ReGroove Fitness

by Wellness Coach Dan Ma

Wing Chun

Bruce Lee’s Simplified Wing Chun or Jun Fan Kung Fu

by Leave a Comment

I read some where that Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Kung Fu in the early days of Seattle (and perhaps also, many elements of Original JKD’s curriculum) is a simplified version of his Wing Chun journey that he mainly learned from Wong Shun-leung or perhaps his uncle Fook Yueng who is reported as his other kung fu master. Nevertheless, the purpose of this article is to explore the very patchy and various hearsay of the idea of Bruce Lee’s simplified Wing Chun. I have been studying JKD on and off for around twenty years and if I was to identify his so-called simplified Wing Chun I would include these:

  • The vertical fist (Wing Chun’s sun character fist)
  • The Straight-blast (or his modified expression of Wing Chun’s chain-punching)
  • Pak Da from reference point
  • Lap Da from reference point
  • The finger jab (or Wing Chun’s biu sau)
  • Trapping (or a portion of Wing Chun’s chi sao)
  • Bong Lap drills (pretty much the same Wing Chun drill except the punch is a backfist)
  • The Push Shuffle (a modified version of Wing Chun’s forward footwork)
  • The Straight Kick (Somewhat similar to Wing Chun’s front kick)
  • The Side Kick (Bruce Lee’s side kick is more explosive and telegraphic when compared to Wing Chun’s side kick)

Most of this curriculum can be found by Jerry Poteet’s foundational videos. What did I get right, what did I get wrong, and what did I forget to include? Please help me figure this out and comment below, thanks!

Private Wing Chun Training 4/24

by Leave a Comment

The curriculum lately is based on:

  • Turning
  • Elbow drill flows

Yesterday we covered a strike from the first form on the 2nd section where the arms open up to the sides. I am noticing when I put my intent on heavy arms and hitting beyond the target I get a more penetration in my hits.

Private Wing Chun Training 4/3

by 1 Comment

Program:

  1. More “Turning” practice.
  2. Introduction to elbows from the 3rd form.
    1. Sinking elbow
    2. Upwards elbow
    3. Lateral
      1. Interior elbow
      2. Exterior elbow

Two Person Progression Drill for Elbows:

  1. Chain punch feeding for four different elbows on both sides.
  2. Incorporate a paring of two different elbows (ex: Sinking right & Upwards left).
  3. Incorporate using one arm combinations.

Two Person Combination Striking with Elbows:

  1. Straight punch feeding for:
    1. Pak Da (downward intent to break structure)
    2. Leading elbow
    3. Hand knife chop

Notes:

Learning elbows really opened and connected other aspects for me. I felt a lot more control over my centerline space. I would like to explore more using pressure with my elbows and how structure can be attacked…using more turning power concepts.

Private Wing Chun Training 3/20

by Leave a Comment

Previous training consisted of two-person Bong Lap drills, and then a Dan Chi Sao refresher. Today my life-partner and I focused on turning and pad-work for punching and kicking with Sifu Ray at Lighting Hand Academy located in Portland, Oregon.

“Turning” for my life-partner and I has been difficult. For me I have a decent grasp (so I think) on the technique, but I lack the power to move external force. Today I began progress in turning power. If I assume a right-hand Lan Sao with an external force placed on my right elbow, I should initially turn right using my right “kua” (Tai Chi terminology) until I can no longer turn without breaking my truck structure. “Trunk structure” meaning my hips and shoulder should always move as a unit and I should not twist at my waist. When I reach my limit with my right kua, my left kua should take over and complete the turn. The prerequisite for the turn, is that I am connected to the external forces root (ex: my partner’s foot). I can practice this will a wall or a heavy bag. I am also trying out resistance bands as a means of solo practice.

Pad-work for punching was a good ego boost that I could progress, even though consistency is not at a level of mastery. Pad-work for kicking was new, but still encouraging to move forward.