Ving Tsun is best known for its efficiency and effectiveness. Some of its primary principles are center line, relaxation, and efficiency. These concepts work together to form an art that gets directly to the point, requires little physical exertion, and still consistently comes out on top. Side effects may include a stronger body and a more relaxed mind. The system is made up primarily of three parts: forms, two person exercises, and kung fu life.

Forms

Siu Nim Tao is the first form learned by students of Ving Tsun. Its name means “a little idea”, and it is that little idea which sets the foundation for the rest of the work there is to do. The hand movements explore the concept of centerline and the shapes of the individual techniques, while the minimal footwork begins construction on a strong and stable stance. It is said that all of the system’s principles can be distilled down into Siu Nim Tao.

Chum Kiu, or “searching for the bridge”  is the second form. The work of this form is to explore stability in movement, and of course, to begin finding the bridge – from idea to application, and from oneself to an adversary.

Biu Je, or “standard compass” is the third form, and it works to show the hands and the body how to come back to center when the need arises. It also works to further explore the physical understanding of power which does not rely on strength.

Moy Fah Jong, or “plum flower pillars” is the form of the wooden dummy (as shown in sketch). It is a way to refine techniques and their details, especially in absence of a human training partner. The jong has been described as a “kung fu typewriter”; a way to polish up what learning is already in place.

The following two forms are weapons forms, and are available only after a student has trained with dedication for many years.

Luk Dim Pun Kwan is the 6 1/2 point pole form. That form is preceded by Biu Kwan, an exercise that gets the student physically and mentally accustomed to use of the pole. Its benefits include increased power and understanding, of course.

“Luk Dim Poon Kwan, like other elements of Ving Tsun, needs to be studied completely and for its own sake, not as a means to some other end.”

– Grandmaster Moy Yat

Bot Jom Dao is translated as 8-way chopping knives. This is the butterfly sword form.

Two person exercises include Pak Sao, Pak Dar, Lap Sao, Dan Chi Sao, Luk Sao, and Chi Sao. Each of these exercises plays a unique and vital role in developing an increasingly complete understanding of what techniques are and how they work.

Pak Sao is a two person punching and blocking exercise that teaches students how to strike repeatedly on centerline using relaxation.

Pak Dar is another chain punching drill that utilizes simultaneous application of both hands.

Lop Sao uses techniques from the form Siu Nim Tao to catch an opponent’s punch and strike in a single fluid motion.

Don Chi Sao is a one armed “sticking hands” drill that works the student’s ability to take centerline from their opponent.

Luk Sao incorporates the principles from the other drills, and requires that the students roll hands and try to create openings in each others technique.

Chi Sao is the free flowing exercise that all of the other drills prepare the student for.

Kung fu life is all about the training relationships developed by learning from and learning with other people. These training relationships develop between teacher and student, between elder students and younger students, among the branches of the school. The learning of each Ving Tsun Kung Fu student – and teacher – supports the learning of the rest. This has proven to be a highly effective method of study.