Biu Gee, the third form of the Wing Chun system,
is different from the first two in several significant ways.
Right from the start with
the opening of the stance, there are more concepts of application
to real situations.
With the opening of the
stance by circling the legs, rather than turning out the toes then
the heels, as in Siu Lim Tau ad Chum Kiu, we start to appreciate with
fighting theories; these will be dealt with fully where they belong
outside of the sequence of the form.
The mainstays of the form
are Biu Gee itself, Cup Jarn and Man Sau; their importance is highlighted
by the fact that they are repeated so many times throughout. Again
I will deal with each individually in the relevant section, their
reasoning and application outside of the form, because though Biu
Gee can be considered more of a fighting form, it is my belief that
it is important to look at all of the forms as understanding the mechanics
and energies of body movements. Ways of looking at perfecting the
knowledge of SELF, without the distraction of specific application.
I do not deny that some
of the other teacher's explanations of the forms and the application
of technique would work, but it is my contention that the forms should
be understood as basic movements and energies, that can be applied
to a variety of scenarios rather than restricted to a single manufactured
event.
Another of my personal
views is that Biu Gee should not be thought of as the third form,
I don't think of the forms as separate entities or progressive developmental
sequences. The techniques taught in Siu Lim Tau are not repeated in
the same way later and the same goes for Chum Kiu.
It is said of Leung Jan
that he made a statement to the effect that the person who would do
most for Wing Chun would be the person who would condense the system
into one form. I have heard of some who mixed Siu Lim Tau, Chum Kiu
and Biu Gee into some sort of hotchpotch of movements, to me that
is an ill conceived idea without thought or reason, however Leung
Jan's vision is easily achieved simply by thinking of the system as
one form, a feeling that I have held for man years now.
Once you have learned the
first two, they should be the precursors for training Biu Gee. From
the first third of Siu Lim Tau being a warm up, Chum Kiu exercising
the whole body, to Biu Gee with the more vigorous movements related
to fighting, ending with a warm down. The system becomes complete
finally with the addition of the dummy and the weapons.
Carrying on with the frame
of thinking developed in Siu Lim Tau and maintained through Chum Kiu,
the 'Little Ideas' should be banished from your mind before you practise
Biu Gee. If you are just starting to learn Biu Gee, as with the other
forms, take it in sections, become confident with one section before
going onto the next. This strategy will allow you to maintain patience
with yourself as you are learning new body mechanics. The aim should
always be for perfection and as perfection is so elusive, you can
look forward to a lifetime of meaningful training.
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