Curriculum

Forms

Forms are a meditative, solitary exercise which develop self-awareness, balance and sensitivity. Forms also train the practitioner in the fundamental movements of Wing Chun. It is from the forms that all Wing Chun techniques are derived.

Conventional Wing Chun comprises six forms: three empty hand forms, two weapons forms and one "wooden dummy" form.

Empty Hand

1. Siu Nim Tao
   The first and most important form in Wing Chun. Siu Nim Tao ("little idea" or "little first training") is the foundation or "seed" of the art from which all succeeding forms and techniques depend. Fundamental rules of balance and body structure are developed here.
2. Chum Kiu
   Translated as "seeking the bridge" or "sinking bridge". The second form Chum Kiu focuses on advanced footwork and entry techniques to "bridge the gap" between practitioner and opponent and disrupt their structure and balance. Close-range attacks using the elbows and knees are also developed here.
3. Biu Jee
   The third form Biu Jee ("darting fingers"), comprises "emergency techniques" to counter-attack when structure and centreline have been compromised; such as when the practitioner is seriously injured.

Weapons

1. "Six-and-a-half Point Pole" or "Dragon Pole" - a nine-foot wooden pole.
2. "Butterfly Swords" - small double Chinese broadswords (Dao).

Although initially developed as an unarmed form of combat, the Wing Chun system incorporated the use of the pole and the butterfly swords during its evolution. Such training is considered advanced and only taught at that level. Because it develops physical conditioning and precision, weapons training has a beneficial effect on the performance of empty-hand techniques.

The weapons curriculum of the Vietnamese style includes the jian and the Pao Fa Lien lineage trains more weapons still.

Wooden Dummy

The Muk Yan Jong form is performed with a "wooden dummy", a contraption made from several wooden posts, representing a human opponent. The wooden dummy is used to train and test Wing Chun techniques.

Chi Sao

Central to Wing Chun training is the chi sao or "sticking hands" drill. During chi sao, two participants face each other with their forearms touching. The participants then "roll" and push their forearms against each other, the aim being to probe and test for gaps in each other's defence.

Chi sao develops contact sensitivity and trapping skill, crucial elements to Wing Chun. Chi sao is often compared with the pushing hands drills of Taijiquan in terms of appearance and principles. There are also pre-arranged chi sao and "chi gerk" (sticking legs) drills used to practise basic techniques.

Wing Chun Kuen Kuit

Some Wing Chun schools use wing chun kuen kuit in teaching the art. These are short, often sing-song, sayings or rhymes that encapsulate principles, strategies or combat responses. Their meanings are often derived from local slang. Some sayings may appear simple but gain greater lucidity and meaning during training.