1) How long does it take to learn the complete art?
I believe in the end the answer is always up to the student. At Windy City we allow the student’s desire and will to dictate the speed at which he or she wants to progress. In general, if the goal is to learn how to defend oneself, after a 6 month period, a student can learn effective techniques to do just that. On the other hand, if he or she truly wants to learn the art itself, one can learn the complete art within a 2 to 3 year period. Mastery on the other hand is another story.
2) Is it necessary to have any Wing Chun or for that case, any Martial Arts experience?
I actually believe that its better not to have any experience at all. Those who started of with a fresh start have usually advanced the quickest. The problem with those who’ve taken Martial Arts or Wing Chun, is that they try to fuse or mix and match their old concepts with our Wing Chun, and in the end I have yet to see that work. While there maybe similarities in theory, the actual application and development in the end are totally different in how we approach things. My main suggestion, is come to class with an open mind, be able to suck up your ego (which many people find hard to do) if you’ve taken something before, and if you can do both of that you’ll progress much faster.
3) Are there any kicks in Wing Chun?
Actually, there's quite a bit of kicks in Wing Chun. However, our main focus is that of the hands. Kicks in Wing Chun are used to simply assist the hands, our bread and butter still remains to be the hands.
4) Is Wing Chun a good Martial Art for women?
In my opinion Wing Chun is perfect for women. Considering that the art itself was designed by a nun, what makes Wing Chun so effective, is that its not dependent on muscle and size. If all other arts say you have to be faster, bigger, more powerful then in the end, what’s the point of studying if the more athletic person will always have the advantage. We defeat speed with timing, muscle with structure, and make those who aren’t athletic dominant not athletically but with skill.
5) What is Chi Sao?
Chi sao or otherwise referred to as sticky hands, is an exercise used to teach one about sensitivity, power, timing, and other concepts. Notice, I did not mention fighting. One example of how Chi Sao helps the student develop his or her skill, is learning how to redirect force that comes at them at extremely close range. Chi Sao can only be found in the art of Wing Chun, and is what makes our style so unique.
6) Does Wing Chun have any ground fighting?
Every move in Wing Chun can be used in 4 different ways. For example, tan sau can be used as a block, attack, shi-na, and take down. As for specifically dealing with ground fighting, Chi Sao teaches the student how to deal with force, whether that's standing up or on the ground, it can be applied regardless of the situation. In the end, force is force.
7) If I’m not in the best of shape or lack flexibility can I still do Wing Chun?
The way we approach Wing Chun is a bit different from other styles of Martial Arts or Wing Chun. Now, can you do Wing Chun to lose weight or get in shape, and the answer is yes. But at the same time you lose the actual benefit of what your trying to learn in Wing Chun. We don’t train for you to last long in tournament fights, or to be able to take hits upon your body. Wing Chun is designed to finish the fight asap and we train the body not to take pain, but to deliver it. As for getting in shape, that’s more of a mental issue, and if you can survive the mental training in Wing Chun, you can also use that knowledge to easily lose weight as well.
8) How many forms are there in Wing Chun?
There are 6 forms to learn in Wing Chun. Basically you have 3 hand forms and 2 weapons (the pole and butterfly sword) and the Mokjong (wooden dummy). In this day and age were forms are considered useless, once you begin your training you’ll come to understand how can you even improve or live without it.
9) Is there Qi gong involved in Wing Chun?
Yes, there is Qi gong. The Qi gong training itself can be found within all that you do in Wing Chun. However, don’t make Qi gong to be so mystical or magical, the literal translation is simply energy exercise. So even basic walking or playing basketball can even be considered Qi Gong training.
10) Is Wing Chun an internal art?
Wing chun is both internal and external. Internal arts simply mean we do things without the use of muscle.
11) Can Wing Chun be used as a way to lose weight?
Any physical activity that you do regardless will help you lose weight, but in the beginning we try to stress not to do Wing Chun in such a way. Wing Chun involves precision movement and muscle control, that when you do things aerobically or anaerobically, when you start to get tired, your awareness of doing things properly takes a back seat.
