Wing Chun Training with Sifu Jet Wan in London

Wing Chun Training with Sifu Jet Wan in London

Wing Chun (Chinese: 詠春 or 咏春, lit. “singing spring”) is a concept-based martial art, a form of Southern Chinese kung fu, and a close-quarters system of self-defense.

It is a martial arts style characterized by its focus on close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, rapid-fire punches, and straightforward efficiency.

It has a philosophy that emphasizes capturing and sticking to an opponent’s centerline. This is accomplished using simultaneous attack and defense, tactile sensitivity, and using an opponent’s force against them.

Wing Chun has various spellings in the West, but “Wing Chun” is the most common. The origins of Wing Chun are uncertain, but it is generally attributed to the development of Southern Chinese martial arts.

There are at least eight distinct lineages, of which the Ip Man and Yuen Kay-shan lineages are the most prolific.

The martial art was brought to Hong Kong and then the rest of the world by Ip Man, with Bruce Lee being his most famous student. The Ving Tsun Athletic Association, founded in 1967 by Ip Man and his students, helped spread Wing Chun globally.

Traditionally taught within a family system, modern Wing Chun lessons have taken on a more academic and commercial character.

Wing Chun gained popularity in the 2010s due to the Ip Man film series starring Donnie Yen and has been featured in video games like Tekken 7. Notable practitioners include Ip Man himself, Bruce Lee, and Donnie Yen.

Video Source: easyJet Airbus A319 London-Luton Airport landing from WSLVT-Jet Wan on Youtube ⁄ CC BY