Curriculum
1. Siu Lim Tao (Little Idea) form
Beginners – this form teaches all the basic techniques in the Wing Chun System. It is like learning all the letters of the English language. Later on, all these basic movements (letters) will be combined to become meaningful and practical techniques, just as we combine letters into words, then words into sentences.
2. Chum Kiu (Seeking the Bridge) form
Intermediate – this form builds on top of the Siu Lim Tao form by introducing turning, moving, and kicking techniques. Going with the same English Learning analogy, Chum Kiu form is like introducing grammar into the letters and words we learned in the Siu Lim Tao form. At this stage, students will learn how to combine the individual techniques into meaningful and the most economical fashion.
3. Bil Gee (Thrusting Finger) form
Advanced – this form contains more damaging/emergency techniques for more advanced students. It is usually taught when a student has a more solid foundation of skills in Siu Lim Tao, Chum Kiu and Sticky hands. It requires a very solid foundation not because the movements are complex or fancy; it is because of the selective situation under which we should execute Biu Chi techniques. In combat, as much as you try to follow the logical and economical techniques in Siu Lim Tao and Chum Kiu, there may be times when you find yourself in a disadvantageous position because of a stronger and faster opponent, a mistake made, or multiple attackers. Biu Chi teaches you how to recover from the bad position, how to turn from almost losing into winning. Some of the techniques contained in this form are actually more dangerous to use if not used in the right situation.
4. Wooden Dummy
This is Wing Chun’s signature training equipment for students of different levels to practice hand techniques, kicking techniques, footwork, distance and angle. It contains 8 sections. Each section will be introduced at different stages. Once you learn the form and, most importantly, the meaning of each techniques, you will be amazed by the intelligence behind this wooden structure, i.e. the angle and placement of the arms and leg. The person who came up with this equipment is no dummy.
5. Chi Sao (Sticky hands)
This is a life long combat simulation / sensitivity exercise with a training partner to develop sensitivity and reflex. Students will learn to execute close range attack and defense techniques contained in the 3 forms and the Wooden Dummy based on sensitivity. As soon as an attack is obstructed, movements employing the Wing Chun principles (deflection, rotation, economy of motion, straight line attack), will be automatically executed as a natural reflex. The end result is a continuous flow of simultaneous attack and defense. This exercise will be introduced after the student has finished the first form. It will become an ongoing exercise throughout the entire Wing Chun system. As a new technique is introduced at different stage of the program, it will always be added into the sticky hand exercise so that students will develop the sensitivity and the sense of timing for the execution of the techniques.
6. Luk Dim Boon Kwan (Six and a Half Point Pole)
Six and a Half point pole is a long staff that is 9 ft long, tapered at the end. It is also called rat tail pole. When using the pole, we assume a Shaolin wide and low horse stand and cat stand. The theory of the pole follows much of the same concepts of Wing Chun hand forms such as Economy of Motion and Economy of Strength. Therefore, some of the names of the techniques in the pole form actually are the same as the hand forms. Although the combat value of the Pole is somewhat lost in today's society because of its size, training to execute techniques with the pole can actually increase your power in your hand to hand combat. Just imagine training yourself to be able to transfer power with minimal movement to the tip of a 9 ft pole, it takes a great deal of body structure and alignment.
7. Bart Jarm Do (Eight Chopping Knife Set)
Bart Jarm Do is a pair of short Knife. The length of the blade is about 10 inches long. The knifes are considered as the extension of our arms. The knife form consists of techniques found in the Siu Lim Tao hand form. In Combat situation, we apply the usual wing chun principles (economy of motion, economy strength, centre line...) to Siu Lim Tao hand techniques coupled with Chum Kil step movements. Bart Jarm Do can be used against long weapon such as long pole or spear. When training weapon against weapon, both parties are considered to be in a very dangerous situation. For this reason, Bart Jarm Do wouldn't normally be taught until student becomes very proficient with their hand techniques and step movements. However, on the other hands, some people also report that having learned and practiced the Bart Jarm Do Combat movements, their steps and hand techniques improve.
