Wing Chun has three hand forms, a wooden dummy form and two weapons forms.
The forms are:
Siu Nim Tau (aka Sil Lim Tao) – The Beginning Little Idea
Chum Kiu – Searching for the Bridge
Biu Chee – Thrusting Fingers
Mook Yan Jong – The Wooden Dummy Form
Luk Dim Poon Kwan – The Wooden Pole Form
Pah Chum Do – Eight Slash Knives Form
Chi Sau
- Click the links below to go to a page for each form, featuring media (videos, photos) when available.
Siu Nim Tau – The Beginning Little Idea Form
The first of the three forms in the Wing Chun Kung Fu System reminds us that in the beginning the kung fu student has to remember just a little because the learning and understanding of the basics is crucial in order that a good foundation is built. This will ensure further progress.
Chum Kiu – Searching for the Bridge
While Siu Nim Tau develops proper structure, stance, centerline, hand-eye coordination, chi (aka qi) development, body unity and the power of proper intent, Chum Kiu adds and develops three more energies. These are forward momentum, pulling momentum and turning momentum. These energies add significant power to all Wing Chun techniques though coordinated movement of the body along both linear and circular paths. Practicing Chum Kiu will lead to a heightened awareness and understanding of the ways in which these movements enhance and magnify natural body power: chi. The nature of this form is to train your body balance and hand and foot coordination by playing the form. The more you practice this form, the better your balance will be. Chum Kiu brings one to a greater
understanding of the Wing Chun system.
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.”
Mook Yan Jong – Wooden Man Form: 108 Moves
Mook Yan Jong is a training device precious to the Wing Chun system. It is the final stage of training for hand and foot techniques. Therefore, those who have studied this form must have achieved a high level of proficiency in the art of Wing Chun. The Jong techniques include practically all of the hand and foot techniques.
Luk Dim Poon Kwan – Long Pole Form
The use of the Luk Dim Poon Kwan is learned in four phases:
1. Jin Tsui (Battle Punches)
2. Biu Kwan (Thrusting Pole)
3. Chi Kwan (Sticking Pole)
4. Luk Dim Poon Kwan (6 1/2 point pole form)
A firm understanding of the three forms and the wooden dummy is essential prior to studying the pole. One needs a partner to learn the pole correctly. Play the pole form until it becomes second nature and overall proficiency is attained.
Pah Chum Do – Eight Slash Knives
This weapon provides training in mobility and further enhances precision in movement. Practicing the knives is comparable to practicing the pole and dummy techniques. The principle is to overcome the opponent with fast, simple, straightforward strikes. The horse stance must be extremely mobile, agile and the energy forward requires total body commitment and coordination. The weapon enhances the application and exertion of chi with the wrist and forearms, which improves your skills in hand combat. Because the weapons extend your energy range, your ability in Chi Sau and
combat will be vastly improved.
Chi Sau (sticking hands) training is a signature component of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Chi Sau allows the practitioner to integrate various aspects of the Wing Chun system. It is first and foremost an energetic sensitivity exercise. Through prescribed arm positions, structure and movement you can begin to attune to the energy of your training partner. You begin to focus and sense the energy/chi. The connection through the arm contact is the portal wherein each person learns how to deeply sense and feel movement, tension and energy from your partner.
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