WING CHUN ORTHODOX CURRICULUM
… The essence of Wing Chun is based on the forms of the five animals, the three awakenings and the eight gates… And these three stages are as important as each other: if one of the three was missing, it is not. would be more Wing Chun… Wing Chun is the necessary and sufficient! … ”
Grand Master Nguyen Te Cong
In accordance with these enlightened words, the teaching of the Wing Chun Orthodox School respects a very traditional course framework, bringing together the three aspects of Kung Fu: external strength, combat techniques and internal strength.
The Way of Kung Fu Wing Chun is divided into three stages aimed at unifying the three bodies (physical, energetic and mental) of the human being into a harmonious whole, in order to be able to merge with the cosmos in its eternal evolution.
- Beginner level
- Intermediate level
- Advanced level
The hierarchical system of the Shaolin Wing Chun School has three belts:
- The black belt signifies obscurity or ignorance. Its achievement is a sign of the practitioner’s integration into the school and Master’s approval, and its three bars symbolize his three degrees of learning and perseverance.
- The red belt is the second and its color represents determination and perseverance. It has nine levels represented by white bars, each of them corresponding to one of the qualities and skills required in the journey of the Great Way.
- The white belt is the latest in the Shaolin Wing Chun system and is synonymous with chastity, wisdom, and enlightenment. It is also the only one that we can attribute to ourselves, although people who have reached this level no longer have any interest in wearing it ostentatiously, withdrawing from society and devoting themselves to a religious life.
BEGINNER LEVEL
The elementary level is that first step where the practice is focused on the physical body to develop all human potential, using the formula “mind dominates matter”. At this level, the practice of Wing Chun aims to prepare the body by performing basic relaxations and specific exercises which aim to simultaneously develop strength and flexibility, while improving breathing and concentration. Teaching is structured according to the traditional method, therefore it requires discipline and perseverance. All the more so as this physical training is accompanied by a theoretical teaching which exposes the history of our School, as well as its philosophical foundations. The training method that we recommend aims to ensure optimal progress,
“Flexibility equals youth. “
Foundations
Effective techniques and harmonious movements can only emerge if one maintains proper posture. Shaolin Wing Chun has specific combat positions which, if properly adopted, give practitioners many advantages, such as easy and rapid movement in all directions and situations or protection against sweeping attempts. The positions leave few openings for attacks and do not suggest the nature of the attacks and responses.
- Mastery of different postures
- Developing punching power
- Trips
The Little Idea (Tieu Hinhy)
La Petite Idée is the name given to the synthesis of the shapes of the five animals. This is the first form taught to new practitioners, instilling in them the fundamentals and rudiments of techniques. The thirty-six elementary blows selected are given in all directions and involve simultaneous attacks and defenses, according to the Yin and Yang philosophy, from the hourglass position (converging feet, slight tilt back). This posture exclusive to Wing Chun allows to concentrate the breathing, to awaken and stimulate the circulation of the vital energy and thus to consolidate the blows.
The forms (Quyên)
Forms denote sets of movements and postures, choreographed and studied for the practice of combat techniques, the release of maximum force, the development of life energy or a combination of these elements. They allow the harmonization of the external components (postures, techniques and movements) and internal (vital force, force of breath, mental force). Although Wing Chun has forms based on the five Shaolin animals, the five fighting forms of Wing Chun are not the same as their Shaolin counterpart. Also, the Shaolin Wing Chun School emphasizes the two most flexible forms, the crane and the snake.
Sticky Hands (Chi Sao)
Sticky hands do not constitute a form as one understands it, but rather specific techniques to develop touch – the first awakening – a highly effective working tool in combat.
The essence of Wing Chun
The essence of Wing Chun is in the practice of the 5 animals, using the 3 awakenings as moments of action to achieve the highest efficiency through the 8 doors.
“… Receive the visitor well when he comes and accompany him to the exit, then move forward when the path is clear …”
Grand Master Nam Anh
This verbal principle advocates that the neutralization of opposing forces inevitably leads to avoiding preconceived ideas during combat, without however undoing the 5 basic forms designed, to achieve unpredictability, which prevails over premeditated grips and blows.
Often, “misunderstanding” of these key principles has led some to ignore or even deny the existence of the 5 forms of combat in Wing Chun.
Foot techniques
The kicks taught at the elementary level form the basis of a full panoply of Wing Chun kicking techniques, which include, contrary to popular belief, over-the-belt, ground and jump kicks.
- 12 basic kicks
Traditional weapons
Since the advent of modern weapons, the practice of traditional weapons has mainly aimed at maintaining the cultural heritage. The first weapon taught is the six-point-and-a-half staff, as it is the safest weapon, the mother of all weapons, the weapon of choice for Yim Wing Chun’s husband, and the weapon protection used by Shaolin monks and nuns mainly to disarm the adversary. Its name comes from the six points targeted with the stick (head, neck, temples, breastbone, ankles and wrists), while “half” indicates the length of the stick, located between that of the long stick and that of the short stick. This median length adopted by Shaolin respects the tradition of the Middle Way.
- Six-point-and-a-half stick (Luc Diem Ban Con)
- Double knives (Bat tram Dao)
- Saber (Vu Hoa Dao)
- Long knife (Kwan Dao)
Combat techniques
They are not choreographies like the forms. This practice aims to make the practitioner capable of facing any eventuality, under all real circumstances. She puts into practice the verbal principle: “If there is no bridge, it must be asked. Once established, cross the bridge. “
- Chain of the five forms of combat
- The search for the bridge (Tam Kiêu)
Detailed practical curriculum for obtaining the red belt
Belly
- Basic flexibility (muscles, tendons, joints, breathing)
- Basic Wing Chun Position
- Travel
- Punches
- Kicking
- The Little Idea
Black belt
- ABC hands
- 8 Crane & Tiger attacks
- Basic blockages (hands / feet)
- Application of the Little Idea
- Tiger
- Stick
- Controlled fall
Black Belt 1 e Dan
- Semi-free techniques for 2 (hands / feet)
- Kicks chased
- Sweeps
- Tiger application
- Leopard
- Stick techniques
- Double Knives
Black Belt 2 nd Dan
- Kicking techniques
- 2-person free techniques (hands / feet)
- The search for the bridge
- Sticky hands
- Stick application
- Double knife techniques
- Crane
- Saber
- Punching bag, 3 principles
Black Belt 3 e Dan
- Hand Techniques (Tiger / Crane / Dragon)
- Close combat
- Saber techniques
- Kwan Dao
- Dragon
- Snake
- Synthesis of the 5 animals
- Brick breaking (preparation)
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
The second level emphasizes the energy body. During this period of training, every effort is dedicated to cultivating this wonderful human energy which knows no barrier of the laws of physics, in order to transcend the techniques and achieve an art without art.
Internal force
The Shaolin Wing Chun School applies the principle of the short journey. The mastery of the internal energy is required, since the effectiveness of the techniques performed according to this principle, more direct and faster, cannot depend on the sole use of physical force and extensions of the body and limbs as in the long journey. The persevering work of the internal energy allows the practitioner to release greater strength and absorb blows that might otherwise injure them.
- Diamond process (Kim Cuong Noi Cong)
System of 108 techniques, composed of 9 forms
- 108 bare hand movements (solo)
- 108 sticky hand movements (duet)
- 108 Yin Yang movements
- 108 movements in all four directions
- 108 Pa Qua movements
- 108 Tai Chi movements
- 108 movements of the wooden dummy
- 108 permutation movements
- 108 free combat moves
Foot techniques
- Twelve more kicks
Weapons
- Sword
- Spear
- Fan
- Nunchaku
- Wooden mannequin
External Force
- The Thunder Hand (Oanh Chuong Law)
- I Chin Ching
Internal Force
- The Chi Kung of the 5 animals (Ngu Hinh Khi Cong)
- The 8 segments of Brocard
Combat techniques
- The oppressive attack
- The 3 awakenings
- The 8 doors
ADVANCED LEVEL
At this level, the teaching is personalized, while respecting each person’s Karma, thus aiming to train specialists in each distinct field of Kung Fu.
“… First 3 years, you choose me; 3 following years, it is I who choose you and the remaining years, it is Karma which disposes and guides you… ”
Grand Master Nam Anh
It is certain that the mastery of combat techniques and the philosophy of Kung Fu is necessary and essential for the progress of practitioners, as much as oriental medicine and other spiritual practices concerned:
- Chinese astrology
- Physiognomy
- Feng-Shui
- Mental strength Pana
FREE TRIAL CLASS
The practice of kung Fu adapts to the conditions and objectives of each, adults as children.
