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 the popularity of Bruce Lee 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 such as cooking, painting, carving or dancing e.t.c. 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 Wing Chun is no different. The system has been passed down over many years and has been continually refined through fighting experiences of practitioners. It was passed on in this way until 1949 when Grandmaster Yip Man fled Fatshan in China to settle in Hong Kong. It was here that circumstances forced him to teach Wing Chun in order to earn a living and was the first time that Wing Chun had been taught openly. Yip Man many esteemed students, until his death in 1972, including his own two sons and the late Bruce Lee.

Wing Chun has spread around the globe and gained popularity for its simple yet effective techniques. Students of Grandmaster Yip Man have moved from China over the years in order to pursue education and/or occupation, taking their perception of Wing Chun with them,. As a result of this many knowledgeable practitioners with their own personal interpretation of the Wing Chun now teach around the globe. Indigenous to Wing Chun is a set of principles that define it as a unique defence system and as if the practitioner adheres to these and passes them on then all he/she teaches will carry the successful line of Yip Man. Emphasis should be placed on the education of the student in the control and use of his/her body as this element is key to the development of the Martial Artist and the person. Age, sex, size or physical ability should not be the deciding factor in developing a Wing Chun person but one's ability to use what one has will!

Yip Chun, the son of Yip Man, continues to promote the art that his father was instrumental in developing globally and is still teaching even in his progressing years. This is testament to the inherent health benefits of the Wing Chun system.

Cheltenham Wing Chun Kuen are proud to be taught Yip Man Wing Chun through Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe and Master Yip Chun and adhere closely to the principles and ideals taught to them.