Something on the "mainland w.c. chi sau platforms" thread that I thought was legitimately interesting and fodder for discussion. I've transferred it to this new thread lest I interfere with ensuing dialog there.
This premise underscores that there are differing conceptions of what Wing Chun Kuen actually is. There are probably as many different conceptions of Wing Chun as there are people practicing it; even as individuals, our conceptions are likely to change over time. Some of these may be largely in agreement with one another, some may be fundamentally at odds.Originally posted by t_niehoff
... WCK is fighting, or more precisely, fighting with a certain approach. No fighting, no WCK. So if you're not fighting, I don't know what you are doing -- though I could come up with a few terms for it if you'd like -- but it isn't WCK. At best, you're doing the prep work to begin practicing WCK.
Our notions of Wing Chun Kuen also serve as fundamental premises for many of the endless debates and inquiries on all manner of things from training methods, to the benefits (or not) of forms and chi sau, to who is or is not a real martial artist, the merits of cross-training, and on ad infinitum.
Given that, I am interested to learn - from the widest variety of you as possible - what is your conception of Wing Chun Kuen?
By way of example, in my conception Wing Chun is a training system in conjunction with a tightly integrated suite of concepts the primary purpose of which is to increase the probability of success when and if applied in a violent physical encounter, and which is encapsulated, practiced and transmitted in the form of an art.
I'll defer further elaboration as I am far more interested to hear your conceptions of what Wing Chun Kuen is. Lateral thinking warmly welcomed. Terence and I have already logged in on this; as a divergent kind of exploration, the more and varied perspectives the rest of you can share the better, with special encouragement to our less loquacious fellow members.
Regards,
- Kathy Jo