Thoughts

   Recently, there have been many questions raised on the Internet regarding the practical values of Grandmaster Yip Man’s original style of Ving Tsun. To one’s regret, many criticisms have erupted. Besides the inexplicable Si Pak Lok Yiu, many elder Ving Tsun practitioners have exposed various weaknesses and flaws of the art. Not only does their theory of Ving Tsun vary, methods which they perceive as improved versions are actually individualised modifications. In other words, they have modified the art, instead of improving it. The basic philosophy of converting leverage into force; restructuring the concept of “Cheung Kiu” (or “Long Bridge”) as “perception of power”; and erroneously claiming that practicing the “Siu Nim Tao”(or “Little Idea”) will bestow you with “perception of power”, raises a doubt if all this can be completed after 3,000 years of practice?

   Previously, when “professor” kung fu was boasting about how good and skillful he was, his fellow practitioners were very displeased by his boastful actions. This triggered the professor’s Si Gung (Si Pak Leung Sheung) to hold a press conference in 1976, giving his statement that the professor has dishonored the ancestors of Ving Tsun. Who ever thought that until this day, many still believe that “professor” kung fu is one of the early Ving Tsun practitioners. They were very proficient at bluffing and have disregarded the true values of Ving Tsun. These practitioners are a disgrace to the lineage by using the two words “Ving Tsun”as a tool to earn a living. These dishonorable practitioners are giving Ving Tsun a poor reputation, which does no justice to this formidable martial arts. We as elders are reluctant to acknowledge such a plight. Unfortunately, there is really nothing much we can do!

Regrets!!

    The seven essentials of “Chi Sau” (or “Sticking Hands”)

( 1 )   Stance training

( 2 )   Judgment of distance when attacking

( 3 )   Attaining angle accuracy during pivoting of stance

( 4 )   Training of “Cheung Kiu” and “Jang Dai” (or “Elbow Power”)

( 5 )   Training of “Lut Sau Chung” (or “Punch under no resistance”)

( 6 )   Employing the fundamental combinations of “Siu Nim Tao”

( 7 )   Natural reflexes when in contact with your opponent