Wing Chun Kuen

History

There are several legends regarding the early history of Wing Chun kung fu, most popularly the story of Yim Wing Chun (嚴詠春).

Grandmaster Ip Man

Yet, consistent in every legend is that the earliest recorded figure in Wing Chun’s history, Leung Zhan (梁贊), is a central character in the style’s beginnings.

Also consistent is that every legend is rooted in the famed destruction of the Shaolin temple. Monks and nuns fled south, spreading their kung fu.

The Wing Chun Kuen (詠春拳) system was thus developed as a means to teach kung fu quickly and designed for the narrow streets and alleys of southern China.

It was Leung Zhan’s last disciple, Chen Hua-shun (陳華順), who took on Ip Man (葉問) as his last disciple, to carrying the teachings of Leung Zhan.

Ip Man’s continued influence on the popularity and spread of not only Wing Chun, but of Chinese martial arts in general can not be understated.

Characteristics

Centerline Theory

sifu mike training wooden dummy wing chun mok jong

Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma

At the core of the Wing Chun system is the centerline theory, which geometric concepts to stances and techniques, resulting in a strong foundation and solid body structure.

Attack the Attack

The close-quarters nature of the Wing Chun style emphasize techniques which attack while defending.

Mok Jong

A traditional training wooden dummy, the mok jong has become widely recognizable symbol of Wing Chun kung fu.

Our Lineage

During college, Sifu Michael Thomas befriended a university student from Taiwan, Li Xianda. From Li Xianda, Sifu Thomas learned “the three essential southern styles”, including Wing Chun.

wing chun grandmaster ip man with ho kam ming martial arts school

Grandmaster Ip Man visiting Ho Kam Ming’s school

Sife Thomas recalls that Li Xianda’s Wing Chun lineage was from Ho Kam Ming (何金銘), one of Grandmaster Ip Man’s most accomplished and acclaimed students, and one of the few who ever learned Grandmaster Ip Man’s complete Wing Chun system.