| History: | | | | side) focuses on diverting the flow of energy; |
| Wing chun kuen is one of the many styles of | | | | yang (masculine side) seeks to resist any |
| martial arts, whose origins are to be found in | | | | opposing energy flow. Yang is primarily seen in the |
| Southern China and, compared with other martial | | | | explosive quality of the striking moves. |
| arts, it is relatively a newcomer. The term Wing | | | | "Sticky hands": |
| chun is attributed to a woman called Yim Wing | | | | One of the most important techniques in Wing |
| chun, who was the protégé of a | | | | chun is "sticky hands". Since Wing chun is a |
| Buddhist nun called Ng Mui. Wing chun is known a | | | | close-quarter system, it is potentially dangerous |
| soft style, but is in fact a blend of hard and soft | | | | for the practitioners themselves, who are at risk |
| techniques. With reference to the hard concept, in | | | | of being hit, grabbed or kicked. This realisation has |
| simple terms this means meeting force with | | | | led to a particular method called "double sticky |
| force, whereas the sort term refers to more | | | | hands". |
| evasive manoeuvres and techniques. | | | | To the uninitiated, this technique is best described |
| Loosely translated, Wing chun means "beautiful | | | | as a hurt boxer trying to "spoil" his opponent's |
| spring time" and kuen means "fist" or "fist fighting | | | | moves by clinging to his arms. The aim is to |
| style". However, many people refer to the style | | | | prevent an opponent striking freely, giving the |
| as being "Wing chun". This blending of hard and | | | | Wing chun practitioner the opportunity to control, |
| soft is due to the fact that it was developed by a | | | | trap and break free to strike. The real skill lies in |
| woman and refined mainly men. It is also said that | | | | both parties wanting to achieve the same goal |
| Ng Mui once observed a battle between a snake | | | | and this has led to exceptional techniques, in which |
| and a crane. From her observations sprang ideas | | | | either one or both parties can train blindfolded. A |
| on how to create this art. Mimicking animal | | | | skillful practitioner can eventually predict and nullify |
| movements is particularly common in Chinese | | | | the danger. |
| martial arts. | | | | The main areas that "sticky hands" seeks to |
| Principle: | | | | develop fall into the categories of sensitivity, |
| Wing chun is centered on the Taoist principle of | | | | power and general fitness. Sensitivity covers such |
| "take the middle road". In essence, this says that | | | | aspects as the centre-line concept, reaction to |
| we should not go to the extremes and that | | | | direction change, striking when the hand is freed, |
| success is based on balance. If we are on the | | | | going with the power and not resisting force, |
| middle road we can see both the left and the | | | | continuous techniques (fluidity), and balance in the |
| right paths, but if we venture too far out to one | | | | vertical and horizontal planes. Power involves |
| side we may lose sight of the other. This can also | | | | guiding power, aggressive and explosive power, |
| be interpreted as the concept of the hard and | | | | and power control and balancing power techniques. |
| sort principles - or yin and yang. Yin (feminine | | | | |