CHEN’S WING CHUN GUNG FU
It Begins and Ends With You
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
SOLO DEVELOPMENT
"Mastering others is strength.
Mastering yourself is true power"
-Lao Tzu
Solo development consists of three empty hand forms, drills that can be practiced without a partner, practice with a Wooden Dummy, and two weapon forms (pole and knives) which are reserved for highly advanced practicioners.
Regardless of skill level, solo development is just as important as practicing with a partner as it provides stillness and awareness of the mind and body. Dealing with outside forces first requires self awareness and self-control.
PARTNER BASED TRAINING
Grow Together
Partner based training consists of drills under various conditions ranging from cooperative to more spontaneous applications. Unique to Wing Chun is a hands on sensitivity drill called Chi Sao ("Sticky Hands") that allows practitioners to test their understanding of Wing Chun principles and concepts while developing structure, position, distance, timing, and power.
Training partners are essential to Wing Chun development. The greatest growth occurs when there is a mutual respect , openness to feedback, and an understanding of the purpose behind every interaction.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU TEACH CHILDREN?
At this time, instruction is only provided to adults (18+).
WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL CLASS SIZE?
Classes are designed to be very small averaging 1-2 students per class, which allows for personalized instruction. Attracting high quality students is more important than growing a school or a business.
CLASS LENGTH AND FREQUENCY?
Classes are 90 minutes long and students have the opportunity to attend up to 2 classes a week (8 classes per month). Early morning classes are also available for make up classes.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF A TYPICAL CLASS?
Each class begins with Siu Lim Tao (“SLT”), the first and most important form of Wing Chun. Practicing SLT in the beginning of class allows the student to quiet the mind, clearing away the clutter and noise from daily life, so she can be present in class to absorb the day's lessons. Thereafter, students are encouraged to ask questions about Wing Chun theories, concepts, or previous lessons, followed by hands on practice via partner-based drills geared towards the development of key principles and concepts. Proficiency in Wing Chun requires a balance between physical and mental activity, requiring the student to understand the what, how, and why of what they are practicing.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO CLASS?
Comfortable and loosely fitted clothing. Cross-fit shoes are a personal favorite as they are generally light but sturdy. For those who prefer to wear uniforms, we recommend purchasing black kung-fu pants online (i.e. Amazon). CWC branded t-shirts are provided to students who demonstrate a commitment to learning.
ARE THERE BELTS OR RANKINGS?
There are no belts or ranks in the CWC Wing Chun system. However, as the student progresses in the art, she will learn new forms, drills, techniques, and concepts. Progression in the system will be at the discretion of your Sifu, based on your ability to perform and understand key principles and concepts of the art.
IS THERE SPARRING IN WING CHUN?
Yes, but only after a student is able to develop a strong foundation. This may require many years of practice. However, unique to Wing Chun is Chi Sao ("Sticky Hands"), a partner-based drill that allows student to develop and test their understanding of important principles (eg. power, structure, distance, timing, and position) and concepts, providing the skills to fight.
WHAT TYPE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE IS INVOLVED?
While there will be plenty of activity, training is not meant to replace sustained cardio or muscular exercise. The Wing Chun student learns to depend less on brute force or muscular strength to generate power. Muscular power fades over time and with age. Conversely, Wing Chun provides both unlimited and natural power through biomechanics (joint and bone alignment) and internal factors (i.e. center of gravity maintenance and tension).
HOW DO I KNOW IF CWC IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Regardless of your reasons for learning Wing Chun, it boils down to one thing; patience. The philosophy of CWC is to teach quality Wing Chun by helping students to develop a strong foundation and understanding of the basics before learning more advanced techniques, motions, or concepts. Important questions to ask yourself are:
Do you have patience for yourself?
Do you have patience for others?
Can you keep an open mind?
Although WC principles and concepts are easy to understand (mentally), bridging the mental and physical aspects can be very challenging, regardless of previous martial arts experience. Patience for the learning process instead of focusing on the destination is key to long-term growth and success in the art.
Due to the depth of Wing Chun, a student should keep an open mind and trust their Sifu in the learning process, while respecting the views of others. Patience for yourself and others is often hindered by the human ego. Ego prevents growth and deflects self-accountability. Learning the Tao of Wing Chun exposes these challenges for everyone.
If you can answer "yes" to any of the above, then CWC might be a good fit for you. An introductory lesson is available to those who are interested in exploring further. Just e-mail us to schedule an appointment.
-Sifu