Specials
Wing Chun
10/02/2006
The Eight Sections of the Wooden Dummy
The Wooden Dummy movements are divided into eight sections as follows:
10/02/2006
History of the Wooden Dummy
Literally translated Mook Jan Joang means 'A Stake used as a Dummy'. In the distant past there used to be a 'Wooden Dummy Alley' in the Siu Lam Monastery. This was a series of different sized wooden Dummies used for intensive training.
10/02/2006
The Wing Chun System
The classical Wing Tsuen system of Kung Fu is quite simple in comparison to other Kung Fu styles. There is a distinct lack of acrobatic leaps and extreme looping motions. It is a system based on the motions of the human body not on animals. The entire system is very complete. The movements of one phase of development perfectly countering those of another, only to be countered by a third which in turn can be overcome by the first. There is no single Wing Tsuen technique that can not be overcome by another. 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'.
18/04/2006
Benefits of Woodendummy training
Practice with the Wooden Man gives a number of benefits. Firstly, the Dummy provides the trainee with a partner when no one else is available. All blocks strikes and kicks can also be executed with full power transfer without fear of injury to a live partner. As the Dummy does not move much, the student learns mobility while circling around the dummy in conjunction with blocking and striking hand techniques. Wooden Man training develops use of the Centerline to attack and defend from all angles. This angulation and proper use of the Centerline can enable a smaller weaker person to overcome a larger force, by "borrowing power" and diffusing strength with body positioning and Structure.
18/04/2006
Main points of Woodendummy training
1) Don't hit the Dummy too hard; overemphasis of strength will lead to choppiness and restricted flow of power. Gradually build up to more powerful techniques without injury or loss of relaxation.
18/04/2006
Woodendummy Training - Mook Jan Joang
By the time the student has reached a substantial mastery of the first two hand forms, he or she is ready to begin formal training on the Mook Yan Joang - the "Wooden Dummy", which he or she has by now already been using to train basic blocking and kicking motions as well as to toughen the limbs to prepare them for contact with another person in the two-man drills.
18/04/2006
Before you begin to use the woodendummy
Before actually beginning to use the Wooden Dummy, there are certain concepts and skills that must be fully understood and mastered by the Wing Chun student in order to realize maximum benefit from Mook Joang training and avoid injury. Besides the basic principles of Structure, footwork and Body Unity the student must fully understand the Centerline Theory and its implications on his own technique in relation to the Dummy. He must also have developed the ability to exert Yut You Hoang Ging, or "Soft and relaxed Power", and have a good grasp of the concepts of Yum Yeung Structure, Reference and Whirlpool Energy. However training does not stop there. Many hours should be spent focusing on these techniques to ensure they flow as second nature with no thought. Purely by reaction to feeling. The mind performs best when it is free of thought.
15/03/2007
SIU NIM TAU
The first form, called Siu Leem Tau, or The Little Idea teaches the student the basic motions as well as many of the concepts, or ideas of the system. The concept of Centre line which is the backbone of the system is introduced in its basic form at this stage. The trainee simultaneously learns the basic stance together with how to relax in motion, sink the weight, remain calm and use power correctly as well as the principles behind each of the attacking and defending motions from the form.
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CHUM KIU
Once the student has achieved proficiency in all the areas described above, he or she then progresses to the second hand form of the system. This form is called Chum Kiu or Searching For the Bridge but can also be interpreted as Sinking bridge, which is a homophone in Chinese. The Bridge referred to is taken to mean contact between two persons but more specifically, the forearm.
16/03/2007
BIU JEE
After the first 60 motions of the Wooden Dummy can be executed smoothly with power and proper Structure, the student becomes eligible for consideration to be taught the Biu Jee, or "Shooting Fingers" form, which even in today's modern society is still considered to be a privilege to be shown by many Wing Chun masters. As another old Wing Chun proverb goes, Biu Jee Mm Chuet Moon or The Shooting Fingers form does not go out the door, meaning that outsiders are not to be shown its secrets. Nowadays, some masters are opening up more and more in the interest of spreading the art. This is a very fortunate for those of us who would not otherwise be able to appreciate its highly sophisticated and technical wonder. Besides having completed the necessary prerequisites of Siu Leem Tau, Chum Kiu and Part I of the Mook Yan Joang form, along with all their related drills and techniques, he or she must also be worthy of such knowledge and have consistently displayed the sense of responsibility required. This means not only self control and trustworthiness, but patience, loyalty to the school and the ability to get along with fellow students, abstaining from fighting or otherwise misusing the knowledge of Wing Chun concepts and principles.
