On May 28, 2017, in Sifu’s office at Medicine Moves Studio on 843 Fisgard St., Victoria, red sash student Eben Hensby had a conversation/interview with Sifu Jim Kragtwyk on the topic of Biu Chee. The audio and transcriptions are included below, in three files (in mp3 and pdf formats).

Part 1: General Ideas of Biu Chee: “It seems strange”; making space — Transcript
Part 2: The Three Sections of Biu Chee — Transcript
Part 3: Personal Expression, Chi, and the Six Element Theory — Transcript

Biu Chee – Thrusting Fingers

This form has a nickname “GOW GUP SAU” which means “Emergency Hands,” the 911 of Wing Chun. This is appropriate because Biu Chee techniques are used to recover from a loss of centerline control, loss of balance, loss of structure, or dealing against multiple attackers. Biu Chee trains our hands to go back to the centerline, just as the compass points to North; hence another name for the form is “Standard Compass.”

This form is also the scrutiny and understanding of the source of each Wing Chun technique. After mastering Biu Chee, the student should have sufficient knowledge to express Wing Chun at a more personal level. The introduction of advanced principles and techniques are found in Biu Chee which underlines the importance of this form. The nature of this form is to train the hands to return to centerline as soon as possible as this is the strength and pillar of the Wing Chun system’s theory.

As important as this form is, students should not rely on the use of the Biu Chee techniques or energy as it should be used only when thing have gone badly, such as when the centerline, structure and/or balance have been lost. Elbow techniques are introduced in this form and should only be used in an emergency situation when one’s hand/arm structure has been collapsed or jammed. Train diligently to AVOID the use of Biu Chee techniques in a real self-defense situation and feel safe and reassured that you have them in your pocket if you ever need them.