WING TSUN KUNG FU is an old Chinese
martial art, which originated in southern China
around 360 years ago during the Ching dynasty
(1644-1911). At that time China was constantly at war
with the Manchurian invaders.
Under
such pressure the Chinese developed a completely
new method of fighting, which was to give them
superiority over the attackers. This is how WING
TSUN KUNG FU came into being: a flexible,
fast, aggressive martial art with which the Chinese
were even able to defeat physically superior opponents.
WING TSUN KUNG FU enables the fighter
to spontaneously adapt to the attacker’s movements
using a cleverly devised system of trained visual
and sense reflexes. This means that this system
removes any susceptibility to feints and other distractions.
Historical
research has shown that WING TSUN KUNG FU
was developed by masters of various different fighting
styles. This was in the southern Chinese border region
between Fatshan and Yunnan after the overthrow of the
Ming dynasty. The system was then secretly developed further
in Kwangtung from where it came via Kwangsi to Fatshan,
where WING TSUN KUNG FU found numerous
followers of this famous “secret style”.
This ingenious martial arts system first reached Europe
at the end of the 1970’s and is consequently less
well-known than other kinds of martial arts, such as the
Japanese budo styles. Another reason is that unlike usual
martial arts, WING TSUN KUNG FU is not
a tournament or competition sport. Because it was developed
as a martial art for the real thing, any establishment
of or adherence to a set of rules would defeat the object
of the exercise.
WING
TSUN KUNG FU is also much more than just an effective
means of self-defence. The natural, flowing movements
have a health-conserving effect and serve
as mental and physical training. Today’s
WING TSUN KUNG FU still upholds the old,
Chinese family traditions. Enriched with Buddhist, Taoist
and Confucian ideas, it teaches us to respect our teachers,
fellow students and the environment.
Learning WING TSUN KUNG FU at the INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY of WING TSUN KUNG (AIWTKF)
is split into three main stages, each of which builds
upon the other while remaining inevitably integrated with
each other.
The
first step concentrates on learning
the forms, without using a partner. These forms
consist of associated sequences of movements that are
exercised flowingly and completely without force in line
with the principles of WING TSUN KUNG FU.
The basic and therefore first form learned is called siu
nim tau, the “little idea form”,
so called because at this stage the student has little
idea of wing tsun. It teaches the students a stable stance,
the correct positioning for the arm techniques, plus patience
and concentration.
The
second stage is called chi sau,
which means “sticking arms”. Chi sau is a
partner exercise where the student learns to sense changes
in the opponents by feeling changes in momentum and pressure
when inside the opponent’s defence range. At an
advanced stage, chi sau is also practised blindfolded.
During chi sau exercises, the opponents maintain contact
with each other’s arms throughout the individual
moves and techniques. In all conceivable attack and defence
combinations, the chi sau training perfects the tactile
implementation of the individual moves and techniques
for the following applications (gwo sau).
The third part of the teaching consists
of programmes that train the visual reflexes
and the freehand fighting known as gwo sau.
In gwo sau, the reflexes learned in chi sau are used in
freehand combat with the aim of learning to successfully
parry such attacks carried out with full body force. It
now becomes clear that in WING TSUN KUNG FU
it is not physical strength or physical size that are
crucial.
Quite
the opposite, conscious “release”
of ones own energy (wu wei principle) directly
releases natural and spontaneous sequences of
moves, thus increasing the rapidity of combinations
used in a counter-attack.
If attacked, the trained eye of the defender analyses
the attack situation und reacts methodically with an appropriate
counter-attack. Using the opponent’s other tactile
impulses (blocking, grabbing, pulling etc.) a counter-attack
that might possibly have got into difficulties can be
continued extremely quickly and consequentially,
while being relaxed and suitably adapted
at the same time.
WING
TSUN KUNG FU is practised by men and
women alike because it can be exercised regardless
of physical prerequisites like power or agility. Nor does
age play a role. The only indispensable prerequisite is
the motivation to gain new knowledge and reinforce
ones personal skills. One then learns to adapt
to every situation within a fight and to react at lightening
speed, even against stronger opponents. Using his hands,
feet, knees, elbows, in short his whole body, the defender
can always find the best possible response to
every move.
The schools of the INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY of WING TSUN KUNG (AIWTKF) offer an atmosphere
free of aggression. Qualified teachers give WING
TSUN KUNG FU lessons in relatively small groups.
Each individual student learns at his or her own speed
and receives individual instruction and correction from
their teacher.
The AIWTKF under the leadership of Sifu
Klaus Flickinger guarantees that the trainers and schools
are of the highest standard.
Discover WING TSUN KUNG FU for yourself as well.
Make an appointment today for a free training session
without obligation!
Tel.: +49 (0) 7852934892
Fax: +49 (0) 7852934893
E-Mail: administration@aiwtkf.com