Why is it that Wing Chun lineages have such different techiques but it's still Wing Chun. (WT/WC/VT, etc....) ?
In some cases the different spellings indicate no more than the preference of a particular instructor or association. In other cases the spelling indicates a distinct difference in approach. For example,
Wing Tsun or "WT" was coined by Leung Ting to distinguish his own system from other brances of "WC" in the Yip Man lineage. A number of his students have broken away from his association and gone off on their own, but have retained the initials WT to indicate that they share the basic methods of the Leung Ting branch. One such student is Emin Boztepe and his Wing Tzun system.
The differences in techniques between different branches can be pretty significant, even within the Yip Man lineage. When you consider some of the more distantly related branches, such as Weng Chun, you are really talking about a different style altogether. As far as why this is, I can only say that I don't see it as any different from the divergent branches you find in any other martial art such as the many ryu of Karate and so forth.
What techniques do you do in your lineage that other lineages don't do, or do differently? Why? Whats the philosophy or theory or "concept" behind it? Please share. I really believe that if Wing Chun people shared more with eachother, then it would truely evolve.
The most distinguishing features of the WT system are probably the
stance, the emphasis on
springy energy, and its highly organized teaching program, especially its
"sections" of chi-sau training. I could touch on these briefly, but beyond that, I believe that you really have to work with someone physically to understand what they are talking about.
The WT version of
yee gee kim yeung ma or "character 2" stance is formed with the feet at about shoulder width apart and pointing inwards, with very strong
adduction, or a sqeezing-inwards of the knees. This adduction is countered by rolling the pelvis forward under the body. The two positions work in opposition creating a gentle isometric tension, with the legs being taught and springy like a bow.
The
stance turning is done on the center of the foot, shifting your weight from side to side as you turn, and turning only one foot at a time. This unique method of turning allows the body to stay firmly anchored on the stationary, weight-bearing foot, as the other foot is turned. The 100% weight shift is advantageous in that it moves your body mass the maximum amount possible without taking a step, swinging your body out of the way of your opponent's attack.
Advancing step is also done with all your weight kept back over the rear foot, even when stepping forward. In this case the objective is to keep the front foot free to attack and defend at any instant, without having to shift your weight and telegraph your intent. Also, by keeping your front leg unweighted, it is not vulnerable to sweeps.
The details of how to actually perform the mechanics of these steps is pretty involved and darned near impoosible to discuss with written words alone. But my first sifu, Leung Ting, felt that these particular points were so important that he made us all work on them for hours and hours every day for about a week straight, before he would consider teaching us anything else. And all of us were already experienced in other branches of "WC".
