These videos are of myself performing Wing Chun forms – which are solo movement patterns, analogous to kata in Japanese systems.
These forms are from the Traditional Wing Chun system of William Cheung. My instructor, Rick Spain, teaches them with modified stances and extra footwork from those normally taught in a Traditional Wing Chun school, but he claims that these are variations first demonstrated to him by William Cheung.
I believe that forms should be passed on from instructor to student as they were taught. However, after a decade or more in the art, I believe it is beneficial to experiment. Rick Spain’s senior studentss may experiment with the forms as regarding sequencing, different footwork, adding or removing techniques, etc.
Surely there comes a time where a half decent student should start thinking for him/herself. Progress in most human endeavours comes from creativity and experimentation, not blind adherence to tradition. Traditional Chinese Martial Arts seems to be regarded as different by some, but in my opinion for no good reason.
As noted by Jordan Peterson, tradition requires constant regeneration through close attention to changing times, and creativity. Wilful blindness to changing conditions leads to stagnation and death. Horus and Osiris.
I was aged 62 or 63 when all of these videos were taken. I am an adherent of the maxim, “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”
I started training in Kung Fu in 1977, Wing Chun in 1988. I am also a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which I began studying in 1998, and in which I currently hold a black belt first degree.
Siu Lim Tao
This is the first form of Wing Chun. Note the front stances and incorporation of baasic footwork with the striking. I include another form, Tien Shou / Heavenly Hand, from David Crook’s Bac Fu Do system, in this video after SLT.
Chum Kil
This is the intermediate empty hand form of Wing Chun. I recorded this on New Year’s Eve, 2017/2018, so there is a related message at the end.
Bil Jee
This is the third empty hand form, usually taught last.
Butterfly Swords
There are two Wing Chun weapons, as the system is usually taught. The short weapons are the twin Butterfly swords. Arguably I am coming close to breaking the law here by practicing with these weapons in public even though these are unsharpened practice weapons.
The other weapon usually taught in Wing Chun is the Dragon pole, A heavy, tapered pole ranging in length from approximately six to thirteen feet. It is held at one end and brandished more like a spear than like the Japanese bo. I may publish a video of myself executing this form at some future time.
In keeping with the necessary spirit of Creativity and innovation, many practioners practice with other weapons from Filipino Martial Arts, other Chines or Japanese systems. or Western martial traditions. I have dabbled with combat folders, karambit, La Canne and Uno Baston Dos Manos, for example, though I would not claim any great expertise in any of them.
Extra
Here I am performing the San Chien (Three Strengths) form from Bac Fu Do, a system taught by David Crook. There are similarities ot the Sanchin kata of some karate styles. I was going through the 22/22 pushup challenge at the time, so you get to see some staggered hand pushups as well.