What is Wing Chun?

Today the ‘umbrella’ term used for all Chinese Martial Arts is Kung Fu or Gung Fu, which literally means a well mastered skill or a long practiced physical prowess. The term was used to refer to Chinese Martial Arts in general in the 1970s due to Bruce Lee's popularity at the time and the fact that his skill was referred to in chinese as "hao kung fu" (or great physical prowess). The word "Kung Fu" can actually be used to refer to other physical skills, which take time to master like cooking, painting, carving or dancing and etc. Today, to avoid confusion, China officially refers to the Chinese Martial Arts as "Wu Shu" which literally means martial arts.

Wing Chun is one of many Chinese Martial Arts and is said to have been developed during the reign of Emperor K'angshi (1662 - 1722) by a nun called Ng Mui. The style that she developed was purely for practical effectiveness and was designed in order that she could defend herself against much younger, stronger and fitter opponents. When the Shaolin Temple in which she lived was burned to the ground she was forced to flee to Tai Leung mountain, in Southern China, and it was here that Wing Chun Kuen was born.

Traditionally Chinese Martial Arts were taught through their respective family lines and the Wing Chun system has been passed down over the years in this way, with the art being continually refined through fighting experiences. It was taught in this manner until 1949, when Grandmaster Yip Man fled Fatshan, China to settle in Hong Kong where circumstances forced him to teach Wing Chun in order to earn a living. This was the first time that Wing Chun had been taught openly. Yip Man instructed from this time until his death in 1972 and during that time he taught many students which included his own two sons and the late Bruce Lee.

From Yip Man, Wing Chun has spread around the globe and gained popularity for its simple yet effective techniques. Students of the Grandmaster have moved from China over the years, taking their perception of Wing Chun with them, in order to pursue education and/or occupation. As a result there are many knowledgeable practitioners who have thier own personal interpretation of the Wing Chun that they teach. This should not be a problem as Wing Chun is a set of principles and as long as these are adhered to you have a very good foundation. Emphasis should be placed on the education of the student in the control and use of his/her body as this skill is key in the development of the Martial Artist and the person. It does not matter what sex, size or physical ability you have Wing Chun will teach you how to use it.

Yip Chun, the son of Yip Man, continues to promote the art that his father played such a great part in. Master Yip Chun still teaches in his progressing years and is a proof to the health benefits of the Wing Chun system. Cheltenham Wing Chun Kuen are proud to have been taught Yip Man Wing Chun through Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe and Master Yip Chun.