I have been training Wing Tsun and Eskrima off and on for a long time. Wing Tsun longer. Lately I've been really getting into a branch of Eskrima called DTE that is very practical and combative, and adaptable. I find that my Wing Tsun concepts are constantly informing my Eskrima. The systems have some fundamental differences resulting from the ranges and nature of the weapons employed. Outwardly the differences seem great. The Eskrima stances are predominantly front-weighted, a lot of power generation is circular as well as linear and generally, you will not be sticking to your opponent. At least when using longer weapons and at longer ranges. Yet DTE and WT share so much at the core or conceptual level, that these outward differences seem trifling compared to what the arts have in common.
For example, the core concepts of WT/WC such as simplicity, efficiency, economy of motion, yielding and borrowing the force of an opponent's attack, and being able to generate short-range power, are all central to the Eskrima I train. Perhaps this is because both are true combat arts...except that there are other combat oriented arts that don't apply these concepts. More likely, it is more a result of a similar perspective on combat. I mean, a WC/WT perspective of trying to find the most intelligent and effective way to defend yourself, even against a stronger attacker. (After all, why would an attacker come after you if he didn't think he had the advantage?)
So, anyway, I've found that sticking to these core concepts is really helping me in both arts. Not by blending or bastardizing them, but by finding a a common thread. So, I'm finding more than a bit of bong sau/fak sau in my DTE roof-block and follow through strike. A lot of tan of fook sau in my lateral parries, and a lot of gaun-sau in my floor block and downward parries. And the Escrima is adding some eye opening insights into my Wing Tsun too. For one thing, it makes me a lot more open minded about learning new stuff...like what I read on this forum. Traditional WT can get a little dogmatic sometimes... OK, more than a little (sorry).
Anyway, do any of you guys study FMAs or other arts along with Wing Chun/Tsun? How do they complement each other for you?
For example, the core concepts of WT/WC such as simplicity, efficiency, economy of motion, yielding and borrowing the force of an opponent's attack, and being able to generate short-range power, are all central to the Eskrima I train. Perhaps this is because both are true combat arts...except that there are other combat oriented arts that don't apply these concepts. More likely, it is more a result of a similar perspective on combat. I mean, a WC/WT perspective of trying to find the most intelligent and effective way to defend yourself, even against a stronger attacker. (After all, why would an attacker come after you if he didn't think he had the advantage?)
So, anyway, I've found that sticking to these core concepts is really helping me in both arts. Not by blending or bastardizing them, but by finding a a common thread. So, I'm finding more than a bit of bong sau/fak sau in my DTE roof-block and follow through strike. A lot of tan of fook sau in my lateral parries, and a lot of gaun-sau in my floor block and downward parries. And the Escrima is adding some eye opening insights into my Wing Tsun too. For one thing, it makes me a lot more open minded about learning new stuff...like what I read on this forum. Traditional WT can get a little dogmatic sometimes... OK, more than a little (sorry).
Anyway, do any of you guys study FMAs or other arts along with Wing Chun/Tsun? How do they complement each other for you?