Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun Kuen Singapore


Our Training
In Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun we emphasize body structure, the body frame as a platform to absorb, re-direct and expel force. All our movements and energy (power) in Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun originates from the ground and we use our body structure as a conduit to facilitate, manage and amplify this energy. Apart from learning this physical body structure one needs to cultivate a relaxed mind and body. The student will learn this method from the first day of his training.

Our syllabus gives on overview of our training curriculum and all students will receive a syllabus that explains in more detail the techniques and training objectives of their level of training. Below is a summary of our major areas of training.

Wing Chun Forms
Wing Chun has 3 empty hand forms: Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu and Biu Jee plus the Wooden Dummy, Pole and Butterfly Knives.

The Wing Chun forms (see our syllabus) are an important part of the training. They are not just a collection of applications and movements but are key to understanding the underlying structure of our art. Each of the forms will add another layer to your understanding of Wing Chun. For example,

Siu Nim Tao Teaches amongst others the basic hand techniques, the Wing Chun body structure and how to absorb incoming force.
Chum Kiu Is the only empty hand form with stepping and the student will learn amongst others how to divert/re-direct incoming force and how to move the body as one unit.
Biu Jee Often called the emergency form it teaches how to correct ones mistakes and long bridge Wing Chun techniques.
Mok Yan Jong The emphasize on the wooden dummy is on close quarter fighting and footwork.
The Pole and Butterfly Knives The focus in these forms is on attribute training such as tendon development and long bridge power.

Chinese Boxing
In our Chinese Boxing training we learn how to apply our defensive and attacking tools and whatever else we have learned in other areas of training.

The students learns:

  • The basic eight energy punches (whipping, thrusting, spring etc),
  • The four gates defense system and
  • Wing Chun hands (Tan-disperse, Lap -pull Huen - circle, Bong – Wing, Pak - Slap etc.)
  • Pad work and conditioning is an important training method in this stage of learning.
  • How to integrate and apply your body structure, footwork and boxing combinations to make your training functional.

In the next stage of your training the focus is on integrating the Wing Chun kicks and close quarter fighting techniques such as clinching, Chi Sao, take downs and ground and pound. It is important to make your Wing Chun functional therefore sparring drills (or games as we call it) and sparring strategies will continue to be an important part your Wing Chun training.

Pad Training
Pad work – focus mitts or Thai pads – is a very important training method in Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun. It is not much practiced in more traditional Chinese Kung Fu systems but it is essential for developing your tools (punches, kicks, elbows etc) because when you train with a partner it is not possible to punch or kick with full impact power but in pad training you can. This method trains our body structure (power) our offensive and defensive tools, foot work, bridging distance etc. We developed a pad training method specifically for our Wing Chun training level 1 and level 2 syllabus. At its highest level the pad training simulates a live sparring session between the pad holder and student, here both student and pad holder learn to apply their Wing Chun in a realistic manner.

Sparring and Weapons Class
We recently started a sparring and weapons class, it is on invitation only and for students who have shown commitment in their Wing Chun training for the past 6-9 months. It is not compulsory to join but meant for student who wish to spend more time applying their Wing Chun in a free flow sparring and self defense situation. In this class we train body conditioning (Cardio and Iron Shirt) free flow sparring and sparring drills. We also introduce students to Integrative Escrima - stick and knife fighting – a martial arts originated from The Philippines.

Chi Sao
Wing Chun is famous for it's Chi Sao or sticky hands training method. Why “sticky hands”? Well it means that the arms stay in contact with each other to feel the energy and intentions of your opponent. Chi Sao is not sparring, it is a means to train and improve your Wing Chun skills. In our system of training we start off with a set of energy drills and then move on to a set of expensive core application drills of the Wing Chun hands in Chi Sao. In the next stage of training the student will integrate the skills learned from the forms and will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Wing Chun Maxims (Kuen Kuit) and Chu Sau Lei mental methods.

Wing Chum Maxims
Are the oral teachings of the old masters, these sayings or “words of wisdom” contain the essence of Wing Chun Kung Fu

For Example:

  • Retain what comes in, send off what retreats. Rush in on loss of hand contact.
  • Once your opponent moves, his center of gravity changes
  • Occupy the inner gate to strike deep into the defense.

Chu Sau Lei Mental Methods
Methods are tools that enable you to develop mental structure around your physical movements and the physical applications of your techniques. They serve to build strategy and game plans in all area of your practice. They are also the mindset to the successful Wing Chun practitioner. Unlike basic strategies or techniques, mental methods are the things that develop a deeper subconscious awareness of yourself, your opponent and the interaction in each moment. In the Chu Sau Lei system we have an outline of Mental Methods, which helps us build a stronger intention of our goal of controlling our opponent.

Mun Fa/Yin Fa -asking/inquiring and enticing - Asking can be done with the hands, pressure, body, steps, or technique. In asking, you pressure the opponent and use 4 ounces to offset his 1000 pounds. In enticing, you draw the opponent in and allow him to open and make mistakes, from there, you exploit his mistakes and strike him as he “tells” you to.

Jou Fa -running -avoiding pressure or running from pressure, as well as using pressure to give rise to new situations/techniques. Jou Fa is also the method of riding the opponent’s energy and exploiting it.

Jeet Fa -methods of intercepting -beating the opponent to the strike, recognizing threat and immediately shutting it off with the hands, body or steps. This is also a method of frustrating an opponent and causing him to become emotionally unbalanced.

Tao/Lou Fa -methods of leaking and stealing, seeing an opportunity and taking it, or passively finding it and exploiting it to your advantage

Jiu/Gor Fa -common methods of Gor Sao (crossing hands) such as Tan Da, Pak Da, Lop Da, etc. in singular and combination. Typically, it is a technician’s level of training.

Sim Fa -methods of evasion with steps, body displacement, dodging, hand movement, etc., whilst still in close contact. There are two major methods, using the torso to evade (small evasion) or using steps to evade (large evasion).

Dai Fa -methods of guiding, leading an opponent to walls, objects, other directions other than they wanted to go (i.e. Opponent wants to attack you, but you guide him while feeding off his power)

Jie Fa -methods of borrowing an opponent’s power and energy, and using his momentum against him, this is closely tied to pressing the opponent and leading him .

Fou -methods of floating, unbalancing, uprooting an opponent

Chum -methods of collapsing a person’s structure or sinking and knocking down an opponent

Tun -methods of swallowing an opponent’s force and dissolving it, also related are methods of storing power within the body, and folding methods to absorb an opponent’s power

Tou -methods of expelling force in contact with the opponent, also methods of extending your force through an opponent

Chi/Mor - methods of Sticking/Rubbing the bridges

Bik Fa -methods to close in

Tor Fa -methods of dragging the opponent

Tui Fa -methods of pushing/shoving

Saat Fa -methods of finishing

Tuen Fa -methods of breaking and de-linking the body connection in an effort to preserve the body structure

Jip Fa -methods of linking up the body connection once the connection is broken. This is the opposite of Tuen Fa.

Qi Gong
Is an important training in Classical Chinese Kung Fu, it is beneficial to your health and develops the body and mind unity. Learning Qi Gong in Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun Qi Gong syllabus is done in several stages:
  1. Preparing the body – develop the body and posture to maximize the benefits of Qi Gong training.
  2. Storing / enhancing life energy (Qi) – through breathing exercises and standing pile stillness training.
  3. Moving the life energy – moving the energy using body movements and/ or mind visualization.
  4. Conditioning the body – mainly geared at tendon and mind intention (Yi) development.

The student will learn classical Qi Gong training methods in stages as mentioned above and the Qi Gong training present in the Wing Chun forms. After completion of the Qi Gong syllabus the student will have a firm understanding of Qi Gong and how it applies to martial arts.