Forms of Wing Chun

A Form is a set of sequential movements that the practitioner repeats over and over again. It can be performed with empty hands or with a tool (various types of weapons). Either way, they are a self-practice of movements that usually don’t require a partner. If you live in Hong Kong, you’ve probably seen older people practising their Forms in a park, early every morning.

Forms of Wing Chun

Some martial arts styles have many different Forms, each with hundreds of movements. Each of these Forms is a sequence of movements related to a pre-determined pattern of attack and defence, meaning that the movements relate to an imaginary fight sequence, and they’re generally limited to this content.

The drawback of such Forms is that in a real self-defence situation there are no set sequences or prescribed manners of attack. So while your mind is full of these hundreds of pre-determined sequences of attack and defence, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to respond effectively when attacked.

Wing Chun Forms

The Wing Chun Forms are different, in that they don’t teach you a set of sequential movements for attack and defence. Instead, they’re very intelligently designed to cultivate a set of logical principles that apply the natural laws of physics and geometry to develop qualities of power, speed and efficiency of movement. These principles can then be applied to any martial situation or scenario (just as, when you learn to play chess, it’ s better to learn the principles of playing rather than learning a series of separate, pre-determined moves and counter-moves)

But the fruits of the Wing Chun Forms go way beyond self-defence skills. The creator of Wing Chun wanted us to know this by naming its first Form “Siu Nim Tao”, which can be translated as “Little Idea”. This suggests that its essence is to do with the development of a particular mental state, which becomes the foundation for the practice of all the other Forms of Wing Chun.

Before you read on, take two minutes to watch this video performed and narrated by our Head Sifu Nima King:

Practising Wing Chun

Thus, while practising the Forms in Wing Chun, instead of focusing on any martial quality, your intention is completely on the present moment. and the condition of your body and mind in that moment. Within this mindful state, over time you’ll learn to deeply relax the muscles and joints of your body, and you’ll open up your posture. Moreover, at a deeper level, this enables you to release the energetic blockages in your body, which then leads to inner health and balance.

The beautiful thing about Wing Chun’s empty hand Forms is that you can practise them anywhere, anytime:

  • in the comfort of your home (when you wake up in the morning to start the day with a relaxed focus)
  • in your lunch break
  • or even at the office (when you need a quick 10-minute rejuvenation for the body and mind).  

There are 6 Forms in Wing Chun: 3 empty hand Forms, 2 weapons Forms and the Wooden Dummy Form:

Three Empty Hand Forms

Siu Nim Tao (Little Idea)

This is Wing Chun’s first Form. It helps you become familiar with the Wing Chun stance and structures, and the Centreline Theory. The ultimate goal of this form is to cultivate the “Nim Tao State”.

Chum Kiu (Searching for the Bridge)

This second Form teaches you to apply the Siu Nim Tao state and principles while moving the body using your centre of mass as the engine, which leads to extremely powerful yet effortless movements.

Biu Gee (Darting Fingers)

In Biu Gee, you will practise moving with maximum speed. Within this form you’ll be able to realise your body’s maximum potential to develop power.

Here’s a video of Grandmaster Chu talking about the three empty hand forms of Wing Chun in a seminar he did at our school two years before he passed away:

Mook Yan Jong (Wooden Dummy)

The Wooden Dummy is perhaps the most recognisable feature of Wing Chun Kung Fu. It’s a very useful tool that enables you to practise and apply the structures and principles you’ve learned in the above three empty hand forms.

Two Weapons Forms

Bart Jarm Do

Eight Chopping Knives (Butterfly Knives) – The Knives are the original weapons of Wing Chun. They’re used as extensions of your arms. Moreover, they require sufficient control and power of your wrist joints.

Lok Dim Boo

Six and a Half Point Pole (Long Pole) – The Pole Form was not traditionally part of the Wing Chun system; it was added only a few generations ago.

Before moving on, ensure you thoroughly understand the essence of each form. It’s like learning how to stand first before you can walk. With that foundation it’s easy to learn to run. At Mindful Wing Chun we’ve created a curriculum to guide you through our grading syllabus.

There is so much more that could be said about the beauty of the Wing Chun Forms. Words cannot fully describe the potential blissful feelings that you can obtain by practising them.

Explanation of the Wing Chun Forms by “The King of Siu Nim Tao”, Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin

“The structure of Wing Chun Kung Fu is so reliable and precise that it fits into the logic of science. Viewing from any angle, I consider that Wing Chun is really a masterpiece in Martial Art. In fact, Wing Chun, which is so well organised, together with its nicely designed structure, has reached the pinnacle of perfection. With persistent analysis and practice, you’ll gradually learn and discover more from basic to advanced training. Furthermore, as time goes by, you will find that practicing Wing Chun is very interesting. I have practiced Wing Chun for over forty years and I still have a lot of fun in it. It is really one of the greatest enjoyments in my life. [By the time he passed away in 2014, Grandmaster Chu had practised Wing Chun full-time for 64 years.]

Characteristic of Wing Chun

The characteristic of Wing Chun in relation to its structure. Formation is that every one of the three forms has its own thought and theory. The different functions of the three forms will merge forming a perfect way in attack and defence. Moreover, together with the practice of the Wooden Dummy, it is considered that Wing Chun, being so perfect, has no need for improvement. Therefore, if you wishes to achieve to the highest level, there is no short cut. All you can do is to carry on thinking and practicing.”

Why not start learning the sequence today? We invite you to watch this video and follow along with teacher Nima King: