The Original Red Boat Song of the Wing Chun Kuen

"The Song of the Red Boat of Wing Chun is the DNA of our art." (Yun Hoi)  Early Kung Fu teachings were done orally in Qing China and committed to memory. This song represents the concepts and theory one MUST apply when performing Wing Chun.  While Wing Chun has few hand and leg techniques, they are guided by these very important rules.  One must understand and put into practice these rules to properly perform the art.  If you are not following these...you are NOT doing Wing Chun.  D. Harris

The techniques of Wing Chun Kuen are unique;

The methods are impenetrable, changing them should be avoided!

Correct teaching, correct practice and the correct mindset are essential.

You must train your heart to be courageous.

Relaxing and smiling whilst defeating the opponent makes for great tales; Relaxation, no anticipation, no apprehension

Seeking by the questioning hand to judge the foe’s situation; Seek and touch the bridge to sense energy

It is like watching flowers when he is further away; Relaxed, alert to lightening response but calm trust in Wing Chun

Striking when he is near; Bridge distance, do not reach for “hits”

Let him fly like a dragon and hop like a tiger, while I am at ease and entertained; Stay calm, focused, respond to his action when he enters range, lightly steal his energy and strike forcefully on the open lines.

The hands strike like a falling star! “Throw” the punch

The kick is formless like a flying arrow! ”Throw” the kick

Above, remain on the centerline; Wrists remain on your centerline – never leave the box, elbows forward, hands searching, Tao and Lao

Below, close the groin; Proper Kim Sut- ALWAYS!

Ensuring the body is inaccessible; Close the centerline

The key is sticking to the bridge of the enemy! Stick to the bridge connection points, chain to not leave the centerline– feel energy with your elbows and stance.

Exalted awareness controls his advance; Be alert, responsive.

The skill is to borrow force and strike forcefully; Use his force to turn the ball, strike as he falls into emptiness and into the path of your attack

Lead him into emptiness; Turn the ball – allow him to fall – DO NOT FIGHT FORCE– swallow it

To strike first has its reasons; Danger, open path- strike

In the encounter is embedded the mystery! One can only learn through touch

Do not stop at a single strike; Continue until he cannot

Pressuring the opponent continuously is essential;  Do not back up, do not relent – continue Tao and Lao on the bridge so he has no chance to react

Go on top of the incoming bridge; Control from above – weaker structure for them

Neutralize the incoming elbow with an elbow; Diamond to diamond is the answer

Close in to long range strikes; Move forward to get the bridge and keep it, move forward toward kicks

Move the stance forward to an incoming stance; Forwarding, cut off attack, get to jong distance quickly

Keeping the incoming hand and send forward the outgoing hand; Hands move in unison – one going out one coming back following his bridge, Tao

A loose hand must be followed with a forward thrust; No bridge then strike

Take the incoming straight thrust with a curve; Deflect or re-direct the straight

Encounter the cross hand with a straight thrust forward; Thrust/strike forward with a guard

Forwarding, obstruction, blocking and twisting; Go forward to the attack, connect and deflect the attack, guard (prevent his immediate return to the line with a barrier) and guide him away using his own momentum

Topping, stopping, sinking, thrusting; Go on top (Darp), Guard (Jeet), sink the knee (Chum), strike

Sticking, touching, ironing, swinging; Stick to the bridge (Chi), feel/sense with the hands (Mo), slide-press the bridge (Tong), jeun to help him turn (Dong).

Swallowing and spitting contain stealing and slipping; Deflecting (Tun) and striking (Thrust) lead to redirecting, deflecting (Tao) and striking (Lao)– rotation to find holes in structure and centerline and strike only when the line is open  (tao and lao work together)

Each point in the theory must be very clear; Concepts must be understood deeply.

Each technique must be clear; Techniques must be perfected for form and function

The difference of a line is like heaven and earth; – minor angles are all you need – big movements are overkill and take you off the centerline and out of the box.

The slightest bit of slackness will bring defeat;  – stay focused and connected, always forwarding and never relenting, no target is off limits.

Commit all these to memory!

One day retrieve the mystery within.

Honour your teacher and respect the art, year after year,

Honestly and determination will generate greatness!

Clever methods will generate more clever methods; Be creative in developing practical and real-world exercises- it must work against ALL real world attacks.

Unusual training exercises will generate more unusual training exercises; Develop exercises to train aspects you have difficulty with

Wind and thunder generated within an inch; “Throw” the punch – the candle lights the way

How can you not be humbled? True story

The true words of the originator:

The true skill of Wing Chun is difficult to find; Indeed

There are many levels. 

The true art will be found in the most unusual circumstances;

You must be intelligent and diligent over the years, 

The unworthy practitioner will always be a lonesome boat in a big ocean.

The art protects the art!

Copyright 2002–2006 Yun Hoi Wing Chun Kuen

Addendums and Context Copyright 2015-2019 Dave Harris

Mountain Storm Wing Chun Kung Fu