Wing Chun and Taichi - Internal Training

We can read a lot of books or be taught that energy is that or energy is this; but unless we actually realize and believe the concept of universal energy it would not benefit us in its complete form. This energy is not seen nor heard, but felt. This is the actual life source connected with all other matter in the universe. The Chinese recognizes it as 'chi', the Arab as 'taaqa' and Indian as 'prana'. People before us understood it better than people in our age who treat everything that cant be seen or understood as a 'myth'.

Just as students of wing chun practice Sil Nim tao as a form of meditation, the role of internal training is pivotal in understanding any Martial Art. Sil lim tao can be practiced like a drill over and over again, but unless you realize the concept of utilizing your breath in every move, synchronized with a still mind, it would be just another show off resulting in waste of time and energy. Tai chi is an internal martial art with various forms and an amazing outline. the base of this art lies in understanding the flow of energy so as to merge with it. Hence you become a pipeline, through which energy is directed and used to your liking. As a martial art, taichi uses this pipeline concept to divert and control your opponents energy, and use it to attack your opponent. This application is widely practiced in the name 'Taichi Push Hands'. You use the sensitivity in your arms and body to feel energy and understand your opponents behavior. A push hands training session would look pretty much similar to the chi sao we practise in wing chun. Most people today gives importance to the drills in wing chun and use chi sao as only to put the drills into application. But the real wisdom is using chi sao to sense energy variations and understand your opponents body.

My scope of explaining taichi with regard to wing chun is quite limited, as I am only a beginner to both, hence this article is only an attempt to outline the concepts used in both martial arts. I suggest you read Sifu Scot Baker's very inspiring article on Wing chun and Internal Energy training.

Wing Chun Schools Kerala

Wing Chun is relatively new to Kerala. But with cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi being more aware about the need for self-defence, wing chun and other close combat systems like Krav Maga are in demand.

Kochi Wing Chun Head:  Sifu Sabu Sebastian   I am currently practicing under Sifu Sabu Sebastian. He is a wonderful teacher and is efficient in the art of Wing Chun (Sifu Naresh Krishna) and Mansuria Kung fu (from Sifu Shekar). A humble man and a true martial artist who finds solace in sharing all his knowledge. The classes take place at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra. Time: 5:30 - 7:00 For more information you can contact the sifu at @ 9846316665

Yaolan Kung Fu School  Head: Sifu K.P. Nataraj    The Yaolan Kung Fu School, Trivandrum is a prominent wing chun school in Kerala. They have got branches in Kottayam and Vayanad, but only the School in Trivandrum teaches wing chun. They have 2-3 classes per week. Personal classes with the Sifu can also be arranged. Visit their website for contact information-  www.yaolankungfu.com

Wing chun in India

India is home to a number of dedicated martial artists. There are a lot of styles practiced all around the country including MMA, Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu, Kick Boxing, Kalari and Kung Fu forms like Shaolin, Mansurian, Tai Chi, Southern Preying Mantis and of course Wing Chun.
If you are not aware of what wing chun is, then I suggest you read more about it here. To make it easy to comprehend; wing chun was Bruce Lee's first and only martial art. Now you want to know more about it, don't you?

Wing Chun is not some martial art you would hear about within the general public. This is because wing chun is not sport/competition oriented like Karate, taekwondo and Judo. Wing Chun was specifically designed for Self Defence. Every single move in this system is deadly and when used against an opponent, will disable him temporarily, or if required, permanently. So if you want to learn a martial art which really serves the purpose of defending yourself against attackers, then Wing Chun is for you. It is the most practiced form of Kung Fu in the world.

Unlike Karate, there are only few Wing Chun schools in India. When I started my search for finding a wing chun instructor, I was lost. With time, I understood that there are amazingly talented instructors/sifus all over India. Unfortunately, there are many self proclaimed masters who teach their own brand of wing chun. Which is why I started this  blog; so as to connect people who wants to learn wing chun with some authentic instructors. Wing Chun has many lineages and most of them are connected to Great Grand Master Ip Man (Bruce Lee's master).
When joining a wing chun class, always check for the lineage, authenticity and verification of their wing chun knowledge.

You can click the tags on the right side of the page to visit Wing Chun schools in different states.
I have posted information only about a few instructors whom I was able to verify and personally acknowledge. Hence if you know any other wing chun instructors/schools in other states, please comment here and I will post it as soon as possible.