THE WING CHUN SCHOOL
FORMS
CHUM KIU (SEEKING BRIDGE)
Chum Kiu is translated as 'searching for the bridge', and is the Wing Chun intermediate level form. After a proficient level is attained in the Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu is taught. Jyun Ma - Turning Stance, Hau Ma - Back Stance, are incorporated using Yiu Ma - Waist Power, to generate force in the strikes and block movements. The Wing Chun kicks are also introduced at this stage, however further kicking drills are taught to maintain correct hand positions as learnt in the Siu Nim Tau.
Chum translates as search or 'to seek', and Kiu has the meaning bridge, Kiu Sau therefore has the meaning 'Bridge Hand'. Knowing how to deal with an opponent's bridges ( arms ) is needed, hence the Chi Sau training which trains sensitivity which is seriously required at this stage.
The heart of the Chum Kiu form is 'Yiu Ma Hap Lap', translated as 'waist power co-operation', either in deflecting or returning force.
MOK YAHN JOHNG FAAT (WOODEN MAN
The complete Mok Yahn Johng Faat, translated as 'wooden man (dummy) set', is taught as part of The Wing Chun School Curriculum.
Each section is explained with detail and each practical application. The link from the three forms are emphasised, i.e. the movement from the Mok Yahn Johng Faat must be found in the Saam Tou Kuen - 'Three Forms' of the Wing Chun system, and done with the correct energy, timing and sticking force.
When learning this very important apparatus, attention to detail again is the order of the day to produce quality results. Therefore, whilst learning each movement, complete understanding of what the student is doing is vital, even if it is just one movement, only then can there be any benefit to using this tool of Wing Chun.
Whilst studying Mok Yahn Johng Faat, the student is heavily supervised, so a high standard is maintained before moving on to the next section.
BIU TZE (DARTING FINDERS)
Biu Tze, translated as 'darting fingers', gives the understanding of a fierce and deadly art form, and this is true.
Although this art form is now openly taught in many Wing Chun schools around the world ( but not in all ), it was, back in the days of old, taught to those "inside the door", meaning it wasn't taught freely to any student.
The Wing Chun School strikes the balance - Biu Tze is part of the curriculum, as the complete system is taught. However, a responsibility is on our instructors not to give a loaded weapon to someone not mature enough to handle it.
2 WEAPONS FORMS
BAAT JAARM DOU FAAT (EIGHT CHOPPING KNIVES)
Baat Jaarm Dou Faat translates as 'eight chopping knives technique' , and not 'butterfly knives technique' as some have translated it, butterfly knives meaning Wuu Dip Dou. This advanced knives form is called 'eight chopping knives technique' because really the weapons are 'choppers' - they chop.
There are eight sections to this form, and eight methods in the form to utilise the weapon. Many of the movements found in the Baat Jaarm Dou Faat comes from the boxing set - Tou Kuen, i.e. Gan Sau becomes Gan Dou, Kwun Sau becomes Kwun Dou, etc.
Bou Faat - the footwork has some changes also, but the main area for development is the wrist and forearm which increases flexibility, strength and power.
Each of the sections teaches the student to deal with weapons, i.e. poles etc, coming in from different angles and also with multiple attacks.
Like the Mok Yahn Johng and the Lok Dim Boon Kwun forms, this form is heavily supervised when learning by qualified instructors.
LOK DIM BOON KWUN (SIX & ONE HALF POINT POLE)
Lok Dim Boon Kwun translates as the six and one half point pole form. The length of the pole can vary, but it is usually around 8 feet in length, and tapered at one end. Some poles are about 10 feet in length but they are rare outside Hong Kong and China. This form requires tremendous strength of all round the body. Therefore, this form will develop the back, shoulders, triceps, biceps, forearm, wrist and legs. The stance Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma is no longer used, but the Say Ping Ma - 'quadrilateral stance' and Ding Jee Ma - 'T stance' are used.
The Lok Dim Boon Kwun form is a series of seven moves, with one of the seven being the half-point. The power when wielding this weapon is concentrated at the point with flexible force, and for this reason few students of Wing Chun can master it, let alone even bother to take up learning it. Chi Kwun - 'sticking pole' drills are also taught to apply what has been taught against the assailant with the same weapon. This further builds up more strength and power in the student.
SUI NIM TAU (LITTLE IDEA)
The Siu Nim Tau, translated as 'the little idea' form, is the Wing Chun style's most basic form and therefore considered to be the most important. The reason for this is that foundation building in any structure is essential if our skills are to stand or fall.
Only with firm foundation and understanding of the basics will the skill in future Wing Chun training have any depth. Correct positioning based on geometry, physics and mathematics confirm that the Wing Chun system is an exacting science where attention to detail is paramount.
One of the most important features of the Siu Nim Tau is the stance known as the Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma, translated as 'character two abducting goat stance', which is held throughout the performance of the form. This can sometimes be developed further using the 'Gum Gai Duk Lap' - single leg stance. The 'three seeds' of Wing Chun, Bong Sau, Tan Sau and Fook Sau, are incorporated using this form.
One of the most important features of the Siu Nim Tau is the stance known as the Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma, translated as 'character two abducting goat stance', which is held throughout the performance of the form. This can sometimes be developed further using the 'Gum Gai Duk Lap' - single leg stance. The 'three seeds' of Wing Chun, Bong Sau, Tan Sau and Fook Sau, are incorporated using this form.
