Shaolin ng wing chun
Grandmaster & Founder: Sijo L. R. Gray
(10th level Black Sash)
Our family style was founded by Sijo L.R. Gray, who is also the inheritor of Dr. John Wing Lok Ng’s Wing Chun system. Our family style is based on the principles of the phrase, “Lin Sil Tai Gar.” Lin Sil Tai Gar is defined as always attacking, blocking, stepping, and/or shifting simultaneously; in other words, we always utilize “full-cycle” techniques. Equally as important as full-cycle techniques are the “listening skills.” “Listening” to an opponent means that we adhere, or stick, to their movements. Listening skills are acquired through sensitivity drills such as cross-hand drills, tan chi sau, and poon sau (rolling hands) that enable our sense of touch to become heightened and more sensitive to our opponent’s movements (these drills will be broken down later on). We do not overcome an opponent by being faster or stronger; we overcome them by becoming one with them…this is the essence of Chi Mastery.
There are 3 empty hand forms utilized in our system, and they are Sil Lum Tao, Chum Kiu, and Bil Jee. Each of these forms have parts that are very significant, therefore, they are repeated 3 times (according to Shaolin teaching). We will be looking at each of these more in depth and breaking them down into sets to make them easier to understand academically. For now, however, let’s look at the definitions and meanings of each: Sil Lum Tao literally means “little idea form.” It has no foot work, and it teaches us two main principles, Structure and Centerline. The techniques in it are half-cycle so that these two principles can be focused on. Chum Kiu translates as “seeking bridge,” and teaches us to seek and keep the bridge we’ve attained while protecting our centerline and staying in the structure taught by the previous form while shifting and stepping. Bil Jee means, “thrusting fingers.” This form teaches techniques referred to as “emergency hands” that enable us to protect and retake our centerline while acquiring an advantageous body position. To bring all of these principles together, we utilize the Mook Jong, or “wooden elbow” dummy. Our 130+ movement dummy set combines all of the techniques and principles of all of the drills and empty hand forms taught to our students from day one. To finish out our empty hand forms, we have also adapted a form from Chi Sim Weng Chun (the oldest form of Wing Chun on record, coming directly out of the Southern Shaolin temple) called, Saam Bai Fut; this is translated as, “Three bows to Buddha.” This form encompasses all of the principles and techniques of Wing Chun and also teaches an even mixture of Yin and Yang energies and fa jing.
