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Review – Ving Tsun Musuem’s Chum Kiu: The Combat Bridge

VTM Wing Chun Series #3/4 Chum Kiu: The Combat Bridge By Sifu Benny Meng
Part 3:
Chum Kiu: The Combat Bridge Part One is the third episode in the VTM Wing Chun Series. In the Sil Nim Tao video parts one and two, Sifu Meng taught us the fundamentals of the Wing Chun system in order to establish a solid foundation and understanding in the basic concepts and techniques. At the Chum Kiu level Sifu Meng introduces the student to the more advanced fighting concepts, such as generating power through forward momentum and two directional force. Although footwork is taught at the Sil Nim Tao level it is at the Chum Kiu level and in the Chum Kiu form that the advanced concepts of generating power through footwork and mobility are taught. Sifu Meng uses a slightly different teaching method in this video than in the previous.

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Review – Ving Tsun Musuem’s Sil Nim Tao: The Foundation

VTM Wing Chun Series #1-2: Sil Nim Tao: The Foundation By Sifu Benny Meng
Part 1:
In this the first video in the Ving Tsun Museum (VTM) Wing Chun series, Sifu Benny Meng covers in great detail all of the fundamental techniques and essential concepts vital at the Beginning Level of Wing Chun training. Immediately upon watching this video I was impressed by the high-level production, with multiple camera angles and professional soundtrack, but more impressive was the high level of instruction given. Having met Sifu Benny Meng and taken a tour of the Ving Tsun Museum, I can honestly say that he is a walking encyclopedia of Wing Chun and I had high expectations of his video series. He did not let me down. In true historian fashion Sifu Meng leaves nothing out of this production; after demonstrating the Sil Nim Tao form each individual technique is broke down, explained, and then demonstrated in practical application.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Philosophy of Wing Chun Fighting DVD

The DVD “Five Element System” by Sifu Gary Lam is one the two more advanced topic Wing Chun DVDs in Sifu Lam’s growing Wing Chun DVD library (currently numbering fourteen titles). Wing Chun is different than other martial arts in that Wing Chun is concept based instead of technique based. Hence the “Five Element System” DVD covers a lot of theory and is a lengthy DVD at 95 minutes. Although there are some demonstrations of the concepts put forth, this DVD is more of a concept and theory DVD. Certainly the “Five Element System” has enough of the necessary demonstrations to illustrate some concepts, but this DVD is not like a Wing Chun empty-hand form DVD where each technique is followed by a demonstration. Sifu Lam utilizes five elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal in a series of lists and matrices as well as a diagram to fully explain to the viewer a specific concept, how these concepts interrelate, how one element can aid another element, how one element can be used to overcome another element and how the five elements further conceptualize Wing Chun. As an example someone with fast hands (fire) can be overcome with changing (water) or distance (earth). This is not a DVD that will be easily digested in one sitting. There are so many fine points to understand that multiple viewings will likely be necessary for a Wing Chun practitioner to fully realize the content of this DVD and many of the elements are higher level. This DVD is highly recommended for the Wing Chun practitioner who wishes to advance his/her theoretical knowledge of Wing Chun, but is best suited for an advanced Wing Chun practitioner.

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Review – Vingrove A Thomas’ Wing Chun Kung Fu, The Basics

What it’s about:

This presentation is on the basics of Wing Chun Kung, specifically on the fundamentals of the Sli Nim Tao form and its associated applications.

Comments:

Sifu V.A. Thomas demonstrates and provides instruction on the first form of Wing Chun Kung Fu, which is Sil Nim Tao. He is also a certified member of the well-known Ving Tsun Kung Fu Athletic Association of Hong Kong. He claims on the back cover of his DVD jacket that it’s packed with in depth information and that there is “no other advance tape like it.” However, I didn’t really see anything beyond what you would find on other DVDs of the same caliber about Sil Nim Tao basics. Perhaps, Sifu should update this production… this one was made in the year 2000. He might have considered it as the DVD which set the standard then, however that was eleven years ago.

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Review – Ian Protheroe’s DVD, The Wing Chun Fighting System

What it’s about:

Ivan Protheroe presents his interpretation of Wing Chun as a fighting system and its combative techniques. Sifu Protheroe is also a life member of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association which was established by the first generation of students of Yip Man (Ip Man).

Comments:

Wing Chun is a complex and effective method of martial arts which includes many techniques found in other systems of Chinese Wushu. However, many of the means used in training and in applications are unique to the Wing Chun system. Sifu Protheroe provides an in-depth presentation of the system’s application of the combative arts specific to the trapping hands and takedown maneuvers.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Wing Chun Kicking Instructional DVD

Most non- Wing Chun martial artists associate Wing Chun solely with hand techniques, but in fact from the very first form of Wing Chun, “Sil Lim Tau,” stance and leg work are there, but perhaps not obvious to the casual observer or even student. Kicking per se does not actually come into play until “Cham Kiu,” and is further examined in the “Mook Yan Jong form.” “Wing Chun Kicking 1” DVD by Sifu Gary Lam, a long time student of Wong Shun Leung, explores the world on Wing Chun kicking. Sifu Lam explains that Wing Chun kicking is effective because the Wing Chun kick does not stop and moves forward. A leg can continue to kick multiple times if necessary or if the chance presents itself step forward. There are six sections on the DVD that deal with Wing Chun kicking and demonstrate repeatedly the eight kicks found in the Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun lineage. Each section on the DVD explores Wing Chun kicks slightly differently. The DVD begins with Sifu Lam demonstrating the kicks and progresses to demonstration against student, two students, Mook Yan Jong demonstration, some exercises for kicking, and concludes with examples “real -world fighting” using Wing Chun kicks. This last section is where both Wong Shun Leung’s and Sifu Lam’s fighting experience benefit the viewer. “Wing Chun Kicking Instructional DVD” will make a welcome addition to any Wing Chun practitioner’s arsenal as the DVD explores the seldom explored world of Wing Chun kicking.

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Review – Jim Fung’s Wing Chun DVD

What it’s about:

Grandmaster Jim Fung – International Wing Chun Academy – presents the fundamentals of Sil Lim Tao’s attacks and Defenses.

Comments:

Master Jim Fung is a direct descendant of Wing Chun’s Grand Master Cho Shong Tin and Ip man. In this DVD the fundamentals of the Sil Lim Tao form are given with specific applications related to various attack scenarios. The form is presented just as you would expect in the first part of the video, with Master Jung going through the complete sequence and following up with showing the proper position of the hands and feet in the Ma Bo stance. Master Jung’s manner of presentation of the Wing Chun system, however, is quite different from what you would expect from Grand Master Tin.

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