How to Learn Wing Chun Kung Fu

Wing Chun Kung Fu was invented by a woman. Thus it is an ideal martial art for those who are small in stature. This may have been what attracted the then thin and 5'7 Bruce Lee to the art during his teenage years in Hong Kong. Despite its origins dating back some 300 years, Wing Chun Kung Fu remains a very viable and effective means of self-defense today. It's always best to learn any martial arts in the formalized setting of a dojo under the tutelage of an instructor. However, if this is not possible, you may learn basic Wing Chun techniques on your own.

Things You'll Need

  • Training materials such as books, DVDs or websites
  • Loose fitting training clothes
  • A space to work in that is approximately 10x10
  • A partner
  • A Wing Chun dummy
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Instructions

  1. Learning Wing Chun Kung Fu

    • 1

      Acquire some training materials such as books or instructional DVDs. These may be available at your library. However, you will more likely find them at a martial arts store. Books and instructional DVDs on Wing Chun are a good way to acquire the basics.

    • 2

      Create a space to work in. If you aren't studying in a dojo it may be best to train outside in the yard or in a nearby park. Wing Chun involves many kicks and rapid-fire hand techniques. Unless you are using DVDs or web-based training materials, it's probably best to train outside.

    • 3

      Start with the basics. Learn a basic Wing Chun stance. Learn to deliver the Wing Chun front kick which is essentially a horizontal stamp with the heel. Learn to deliver the famous Wing Chun straight punch with power and conviction. Once you have acquired a good set of basics it will be possible to learn more advanced techniques.

    • 4

      Set up your Wing Chun dummy in a place with room to move around it. Practice blocking and striking your dummy slowly at first. Focus on accuracy and allow yourself to pick up speed as your progress. Bruce Lee working on a Wing Chun dummy was said to sound like a machine gun firing. This is what we aspire to, but start from where you are and work gradually to improve your speed and accuracy.