Welcome to Sifu Tony Watson's School of  Wing Chun!

What is Wing Chun?

Wing Chun is a close range martial arts style based on sensitivity and speed. The style teaches both mental and physical challenges. Historically it is said to have been developed in Southern China by a Buddhist Nun, Ng Mui, refined and later made famous in Hong Kong by a 50 year old slightly built gentleman named Yip Man. It was finally brought to the world's attention by a young Chinese film star Bruce Lee.
Often referred to as "Hong Kong Street Fighting" Wing Chun is often classed as a "soft style" because of the minimal effort or physical force required to overcome larger, stronger opponents.
Wing Chun is one of the most natural and effective martial arts, simple yet devastating. It was developed for practical self-defence, however in keeping with Chinese tradition martial arts training also serves as a defence against disease and degeneration, not just thugs and bullies. i.e: defence inside, defence outside.

Translated literally, Wing Chun means "beautiful springtime," or "forever springtime." Wing Chun is also written "Ving Tsun" or "Wing Tsun." According to Wing Chun, there are several ways of defeating the enemy: striking, kicking, joint locking, posture controlling, throwing and the use of weapons are the most common.

Wing Chun is different from many of today's popular systems, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Kung Fu. These systems block first and then attack. Wing Chun emphasizes self-defense, focusing on methods that allow a block and an attack in the same movement. The system is based on human biomechanics rather than animal movements, using primarily straight line, fast, direct strikes and sophisticated simultaneous blocking and striking techniques, redirecting the force of an opponent rather than attempting to meet a possibly greater force directly.

The way the art produces efficient fighters in a relatively short amount of time is by sticking to several core concepts and by paying strict attention to positioning. Much training time is spent cultivating "Sensitivity or Contact Reflexes." The student practices guarding various zones about the body and deals with whatever happens to be contacted or touched in that zone. This allows for a minimum of technique for a maximum of application, and for the use of an automatic or subconscious response. Because of this it is especially suited for the blind or visually impaired. In fact, Wing Chun’s unique training method seems tailor made for any visually impaired person to defend themselves as good, if not better than those who can see.

Most of the techniques taught are hand techniques and the style is best known for its quick punches. Only low kicks are used. Traps and other kinds of controls are important as well. Trapping and speed are developed through the famous "sticky hands" (Chi Sao) training, which also teaches balance. The Mook Jong, a wooden dummy used for training footwork and alignment, is also a well-known training method. There are three forms used in the style: Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu, and Bil Jee.

Traditionally only two weapons are taught in Wing Chun. The Dragon Pole and the Butterfly Knives are generally taught only once the student has a firm foundation in the art.