These fundamental positions demonstrated by Yip Man show the precise
nature of each, and it is this precision which I believe is essential
in the personal development of individuals in Wing Chun.
An experienced practitioner
in Wing Chun may deviate from the generally accepted form while maintaining
the fundamental energies and concepts that are essential to useful
practise, and as long as they are aware of the variation it does not
necessarily impair their development through the system.
The problem arises when
trying to pass the knowledge onto another, who by merely mimicking
the movements of their senior, without their personal understanding
or skill level, will only develop a physical version of a 'Chinese
Whisper', at best a vague interpretation. If this method of learning
continues down the generations it can only lead to a degradation of
the initial knowledge and understanding
