NaamKyun.com Discussion Forum

hi Asmo,

a lot of Hung Kyun players do it like wooden dummy, just moving the hands; on the other hand, exeggerated movements are imho not correct either.

we play the first 2 sections of fhsyk with body movements (rise, sink, swallow, spit), however, the movements are very subtle. there is always a body, waist and the stance behind the movement, even though it might not be obviously seen.

good inspiration is the way how some mainland WCH players do their siu lim tau (compared to Hong Kong WCH); check this (Wong Nimyi sifu; sifu of my friend - i have just visited him in Canton 2 weeks ago):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prTFbXgIM4Q&feature=related[/youtube]

I do both WC and HG so here is my experience with it.

In Fu Hok, we very specifically do it without any movement in the waist. But when i do the Wing Chun Wooden Dummy form I do it with full body shifts. high WC stance, Swapping the position of my shoulders.

I think perhaps the thought in the Hung Ga form is that it teaches you the bridges without constraints of footwork so that you can apply it anywhere. The idea being for actual application you apply your own footwork as needed.

IMHO, a few reasons for not fully/obviously moving the trunk/waist:

1) When dealing with quick, close attacks where you don't have time to fully rotate (e.g. sucker punch situations, etc.);

2) To develop power without having to fully rotate or wind-up, as beginners or the untrained tend to do (i.e. punch from wherever your hands happen to be positioned, similar to one-inch punch);

3) Economy of motion; no exaggerated movements or wasted energy.

Echoing PM's comment, there are subtle body movements. There's just no need to do more than is necessary. A good opponent will try to launch his/her attack while one rotates largely before striking in close range.

we do ours with shifting and waist movement. The opening is while standing in YJKYM, we press the right palm down, then without moving the elbow, rotate into mai yan jiew gang (tan-sao) then turn the hand over like a fook sao/claw, and sink the forearm, and pull it to your waist as you turn your waist to the right..3:00
Then turn to your left (9:00) and thrust the palm (kiu-sao) foward (also to 9:00),
then shift back to YJKYM, and bring your hand to the front extended at the same time, which is where you do the three presses. The rest is pretty similar to anybody else's.
The emphasis is on maintaining the elbow position and centerline. When you draw the hand to the waist, the forearm brushes the lower ribs, maintaining that inside track.