Beginner Level

The elementary level corresponds to the first stage when exercise is centered on the physical body to develop are of one’s capacity, by using the formula “mind over matter”.

Foundation: Efficient techniques and harmonious movements cannot emerge unless one maintains an adequate posture. Shaolin Wing Chun has specific combat positions which if well assumed confer many advantages on the practioner, such as quick and easy displacement in all directions and situations, protection against attempts at sweeps; it leaves few openings for incursions and prevents foretelling which limb or which technique will be used.

  • Mastery of different posture
  • Development of striking power
  • displacements

Basic Forms: “the little idea” is the term given to the synthesis of the forms of the five animals, the first form taught to the new students, inculcating fundamental principles and rudimentary techniques. The 36 elementary strikes selected are aimed in all directions and imply simultaneous attacks and defenses, according to the Yin Yang philosophy, from the position of the hour-glass (feet converging, slightly inclined toward the back). This posture, exclusive to Wing Chun is for concentrating breathing, awakening and stimulating vital energy and so doing, to consolidate blows.

“Sticky hands” does not actually constitute a form, but rather specific techniques for developing tactility -the first awakening – a highly efficient device in combat.

  • The little idea (Tieu Hinhy)
  • The Bud of the Plum Tree (Tieu Mai Hoa)
  • The Bloom of the Plum Tree (Dai Mai Hoa)
  • Sticky hands (Chi Sao)

Forms: The forms designate sets of movements and postures, choreographed and elaborated for the execution of combat techniques, for the maximum release of power, the development of the vital energy or a combination of both these elements. These forms allow for the harmonization of external components (postures, techniques and displacements) and internal components (vital force, breathing force and mental force) Although Wing Chun comprises forms based on the five Shaolin animals, the five forms of Wing Chun combat are not identical to their Shaolin counterparts. Also, the Shaolin Wing Chun School emphasizes the two most supple forms, that of the crane and of the serpent.

  • five animal forms: Tigre, Léopard, Dragon, Grue et Serpent (Ngu-Hinh Quyen)
  • synthesis of these five forms

Wing Chun is essentially found in the practice of the five animals, these being the basic techniques practised with the three awakenings as moments of action to attain the greatest efficiency by the eight barriers.

The verbal principle ”…Greet the guest well at his arrival and accompany him to the exit and advance when the way is clear…” teaches that the neutralization of opposing forces necessarily leads to avoiding preconceived ideas during combat-without however distorting the five forms- conceived for attaining unforeseeability, which prevails over holds and premeditated blows.

Often, the miscomprehension of these key principles leads some to disregard or even deny the existence of the five forms of combat in Wing Chun.

Foot techniques: The first kicks which are taught are among the simplest in the complete array of Wing Chun foot techniques, which include, contrary to popular beliefs, kicks above the belt, at ground level and in leaps.

  • 12 basic kicks

Weapons: The practice of traditional weaponry, since the advent of modern arms is mostly for the conservation of cultural heritage. For several reasons, the first weapon that is taught is the six and a half point-stick: it is the most reliable, the mother of all weapons, the weapon of choice of Yim Wing Chun’s husband. It is also the defense weapon used by the nuns and the monks of Shaolin, which they mostly used to disarm the adversary. This stick is so named because of the six points aimed at by the stick (head, neck, temples, sternum, ankles and wrists) while the half indicates the length of the stick-half long/ half short, between the long sticks and the short stick. This in between measure adopted by Shaolin, respected the tradition of the middle way

  • Six and a half point Pole (Luc Diem Ban Con)
  • Butterfly knifes (Bat Tram Dao)
  • Saber (Vu Hoa Dao )

Internal force: The Shaolin Wing Chun School applies the principle of the “short path”. To be effective, the mastery of internal energy is required because these more direct and speedier techniques cannot depend sobely on the use of the physical force, bodily extensions or limbs as in the “long path”. The persevering work of internal energy allows the practioner to release greater energy (force) and to absorb blows which might otherwise harm him.

  • Process of the diamond (Kim Cuong Noi Cong)

Combat Techniques: These are not choreographies as the forms are. The objective of this exercise is to make the practioner capable of confronting any eventuality in all real circumstances. Put into practice the verbal principle: “if no bridge exists you must request it. Once established, pass over the bridge.”

  • Connecting the five combat forms
  • seeking the bridge (Tam Kiêu)