


What is Wing Chun?
Wing Chun is more than just a system of self defence or a martial art.
It is a way of life to many, providing relaxation, health, wellness and fitness, achievement, self confidence and self discipline and a social network of great friends.
Wing Chun as a martial art, was developed in southern China approximately 300 years ago during the time of the Qing Dynasty when the Manchu government attacked and destroyed the Shaolin Temple and scattered the monks.
During the 1900's during the rise of the Communist party in mainland China, many great Wing Chun masters left the mainland and migrated to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan.
​
Yip Man (also known as Ip Man) established himself in Hong Kong and has had his life immortalised by the 'Ip Man' movie series starring Donnie Yen. (see poster)
​
Yip Man's most famous student was Bruce Lee who popularised Wing Chun Kung Fu through his action packed movies. Bruce Lee's 'elder brother' in Yip Man's school was William Cheung, who brought Wing Chun to Australia around 1970.
​
Wing Chun, according to legend was developed by a female and does not rely on force or physical size, but specifically trains to enable a practitioner to take advantage of the opponents size and force, turning their force against them.
​
Skilled in Wing Chun, one does not have to fear any size opponent.
Traditional Wing Chun is based on simple principles:
-
Centre Line – attacking and defending
-
Central Line
-
Fighting on the Blind Side
-
Independent use of limbs, hands and feet
-
Simultaneous attack & defence
-
Economy of movement
-
Facing the point of contact
-
Coordinating the mind and body
-
Do not fight force with force
-
Forward Intention
-
Qi Sao and contact reflexes
-
The 5 stages of combat
Wing Chun places great emphasis on effective and fast footwork, on the premise that when the feet are positioned correctly, everything that follows is natural and devastatingly effective.
Wing Chun favours the vertical straight punch as it comes from the centre and is pushed forward in a straight line with great force and explosive power, as the body is directly behind the punch with the feet firmly rooted on the ground. A straight punch is the most difficult to defend against and intercept, as the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
The centreline punch also guards our centre, making it difficult for the opponent to attack our body. Bruce Lee’s famous ‘one inch punch’ illustrated the power of a straight punch when the elbow and body are behind the fist, propelling forwards in a straight line.

