Question 1

 Do you perform the forms the same every time, or do you vary the way you do them?  And if you do change them what variations do you perform?

Answer 1

The variations in the form are not differences in the sequences of techniques but differences in expression of
the form. There are Three levels of expression which correspond with the three boxing forms Sil Num Tao (SNT), Chum Ku (CK), & Biu Tze (BT). Each of these forms can be practiced at all of the three levels. For example: to do Sil Num Tao at a SNT level you would stay very soft, concentrating upon getting each technique accurate and placing it within the sequence perfectly. This is how most people practice SNT. However to do the first form at the chum ku level would be to express Chum Ku principles within the motions of SNT. This would make the form look somewhat different. Chum Ku teaches you to place energy within your motions, to coordinate the body synergistically to move as a single unit. SNT done with these CK principles begins to look more alive and  dynamic. Then to do Sil Num Tao at the Biu Tze level is different again. Biu Tze teaches to release energy, it is a power form. To perform Sil Num Tao with these Biu Tze principles would be to release power within the movements of the first form. Thus you would be practicing the first form at a third form level. So long as you were using the correct power principles of Biu Tze where the energy explodes through you and you are not tense or hard. Thus you can practice all three forms at three different levels. Many in Wing Chun practice all three forms only at the first form SNT level. They walk through the movements, focusing on technique only, doing it very quietly with each motion separate for the others. There is much more to be found in the forms than this. Answered by: Si-Fu Scott Baker.

Question 2

I am currently looking for a school to practice at.  In determining which school to attend what criteria or suggestions do you have that might benefit me?

Answer 2

You will need to keep in mind several things in order to prevent you from becoming confused and frustrated. 1) Every teacher will teach a little differently. Some will emphasis one thing above others while others may de-emphasis that same point and stress something else. This does not mean Wing Chun is incoherent, it simply shows that it is deep and lends itself to the individual's insight and interpretation. 2) There is always more than one right answer to a situation, which answer is best is again a matter of opinion rather than fact. 3) Do not allow yourself to become entwined in the politics that can still exist between different Wing Chun schools and families. There is little truth and no value in this. An individuals skills should be based on the merit of his personal ability not on who his teacher was. There is no one school or family that is better than all the others. Some are better at specific aspects of the system and others are better at different aspects of the system. With these items in mind I would suggest you think seriously about what it is that attracts you to Wing Chun? Why do you want to study it? What are the specific things you wish to gain from it? Then once you have clearly identified these things visit as many schools as you can and look to see if these aspects of the art are emphasized in the classes. It is better not to tell the teacher them at first, some may try to sell you on their class by saying they stress these very aspects you are seeking for. When you watch a class focus on 1) How the teacher teaches. Does he practice and demonstrate with his students? Does he encourage questions? Does he answer them clearly and appropriately? This is very important as some teachers respond defensively to questions as if the student is questioning their authority. Usually teachers who do this or discourage open questions are not as skilled as they are trying to portray and the questions of students take them out of their comfort zone of knowledge. Be weary of such teachers. Is he able to demonstrate what he is teaching? Does he do most of the teaching or does he have his senior students teach? 2) Do his students seem able to demonstrate significant skills? Are they cooperative and kind to the newer students or are they bullies who push them around? Does the class have a comfortable friendly atmosphere, or is it an atmosphere of fear, pride, or self grandizment 3) Just as important as the teachers ability to teach and the atmosphere of the general class is how you feel about the teacher. Do you feel comfortable working with him? Is he willing and able to teach you the system to the level you desire and with the key aspects emphasized; that you discover are the real reasons you wish to learn? 4) Do not get overly impressed with flash uniforms, pretty schools etc. Often this ends up a marketing cover to make up for a lack of true ability in the art. Some of the best Martial Arts I have seen in the world have been taught with little or no pomp and fan fair, but in a small unassuming room, or home with a small group of dedicated students. You may not find a teacher that meets all these criteria perfectly. IF that is the case then you will need to choose the two or three that seem closest for you and then try training with each for a few weeks or months until you find you enjoy one style of teaching more. It is also a good idea not to tell the teachers and students that you are taking private lessons or working with someone else. For some reason many react negatively to this and may feel you are being disloyal or something stupid. If you want to tell them wait until you have worked with them for a while and feel out what the response might be before you tell them. Even good teachers often react negatively to being told one of their students is also training with someone else. Answered by: Si-Fu Scott Baker

Question 3

Why do we use principles and what is their importance versus instead of "just hammering each other"? 

Answer 3

The fact that Wing Chun is fundamentally a principled centered art. Know well that WCK is a principle based fighting system. There are many wing Chun principles that we employ in out everyday 
practice and training, including:

1. Face the center line

2. simultaneous attack and defense

3. stick to what comes follow through as it withdraws, thrust forward on loss of contact

4. Chase the form not the hands (one of Wong Sun Leung's favorite)

5. Attack the attack

6. Hands and feet move independently

7. If you practice slowly you will learn quickly

8. beginners should learn without strength

9. Keep the gaze firm and the mind clear

10. break the structure attack the center

11. stick to your opponent and press the attack

12. every step is a kick, every kick is a step

13. the punch comes from the heart

14. etc.

The chi sau principles we discussed are reflections or concepts of application of the foundation WCK principles. You drill them and work them in the slow Chi Sau exchange so that they become reflexive, subconscious 
responses. Slow Chi sau allows for experimentation and learning to occur, just as if you had started learning to speak French, you would want a good French speaker to talk slowly and clearly with you so you can follow along. You would try to say phrases and hope he would make corrections along the way. As you improve over time you can speak more fluidly, and quicken the pace of the exchange, even getting to the point where you can 
argue effectively in French! This is like learning WCK as a fighting art. You start off practicing the moves and applying the principles slowly, learning as you go, being corrected, seeking to understand what makes one 
right and one wrong, as you improve you pick up the exchange pace over time, until finally you know the language of motion well enough to argue or fight with it. Remember chi sau is an EXERCISE to teach you how to use Wing Chun effectively. Guo Sau is fighting exchange..it is different to chi sau although it may appear similar in structure, its purpose is quite 
different. Guo Sau is to test your skills, is to teach you to deal with fear and to experience the chaotic exchange that occurs in real fighting. Chi Sau and Guo Sau should not be confused with each other. If you are wanting to test your skills then test them in Guo Sau, once you are clear and done with the test, return to chi sau to learn how to improve and build your skills on what you have already acquired, then in time you may again seek to test those skills. If you seek a college education you will spend 99% of your time in class and studying and learning, and only about 1% testing your knowledge. Chi sau is the learning part, Guo Sau is the testing part. The principles that govern chi sau are to help you to freely 
express your techniques within the exchange. They teach you how to deal with your opponents skills, how to get through his defenses, and how to prevent him from doing the same to you. It is not possible to learn these skills if you only practice fast attacking. Fast attacking has its place, just as exams have their place in the educational process, but learning needs to occur first, then testing to reinforce the practical application of what has been learned.  Answered by: Si-Fu Scott Baker