Wing Chun

Wing Chun (詠春) is a southern Chinese system built around the centreline: attack and defend along the shortest path, at close range, with both hands working at once. Its history before the 19th century is mostly legend; what is documented is the Foshan lineage and above all Ip Man, who taught in Hong Kong from 1950 and whose students – among them a young Bruce Lee – carried the art worldwide.

Character

• Three empty-hand forms: Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu, Biu Jee.
• Chi sau (“sticking hands”): Sensitivity drills that teach you to feel and redirect pressure.
• Wooden dummy (muk yan jong): Solo training of angles and structure.
• Weapons: Butterfly knives and the long pole.

Who is it for?

Anyone who prefers close-range, structure-based striking to athletic kicking. Wing Chun is easy to begin and hard to make functional; look for a school that pressure-tests techniques with sparring. Little equipment is needed beyond a mouthguard and light gloves.