Wing Chun Kung-fu Volume 1. Joseph Wayne Smith, Dr.

      

      Wing Chun Kung-fu: A Complete Guide

      VOLUME ONE

      Basic Forms and Principles

      WING CHUN

       KUNG-FU

      Basic Forms & Principles

      Dr. Joseph Wayne Smith

      CHARLES E. TUTTLE CO., INC.

       Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan

      Disclaimer

      Please note that the publisher of this instructional book is NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Since the physical activities described herein may be too strenuous in nature for some readers to engage in safely, it is essential that a physician be consulted prior to training.

      Published by the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Co., Inc.

       of Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan

       with editorial offices at

       Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032

      © 1992 by Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc.

       All rights reserved

      LCC Card No. 92-80688

       ISBN 0-8048-1718-9

       ISBN 978-1-4629-1692-4 (ebook)

       [email protected] www.tuttlepublishing.com

      First edition, 1992

       Sixth printing, 1997

      PRINTED IN SINGAPORE

      Contents

	Introduction
1.	THE SIL LUM TAO FORM AND CHIKUNG
Introduction
The Theory of the Center-line Stances
The Structure of the Sil Lum Tao Form
The Opening of the Sil Lum Tao Form and Punching Theory
The First Section of the Sil Lum Tao and Chi Kung Training
The Second and Third Sections of the Sil Lum Tao
The Sil Lum Tao Form and Chi Kung
2.	THE CHUM KIL FORM AND FOOTWORK
Introduction
The Chum Kil Form and Footwork
Footwork, Bridging the Gap, and Fighting Strategies
The Theory of Kicking at the Chum Kil Level
Important Hand Moves of the Chum Kil Form
The Chum Kil Form
3.
THE BIL JEE FORM:
Introduction
Principal Attacking Weapons
An Analysis of Selected Bil Jee Techniques
The Bil Jee Form
Combat Applications of the Bil Jee Form
4.
CONDITIONING, STRETCHING, AND POWER TRAINING
Introduction
Iron-Palm Training
Weight and Power Training
Flexibility Training
Speed and Plyometric Training
Aerobic and Anaerobic Training
	Conclusion
	Glossary

      Introduction

      This book is the first in a series of three volumes that collectively give a theoretical overview as well as practical instructions for the entire system of Wing Chun kung-fu. There are many Wing Chun books on the market today, and the addition of more requires justification. First, Wing Chun today is not a homogeneous phenomenon: there are various types of Wing Chun/Wing Tsun in Hong Kong based on the style of Yip Man, many American and Southeast Asian forms of Wing Chun, and at least three forms of Wing Chun in mainland China. In this book, I cautiously wish to stay away from the internal disputes between these schools. It is sufficient to say that each of these styles has its strengths and weaknesses.

      Saying that there is a best style is like saying that there is a best gun—however, it is well-known that handguns, shotguns, semiautomatics, and machine guns all have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, a handgun is for close-range work and is easily concealed, whereas a carbine and shotgun are not easily concealed without sawing off the barrel, which reduces power. However, the carbine and shotgun are typically more powerful than the handgun (see T. Lesce, Shootout II: More Techniques of Modern, Gunfighting [Phoenix, Arizona: Desert Publications, 1981]).

      The same thing can be said about martial-arts styles and sub-styles. My approach is a synthetic one: not to mix together an eclectic bag of randomly selected techniques, but to systematically unify and integrate a diverse array of martial-arts knowledge into a concise and functional whole that is both meaningful and practical. The resulting theory of Wing Chun, while obviously in debt to historical systems of Wing Chun, is a rational reconstruction that is an expression of my own understanding and beliefs.

      In addition, the approach I have taken toward martial-arts knowledge and teaching gives priority to scientific analysis rather than to history and tradition. While I am a teacher of a classical system, I approach it in a non-classical way. Scientific analysis, when conducted properly, emphasizes rationality, logic, justification, and criticism. It is also honest, meaning that the limits and weaknesses of the approach are clearly stated, not hidden from discussion.

      In the first volume, Basic Forms and Principles, I shall discuss and illustrate in full the three empty-hand forms of Wing Chun kung-fu: Sil Lum Tao, Chum Kil, and Bil Jee;in the second volume, Fighting and Grappling, I shall describe sticky-fighting and grappling techniques, as well as the concept of vital points; and in the third volume, Weapons and Advanced Techniques, I shall describe the wooden-dummy set, the use of butterfly knives and other weapons, and advanced techniques of Wing Chun.

      In