Mastery of Wing Chun

Zopa Gyatso

Yun Hoi Yuen Kay San & Pin Sun Wing Chun Kuen Kwoon

 In all my decades  in the martial arts I don't think I've actually read anything specifically addressing the topic of how mastery is attained. Whilst I've encountered a lot of cultural cringe, hype and myth concerning mastery I've not encountered any non- cryptic analysis of how it is to be pursued.  If newcomers to martial arts, or even "old hands", for that matter, hold any assumptions or beliefs about it they are likely ill-informed or even superstitious.

Yin and Yang: Manifestations of Chi

Within Wing Chun Kung Fu

By Si-Fu Scott Baker

Both yin and yang energy is used in Wing Chun. There really aren't two different types of energy, but rather different manifestations of the same energy. Within the body half of the meridians or energy channels are considered yin meridians and half are yang. The front of the body, inside of the arms and legs are all yin while the back and outside are yang. In reality the same energy cycles through all the meridians just like the same blood flows through all your arteries and veins. The energy just has a different manifestation when it is in a yang state than a yin state. For example the thrusting palm is more of a yang manifestation, it is strong, and blows right through the target, whereas the soft or sinking palm is more yin in its manifestation, it sinks inside the target and move things around. Both palm strikes hurt, but in a different way. Generally yin is considered softer, gentler, feminine, more passive in its energy manifestation while yang is direct, aggressive, masculine, a harsher energy manifestation. It is not really possible to divide the two; every yin type manifestation has some yang aspects within it and visas versa. Hence the yin/yang symbol. Neither the yin or yang manifestation is stronger or preferred over the other. A balance is the strongest, where both manifest aspects of energy work in combination with each other.

Advanced Wing Chun Energy Training

With the Wooden Dummy, Long Pole, & Butterfly Swords

By Si-Fu Scott Baker

There is a purposeful and distinct connection between the progressive development of the Chi Kung skills in the Wing Chun system, and the finial advanced training offered with the Wooden dummy, 6 & ½ point long pole, and the 8 slash knives. For those uninitiated to the vast chi Kung skills woven throughout the whole Wing Chun system the idea that the dummy and weapons have anything to teach regarding chi is most likely absurd. However, the insightful practitioner will realize that the advanced training given through the dummy and weapons is fundamental to acquiring deeper Chi Kung skills and application. Traditionally the dummy, pole, and knives constitute the last three phases of a disciple's path within Wing Chun. They have been taught last for very good reasons. Obviously one needs to have previously acquired solid skills in foundation aspects of the art in order to benefit from investing in the advanced training offered. But this is not the most important reason. When one understands the deep importance of chi kung within Wing Chun skills one can see that the advanced training offered in the dummy and weapons requires solid competence with all the other internal skills given prior to this point. Without demonstrable abilities in these other internal skills, the training on the dummy and with the weapons will be superficial and will not contribute much at all to the student's overall abilities.

Chi Kung Practice and Power in Wing Chun kung Fu

By Si-Fu Scott Baker

The internal or Chi Kung side of Wing Chun is one of the last great secrets of the art. Many schools do not teach, or even discuss this internal side. Others pay it lip service but do little to bring its power into their training. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that Wing Chun can be an effective fighting system without learning the difficult internal side. Aikido is similar in this regard. Many law enforcement officers learn Aikido techniques to help them control and subdue a difficult individual. These techniques work effectively, but possess only a small portion of the true power they can manifest when learned with the internal side of Aikido. The same is true with Wing Chun. Its techniques work because they are scientific; principle centered motions designed to be efficient and effective. Even done poorly Wing Chun is more than a match for many other Martial systems. But when Wing Chun is performed with its full essence intact, with chi kung skills behind the framework of quality techniques, it is many, many times more effective, powerful and even magical.