The Wing Chun style of KungFu originated in the province of Kwantung in China some 400 years ago. During this time the Manchu government who had destroyed the Shaolin Monastery was persecuting Shaolin disciples. Among the few who managed to escape death at the hands of the enemy was the famous nun Ngo Mei, who sought refuge at the province of Szechuan. There she met a young woman Yim Wing Chun, whom she taught kungfu to.

Many leading masters of today refute this. They contend that Yim Wing Chun was actually a man disguised as a woman. He did so in order to gain the compassion of Ngo Mei. He wanted to embark on a personal vendetta and so begged Ngo Mei to teach him. Women are more prone to be moved by the pleadings of another woman. Ngo Mei was no exception. She agreed, but as Yim was in quite a hurry she taught him only the deadlier direct techniques, skipping most of the circular movements that is typical of the Ngo Mei style kungfu.

From there Yim Wing Chun developed a style of kungfu, which features speedy and aggressive close-quarter techniques emphasizing economy of movements. This style would be within reach of students other than those gifted with great agility, strength and flexibility required by the other main style prevailing during those time.

Her style of kung fu became know as Wing Chun.