OC Wing Chun

OC Wing Chun


Sigung Bill Graves in Switzerland

Sigung Bill Graves (Sifu Adam Williss' teacher) is over in Switzerland for 3 weeks of seminars teaching our method of Wing Chun to the Swiss. Here is a picture with Sifu Graves and the Swiss group.

Sigung Bill Graves with the Swiss Group

A Path to Wing Chun

By Ray Van Raamsdonk

Kenneth Chung is a master of the soft approach to Wing Chun.

He is what some have in mind for the ideal master.

Many martial artists can totally demolish their opponent's but the master can do so with perfect control, with relaxation, without the need to intimidate or hurt the student in any way. Kenneth Chung fits this ideal master image. At the same time Kenneth Chung is a humble individual. He feels he is good, but doesn't claim to be the best. He says, "Just call me Ken."

Ken suggests a two hour private lesson in order for him to explain his Wing Chun method fully. The first thing he does is to feel your touch. Often you can boast all you want but you can't hide your lack of skill when you are in contact with an expert. Ken is able to uprooot you easily, yet you can't uproot him. Students who thought they were quite rooted were surprised by their lack of root. Ken is one teacher who allows the student to have hands on experience. Many teachers don't let you touch them but Ken wants you to feel the touch so that it will leave a lasting impression. When the student first touches Ken, they are surprised by the feel. Ken offers nothing to work with. He seems to offer no resistance, nothing to slap, nothing to jerk. Ken is totally relaxed the whole time. Students who have a fairly high success rate at their club suddenly find they have a zero percent success rate against Ken. Even people with fast hands find that the attack is neutralized before it can even start. The attack never reaches the flurry stage.

Ken says too many people have flowery hands. The movements are too excessive, too hurried, too big. Too much signal is given by the student. Students who thought their techniques were simple find that Ken's are even simpler. When Ken moves there are no signals, nothing moves. He hits powerfully and effortlessly. He does not intimidate, but handles you with masterful skill. Ken is always one step ahead. Ken shows many many things but always stresses that the important things are the fundamentals such as stance. Where have you heard that before? Ken does not teach many specific techniques, nor does he show many drills. Yet he also doesn't hold anything back. There just are no secret moves.

Ken can change/improve your Wing Chun skill in just two hours. In a period of six months, your Wing Chun would not be recognizable from what it was. Having hands on practice with an expert and having the right mental concept is what makes the difference. Ken can talk Wing Chun nonstop for 24 hours a day, every day. He is like an inexhaustable pool of knlowledge. If you can absorb it, then Ken is happy to give it. Ken doesn't believe in the concept that you have to hide things in Wing Chun. Ken thinks only if your Wing Chun was limited, would you have to hide that fact?

Nothing replaces a real seminar or lesson with Ken but here are:

1.0 Just a few tips from Ken to help your Wing Chun improve.
  • Don't be greedy with the hits. Often people are already hit without realizing it.
  • You don't always have to strike high. This exposes you to low hits.

  • Many people have no rooting. The stance is weak, not sunken. The knees should be in. You should feel like you are melting into the ground. You can practice for a lifetime but if your stance is poor you will have wasted all of your effort. If you meet the right Wing Chun guy, you will be in big trouble.

  • Don't act before you know what is going on. You must feel what is happening first. People act before they feel. Random flurries won't work. You can't just rely on speed.

  • The head should not be forward. Keep the head back or it will get hit and it also brings the whole posture down to stiffen up the hands. Keep the head up and rely on your touch.

  • Many students use too much force. Remember, Wing Chun is a ladies style and therefore brutal energy or brute strength should not be used. We are all getting older, some day you can no longer rely on your muscular strength. The speed and power approach is limited. You can only take that approach so far. Ken has yet to see a limit in the soft approach.

2.0 Stance and movement

  • It is important to connect the hands with the feet. Many people get shoved back instead of being able to neutralize the force by absorbing it or by turning the stance.

  • Stance training, such as stepping and turning is very important.

  • When the opponent retreats, don't just stand there. You must come forward. If you stand there you will get kicked.

  • Most people's hitting is too tense and relies too much on muscle power. Yip Man, who was 120 pounds and five feet four, had a very heavy but relaxed hitting power. When you feel my force you will feel it is very soft but yet it is very substantial. It has a bite which you cannot ignore. The force doesn't come from tensing, it doesn't come from speed.

  • The shoulders should not come forward. They should stay back. Practice the first set slowly in the mirror and watch that the shoulders stay back.

  • Face the opponent square and hit down the centerline. Face the opponent properly first before you hit.

  • Don't chase the opponent's hands. Just hit the central axis of the opponent. Flowery movements are not good in Wing Chun. Simple connected movements will do.

  • Sore shoulders come fom trying to fight against energy. You should not lift the Bong sau, it should spiral forward with minimal shoulder use.

  • Try to use the concept of neutralizing force along the tangent of a circle. The circle can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

  • Many people apply their energy at the wrong moment. Try to feel when is the best time to apply your energy. Try to feel when the opponent's energy starts up.

  • Don't push the force away. When nearly all students apply the Pak sau, the Bong sau, the Fook sau, the PoPai, they are pushing the force away. They are scared of the force, they want to get rid of that force. Instead you should accept that force, welcome that force.
    The principle in Wing Chun is "Receive what comes." Receive means to really accept it, don't push it away.

3.0 Staying on the Wing Chun Path
When you are studying Wing Chun, don't think about weight lifting, about tournament competition, about self defense, about the other styles. This is going off the Wing Chun path.
Your training will take much longer if you do.

  • First pack in the proper Wing Chun concepts. Get the Wing Chun skill, then think about self defense.

  • Most people's fighting is too fast for them to realize what is going on. They should feel what is going on first.

  • Don't just move in random ways.

  • Every action in Wing Chun should produce a result.

  • Don't just play with hands

4.0 Relaxation, and softness, and the First set.

  • You have to constantly remind yourself to relax. The tense way cannot work. You will get tired and it will fail against strength.

  • It will take 1/2 a year to change from your old habits to new habits. Changing habits starts with having the proper concept in your mind.

  • The sets or forms should be performed slower and softer. The first set should take 20 minutes to perform. More is of no benefit.

  • When the Tan sau comes out, you should not see it visibly move. Similarly when the Fook sau goes back, you should not see it visibly move.

  • Use "wet paste" energy, not brutal energy.

  • Proper standing and turning will develop muscles which you have not so far developed. These are around the knee area. Without these muscles, your stance will be weak.

  • The slow first set Tan sau, Fook sau sequence also develops muscles around the elbow area which you cannot see. Wing Chun power is hidden from view. We do not want large bicep muscles.

  • Repetition is the key. Try to relax, slow down, be soft. Find out what is going on.

5.0 Position, Sensitivity, Timing, Speed and Power

Position comes first by training the form accurately.

  • Without proper position your hitting accuracy will be off and your power transfer will be reduced.

  • Without proper position, you cannot neutralize force.

  • Without proper position, you will be off balanced.

  • Proper position comes from performing the first set accurately in front of a mirror.

Sensitivity to force comes next.

  • This comes over a long period of time from slow sticking hands practice.

Timing comes next.

Speed comes before power.

Power comes last.


6.0 More General Principles

  • In fighting, don't trade punches with your opponent, worry about your defense first.

  • Always travel the shortest distance which is the straight center line.

  • The opponent can start first but we get there sooner.

  • Wing Chun is sneaky. It uses the surprise element.

  • You cannot just rush into a kick. If he can kick you, you can kick him.

  • If he can punch you, you can punch him.

  • When he lifts the leg to kick, you can lift the leg to kick his supporting leg or groin or shin area. Then step in.

7.0 Youth vs Age, Small vs Large

  • With age your body deteriorates. You cannot rely on muscle power. You must rely on position and sensitivity.

  • Every opponent has weak points. You must find the weak points.

  • A larger opponent does not have the advantage with position and sensitivity.

  • With protection, the larger opponent will win. Brute force methods have the advantage in this case. For Wing Chun, it is more fair on the street with no protection. The smaller person cannot have a good chance against a larger opponent with protection.

8.0 Energy and force distribution in striking

  • You should hit through the person's body, not aim for the surface.

  • It is where the energy is applied that makes the difference. A chop to the shoulder is different than a palm hit to the front of the body. It takes 20 pounds of force to smash a nose.

  • A small person cannot play around but must hit seriously.

  • If you are lazy, you won't learn much.

  • If you are too greedy and want too much, you will also stop your progress.

  • If the attack is not committed, then don't react. With a commited punch or kick, you can react and win because the opponent cannot recover.

  • The centerline path will get you there before him.

  • Don't look at your hands. Feel what is going on. Don't look down.

It doesn't matter who learned from whom in the Wing Chun world. What matters is how much training you have put in, how good is your skill and having the right guidance. Remember, Yip Man did not sign any credentials. This leaves room for a lot of manipulative people to twist Wing Chun around. Ignorance is no bliss.

With the external method of training Wing Chun, you will reach your limit very fast. You can train for ten years, then all of a sudden, someone with one year's training can match your skill. You will wonder what happened to those nine years?


9.0 Remember the soft path ALWAYS!

Ken said he still has to repeat the same advice to his students even after ten years. The students get pressured by outside forces (martial arts, movies, articles) to drift away from the Wing Chun path. They have to be constantly reminded of the same thing over and over again like a broken record.

Ken said the soft touch works. Plant this seed in your head. It is very difficult to break down an existing structure. If you come to Wing Chun from another martial art, it is very difficult to change you. It is easier to build a structure from the ground up (someone who knows nothing) than to break down your old habits, your old prejudices.

  • It takes at least two years to build a proper foundation.

  • It takes six months of effort to break a two year habit.

Ken said the first set of Wing Chun looks stupid and feels tedious to others but it is very good martial art. After 15 minutes of proper first set training, you should feel very warm.

The above is only a small sample of some of the kinds of things that Kenneth Chung said. Each point you have probably heard before. Every point, you may think, is common sense, but when students apply their Wing Chun, all this common sense goes out the window in the heat of the battle.

Ken could apply what he said. It is only when you feel how Ken performs his Wing Chun that you start to appreciate many of the things you may have heard before. Even videos do not do the job. One student had seen Ken in a video and didn't think that much of it. He thought Ken was too soft, no balance of Yin and Yang. When this student met Ken, he was very shocked at how much Ken really knew and how little he knew himself about Wing Chun.

Ken's Wing Chun is a feeling art. Ken is not one for many drills. Often, when two people do Wing Chun drills, the position, the feeling, and the timing will interact in the wrong way. However, both people will be having a good time but are really learning nothing.

In Ken's mind the most important training at the start is correct positioning. Correct positioning starts with the correct stance. Without the stance being correct the hands and feet will not be able to coordinate in the proper way. The drills will turn into disconnected hand exercises which make the practitioners think they are learning something but they are not. They are feeding their ego by thinking, "Oh, my hands are getting pretty good!" When the position is correct it means the stance, the arm angles, and the centerline are accurate, then you are ready to work on the second step which is to apply the feeling to tell you when and how to change your structure to match your opponent's structure. We must feel what is happening first, then change our structure to the best one to match the opponent's structure. This part of the training is difficult to get without one-on-one practice with someone who has got it. For this reason, Ken wanted you to feel him. To probe and experiment with him so that you could feel how he reacts and changes according to the input you give him. When you try to push him, pull him, disengage from him, turn your stance on him, how does he react? What does he change to? What movements change to what other movements and why? After long hours of such practice your Wing Chun takes on a new form.

When the positions are correct, the proper feeling can be applied. When the positions and relaxation levels are good, then timing can be applied. Timing means during what part of the opponent's energy cycle do you apply your energy? When working with Ken he will let you feel the peaks and valleys of his energy and guide you when to apply your movement. He will point out, if you are using too much strength or too little strength, or you are leaning forward, or your stance is not sunk, or your head is not back, or your hip is not straight. He can make you feel the difference. It is the feeling element which is very important.

A two person drill without concern for these proper elements will not lead to a good level of skill. Ken knows people do many drills but the proper position, the feeling and the timing are often not correct. Therefore he wants students to feel these things on him first so they can be convinced they must change to improve. Ken tries to tell you the proper concept: first intellectually, second by having you feel it and third by telling you his personal experience. From his experience, people can practice very hard for years and years without getting anywhere because they have the wrong concept. In Ken's mind, just doing drills, leads to an unconnected art. Instead, all positions, feelings and concepts should be linked together within the framework of sticking hands. This should be practiced very slowly at first.


10.0 Ken's background in Wing Chun

Ken learned from Leung Sheung from 1963 to 1968, for 5 years. Then again from 1973 to 1978 for another 5 years. Leung Sheung always pushed the soft way. Ken said, "At first many of us did not appreciate his words. It takes a long time to realize the proper way. Words cannot adequately describe the way. You have to feel it before you can understand." (Note: Ken does pure Wing Chun but has had experience with some of the top people in Chen style Tai Chi. This experience convinced him even more that he is on the right track.) Remember Wing Chun stresses the soft touch. It is a woman's style. Yip Man was a small man but none could touch him. Leung Sheung was a large man so why should he learn from a small man?

Wing Chun is not an externally powerful style. Don't think power, speed and beautiful form. We don't want the pumping iron kind of energy. We acquire energy through the soft touch. In Wing Chun you cannot see the muscles that are developed. Bicep muscle build-up is not required. In Wing Chun we are always ready to fight. We do not need to warm up, take off our glasses and get into a strong fighting pose. Whether you can defend yourself depends on who is your opponent. First pack in your Wing Chun skill, then worry about defense.


Note: This article was based on notes originally taken by Ray Van Raamsdonk after a seminar he hosted featuring Kenneth Chung. David Williams edited those notes with Kenneth Chung and Ben Der's additional comments and corrections.


Sifu Karl Godwin

By Jesse Moon

It is difficult for me to put a summary of Sifu Karl Godwin in one short bio. Karl is simply one of the most amazing individuals in the world. Sifu Godwin is my teacher's Sifu and is based out of Sanford FL. He was taught the Wing Chun system by Ken Werner, a student of Ben Der in San Jose California. Karl began his training over 30 years ago and has consistently trained daily since that time. As a result of his discipline, he is truly an accomplished master of our art. I can say with all honesty that he is the only true martial arts master I have ever personally known or had the privilege to train under. In addition to training on his own, Karl isequally dedicated to his students success and to propagating our art. Sifu Godwin has shown his students how to train traditionally and intensely but also how to think outside the box. Karl has ties with Sifu Kenneth Chung in California, who is Ben Der's teacher and is the wellspring of Leung Shung Wing Chun in America.

I had the honor of meeting Karl in 1996 while visiting the Orlando FL area. After that I would periodically travel with my instructor to visit Karl's school. In 1997, when my teacher closed his school, I became a formal student of Sifu Karl's school and have received a large portion of my training from him. I enjoy his classes very much and consider myself fortunate to be able to train with him in person regularly. His classes are intense and rewarding and I have a very good student-teacher relationship with Sifu Godwin. I am the 12th student to have finished the Wing Chun Mook Jong under Karl and remain a Si-hing in good standing at his Seminole Wing Chun School in Sanford.

Karl's top students include John Gendall, Kevin Povalite, Russ Schiebenburger, Bill Graves (my Sifu) and many other very accomplished teachers and practitioners. Karl's school meets several times each week and is one of the best places to receive the best training. Information about Sifu Godwin can be found on his website at http://www.floridawingchun.com/

Orange County Wing Chun - OC's Wing Chun source

What is a Sifu?

The general definition of Sifu is "Teacher". However, a Sifu is more than someone who trains apprentices, instructors, or oversees the in-depth training of an art. A Sifu is a mentor, coach, tutor, advisor, counselor, example, leader, authority, sage, guru, master, specialist, authority, connoisseur, scholar, technician and much more. A Sifu is a guide who is passing on the tradition and philosophy of the art as a way of life, not just the techniques themselves. The term takes on a more intimate context when a student becomes a formal student or disciple of the teacher. The acceptance as a student is a very formal event, usually requiring a discipleship ceremony called bai shi. After the ceremony, the relationship is defined as a more direct familial context and usage takes on this term rather than a generic sign of respect.


Orange County Wing Chun - OC's Wing Chun source

Respect is about Ability, not Tradition

There are too many martial arts teachers that think by teaching the forms of a traditional martial art that they are doing right by their martial art. They give out black belts like halloween candy to anyone that knows the forms. These people are carrying-on the art in a dead tradition. They are zombies that have resigned to following tradition for tradition's sake alone. Perhaps its for a noble reason - to honor their teacher or promote the art that they love. Or maybe its to try to promote themselves. However, they've become a servant to their art. On the surface this doesn't sound too bad. However, they don't challenge themselves or welcome any freedom of thought as their art becomes too sacred to be challenged. They are doing a disservice to their art.

On the contrary, a martial art should be used as a vehicle to get from one place to another. Not to be disgarded as if you've reach some destination. Instead, an art gives the journey clarity and clarity is everything.

Too many traditional martial arts teachers demand respect for what they give with their words. But people should question this to see if what they have to give is even worth respect. Respect in martial arts is demanded through ability. Nothing more. Nothing less. Teachers must be continued examples of ability for their students. If a student comes to see their teacher as not having undeniable ability, they will not respect them. And rightly so. Those with undeniable ability get respect. Therefore a teacher must constantly seek to improve themself. This is the best gift they can ever give their students.

What's so great about a healthy student/teacher relationship is its harmony. A student should constantly seek more from their self. This is the best gift they can give their teacher as the best sign of a teacher is their student's ability.



Orange County Wing Chun - OC's Wing Chun source

Bill Graves Wing Chun Seminar

The Bill Graves Wing Chun Seminar was outstanding! Here are pictures. The seminar was held at the YMCA in Laguna Niguel. We hope to be able to fly Bill out from Florida in the future in order to make the Bill Graves seminar an annual event.

Here are a few testimonials from the event...

"Just had the best seminar with Bill Graves (Wing Chun). What an incredible day! Feels like we were just getting started and now we have to wait a year until he comes out again!!!???" ~Kate Fennelly

"Just gained 7 hours of knowledge of the wing chun art. Must apply it somewhere.. Pumped!" ~Mateo Daboub

I am just pumped after an all day Wing Chun seminar with Bill Graves, our Sifu (Adam Williss), and my mates. What a rockin experience and such a wealth of knowledge! I never thought I could ever gain so much, both mentally and physically. Thanks again, Sifu, for your teachings and the opportunity you have given us today. You Rock!" ~Robert Koontz



Orange County Wing Chun - OC's Wing Chun source

Welcome to Orange County Wing Chun

Orange County Wing Chun

Welcome to Orange County Wing Chun (www.orangecountywingchun.net). We are proud to be Orange County's Wing Chun source. Recognized internationally, our academy is proud to bring Wing Chun to people in Orange County from all walks of life.

Wing Chun, also known as Bruce Lee's kung fu, is a highly effective combat-tested system of self-defense, fighting skills and defensive tactics. It has been taught and integrated into the training programs of hundreds of military & law enforcement agencies around the world such as the US Navy Seals, the FBI, CIA, the French RAID, German SEK units.

Wing Chun is generally regarded as one of the most efficient close combat self defense systems. It emphasizes aggressive tactics, direct/scientific movement and realistic training. A concept-based system, Wing Chun a set of highly advanced scientific principles with their basis found in physics, geometry and physiology.

But there's more - Wing Chun goes beyond fighting. It encompasses the full mind, body & spirit of martial arts. Wing Chun can easily influence every aspect of your life. The concepts and philosophies found through Wing Chun training bring about a new way of looking at life's challenges. They help you to deal with situations in whole new way - things you don't usually find in other activities.

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Orange County Wing Chun - OC's Wing Chun source

Bruce Lee's Wing Chun

Footage of Bruce Lee. The first part shows off his "flashy stuff" (things just for the screen). The second part shows off his Wing Chun (what he considered to be the his most advanced knowledge).

Usually, Wing Chun's moves are so compact that they are difficult to see on the screen. This clip slows down Bruce Lee's Wing Chun towards the end so they can be seen and breaks them down into the individual Wing Chun movements.

Enjoy!



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Orange County Wing Chun - OC's Wing Chun

Welcome to the Family

oc wing chun
Our Wing Chun family is not something we take lightly. We are proud of our strong roots to Wing Chun's most honored and respected masters. We are extremely grateful for our family and those that have come before us. Orange County Wing Chun cultivates our unique family traditions while endeavoring to perfect our humble understandings of the art. Along with carrying on the authenticity of our family, we are also dedicated to the integrity of our training methods by being certain to constantly test their validity through realistic and innovative training methods.

Here is a picture of Sifu Adam Williss (right) and his teacher Sifu Bill Graves (left).

Sigung Bill Graves and Sifu Adam Williss
Note: We the proud Orange County Wing Chun representative and original member (since 1995) of Sifu Bill Graves' The System Wing Chun Gung Fu. Sifu Bill Graves is a senior Wing Chun student of Sifu Karl Godwin's Seminole Wing Chun. It is our believe that these individuals have taken the art of Wing Chun to unprecedented levels.

Orange County Wing Chun Open House - Saturday March 28th

Join us for our Wing Chun open house! Attendees will have the opportunity to join in to experience our unique training activities.

"I've dedicated my life to sharing the unique martial art of Wing Chun. I can't wait to introduce you to the incredible principles that I've learned through my training. This Open House will open your eyes to simple yet highly intelligent self-defense and life principles." - Sifu Adam Williss

ABOUT WING CHUN
Wing Chun is arguably the most effective self-defense system in the world. Wing Chun emphasizes aggressive tactics, direct/scientific movement and realistic training. A highly effective combat-tested system of self defense, fighting skills and defensive tactics, Wing Chun has been taught and integrated into the training programs of hundreds of military & law enforcement agencies around the world such as the US Navy Seals, the FBI, CIA, the French RAID, German SEK units.

But there's more - Wing Chun goes beyond fighting. It encompasses the full mind, body & spirit of martial arts. Wing Chun can easily influence every aspect of your life. The concepts and philosophies found through Wing Chun training bring about a new way of looking at life's challenges. They help you to deal with situations in whole new way - things you don't usually find in other activities.

WHEN: Saturday March 28th
TIME: 1PM - 2:30PM
WHERE: Sifu Adam Williss' Home Studio
21 Calle Mandarina
San Clemente, CA 92673

Bill Graves

Sifu Bill Graves was born in Indiana in 1960. After going to college and getting married, he moved to Sanford, Florida in 1981. Sifu Graves began his training under Karl Godwin in 1982. He continued to train faithfully with his instructor for 7 years until he moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1989 and began teaching. Sifu Graves operated two main schools in the Jacksonville Beaches area. His school was named The System Wing Chun Gung Fu.

Sifu Graves is a very humble man. He prefers to let his skill speak for his ability. His knowledge base is incredible to say the least. He has the ability to speak for hours on the subject, and in a way that he readily gets his point across. He is one of the best teachers by far in martial arts today but it is high level skill that is the foundation of his teachings. His philosophy is that fighting should be effortless --- and that's how it is for Sifu Graves.

If you are within an hour or two from the Jacksonville area, Sifu Bill Graves can be reached at 904-762-8741 or by email at tailfins@bellsouth.net.

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Siu Nim Tau (The Little Idea)

Siu Nim Tau (The Little Idea) by Grandmaster Yip Man.




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Wing Chun on Discovery Channel





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Wing Chun (WingTsun) Intro Video

Here is a introduction to Wing Chun (WingTsun) from a friend in New York city.




The Complex Development through Wing Chun

It is only at first glance that the Wing Chun system merely consists of movements, techniques and principles for effective self-defense. In fact, there is much more to this complex martial art, namely a way which can lead the individual to manifest his/her higher, inner self.

PHYSICAL SELF-DEFENSE - The first level in Wing Chun
Wing Chun consists of three levels, the physical level being the lowest. The object here is to protect one's body from the attacks of others and overcome physical confrontations successfully. Nonetheless even physical Wing Chun is no mere collection of techniques. Certain axioms or formula are combined with specific movement patterns (forms, Chi-Sao etc.) to spontaneously create the necessary defensive "movements", which are directly suited to attack.


STRATEGY AND TACTICS: The second level in Wing Chun
The same formula we use in the lower, physical level to generate our fighting movements is used at the second level to develop tactics or strategies which can be used to advantage in the various manifestations of everyday life, e.g. business, school and in social situations.

In this case the object is not physical protection, but rather to safeguard our position, social status or business success. In short, the medium level teaches us how to use intelligence and skill to survive in the outside world and prevail against others.

But in the end this level must be overcome by the individual, for everything gained in this way is transitional and therefore without value in the end. Eventually tactics and management skills (unless one is merely selflessly performing one's duty) only strengthen the ego. Nonetheless, the second level also develops your own truths, which must be separated from the perception of others.


SELF-FULFILMENT: The third and highest level
At the thrid level the object is our essence, our real or inner life. Here the point is not to deal with others, but rather ourselves (envy, hate, frustration, self-pity, fear, offended sense of justice, self-importance, bad habits etc.).

By taking the path of individual psychological evolution and freeing ourselves from incorrect thoughts and mechanistic physical and mental attitudes, we try to transform ourselves into new, better and peaceable people. When we have worked on ourselves accordingly the world will be a better one for those around us. Originally the Wing Chun studetn would strive for personal development on all three of these levels at the same time, however when the art was taught to less sophisticated people who could only understand the physical aspect it was divided into three different learning levels. Most schools, also in Asia, are only aware of the physical level and have never been exposed to the other two – in fact some even deny their existence. In fact in an ingenious way the same axioms and behavioural principles are a common thread in all three levels, bringing their greatest and most lasting benefits particularly at the highest level.

This explanation was adapted from Keith Kernspecht's 3-part structure of the WIngTsun system.


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Wing Chun Classes & Programs

There are many different reasons for training Wing Chun. People who train for fun, fitness, recreation, self-defense, health, spiritual development and any number of other reasons. At Orange County Wing Chun, we want to help you with your individual goals while working around your schedule.


Introductory Session
Our complimentary introductory session gives you the chance to experience our unique training methods. You will meet directly with our sifu, Adam Williss, who will answer all your questions making sure you are comfortable with what you are about to begin. Our Introductory Session also gives us a chance to determine if you may qualify for regular membership. Email us to schedule your introductory appointment.

Group Classes
Great for those new to Wing Chun, regular group classes gives new students the chance to develop the fundamentals of Wing Chun providing a great workout while challenging coordination and agility. We have group classes available during the day as well as the evening.
  • Daytime - Mon, Wed, Sat - 10 AM
  • Evening - Tues, Thurs - 6 PM

Special Training Programs
Our special training programs are designed to help you (or your group) to achieve specific goals through Wing Chun. This includes a wide variety of specialized training which can be offered on-going or in a single seminar format.

A few programs we offer include...
  • Wing Chun for Helping Addiction Recovery
  • Healthy Posture Training using Wing Chun's 6 Elements of Good Form
  • Chinese Healing Movement for Back Care
  • Low-Impact Wing Chun for Leg Strength Development
  • Wing Chun for MMA Training
  • Wing Chun for Women's Self-Defense
  • Authentic Wooden Dummy Training
  • Wing Chun for Professional Athletes
  • Wing Chun for Refinement of Other Martial Arts Training
  • Advanced Wing Chun for Wing Chun Instructors
  • 'Relaxation under Stress' Training
  • Developing the One Inch Punch
  • Hand Fencing
These "Special Training Programs" are offered on a one-on-one or private group basis.

Private Lessons for Group Class Students
Available for students who are already in group classes and want to further their learning experience. Students who obtain private lessons regularly surpass their peer’s abilities in a much shorter time span. These private lessons are by appointment.

Exclusive Private Training
Specifically for those who desire methodical private training in a individual setting. It is for those who want to benefit from learning but aren't able or choose not to join a group class setting due to a demanding schedule, celebrity status or any number of reasons. Learn more about private training.




Robert Downey Jr. Credits Wing Chun for Giving Him the Stregnth to Overcome his Addictions

In the nineties, Robert Downey Jr. was arrested multiple times for drug and alcohol-related crimes. He was quoted as saying,
"It's like I have a loaded gun in my mouth and my finger's on the trigger, and I like the taste of the gunmetal."
Whether it was driving naked with a loaded gun down Sunset Boulevard or breaking into his neighbor's house by accident, Robert Downey Jr. was out of control.

In 1999, the actor was arrested once more and spent the better part of a year in jail. He was such a loose cannon that filmmakers who wanted to hire him were forced to take out massive insurance policies or withhold his salary to get their films made. He was fired from Ally McBeal after another drug infraction and chose to take a few years to get his life together and re-evaluate his priorities.



It was during 2002-2003 that he began practicing Wing Chun, a form of kung fu which he credits for giving him the strength to overcome his addictions.

Sometimes referred to as "a martial art for the mind," Wing Chun is a powerful new (yet very old) Chinese art known to increase focus, concentration and relaxation.

In 2003, Downey started working again, and released a string of well-received movies like The Singing Detective, Fur and Zodiac before landing the key role of Tony Stark in Iron Man, which was released in May of 2008 to record-shattering returns.

With Iron Man, the resurgence of Robert Downey Jr. is now complete. He's on top of the box office with a blockbuster franchise, clean and sober, and happily married. With his drug demons behind him, his legend is only beginning. Downey is now working on Iron Man II which is set to be released in 2010 as well as starring as the Victorian-era detective in the upcoming Sherlock Holmes film.

The concepts and philosophies found through Wing Chun training bring about a new way of looking at life's challenges helping you to deal with situations in whole new way - things you don't usually find in other activities.
But what is this Chinese martial art called Wing Chun? Wing Chun (Wing Tsun / Ving Tsun) is a highly effective combat-tested system of self defense, fighting skills and defensive tactics. It has been taught and integrated into the training programs of hundreds of military & law enforcement agencies around the world such as the US Navy Seals, FBI, CIA, French RAID and German SEK units.

Wing Chun emphasizes aggressive tactics, direct/scientific movement and realistic training. It prepares its trainees in the subjects of self-defense, self protection, fighting and combat skills, as well as skills to defend others. A practical and scientific system, Wing Chun teaches how to prevent, deal and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks.

But what really seems to have caught the attention of Robert Downey Jr. is the art's ability to go well beyond fighting. It encompasses the full mind, body & spirit of martial arts. The concepts and philosophies found through Wing Chun training bring about a new way of looking at life's challenges helping you to deal with situations in whole new way - things you don't usually find in other activities.

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Wing Chun Magazine is dedicated to Wing Chun in all its forms
Wing Chun Magazine is dedicated to Wing Chun in all its forms, spellings, lineages, traditions, innovations and modifications. This includes Wing Tsun, WingTsun, Ving Tsun, Jeet Kune Do, JKD, Weng Chun, Yong Chun, Bruce Lee's Jun Fan Gung Fu, Hung Fa Yi, Shaolin Wing Chun, Vinh Xuan and many more.

Founded by Orange County Wing Chun's Adam Williss, Wing Chun Magazine is proud to be the publication that promotes and unites Wing Chun as a whole on an international level.

Available online at wingchunmagazine.com, Wing Chun Magazine's subscribers total over 10,000 readers in 11 different countries. Specifically read by more Wing Chun / WingTsun / Ving Tsun / Jeet Kune Do / JKD / Bruce Lee enthusiasts than any other publication, Wing Chun Magazine is THE magazine of Wing Chun.

For a limited time, the first four issues of Wing Chun Magazine are available online for free. Click a cover below to download an issue.

ISSUE IV


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ISSUE I



Orange County Wing Chun - Leung Sheung - Yip Man's First Hong Kong Student

Leung Sheung was born in 1918 in the Canton Province. By the time of his early youth, he was in the Macau area, a Portuguese Colony at the mouth of Pearl River, located near Hong Kong. At 14, he started his formal kung fu training in Choi Li Fut, White Eyebrow, and Dragon style.

By 1949, Leung Sheung had developed quite a reputation in several areas, one as a restaurateur, another as a lion dance performer, and as a martial artist. Leung Sheung was very, very fond of the Lion Dance. During this period in Hong Kong, merchants would extend a collection of vegetables from their second floor balcony for the Lion Dancers. Attached to the vegetable bundle would be a red envelope containing "lucky money." Toward the conclusion of the Lion Dance, the "lion" would take the vegetable bundle and money. The performers, usually a three-man team, would be required to climb upon each other so that the "lion" could take the money in his mouth. All the lion dancers wanted Leung Sheung, a big man, probably 5'10" to 5'11" and weighing around 200 pounds, as the base.

As a restaurateur, by 1949, Leung Sheung had been in the restaurant business for some time. In recognition of his abilities in the restaurant business, Leung Sheung was selected as an officer in the Restaurant Association in Hong Kong. The Association owned a flat in the city of Kowloon. They used the flat as an office and for lodging for people coming from main land China, escaping the Communist rule there. As an officer in the Restaurant Association, Leung Sheung had some level of influence in the use of this flat. It is important to remember that at this time, lodging in Hong Kong was extremely scarce. The massive influx of people into Hong Kong was putting an extreme strain on the housing and job market. Typically, the Restaurant Association would provide the flat as a place to stay for their restaurant workers, cramming 40 to 50 people into this small, one-room flat. So, typically, when bedtime rolled around, the back door would be opened, and the "cots" brought out, and they would line up out the back door. When daylight approached, the cots would be folded back up and moved against the wall. Residents would then depart to their various restaurant jobs in and around the city of Kowloon and Hong Kong.

As a martial artist, Leung Sheung was well respected for his proficiency in Dragon Style. He taught White Eyebrow in the flat. As people "hot bunked" (slept in shifts), there was room to teach and practice during the day and night. Leung Sheung had heard about Wing Chun since he was quite young, but as Wing Chun was quite secretive and well protected, he had never seen it; but, Wing Chun intrigued him, as did the stories about one of Wing Chun's teachers, Yip Man. The thought that he would take Wing Chun at his first opportunity was beginning to emerge as a prominent thought in the back of his mind.

Mr. Lee, also an officer in the Restaurant Association, in 1949, found out that Yip Man was currently in Hong Kong. Knowing Leung Sheung's interest in Wing Chun and Yip Man, he informed Leung Sheung that Yip Man was in town. Leung Sheung urged Mr. Lee to introduce him to Yip Man. By the time they met, Leung Sheung had already decided that he wanted to learn Wing Chun from Yip Man. He would provide the flat for Yip Man to teach in. In addition, Leung Sheung would turn over his White Eyebrow class to Yip Man, and he would become a student again.

Leung Sheung promptly introduced Lok Yiu and Tsui Sheung Tin to Yip Man, and the three of them became the first batch of Wing Chun students in Hong Kong. Both Leung Sheung and Lok Yiu resided at the Restaurant Association's flat during this time. Yip Man would now live in the flat, having no place to stay, and from 1949 until 1955, Leung Sheung and Lok Yiu trained Wing Chun under Yip Man intensively.

In 1955 Leung Sheung returned to Macau, and taught Wing Chun during the one year he was there, returning to Hong Kong in 1956.

In 1956, Leung Sheung began to teach Wing Chun publicly, along with Lok Yiu, Tsui Sheung Tin, and Wong Sheung Leung. They formed the first generation of Wing Chun teachers from Yip Man's class, and were widely recognized as the best students Yip Man ever produced.

From 1956 though 1978, Leung Sheung taught Wing Chun continuously. During his entire Wing Chun teaching career, he maintained a very low profile, never advertising his school. His famous saying from this period was, "You find me, you are lucky."

Leung Sheung's teaching philosophy in Wing Chun was to think of students as drift wood. As a Wing Chun teacher, figuratively, he lived on the bank of a wide river, and from time to time, driftwood came up on the bank in front of his house. Occasionally he inspected the driftwood, and from time to time, he'd find a piece that interested him. He'd drag the select piece up the bank a bit so it wouldn't wash away. As the pieces accumulated higher on the bank, he would find one piece that interested him enough to take it into his shop and begin to shape it. As with all things, the external appearance does not always show what lies beneath. Some driftwood will not be molded, either because of too many knotholes or other various failings. However, he would keep the driftwood that molded at the master's hand.

Deeming a Wing Chun student as appropriate, a piece of driftwood to be kept, Leung Sheung would then become very demanding on that student. It was back into the river for those students with "too many knots."

In 1968, when Bruce Lee returned to Hong Kong to shoot a movie, he attempted to have a (daily) friendly dialog with Leung Sheung. Bruce Lee always payed him "high respect" during their meetings. Both Bruce Lee and Tsui Sheung Tin referred to Leung Sheung as their older brother.

In 1970, Leung Sheung had a kidney stone removed. After the stone's removal, Leung Sheung's health began to degrade steadily from that point onward. Leung Sheung passed away in 1978.
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