"You cannot enter the door of Temple Gym without kindness and compassion for others"
Temple Gym Martial Arts
Wing Chun Forms
Wing Chun is an Chinese Martial Arts system that focuses on close-range combat and practical applications. Wing Chun is noted by the use of linear movement, simultaneous attack and defense, and independant movement of the limbs.
Wing Chun consists of three empty hand forms, Siu Lim Tau (Little Idea), Chum Kiu (Searching Bridge) and Biu Gee (Thrusting Fingers). These three forms create a lexicon or library of techniques and principles in the Wing Chun system. Each of the Wing Chun empty hand forms build foundation for the next form.
Wing Chun also includes (as a form) the famed Muk Yan Jong (Wooden Dummy). The Muk Yan Jong is one of the classical signatures of the Wing Chun system. The Muk Yan Jong (Wooden Dummy) is the incorporation of the three empty hand forms (Siu Nim Tau, Cham Kiu & Biu Ji).
Wing Chun has two weapon sets the Luk Dim Boon Gwan (6 1/2 point pole) and the treasured Baat Jam Do (Eight Slashing Knives).
Wing Chun practitioners are taught to understand the application of principles in a logical and analytical manner. This allows for the Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) student freedom and creativity within the framework of the Wing Chun concepts and principles. These concepts and principles are known as the Wing Chun kuen kuit. These kuen kuit are often short, sing-song, sayings and rhymes.
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::Siu Lim Tau:
The Sil Lim Tao form, is the first empty hand form Wing Chun
Translates to "Little idea". This is the first form taught in Wing Chun and it is used to set the foundation for the rest of the system. Think of it as the Wing Chun alphabet. It exists to show all the moves available to you in Wing Chun. Like the alphabet, learning it by itself has no practical application, but the understanding of it allows for infinite possibilities in everyday situations.
::Biu Gee::
The Biu Gee third empty hand form in the Wing Chun
Translates to "thrusting fingers". This is the last open hand form in Wing Chun. It is comprised of "emergency techniques" used when your own body structure or centerline has been compromised. It is known for its fast maneuvers, elbow strikes and finger jabs.
::Baat Jam Do::
Baat Jam Do
Known as the "eight-slash butterfly swords". These are a pair of identical short swords used in a series of slashing and stabbing motions to simultaneously attack and defend the practitioner from an armed assailant. As with the long pole, the principles garnered from this form can be easily applied to simiar constructs (i.e. two short sticks, two knives, two beer bottles, etc.)
::Chum Kiu::
Chum Kiu is the second empty hand form that a Wing Chun
Translates to "seeking the bridge". This is the second form in Wing Chun and introduces moving your body simultaneously with hand movements. This is why it is important to build a solid foundation with the Siu Lim Tao. It also teaches how to "enter" in on an opponent and disrupt their structure. If you have trouble maintaining balance and equilibrium while standing still in the Siu Lim Tao, it will be impossible to maintain it during the Chum Kiu, and more importantly, during a live, fluid fight.
::Mook Yan Jong::
Mook Yan Jong
Known as the "wooden dummy", this is a training tool utilized with Wing Chun. It is to Wing Chun what the punching bag is to boxing. It is nothing more than a training tool. It is primarily used to teach proper body structure when performing the techniques found in Wing Chun. It also helps in the development of power within the practitioner. It can also be used as an impact-conditioning tool.
Luk Dim Boon Gwan:
Also called the "six-and-a-half-point long pole", this is a tapered pole approximately 9 feet in length which the practitioner holds at the thicker end to execute the movements. While not a relevant weapon by today's standards, the strength gained from its practice carries over VERY well into hand-to-hand combat. Also, the principles gained from learning the long pole carry over easily to similar weapons (i.e. long stick, pool cue, etc.)
::Luk Dim Boon Gwan::
