Coins make a great counter.  They’re unobtrusive and aside from the initial cash investment on an item that did not round to a dollar amount, they’re available for free under your sofa cushions.  They slide along a flat surface easily making them simple to move on a desk, counter top, or floor.  The floor is an excellent spot to use them as you can slide them from one group to another with your foot with minimal interruption to your forms.  When times are tight, gravel will do also.

Of course, training does not always require counting how many forms you play.

Train hard.  Relax hard.

Relaxation

Train hard. Relax hard.

That being said, there are principles in Ving Tsun that you can use as tools when you are learning and perfecting techniques.

This three-part series of blog posts will be different in that each will focus on one word.  Read these posts and take time to think of the concept and how it applies to kung fu.  Meditate on these and generate your own ideas.  Then, if you’re still in, see how you can apply the ideas in your own training.

Centerline

Train hard. Relax hard.

Already alluded to in the first post of this blog, Siu Nim Tao is the first empty hand form in the ving tsun curriculum.  It means “Little Idea.”  Some say that 90% of the ving tsun system is contained within its first section.  Siu Nim Tao teaches relaxation, centerline, horse stance, power, and energy.  Serving as a reference for numerous techniques in ving tsun, Siu Nim Tao has many things to reveal to those who practice it regularly and diligently.

Chum Kiu

Chum Kiu is the second empty hand form taught to students.  It means “Seeking the Bridge.”  Building on the foundation learned in Siu Nim Tao, one learns footwork, shifting, balance, and coordination of arms and legs.

Biu Je

The third form in the system teaches emergency techniques.  These techniques can help a ving tsun practitioner recover from a bad position.  One should have highly refined Siu Nim Tao and Chum Kiu before learning the third empty hand form.  Biu Je means “Standard Compass,” or “Darting Fingers.”

Muk Yan Jong

After completing the three empty hand forms of ving tsun, more advanced training commences with the wooden dummy or Muk Yan Jong.

Luk Dim Poon Kwan

After mastering the Muk Yan Jong, training continues with the 6 1/2 point pole form and techniques.

Bot Chom Doa

The highest form of ving tsun is the double knife set or Eight Way Chopping Knives.

Train hard and relax hard.

Developing Techniques

There is high value in our system’s forms.  Ving Tsun forms are like software for your body and its CPU.  Every time you play a form it strengthens and reinforces movement patterns contained therein.  When playing chi sao, oftentimes new techniques emerge that the practitioner has not intended or thought to play.  When tracing back where these techniques came from, they can usually be found in whatever form that person has been working on.

Attributes and Energy

Not only do forms train techniques, they also train various attributes such as relaxation or center line.  So playing lots of forms also develops qualities that will make one excel in kung fu and other endeavors.  Forms also train different energies.  This becomes more apparent as the practitioner advances.  Playing lots of forms in Ving Tsun kung fu is a highly worthwhile undertaking.

Train hard and relax hard.