Ip Man Wing Chun "Inner Circle"

Ip Man Wing Chun “Inner Circle”

ip-man-wing chun image yip man wing chun image
tribute to Ip Man (Yip Man)

This article deals with some of the reasons you see combat focused Wing Chun and form focused Wing Chun.  It also goes over why you see good fighting Wing Chun schools and schools that claim they can teach Wing Chun”

(this article can not be copied or used on any other site, permission only to share link) Everything in Ip Man Wing Chun is integrated to work together and off of the body mechanics and structure that is integrally forged into every part of it.  You cannot take one part or one technique in Ip Man’s Wing Chun and add it into another system without understanding the rest of its connective parts.  Instead of using body mechanics and proper redirection of pressurized resistance and stress you will end up attempting to overpower the assailant with the technique.  This will eventually fail as the body can only take so much pressure and stress before it collapses in on itself.

Ip Man Wing Chun as a whole is still left misunderstood by many other practitioner’s due to the fact that it does not act or react like many other traditional styles. It’s forward hips, use of both hands and feet simultaneously, its traps and rapid attacks break a mold that many other styles have been created around or from.   People question its speed and ability to maintain knockout power and mobility.  They question its trapping and fighting capabilities.

All of Ip man wing chun is due to many reasons and misconceptions that have been rumored or unfortunately taught improperly.  Trapping for instance is momentary and should not be thought of as a forever constant, but as a created opportunity to take advantage.  Many practitioner’s hearing and reading about trapping assume that it is like a jiujitsu hold, that cannot be escaped from.  This is not the case.  Ip Man Wing Chun does not wish to hold onto or struggle with an assailant but rather to strike and damage them.  Other instructors who have read or were taught about Wing Chun trapping third party did not fully understand and then taught this partially understood technique to the next generation.  It is unfortunate but there are many instructors of many styles that should never open their doors to teach until they fully grasp the concepts they are about to share.

ip-man-image wing chun image yip man wing chun image
tribute to Ip Man (Yip Man)

Truth, power and what is real about fighting within Wing Chun started when Ip Man started teaching publicly in 1950. Ip Man had two groups of students.  One group was his inner circle, a small few, but very dedicated disciples who Ip Man taught the entire art too and they were  known for their intense fighting capabilities, Bruce Lee, Wong Shun Leung and many others were among them.  The second group, which was much larger than the first were his public students. According to multiple sources and instructors I have met, Ip Man did not wish to teach the entire art or the advanced understanding and fighting portions to this larger public group.  Ip Man supposedly believed that a student who pushed themselves above the rest should be taught in the close circle. Few achieved this goal and were invited into personal or inner circle training.  Instead he had them do forms and supposedly rarely answered a question directly.  According to a Moy Yat lineage instructor Ip Man believed that if you had to ask a question about a technique or application then you had not trained it enough to understand it.  Ip Man brought the art out of secrecy in 1950 yet only taught for fifteen years (until 1964) when he then taught privately for several years after.  For twenty two years (1950-1972) Ip Man taught Wing Chun right up until his death.

I mention this because many people were just another public student, many did not finish their training and others were in and out of class.

Imagine you had one hundred public students that did not finish the training and you did not teach the entire art to this group.  On the other hand you had four to seven disciples that you taught privately and directly that did know the entire art.  Then unfortunately you die, how many students did you leave that knew the art and could pass it on, how many are going to open up schools with the Ip Man name that only know partial instruction?

How many will claim the famous Ip Man as their personal instructor, the instructor of Bruce Lee?  If you have a hundred students who don’t know and a small fraction of a hand full of students that do and there is no youtube, no internet, how many will claim they know it all?  Students of only a few months or years could open a school claiming to have been taught by Ip Man directly. Who would know the difference at first. Students of these masters would only get a small piece of the puzzle which would be even smaller than what their teacher achieved.

yip man wooden dummy ip man wooden dummy
tribute to Ip Man Wooden Dummy

With the influx of individuals creating their own styles, youtube and instructional video’s I have even seen practitioner’s walk in my door claiming to be Wing Chun Instructor’s.  When asked who they trained under they list people from all over the world.  When asked how long they lived there to train under these masters and grandmasters, they proudly admit being self taught through video’s, youtube and “directly by the Master” through digital media. Never meeting or training directly under these men but rather claiming the highest levels of performance and knowledge.  If this is happening now when it is so easy to disprove a practitioner’s lineage and understanding, imagine what it was like back in 1970.

This is how rumors and bad reputations start with an art, and this is why so many good Wing Chun practitioner’s reinforce the essential need to get one on one with a real instructor.  Though an understanding of Wing Chun can be shown through digital media, Wing Chun is an art of sensitivity, direct training and reaction.  Corrections, training and full understanding is extremely difficult through media alone.

You don’t see a professional boxer, combat martial artist, cage fighter or Olympic athlete claiming relationship to greatness achieved by watching a video.  You must get together and train directly in person with the best to become the best.  Ip Man wished to teach only those who he felt would bring the art of Wing Chun to the next level.  Unfortunately,  many have attacked the style for its vast differences, their own personal misunderstandings and instructors who were never fighters.

For training in the direct instruction and complete martial art of Ip Man’s Wing Chun and for a better understanding of Wing Chun contact us today; https://sifuochwingchun.com/contact-sifu-och/

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Sifu Och Wing Chun; body weapon

Sifu Och Wing Chun; body weapon

Body weapon Sifu Och Wing Chun Sifu Och
Mastering proper reaction is key within any fight
Wing Chun trains mobility, reaction and attack

Using your entire body weapon, this is what Grandmaster Lee Chen Style Tai Chi who learned the Chen Village from the Chen Family in China told me that this is called five bows.

Each arm and limb is a single bow and the torso is the fifth bow.  Used as one, they become a entire weapon used for both defense and offense.  When used and trained properly they become one entity of solid body mechanics and proper technique. As a whole they become stronger than anything your opponent can throw in single or double succession.

Now again here, is a theory, can we prove it?  The answer is yes, at each level passed and explained you will notice and be shown ways to prove and recreate this whole body strength. Though, I’m sure you may have heard of using your entire body weapon, how often do you see it done or taught?  How often do you see tests and drills that can be performed to show how well and reactive you can do it?  Drills test and perfect a flowing solid connection and foundation with constant mobility and reaction.

We hear about these principles, but very few people know how to use their entire body as one and even fewer know how to teach it.  As authentic combat Wing Chun practitioners, we are constantly trying to make ourselves and our art stronger, not out of some need to harm others, but because it brings us closer to our true selves.  We know how invigorating it is to Chi Sau (fighting with double sticking hands), Wrist against Wrist with another higher level practitioner and react without thinking to an incoming attack, and wonder at the body’s ability to know without thinking.

Wing Chun’s constant focus is on completely practical techniques and application in a life threatening situation.  It trains for close quarter combat and the short distance power generated, because many attacks will be close when heated.

Want to join Wing Chun? contact us Today; https://sifuochwingchun.com/contact-sifu-och/

Or… Just come on down to our location, we are always training!

 

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Traditional Martial Arts vs the Movies (Part 2)

If you do a jump kick, and you teach the purpose on how to “commercial martial arts someone out with it” while showing the 100% full original war/street purpose, I applaud you. If you throw weapons, but you do it because you’re throwing them through an opponent I applaud you. I applaud any and all men and women who teach or seek out such a teacher, that want to instruct them in the “original ways” to survive using a traditional martial art. I also applaud and respect those who are truthful about their teachings and tell a prospective student that by no means will the fancy move they are learning or that throwing or twirling a weapon in the air or around your fingers works on the street, but instead telling them, “Hey, it’s fun isn’t it?”

Commercial Martial Arts -vs- Traditional Martial Arts (part 2)
Florida Wing Chun Instructors, Butterfly swords
bart jarm dao butterfly sword classes

To all of you out there who train hard through respect, honor and dedication I bow to you and ask for more commercial martial arts. God knows we need it.  We need commercial martial arts more support for all truth bringers within the martial arts from both sides of the fence.

It takes a real hardcore person with a passion to want it, search for the purpose behind it and to learn ALL of it, asking what every moves purpose was for survival.  Original martial arts are not easy and not fast food, they are “Kung Fu”.  Take the Original Karate from Okinawa Japan, Muay Thai from Thailand, Taekwondo from Korea, Brazilian JiuJitsu from Brazil and in its Original Art form its all “Kung Fu”.

No not because I’m claiming they all came from Kung Fu!  No its because  Kung Fu means Time, Dedication and Hardwork and are you not then doing Kung Fu when you practice and teach your style?  I bet you didn’t realize we were Kung Fu brother’s did you?  Well we are so accept it!

So thus commercial martial arts if we are brothers in the art of survival, should we not support one another?  We are not rivals we are family, and we train towards the safety and protection of the ones we love.  The majority of individuals don’t want to push there body for years under rigorous training that bruises the body, toughens the mind and makes one see through the fancy maneuvers of commercial martial arts Hollywood film drama.  Many want to be Bruce Lee without the hard work of Bruce Lee.  A body and mind filled with purpose doesn’t need to put down another art.  Instead of fake or misleading information or techniques. There are many school which have commercial martial arts. Allow the minds of others to become purposeful otherwise they are like sheep and unfortunately they will not see past the hair in their eyes. Stay alert, relaxed and poised on the results at hand, you will succeed you are purpose driven.

For our school with traditions of honor, respect, Chinese cultural heritage are all encompassed within the art of Wing Chun.  Wing Chun is my style of choice just like yours may be another, but we are family in one mindset, self preservation and the preservation of others.  More than just kicking and punching Wing Chun for me and those I teach is an art where students can find and grow in the original intentions of their previous masters.  An enlightenment through reality based survival and increasing endurance and history.

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Note: This article can not be copied or used on any other site, permission only to share link.

Ip Man Fact or Fiction, Florida Wing Chun

Ip Man Fact or Fiction, Florida Wing Chun

WARNING SPOILER ALERT for those who have not seen the film Ip Man, this article touches upon some important scenes. To preserve the amazement of watching the film for the first time, do not continue reading, unless you want to know the truth now.

Sammo-Hung-Donnie-Yen-in-Ip-Man-2
From the Movie Ip Man 2, Combat Scene
Wing Chun Kung Fu reflex fighting

Ip Man fact, a blockbuster from China that hit that the global cinemas and the martial arts world by storm. An instant cult film among martial artists with fight scenes so exhilarating it makes anyone want to take up Wing Chun. But how much of the film is historically accurate and how much is Hollywood imagination?

In the film Ip Man fact is seen teaching an entire cotton mill of workers Wing Chun. In actuality Ip Man taught only a small group of students, mostly the children of the mill workers, in the back of the mill for around a year. Ip Man fact did not charge fees for his classes and there was believed to be around 6 consistent students. One of his students, Chow Guang Yiu, was the son of the mill owner and fabled to have the most potential. However, he later quit Wing Chun and martial arts all together instead choosing to follow in commerce.    Ip Man never worked in a coal mine, as the movie portrayed. During the Japanese Occupation he was a well respected police officer. During his time in the police force, the incident where Ip Man broke a gun really did happen only a thief was holding the gun instead of a fellow officer as the film portrayed. As some legends would have it, Ip Man broke the bullet chamber of the gun with sheer finger strength.

The climatic battle between Ip Man and General Miura was made up for Hollywood audiences too. We should remember through that the movie Ip Man was meant for entertainment. A certain creative license is taken to exaggerate and speed up events to keep an audience interested. Like the Bruce Lee movies that proceeded it the Ip Man fact movies promote and popularize Wing Chun Kung Fu to the masses. Ip Man’s son Ip Chun was an on set advisor to the film. He was pleased with the portrayal of his fathers’ life and struggles.

The film followed an authentic timeline of Ip Man’s life. His beginnings in a wealthily childhood, escape from Communism and the Japanese occupation. Overall the film captured the essence of Ip Man fact as a great fighter, humble, courteous and a faithful practitioner of the ancient Chinese arts in tradition and honor.

Ip Man Fact or Fiction, Ip Man’s life was fact and the courses of the events throughout his life and use of Wing Chun to defend and protect are all true.  How those events are interpreted by Hollywood may be adjusted but the man you must look at the facts of his life.

The movie is directed by Wilson Yip with the battle scenes choreographed by Sammo Hung. Donnie Yen, who portrayed Ip Man fact, had never taken Wing Chun before this role! Donnie Yen approached Wing Chun like skilled game of chess, countering your opponents move as you move in. To get a feel for the role as Ip Man Donnie Yen looked at the nature of the film. Taking place in waring and pre-war times Wing Chun is a very practical, grounded style. Each move and fight took on those elements. No wires or swanky acrobatics were needed to demonstrate the realistic power and effectiveness of Wing Chun.

Elizabeth D. – Wing Chun student and martial art practitioner

Want to join? contact us Today;https://sifuochwingchun.com/contact-sifu-och/

Or… Just come on down to our location, we are always training and welcome you to join!

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images from the Ip Man 1 and Ip Man 2 movies

Newly remodelled – downtown lakeland martial arts school

Downtown Lakeland Martial Arts Sifu Och’s Wing Chun Kung Fu Studio

After so many years serving the Lakeland, Fl community we recently remodeled our studio for our self defense and martial art clients!

We have been providing Wing Chun Kung Fu and realistic self protection in the lakeland community since 1996 and we are here to stay. With our Adult and teen program constantly growing and started 2011 we have one of the most elite specialty afterschool programs the lakeland communtiy has ever seen.  Providing experts in their field, from professional martial art instruction (wing chun kung fu, chinese jiujitsu, boxing, karate and taekwondo) plus by teaming we have teamed up with Just Dance.  Their professional dance competition instructors (salsa, ballroom, hip hop, girls ballet, and more) theatrical performance, culinary, art, etiquette and on staff 35 year polk county tutor for homework help.  Our Downtown Lakeland Martial Arts studio is customized for the fine arts and the martial arts for all ages!

We have remodelled our studio and created a whole new environment for you and your family.  Classes for adults and teens as late as 6pm, 8pm and 9pm at night or as early as 7:30am-8:30am or 11:30am-12 on tuesday’s and thursdays!  Kids martial arts classes and lakeland afterschool pick up from 2:30pm-5:15 with late pick available till 6pm.

NEWLY remodelled lakeland martial art studio afterschool kids, teens and adults

Our school contains what you need to get to your next level of fitness and self defense.  With Shaolin Wooden Dummies and rice bags for traditional training, mma bags for our mma workout class so you can get fit but not have to worry about the ring fighting, lol.  Chinese Lion Dance performances and Wing Chun Kung Fu demonstrations every two months, training for kids as young as 3.5 to 4 years old and adult training well past retirement, we have a class for you.

We have been providing public self defense seminars, confidence and protection techniques for local women’s batter and refuge shelters, realistic protection and martial arts for clients that drive all the way from Bradenton Sarasota, Tampa, Brandon, Bloomingdale, Riverview, Plant City, Winter Haven, Orlando, Auburndale and of course Lakeland, Fl.  Wing Tsun, Ving Tsun or Wing Chun.

This Chinese martial art in Downtown Lakeland Fl can provide you and your family with serious self defense discipline.  For people that want to get in shape and gain real self defense for their family.  Whether you are looking for a a understanding of the martial arts or you want a martial art that allows you to use intense striking and trapping techniques during close range in-combat scenarios, Wing Chun Kung Fu in downtown lakeland is your centre for training. Wing Chun involves stick defense, knife defense, gun defense and extreme hand to hand combat.

Wing Chun martial arts started more than 300 years ago as a closely-guarded secret. Not too many people know that the popular Bruce Lee was himself was a student of Ip Man the modern founder and Grandmaster who taught the young Bruce Lee the art of Wing Chun. Bruce Lee has only ever had two formal martial art instructors, both were Wing Chun Kung Fu; Ip Man and Wong Shun Leung (the combat fighter of Ip Man). After so many years, and  especially after the 2010 release of the Ip Man Movies from Hong Kong it gave the world a taste of Wing Chun fighting in action.  Wing Chun is now being practiced all over the world, this martial arts discipline used to be limited to only a few very dedicated, worthy and lucky students.

Men and women, no matter their built can learn Wing Chun. You will be surprised to learn that this discipline was created by five shaolin master’s with the most influence coming  from a woman named Ng Mui, a Buddhist nun. She taught the art of Wing Chun to Yim Wing Chun, a female student after whom the martial arts was named after.

If you have seen the once inch punch of Bruce Lee then you have seen a sample of the close range power of Wing Chun. Most students are wary about learning Wing Chun for fear that it is weak as it has been influenced and created by women. But after they discover that this is the discipline behind Bruce Lee’s popular moves, his creation of Jeet Kune Do, and that many martial art styles have tried to take from this quick and direct system of combat they start to think differently. More and more students are starting to seek out realistic street self defense and are being encouraged to seek out and enroll in Wing Chun classes.

This system of self defense involves very effective and direct counter attacks and was developed to protect the weak and small against the large and brute strength of other martial arts.  Wing Chun uses essential techniques to keep you safe and protected.  Wing Chun focuses on the use of quick combat, stance, structure and balance to increase a fighters power and attacking ability. Be just like a bamboo tree, deeply rooted and yet it easily yields and becomes flexible. When pressure is applied the bamboo tree yields, bends and allows might and for to redirect around it though it is not weak because of this but instead becomes stronger.  This is why in China, the Wing Chun system of self defense combat is now mandatory anti-terrorist self defense training for all airline stuartists and crew members.

Come down and see our new remodelled facilty and while you are there feel free to try out a class for only $10 bucks!

116 east pine street, lakeland, florida 33801

https://sifuochwingchun.com

863.800.0171

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