Tag Archives: Bong Sao

Video: WingChun Chi Sao (Adhering Arms) Applications

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During a recent Primary Workshop at the United States Headquarters of the International Academy of WingChun (IAW) in Berkeley, California, I had participants drill three application excerpts within the IAW partner sequences. These are known (and demonstrated in the video) as Lat Sao (Casting Arms), Chi Sao (Adhering Arms) and Guo Sao (Passing Arms), respectively. The goal is synergizing technique, power and speed.

Below is a brief technical analysis of the three combination options against a right punch preparation: Continue reading →

5 Techniques to Improve Your Technique

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High-Tech Arm.

Technique is your basis in WingChun. By technique I mean the accuracy, efficacy and quality of your movements. It displays as being clear in your intention and clean in your action. This depends on right knowledge and ample practice.

If you are swimming, precise technique allows you to glide faster and longer through the water. Swinging a high-tech titanium bat lets you hit harder and farther than a wooden one. In Self-Defense, poor technique decreases the likelihood and increases the difficulty of successful application, which is dangerous in a survival context. Such sloppiness is often due to forcing and rushing. You can amplify, rather than substitute, technique with power and speed.

There are consequential visual, tactile and, especially, functional differences between merely good and extremely great technical performance. How do you hone the latter? Here are several suggestions I’d like to share with you: Continue reading →

Student Spotlight on Nathan Wood

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I realized that I wanted to grow. I wanted to become better at something — to begin to develop a skill, and in the process, develop my mind and body.
— Nathan Wood

Nathan has impressed me with his respect, focus and diligence since the first time I met him in Atlanta. My sense of his potential was not wrong as he has grown into a key member of his WingChun community. Each time I see him, his effort as demonstrated through progress in performance is very satisfying. He displays many qualities of the ideal student, which will serve him well in the long-term.

Nathan at Spring Camp 2010.

Name: Nathan Wood
Graduation: 6th Student Level
Academy: Atlanta
Instructor: Sihing Ayron Johnson
 Started: October 2008
Occupation: Attorney
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

How did you find WingChun?
I’ve been interested in martial arts since I was a kid, but I never turned that interest into action by joining a school. A friend of mine has trained in a few different styles, and in the last few years he encouraged me to find a style I liked and try it out. I thought it was a good idea, so I started looking at different types of martial arts online. Continue reading →

IAW Headquarters Trip – Day Two

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Saturday featured the first day of the annual IAW Event weekend for testing and training of the Technician Grade and Instructor Degree programs.

As the Degree aspirants were being thoroughly examined by Sifu, the remaining partcipants worked on Tenth Student Level footwork exercises, Second Section applications, Fifth Section corrections and Second and Fifth Lat Sao patterns.

Sifu also unveiled the latest update to IAW system in the Tsum Kiu form. It was a functional upgrade to the Bong Sao (Winging Arm) and Juen Ma (Revolving Stance) sequence. As always, these developments come after much research and testing. And when revealed, they make uncanny sense on clear hindsight.

There is much to see and absorb here, in each class with every person. And my WingChun knowledge and ability improves with such direct experience. For this I am thankful.