Sifu Duncan Leung
and myself at the Grandmaster Yip Man Museum in Fochan, China
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between KUNG FU and KARATE?
KUNG FU is a common name for Chinese Martial Arts. The difference between KUNG FU and KARATE is: Karate emphasizes a few simple but effective movements, while Kung Fu includes a lot of very complicated and elaborate techniques. Often a Kung Fu practitioner has a hard time memorizing the techniques and gets confused in fighting. But,if used correctly, the techniques are very effective. Any Karate or Kung Fu system must include good principles and techniques to survive. It takes time and work to master any style. Some people learn a lot of different styles. That may make you a jack of all trades, but you will be the master of none. Wing Chun is complete. There is no need to mix anything with it. It just takes training. There is no such thing as "Five easy lessons" to make you an effective martial artist.
What is WING CHUN?
An aggressive system of Kung Fu developed in the Shaolin temple of China. There are disagreements, but I believe the story that a Buddhist nun, NG MOY, passed it on to YIM WING CHUN who passed it down from there. The principles of this system are efficient, economical, and effective. It uses straight line attack, and it uses the opponent's strength against him/her. Wing Chun uses the weight of the body behind attach and defense. It is fluid, and yet has a lot of power. The snake and crane are symbolic of these theories, but we do not imitate them exactly.
WHAT CAN WAYNE DO TO HELP?
Through detailed instructions, I can guide you toward your goal. I can help you enhance your skills or start from the beginning. I will teach you the three forms, sticking hands (CHI SAO), techniques, power, and speed. The forms contain elements of techniques. CHI SAO prepares the students for sparring and fighting by developing sensitivity, reflex reaction, and covering. I do not teach large groups to imitate my movements. Wing Chun needs to be taught individually, and then trained one on one. I will make sure you know and understand everything.
The first approach to learning any martial arts movement is ACURACY. It is important to get the movement EXACTLY correct. Then, the student can begin making the movements more powerful and faster. However, much depends on you. It depends on what you want to do - Be a Martial Artist? Be an entertainer? Be a champion sports fighter? It depends on your normal limitations - Age, Commitments, Physical handicaps, Desire.
You must be completely honest with yourself. Martial arts training involves a lot of hard work and time. No matter how good an instructor is, the student defines his/her own limits with the amount of time and work spent. I can give you all you need to become the next "Bruce Lee," if that is truly your desire. But, you will have to train as hard/often as Bruce Lee.
Wing Chun is the best system to use as a basis for your own style of martial arts. Everyone interprets Wing Chun a little differently. Bruce Lee is the best example of a "famous" martial artist who used Wing Chun as a basis for his style - which incorporated many other martial arts. He defined martial arts for movies. However, I'm not saying mix it; master it, and then your style of fighting becomes your own.
Each of these goals require a different method of training:
Martial Artist - The longest period of training. Martial Arts is a lifetime endeavor. Wing Chun is a "combat" art. It is made for real combat, and therefore it involves more than a few techniques. Leaning these skills is learning yourself.
Entertainment - Movie stunts or WWF wrestling are choreographed, but actually require a lot of skill. The techniques used are the most "entertaining" techniques.
Champion Fighter - sport fighting involves at least some rules to protect the fighters. Rules restrict technique and can be anticipated. Fighters can be studied for weaknesses. The weaknesses I see are in the details.
What are the WING CHUN forms?
Siu Lim Tau, Chum Kiu, Bil Jee are the three main forms of Wing Chun. They are not like Karate's Kata forms. They are not a set of techniques. The forms contain elements that are put together to create techniques.
The Muk Yan-Chong (Wooden dummy) form is techniques from these elements practiced on a wooden dummy.
However, the forms without the training are not very useful. My training will, at times, incorporate all the forms. But, you should learn the forms one at a time, over a reasonable period. The training will gradually become more intense. From the form, a student learns the movements, positions, strength, and muscle control. The body must be trained to respond automatically by a lot of repetition and drills. These drills require a partner. So, the more students the better.
ARE THERE KICKS IN WING CHUN?
A common assumption is that WC is nearly all hand techniques. WC has very good kicking techniques. Some say there are 8 kicks. There are 8 sources of kicks. They are delivered from different sources of power, and they can be used in different ways in different situations. Many kicks can come from one source. They are somewhat complex and hard to learn. They just take practice and understanding. For this reason, most of the kicks are not taught until the student has mastered the hands, stance, and movement. So, if you drop out in the first year of training, you will miss the best kicks in martial arts!
HOW DO I KNOW WHO CAN TRAIN ME BEST?
"It isn't how good the teacher is, it's how good the teacher makes you." - Sifu Duncan Leung
YOU are responsible for yourself: how much you train, your attitude, and what you do with your skills.
Think about communication. Until the later half of the twentieth century, most martial arts have been past down through the generations verbally. This is true of Grandmaster Yip Man. A lot of information can be lost that way. The best source is the one closer to the original.
"A man should always think of the source of the water as he drinks it; it is this shared feeling that keeps our Kung Fu brothers together.
Is this not the way to promote Kung Fu, and to project the image of our country?"
- Ip Man [Grandmaster Yip Man]
Wing Chun Lineage
Here's a free lesson:
I could tell you that I am a Grandmaster of Wing Chun and use a lot of marketing techniques to promote myself and get rich and famous. Don't fall for it! Some of the best martial artist are unknown. What really matters is the logic.
WHAT IS SELF DEFENSE?
Self defense is what martial arts are designed for. To defend yourself you must be able to react instantly. Our normal reactions are clumsy. We need training to react logically. No army/navy goes into battle untrained.
Many "self defense" courses are not complete. A few techniques may not be enough - especially against experienced fighters. What works in a "fight club" may not work in the streets. Training should emphasize NOT getting hit instead of taking more hits.
Wing Chun emphasizes this. When you study and practice the martial arts, you are much more prepared for self defense. It becomes as reactive as driving a car.
Why not just use a gun?
Even in Arizona, you cannot always carry a gun. Even off duty police cannot carry their guns into some venues.
CAN I LEARN FROM A BOOK, DVD, OR ONLINE?
Sifu Duncan Leung has excellent DVDs at
Learning from these medias has limitations. You cannot learn football from a video. You need someone to practice with, and you need someone to guide you, correct you.
WHAT IS THE BEST MARTIAL ARTS?
Sifu Duncan Leung says, "It's the one that fits you, gives you confidence, convinces you."
Allow me to convince you. You will see how each technique is effective.
The "old school" Virginia Beach, 1990s. Me on the left, Sifu Duncan Leung just right of me in the background.
Class of 1999, Virginia Beach
(I'm in the back row, under "Kung")
