Customer Reviews

Wing-Chun Martial Arts: Principles & Techniques

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While this book is lacking in its explanation of the 3 forms of Wing Chun and the Sticky Hands excersizes, it is an excellent reference for anyone who is serious about learning the philosophy behind Wing Chun. What you won't find here is a detailed synopsis of the 3 forms or Chi Sau. What you will find are the words of the systems foremost instructor Yip Chun, who explains the basis of the system and the true applications of Wing Chun in a very detailed manner.

It's pretty clear that Yip Chun realizes that you can't learn Wing Chun, or any other martial art, from a book. Therefore he doesn't try to teach you Wing Chun from a book. He does briefly go over the three basic hand forms and chi-sau but only enough so that he can comment on them and remark on how they relate to Wing Chun's big picture. This book is mostly his philosophy on Wing Chun and how it can help improve your life. Turns out, even the "street fighting" art has uses beyond fighting. Yip Chun discusses how WC is good for both physical and emotional health and how it relates to Confucianism much like Tai Chi relates to Taoism and the Shaolin arts to Buddhism. He even includes a translation of Confucius' Doctrine of the mean because he feels studying it will make one a complete Wing Chun practitioner.

You won't learn how to fight by reading this book, but you shouldn't be trying to do that anyway. Go find a good teacher and train hard. If you're patient enough to take the time and effort though this book will help you make the most of your Wing Chun.

I have just recieved my instructor level (sifu) in Ving Tsun Gung Fu. Although I have been involed in the art for many years, I found many new discoveries in the context of this text. It aided my complete understanding of the philosophy behind the art. Althought it does not fully cover each part of the 3 sets, it does give a good explaination for their applications and main points. This is a must for any martial student who wants to complete their knowledge of Wing Chun.

This book has a lot of historical information about wing chun. It is also good as a source for theory of the art. The Doctine of the Mean is very instructive as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone getting started in wing chun.

ive been doing wing chun for 11 years and did a lot of reading on the art this truely is a great book,and for the people who dont do wing chun it gives a great understanding of the art and what its all about.so at least they will have some knowledge of this great art from one of the finest masters around.

A must for anyone who practices Wing Chun. Written by the man who should know, the son of Grandmaster Yip Man. This book lays to rest misguided notions of secrecy and mysticism and explains Wing Chun for what it is and what it can be. A must for instructors and students alike

The little old man may well know most of the stuff in this book. Besides being the boss' son Yip Chun really tries to pass his knowledge and philosophy to the readers, unfortunately with poor results. I'm a beginner in Wing Chun and it really was a bit disappointing try to figure out some techniques, specially when the text is not in harmony with the pictures. The author may know the art very well, but this book makes the reader wonder how the Grand Master Yip Man - the author's father - would handle such matter. Try it if you spare some bucks.

I am a Wing Chun student. My master learned Wing Chun from a student of Yip Man. This book shows the way Wing Chun is practiced by Yip Man. It is a very technical book and has to be studied carefully to understand it. No one that has never practiced the art should try to understand the book without first having hands on experience. It is a very complicated art. To the reader from Kennesaw, GA United States: You probably were taught that the style you are practicing is the best. Regardless of what style anyone practice we have to recognize one of the best expositioners of the art: Sifu Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was a student of Yip Man and it was his first martial art. From it he developed Yun Fan Kung Fu or Jeet Kun Do. Do not say that any style is sloppy. Remember the best fighters are always obscure. This book is great if you know the basics of Wing Chun taught by a master.

This reads more like an introduction to the art of Wing Chun ratehr than a book covering the "principles". So much is left out. It would be better presented as Vol I, and then have the authors do a more comprehensive series. Just a suggestion.

I just started taking martial arts. Wing Chun is one of the disciplines in the "blend." This book has provided me with some background to Wing Chun, describing the philosophy and it explains the forms. There are a lot of pictures accompanying the text. Since Wing Chun is not the only martial art I'm learning, it's giving me more information than I get in class. It's a great way to enrich my knowledge of the art.