Wing Chun
Wing Chun Kuen (), commonly known as Wing Chun (), or Ving Tsun, is a concept-based traditional Southern Chinese kung fu (wushu) style and a form of self-defense, that requires quick arm movements and strong legs to defeat opponents. Softness (via relaxation) and performance of techniques in a relaxed manner is fundamental to Wing Chun. Origins. The definitive origin of Wing Chun remains unknown, merely attributed to development of Southern Chinese Martial Arts circa Qing Dynasty, during Anti-Qing sentiment. Complications in historicity and documentation of Wing Chun is attributed to the art being passed from teacher to  student verbally rather than in writing. Another reason is the secrecy of its development, due to its connections to Anti-Qing rebellious movements. There are at least eight distinct lineages of Wing Chun which are different, with each having its own history of origin. Additionally, there are competing genealogies within the same branch or about the same individual teacher. The eight distinct lineages of Wing Chun which have been identified are: Other, smaller branches derive from these main eight lineages. Regardless of the origins enspoused by perspective Wing Chun branches and lineages, there is much third-party controversy and speculative  theorizing regarding true origins of Wing Chun. In the West, Wing Chun's history has become a mix of fact and fiction due to the impacts of early secrecy and modern marketing. The contemporary Wing Chun with its characteristic six forms and the "Chi-Sao" / "Poon-Sao" can be traced back to the studies of the teachers of Ip Man and Yuen Kay-shan. The other lineages contain either separate techniques, instructions, forms and weapon uses. The Jee Shim lineage of Wing Chun has pronounced enough deviations to the curriculum to be considered an separate/sister martial arts style, Weng  Chun. Wing Chun in present. The Ving Tsun Athletic Association was founded in 1967 by Yip Man and seven of his senior students at the time. The first public demonstration of the Wing Chun fighting system according to Yip Man took place in Hong Kong in an official exhibition fight in the winter of 1969 at what was then the Baptist College - now the Hong Kong Baptist University. Leung Ting, a student of Yip Man, invited his master and some well-known representatives of the martial arts scene of the time to the college and conducted the exhibition fights in  front of the specialist audience. Organizational structure in the past. In the past in ancient China, Wing Chun, like all other martial arts or craft guilds, was traditionally passed on in a familiar character, from master to student. The master, who had personal responsibility for the entire training of the student (apprentice), was addressed as Sifu (master). The lessons often took place against payment in the master's house, a personal bond between the master or his family and the student (apprentice), with certain mutual obligations, was the rule. The first public martial arts schools were established in Hong Kong . Since then, Wing Chun lessons have taken on a more modern, academic and commercial character. However, in some schools the family system was still maintained. Lo Man-kam, a nephew of Yip Man, still teaches his students in his home in Taipei. Suitable selected long-term students are still accepted into the inner circle of the Wing Chun family by the Sifu in the traditional way through a master-student tea ceremony. This ceremony underlines the deep personal bond that has developed between master and student through the long training. Organizational structure in modern Europe. There is no uniform umbrella  organization in Europe under which Wing Chun practitioners are grouped, but rather numerous, sometimes competing and divided associations, schools and individual teachers. Most associations do not appear in the legal form of associations that have voluntarily merged to form an association, but as commercial organizations in which associated schools are integrated, which are authorized and certified by the association. Some of the associations are organized in a franchise system. In some associations, based on the family system that was used in the past, obedience and obligations towards the master and his teacher are emphasized, although these are rarely directly related  to their training students are involved. Characteristics. General. Wing Chun favors a relatively high, narrow stance with the elbows close to the body. Within the stance, arms are generally positioned across the vitals of the centerline with hands in a vertical "wu sau" ("protecting hand" position). This style positions the practitioner to make readily placed blocks and fast-moving blows to vital striking points down the center of the body; neck, chest, belly and groin. Shifting or turning within a stance is done on the heels, balls, or middle (K1 or Kidney 1 point) of the foot, depending on lineage . Some Wing Chun styles discourage the use of high kicks because this risks counter-attacks to the groin. The practice of "settling" one's opponent to brace them more effectively against the ground helps one deliver as much force as possible to them. Key principles. The fundamental principles of Wing Chun are: Relaxation. Softness (via relaxation) and performance of techniques in a relaxed manner, and by training the physical, mental, breathing, energy and force in a relaxed manner to develop Chi "soft wholesome force", is fundamental to Wing Chun. On "softness" in Wing Chun, Ip Man during an interview said : Wing Chun is in some sense a "soft" school of martial arts. However, if one equates that work as weak or without strength, then they are dead wrong. Chi Sau in Wing Chun is to maintain one's flexibility and softness, all the while keeping in the strength to fight back, much like the flexible nature of bamboo". Forms. Most common forms. The most common system of forms in Wing Chun consists of three empty hand forms, two weapon forms, and a wooden dummy form. Other forms. San Sik (Chinese: 散式; Cantonese Yale: Sáan Sīk; pinyin: Sǎn Shì; 'Separate forms '), along with the other three forms, is where all of the Wing Chun techniques are derived from. They are compact in structure, and can be loosely grouped into three broad categories: (1) Focus on building body structure through basic punching, standing, turning, and stepping drills; (2) Fundamental arm cycles and changes, firmly ingraining the cardinal tools for interception and adaptation; (3) Sensitivity training and combination techniques. Empty hand. Both the Wai Yan (Weng Chun) and Nguyễn Tế-Công branches use different curricula of empty hand forms. The Tam Yeung and Fung Sang lineages both trace their origins to Leung Jan 's retirement to his native village of Gu Lao, where he taught a curriculum of San Sik. The Siu Lim Tau of Wing Chun is one long form that includes movements that are comparative to a combination of Siu Lim Tau, Chum Kiu, and Biu Ji of other families. The other major forms of the style are: Jeui Da (), Fa Kyun (), Jin Jeung (), Jin Kyun (), Jeui Kyun (), Sap Saam Sau (), and Chi Sau Lung (). Wooden Dummy. The Star Dummy consists of three poles that are embedded into the ground in a triangle with each pole an arms span apart. The  associated form consists of kicking the poles using the various kicks found in Wing Chun: front kick, front kick with the foot pointed out using the broad area of the foot and knee rotation to outside, and sidekick. Weapons. The Yuen Kay Shan / Sum Nung branch also historically trained to throw darts (Biu). Sensitivity training. Wing Chun includes several sensitivity drills designed to train and obtain specific responses. Although they can be practiced or expressed in a combat form, they should not be confused with actual sparring or fighting. Chi Sau. Chi Sau () is a term for the principle and  drills used for the development of automatic reflexes upon contact and the idea of "sticking" to the opponent (also known as "sensitivity training"). In reality, the intention is not to "stick" to your opponent at all costs, but rather to protect your centerline while simultaneously attacking your opponent's centerline. In Wing Chun, this is practiced by two practitioners maintaining contact with each other's forearms while executing techniques, thereby training each other to sense changes in body mechanics, pressure, momentum and "feel". The increased sensitivity gained from this drill helps a practitioner attack and counter an opponent's movements  precisely, quickly, and with appropriate techniques. The center-line principle is a core concept in Wing Chun Kung Fu. You want to protect your own center-line while controlling your opponent's. You do this with footwork. Understanding the center-line will allow you to instinctively know where your opponent is. According to Ip Man, "Chi Sau in Wing Chun is to maintain one's feeling of opponent's movement by staying relaxed all the while keeping in the strength to fight back, much like the flexible nature of bamboo". Chi Sau additionally refers to methods of rolling hands drills  (). Luk Sau participants push and "roll" their forearms against each other in a single circle while trying to remain in a relaxed form. The aim is to feel the force, test resistance, and find defensive gaps. Other branches have a version of this practice where each arm rolls in small, separate circles. Luk Sau is most notably taught within the Pan Nam branch of Wing Chun where both the larger rolling drills as well as the smaller, separate-hand circle drills are taught. Some lineages, such as Ip Man and Jiu Wan, begin Chi Sau drills with one-armed sets  called Daan Chi Sau () which help the novice student to get the feel of the exercise. In Daan Chi Sau each practitioner uses one hand from the same side as they face each other. Chi Geuk. Chi Geuk () is the lower-body equivalent of the upper body's Chi Sau training, aimed at developing awareness in the lower body and obtaining relaxation of the legs. Pak Sao. Pak Sao is a blocking technique similar to a parry used in boxing. With "Pak Sao", the hand comes directly out of the center of the body to slap away an attacker's  strike to one's head. Effective application of "Pak Sao" involves creating an angle of deflection through which the opponent's blow can be slapped away with minimal effort. An overcompensating "Pak Sao" may allow the attacker a free shot. This is because excessive effort creates the risk of being trapped by one's opponent if said opponent pulls the "Pak Sao" down and traps one's other arm with it. In popular culture. Donnie Yen played the role of Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man in the 2008 movie "Ip Man", and in its sequels "Ip Man 2", "Ip Man  3," and "Ip Man 4". In December 2019, a new Wing Chun fighter named Leroy Smith was introduced to the fighting game "Tekken 7" roster as downloadable content. When creating characters to represent real-world martial arts, the developers wanted to introduce a new fighter utilizing Wing Chun. The developers consulted Ip Man's nephew, who provided motion capture for the character. Notable practitioners. Some notable practitioners of Wing Chun are Ip Man and his sons Ip Chun and Ip Ching, Max Zhang (Zhang Jin), the martial artist actors Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen, and Dan Inosanto, and the actor Robert  Downey Jr.