THE WAY OF THE RIGHT MIDDLE
LE WING CHUN
The Wing Chun style of Kung Fu traces its origins to Ng Mui, a Buddhist nun, who was an expert
martial artist and the founder of the White Crane style. She is also one of the Five Elders, who had managed to escape the destruction of the Shaolin Temple at the hands of the Qing army. It was shortly after, that Ng Mui met a young woman by the name of Yim Wing Chun who she took under her tutelage. Ng Mui would go on to name the revolutionary new style in honor of her student.
Force should not be applied against force.
The efficacy of this style is derived from the combination of speed and flexibility. Its techniques
are based on the principles of the shortest path, and in the deflection and redirection of force applied by one’s opponent. The practice of the Sticky Hands technique can be defined as, “the art of feeling for the movements of one’s adversary”. It endeavors to hone an individual’s sensitivity to touch so that they may rapidly react via the shortest path.
“We must ask for the bridge, in order to cross it.”
– Grand Master Nam Anh –
UNDERSTANDING WING CHUN THROUGH ITS HISTORY
After the destruction of the Shaolin Temple, Grandmaster Pak Mei introduced a radical new style of kung fu. Her prowess was demonstrated in a legendary battle against Grandmaster Jee Shan Shee, one of the Five Elders, who perished in the encounter. Shaolin’s reputation was deeply damaged. Fortunately, Ng Mui possessed the skills and techniques necessary to formulate an appropriate response. She developed a new set of techniques with the goal of creating a style that was the polar opposite of Pak Mei’s. During her quest, she taught these methods to three young women: Yim Wing Chun, Fong Wing Chun, and Mai Wing Chun, adapting her teachings specifically to each.
Through the efforts of two disciples of the late Grandmaster Jee Shim Shee, Leung Bok Chau and Hung Hei Kwun, two great schools were born. The Wing Chun school and the Hung Gar school were founded following their union with two disciples of Ng Mui.
