Whilst it is a commonly held view that Martial Arts can be divided into two categories – hard or soft – the reality is more complex. Each mode has unique strengths that create a powerful combination when you…
Having a good stance is more than just placing your legs in the right position or ‘sinking the weight’. It’s about harnessing the power of the body’s lower section and getting it out through the hands. Ultimately your…
Wing Chun uses high-speed, flowing punches to overwhelm opponents. This creates the problem of defending against such speed. The solution is found in the second form. Wing Chun’s second form, Chum Kil 尋橋 (Finding the bridge), teaches stepping,…
Wing Chun’s unique forearm sensitivity-training exercise often devolves into soft rollover habits. However, in applied kung fu, Chi Sao practice has to be far more assertive. Given that real self-defence situations are high pressure, forceful encounters with wild…
Wing Chun’s Lap Sao is an important drill to develop the instinct to clear the path. However, many practitioners lack true intent, reducing the technique to a soft rollover routine. Sifu Barry Pang explains that in Lap Sao…
The centreline theory is a celebrated formula for gaining control of your opponent, but is it enough? Concepts of feeling and redirecting your opponent are not the exclusive domain of Wing Chun kung fu. Here are 4 ways…
Once the hands are in contact, Chi Sao provides the tools to react to an incoming attack without thinking. However, the specific drill that develops this reflex is not widely taught or understood. Sifu Barry Pang explains the…
In real self-defence situations, free exchanges of blows are common. This is low-percentage fighting. In Wing Chun, the principle that practitioners strive for is to intercept the hands and gain the best position for attack. Sifu Barry Pang…
Developing a strong base in martial arts is the key to everything. It’s the primary source of power and mobility whilst freeing up the hands to be relaxed, sensitive and fast. Sifu Barry Pang explains that power through…
Effortlessly controlling an opponent requires the successful application of a contradiction: Being relaxed but strong when the stakes are high. There’s a natural, self-preservation instinct to resist aggression directly. However, resisting leads to an arm wrestle that the…