Mountain Storm Wing Chun Kung Fu and Self Defense
"The Song of the Red Boat of Wing Chun is the DNA of our art." (Yun Hoi) Early Kung Fu teachings were done orally in Qing China and committed to memory. This song represents the concepts and theory one MUST apply when performing Wing Chun. While Wing Chun has few hand and leg techniques, they are guided by these very important rules. One must understand and put into practice these rules to properly perform the art. If you are not following these..........you are NOT doing Wing Chun. D.Harris (Sifu Dave Harris interpretations of the salient points in RED)
The Original Red Boat Song of the Wing Chun Kuen
The techniques of Wing Chun Kuen are unique;
The methods are impenetrable, changing them should be avoided!
Correct teaching, correct practice and the correct mindset are essential.
You must train your heart to be courageous.
Relaxing and smiling whilst defeating the opponent makes for great tales; (RELAXATION)
Seeking by the questioning hand to judge the foe’s intention. (seek with the fingers to contact the bridge - like a snakes head moves from branch to branch of a tree)
It is like watching flowers when he is further away; (remain calm and sensory)
Striking when he is near. (strike when the target is open)
Let him fly like a dragon and hop like a tiger, while I am at ease and entertained;
The hands strike like a falling star! (no tension in the throwing of the punch)
The kick is formless like a flying arrow! (no chambering, the kick flies straight to the target)
Above, remain on the centerline; (chain to stay always on the centerline)
Below, close the groin, (STAY in your STANCE!)
Ensuring the body is inaccessible.
The key is sticking to the bridge of the enemy! (stick to control, forearm to forearm, hand to bridge - constant contact)
Exalted awareness controls his advance;
The skill is to borrow force and strike forcefully. (Let your opponent be turned by their own force and strike the open target with relaxed power)
Lead him into emptiness; (Your deflections and re-directions must make him feel like he is falling or wrestling with a ghost)
To strike first has its reasons; (If there is no bridge on the centerline - strike the center)
In the encounter is embedded the mystery! (you must train realistically)
Do not stop at a single strike, (continue to press the attack)
Pressuring the opponent continuously is essential. (moving forward with each turn of your opponent)
Go on top of the incoming bridge, (strive to be on top of his arms = structural control from above)
Neutralize the incoming elbow with an elbow. (The elbow controls the elbow)
Close in to long range strikes (cut off his power generation- get to Jong Range quickly)
Move the stance forward to an incoming stance.
Keeping the incoming hand and send forward the outgoing hand,
A loose hand must be followed with a forward thrust.
Take the incoming straight thrust with a curve,
Encounter the cross hand with a straight thrust forward.
Forwarding, obstruction, blocking and twisting
Topping, stopping, sinking, thrusting,
Sticking, touching, ironing, swinging,
Swallowing and spitting contain stealing and slipping.
Each point in the theory must be very clear.
Each technique must be clear.
The difference of a line is like heaven and earth.
The slightest bit of slackness will bring defeat.
Commit all these to memory!
One day retrieve the mystery within.
Honour your teacher and respect the art, year after year,
Honesty and determination will generate greatness!
Clever methods will generate more clever methods;
Unusual training exercises will generate more unusual training exercises;
Wind and thunder generated within an inch -
How can you not be humbled?
The true words of the originator:
The true skill of Wing Chun is difficult to find,
There are many levels.
The true art will be found in the most unusual circumstances;
You must be intelligent and diligent over the years,
The unworthy practitioner will always be a lonesome boat in a big ocean.
The art protects the art!
Copyright 2002–2006 Yun Hoi Wing Chun Kuen