Wing Chun Kung Fu Blog - Sifu Garry: 2017

Friday, August 4, 2017

Wing Chun Blog Sifu Garry - 5 stages of Comabt

Wing Chun Kung Fu Greensborough 5 stages of Combat

When a Novice starts Wing Chun, he/she thinks all wing chun is the same. This is the furthest thing from the truth.
There are many different styles of wing chun kung fu. China has 7 unique families and from the seven emanates many various schools teaching their expression of what they perceive as logical common sense wing chun self defense.
<h3>Shaolin Jee Shin Wing Chun System</h3>

Gulao Wing Chun
Chan Wah Shun Wing Chun
Yun Kah Shan Wing Chun
Snake Style Wing Chun
Cheng Bo Wing Chun
Yip Man Wing Chun
Leung Ting Wing Chun
Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun
Traditional Wing Chun
Leung Bik Wing Chun
Shaolin Jee Shin Wing Chun
And many more!

Shaolin Jee Shin Wing Chun stems from the Leung Bik Yip Man System

Shaolin Jee Shin Wing Chun 5 stages of Combat

Non Contact
Contact Stage (at the wrist range)
Exchange Range (elbow range)
Pursuit
Retreat

Most wing chun systems state that they do not have a retreat step. I find this very impractical.
Every combat system has a retreat or back step.
Imagine a 6ft 10 African charging at you with intent to harm you – and you don’t have a retreat step.
Suicide!
Leung Bik system also has a 50/50 stance. We do not lean back on the back leg as a lot of wing chun style do.
Being 50/50 means you are not over committed in any direction and you have interrupt ability, when the unexpected happens. In combat that is always a possibility.
If you lean back you cannot move backwards. If you lean forward you cannot move forwards, therefore you are over committed.
In wing chun we always resume our Opponent is larger, stronger and more powerful, so we do not take anything for granted. Wing Chun doesn’t use brute strength or fight force against force so we have to be aloof, balanced and poised.
In the Leung Bik Wooden Dummy format, a lot of people say we are too far away and not close enough to the Dummy when performing the moves.
Practitioners don not realize that we are using the different ranges when practicing Dummy.
Ranges change all the time during Combat from non contact to punching range to knee and elbow range and then moving back out again when it is necessary.
You should not criticize something you know nothing about as a lot of martial artist do, especially wing chun practitioners. They always think there system is the best.
I have sparred and fought with many wing chun systems around China and Australia and no matter what style, I believe all wing chun is efficient and effective.
Kick Boxers and the like criticize wing chun on youtube and there are some stupid examples of wing chun fighters against kick boxers and the like.
The Leung Bi system is very versatile and adaptive. We have footwork like a Boxer so we are very quick. We do not lean back on the back leg. We can change our Guard to suit the situation and we also protect our outer gates not just our centraline.
I have trained fighters in 22 fights against MuayThai and kick boxers and have won at least 15 fights in the ring. I know what is required to beat those styles of Combat.
It is not that lack of skill in the system, but mainly the lack of fitness level and power that becomes your worst enemy.
A lot of people say traditional martial arts have no place in today’s society. But from the traditional systems comes the newer styles like MMA and the like. MMA means mixed martial arts. MMA stems from a combination of traditional martial arts systems.

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Monday, April 17, 2017

Wing Chun Blog Sifu Garry - Wing Chun Stances

Wing Chun Blog Sifu Garry

Wing Chun Stances

When an individual first starts to train Wing Chun Kung Fu, he/she generally assumes all Wing Chun is the same.

This is the furtherest thing from the truth.

In China there are seven main wing chun families with many off shoots.

The principles directions of wing chun stem from Leung Zhan, Yun Kah San, Chan Wah Shun and Ip Man.

There are many different stances in the Wing Chun system.

The two predominate stances are 50/50 weight distribution and 70/30 or 60/40 weight distribution.

Some wing chun styles start from a front stance, some from a neutral stance and some from a side neutral stance.

A lot of wing chun stances step heel first and some step toe first.

I personally believe you must always have 50/50 weight distribution. Then, you are in control of your balance and you will be able to utilize interrupt ability. If your stance is not 50/50 in weight distribution you will be deemed off balance and over committed to a certain direction.

For example. If you have most of your weight on the back leg, it will be very difficult to move backwards. Similarly with the front leg. All the weight or some will make it difficult to move forward.

A philosophy of Wing Chun is to always assume your opponent is bigger, stronger and more powerful.

In Combat there is always the unexpected. So balance and speed is paramount. So when you are 50/50 you can interrupt your movements when something unexpected happens.

Also, with balance and speed you will produce Power.

I have had this debate with many a practitioner that leans on the back leg. They always state that “we do not step back”. This is a very impractical statement to make. Obviously, these people have never been confronted by a 120kg African or very large person of any nationality trying to harm you.

A car cannot have a head on with a truck and survive.

If someone large attacks you, you can step to the side if quick enough, but most of the time situations occur to quickly and stepping to the side is not an option.

Therefore, you must make space and step back. If your stance is 50/50 you can accomplish this with the minimum of ease because you are not over committed or off balance.

In Traditional Wing Chun, the Biu Jee form trains the concept of “Pursuit and Retreat”.

Traditional Wing Chun also has the “Exchange step” which enables a practitioner to take a full step back while the Assailant is half stepping. This will create space for you to change direction and counter successfully.

Too many Martial Arts practise techniques in class but cannot use them is self defence, but pay heaps of money to learn impractical self defence.

Always remember. If you practise a technique in class, you have to be able to use it in a real situation, otherwise you are wasting your time and developing a false sense of security.

In any Sport, balance, speed, power and interrupt ability are imperative, especially Combat!!

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Wing Chun Blog - Sifu Garry in Guilin

Wing Blog Sifu Garry

Sifu Garry and Sifu Linda in China

In October 2016, Sifu Linda and I travelled to Southern China and spent 1 week in Guilin, Gungxi Province and 4 days in Hong Kong.

We have been to China and Hong Kong on 8 occasions but this trip would have to be our most fulfilling and most enjoyable experience so far.

Chian is an amazing Country. People often say; “Why go to China”.

China’s provinces are like different Countries similar to Europe. The diversity and cultural differences between the Provinces are amazing.

The Landscapes, Mountains, Rivers, Gorges, Architecture, People, Food, Languages, History and the Age of China, must be experienced at least once in a lifetime. China is like another Planet.

About 12 months before our trip, I saw some scenes of Guilin and Long Ji Rice Fields on CCTV Channel 9 and stated to Linda that night that we are going to this place, no matter how long it takes to save our money.

We were very lucky as it only took 12 months to organize this trip of a life time.

The majority of our past trip have been with Wing Chun Students. But this trip would be exclusive to Sifu Linda and Myself.

Guilin is like being in Heaven. The City is surrounded by Karst Peaks. There are no High Rise in Guilin, so as not to hide the picturesque Mountains surrounding the Area.

While there, sifu Linda and I went on a 4 hour river cruise down the Li River and finished in Yangshuo.

Yangshuo is a small village also surrounded by Karst Peaks.

Along the way we were totally mesmerised by the landscape and mountains. When we arrived in Yangshuo we travelled for about 15 minutes to visit a family living in an ancient abode and viewed some old traditions still being practised today.

The following day, Sifu Linda and I travelled by Car for about 2 hours to Ling Ji Mountains. We climbed to the top, about 1500 meters and met the Yao People whom have constructed a nail free wooden village atop of the Mountain. The village is surrounded by Rice Fields, named the very popular “LongJi Rice Fields”.

The food was exquisite. We were lucky to find a very traditional restaurant which served us Organic Egg Plant, Vegetable Fried Rice and the best Organic Potato Chips I have ever experienced.

The Mountain landscape was surrounded by an eerie fog and mist, which created an unforgettable ambience and spiritual Feng Shui.

We also visited several popular tourist attractions around town, one being the “
Elephant Trunk”. What a spectacular piece of erosion to shape the side of a mountain like an Elephant’s Trunk. Incredible!

We stayed at the Shangri La in Guilin. What an exquisite location and beautiful place to stay.

Hong Kong was our next destination.

We had been to Hong Kong on many occasions but never stayed at the Shangri La right on Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui.

It was a million dollar view from our Hotel room. Our room was so big it could be classified as a small Flat.

We had a separate kitchen, Bar area, separate lounge room, separate bedroom, separate shower with 2 Toilets. We couldn’t believe our luck.

Hong Kong is such a vibrant Metropolis. There is so much to do there. There are Markets galore, Seaside destinations like Stanley or Repulse Bay. There is Ocean Perk, a fantastic theme park. They have a Disney Land and a Noah’s Ark. There are numerous Cafes and Bars with views of Hong Kong Harbour and it’s Metropolis. Yum Cha Cafes abound on virtually every corner. There are observation Decks on many High Rise Towers. The Ferry cruises around the Harbour and at night are fantastic. It’s no woner my Wife and I have been to Hong Kong on 9 occasions.

Our next trip in October 2017 will be to a place called Zhangjiajie, in Hunan Province. This is the location for the Film “Avatar”. This scenic area is Heritage recognized for its vast scenic mountainous views with Pillar Rocks and Karst Mountain Peaks, Waterfalls, Forests, Valleys and Gorges where there is the longest Glass Bridge in the World. Cant’ wait.

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Monday, January 9, 2017

Wing Chun Blog Sifu Garry - Leung Jan King of Wing Chun

Wing Blog Sifu Garry

King of Wing Chun – Dr. Leung Jan

Dr. Leung Jan was born in 1836 and passed away in 1901. He is regarded as the most legendary figure in Wing Chun history. Leung Jan also operated a herbal medicine store in Foshan during his reign as the King of Wing Chun. He had many, many challenge fights with no losses.

Dr. Leung Jan had two legendary teachers, being, Leung Yi Tai and Wong Wah Bo, whom were infamous Red Boat Members. History states that Wong Wah Bo and Leung Jan were responsible for creating the 3 forms of wing chun still being taught today.

Leung Jan earned the title of “Wing Chun Kuen Wong” or "King of Wing Chun Fist" over the course of his life from winning over 300 challenges in which he remained undefeated. He was also one of the first to defeat a wide range of fighters from different martial arts styles using Wing Chun.

Dr. Leung Jan was born in Gulao Village. In 1885 (or 1898, depending on the account), at the age of 73, Leung Jan retired to his native village of Gulao, Heshan county, where he taught a synthesised 72 point Wing Chun System to a few local students, such as Wong Wah Sum, Leung Bak Cheung, and Yik Ying. Again in some accounts it is said that Yim Sei also learned. It is important to note that Fung Keung, son of Fung Chun, supports the fact that there were only three students that learned from Leung Jan during this period of teaching in Gulao village, before dying at the age of 76.

Dr. Leung Jan learnt 2 distinct expressions of Wing Chun. Leung Yi Tai and Wong Wah Bo, whom were members of the infamous and legendary Red Opera Troupe.

Leung Yi Tai taught him Yim Wing Chun's version and Wong Wah Bo taught him Leung Bok Chow's version. Leung Bok Chow was Yim Wing Chun's husband. Leung Bok Chow was also proficient in Southern Shaolin Kung Fu.

Leung Jan decided not to teach his Son, Leung Bik, Wing Chun, because he thought he was not ready or worthy to learn this Elitist Martial Arts.

It is stated that when Leung Bik was eventually taught by one of his Father’s teachers, so Leung Jan had no option but to teach him. He thought if his Sifu thought Leung Bik worthy then he was ready to be taught by the Father, Leung Jan.

During Leung Jan’s teaching he gave his Son the legendary Wing Chun Chronicles which eventually was handed down to Yip Man from Leung Bik.

Yip Man met Leung Bik, the Son of Leung Jan, in Hong Kong around 1915. Yip Man left Foshan for Hong Kong to study English. Yip Man studied a very different expression of Wing Chun from Leung Bik, for 3 years.

When Yip Man returned to Foshan and divulged his experiences in Hong Kong, he was chastised and ridiculed for not adhering to Tradition by learning another style of Wing Chun. His Teacher in Foshan was Chan Wah Shun, before he died around 1910.

Leung Bik’s wing chun system was quite superior at the time. It had different footwork, different kicks, elbows and a comprehensive Dim Mak system, which was frowned upon by his peers.

Sifu Garry is privy to this unique and exclusive wing chun system and very honoured to be able to teach this system in Melbourne Australia.

Why do people around the World, especially America state that Leung Bik never existed.

During my “roots of wing chun” research, I have collected categorical proof that Leung Bik did in fact exist.

1: Wing Chun Manuscripts handed down from Leung Jan to Leung Bik to Yip Man. Property of Yip Man Tong in Foshan.

2: Foshan Museum has newspaper extract defining the lives of Leung Jan and Leung Bik.

3: Wing Chun Matsers in Foshan talk about the Leung Bik system as the

“True attack fighting system of wing chun”

4: Yip Chun, Son of Yip Man told me personally in 2012, that his Father had 3 Teachers, one being the legendary Leung Bik.

5: In 2015, Wing Chun Grand Master, Lo Man Kam, nephew of Yip Man personally told me some stories about Leung Bik. His book also has references to Leung Bik.

The Leung Bik / Yip Man Wing Chun System is alive and flourishing today, around the World and in particular Melbourne Australia.

Leung Jan also left a famous legacy in Gulao Village in southern China. Grand Master Fung Chun and his Son Fung Keun are also spreading the teachings of Pien Sun Wing Chun from Leung Jan in Gulao Village.

I am also privy to the system of wing chun and have been sanctioned by Master Fung Keun to teach this wing chun system in Melbourne Australia.