai boxer, and in the early nineties served as a judge for numerous Thai boxing matches in Hong Kong. Sifu Lam has been teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu and training Thai Boxers for over 20 years. He also had the honor and distinction of serving as the 1991 President of the Hong Kong Wing Chun Society.
Sifu Lam describes his system of Wing Chun as having five main branches of study. These branches serve to categorize the bulk of the open hand techniques, giving an overall framework for the entire system. The Wooden Dummy (Muk Yan Jong), Dragon Pole (Luk Dim Boon Guan) and Double Knife (Baat Jaam Do) are also taught.
The five branches of Gary Lam Wing Chun are as follows:
1. Crossing hand - Striking techniques
2. Closing - Standing grappling and escapes
3. Footwork -Kicking, trips and leg attacks
4. Pushing -Using one or two hands to push
5. Pulling - Pulling actions to break balance
The most well known techniques of Wing Chun fall into the category of Crossing Hand, these are the movements most often seen in the Qi Sao training (a free style fighting drill). Crossing hand techniques usually focus on gaining contact with an opponent’s extremity (making a bridge) and then using that contact to help hit the target area. The crossing hand techniques used will vary depending upon the situation, with a student’s training focused on developing natural reflexes of simultaneous attack and defense.
The different types of Wing Chun techniques are described by Sifu Lam as a buffet of martial knowledge; each student is led by the teacher through a variety of martial arts dishes. Choosing carefully and not hurrying the process, the various actions are slowly enjoyed and then thoroughly digested. When the student has matured, he/she then has a tool box of Wing Chun techniques at the ready, using the most appropriate actions needed in that moment. Perhaps the most important element in transforming the student’s tool box of techniques into a working fighting system is Qi Sao (sticky hands); Qi Sao is Wing Chun's open secret to success in building the foundation for clear and effective self defense skills.
Called the soul of Wing Chun, Qi Sao in its advanced form is a free style sensitivity drill, training the student not only how to hit the opponent but also how to feel and control them as well. Qi Sao allows the student an opportunity to gain experience using Wing Chun techniques in a safe and controlled manner. Qi Sao is not just about mastering physical movements; it is also about developing mental and emotional qualities essential to success in Wing Chun training. Sifu Lam says that everybody must go by the same road of development; each step in training must be mastered without exception. If a student wishes to go to the heights of Wing Chun excellence, he/she must master not only the physical aspects of the art, but his/her own mind and emotions as well.
The next branch is called Closing. Closing includes techniques that secure and hold the enemy, similar to Chin Na (Chinese joint locking). Closing techniques focus on disturbing balance and breaking the opponent’s ability to squarely face you, neutralizing his bodies correct structural alignment for physical power. Closing is a second action, second actions are techniques that do not initiate an attack, and are used only after a primary strike. Secondary actions such as closing are used when a chance is presented, automatically reacting to an unplanned opportunity.
Footwork is a vital element to understanding the full range of movements used in open hand combat. These actions include stepping, trapping to push, take-downs, leg attacks and kicking. Footwork is developed through training leg strength, coordination and especially balance. The power in Wing Chun kicking is identical to that of the hands, in that it is derived from a structural alignment with the ground. Kicks are delivered to the knees, shins, ankles and hips/stomach. Kicking usage is developed through training drills and the practice of Qi Gerk. Qi Gerk is a two person sensitivity drill for footwork training.
The next two branches of training are Pushing and Pulling. These two styles are similar in that they are used to disrupt and weaken an opponent’s balance, structure and foundation. Pushing and Pulling weaken an opponent's ability to issue power and fight effectively, and are used in combination with other types of actions such as tripping. These techniques are vital when fighting a larger and stronger opponent, taking away structural power by keeping them off balance. Pushing and pulling also become important when fighting multiple attackers, using the techniques to create human obstacles and shields. These techniques are also used to make the environment your weapon, smashing your opponent into whatever is available in your immediate area.
The Wooden Man (Muk Yan Jong) is taught to develop many training concepts such as structural power, angles, two handed actions, footwork, timing and recovery from mistakes. Sifu Lam often refers to the Wooden Dummy as your second coach, silently giving feedback to a student who understands how to properly train on the Wooden Dummy.
Gary Lam Wing Chun also includes teaching the 6½ point pole (Luk Dim Boon Gwan), sometimes called the Dragon Pole. The dragon pole is taught as a weapon and as a training tool for developing internal power (Loi Lik). Measuring 9 feet long for training purposes and made from the heaviest hard woods possible, the dragon pole can be seen as a model for using any pole like object as a weapon. The dragon pole utilizes simple and direct movements supported by correct body structure; it is an essential training device for mastering Wing Chun’s internal power. The Eight Cut Knives (Baat Jaam Do) are also taught as a training device and weapon. This phase of a students training is usually taught at the end of the system, primarily because a very different footwork style is promoted (called Gote Ma). Baat Jaam Do actions borrow from the open hand Wing Chun movements, using one hand to defend and one hand to attack. The training and usage of the double knives depends less on the practitioner’s structural power and more on angle, timing and position.
At Turning Point we offer private instruction in Wing Chun Kung Fu.
