From an Instructors Seminar Yip Chun held in 1985

This a straight copy of the notes I took from the translation by my Sifu Samuel Kwok of the words that Yip Chun spoke on the day rather than an article that I constructed around them, so if it reads a little disjointed I make no apology, what is here is the framework of understanding that you can build on yourself.

YIP CHUN INSTRUCTORS SEMINAR

PSYCHOLOGY/METHOD

ERRORS IN TRAINING

1. Our commercial society is based on promotion of goods etc Today’s Kung Eu is the same, a change from the traditional teaching where Kung Eu was only taught to a few trusted students who had to prove themselves with strict exercises and respect for their Sifu.

2. You should be aware of your styles practicalities and your own ability and you should be able to build faith in your students through techniques and teaching ability, as the purpose is to maintain your student numbers and from them, through word of mouth, more students, this should be done through continually improving the students knowledge.

3. Never “Show Off” as this does no good, your intention should be to promote the style not yourself.

4. Do not teach too much too soon, only to impress a new student as they will learn little as they will not be able to digest a large amount of knowledge.

5. Never hit students to “Show Off” this only scares students and builds fears in them which is negative and should be avoided. When you are the instructor you should know that you could hit a student so you do not need to.

6. Force your students to learn to their ability.

7. Do not hit students hard.

8. There are times when you should let a student hit you or just because you get hit does not mean you are no good, this should show the students progressing.
(The most likely time you will get his is when you hesitate to explain a technique and the student carries on)

SYLLABUS

What is next after the three forms?
The hand techniques of the forms used practically is the basis of the syllabus. This is achieved through Chi Sau.

Chi Sau (How many stages?)

1st Stage

1. Dan Chi (Single sticking hands)
The most important point of Dan Chi is to try to keep contact with opponents hand. Though time if they are sticking all the time then they are ready for double sticking hands.

Bong/Tan (exercise)
Because most people are right handed you should concentrate on left hand first.
The Bong/Tan exercise is a single arm exercise to start with, in the Bong the wrist should be relaxed. The Tan Sau should be in a right angle and straight from the body, if the elbow cannot come in tell them to bring the wrist out of the centreline (only in special cases and only slightly)
Further preparation is to use a partner, so one side does the Bong/Tan exercise and the other side with Fook Sau/Deng Sau, when fluent start on double handed. Hand positions should be correct and initially each movement i.e. separate, fast movement when changing then hesitate and repeat.
Always be aware of distances and position, if incorrect push through and tap body.

If Fook Sau not in enough - there will be a gap. If elbow is too close to body -- there will be a gap.

Each arm is concentrated on separately, not until both hands are successful in this exercise will the student have completed the 1st stage of Chi Sau.

2nd Stage

This stage of Chi Sau is when the student learns the use of force — how much and when.

More to the point: it is to teach not to use unnecessary force.

Do not push with the Bong Sau the feeling in the arm should he as nothing.

The Tan Sau should not force out sideways as your opponent will sense this come inside and hit, this should be avoided as it is not pure Chi Sau.

The Fook Sau is in reality two techniques. Fook Sau is the low position. Deng Sau is the high position. The elbow is in to resist forward movement. Fook Sau should never press down nor Deng Sau forward as when Bong feels it is being pressed his Fook will Gum down. With Deng the to the nose of opponent, lower arm vertical.

3rd Stage

Changing Hands (Chuen Sau)

2. With the outergate arms it is easiest to hit your opponent as it is controlled only with one of your opponents arms.

3. Innergate arms are better as it has a shorter distance to travel and can block the outergate arm strike.

4. You should change when your opponents Bong Sau is just starting to move down, your Fook Sau circles inside as an attack.

5. The other change occurs when your Tan Sau is about to move into Bong Sau, you Huen Sau using more of the palm to control your opponent as you should never leave your opponents arm.

4th Stage

Reflexes

Reflexes, sensitivity or sensation, it is all the same or related. If you do not have the sensitivity, the reflexes will not follow.

1. To practice for sensitivity in Chi Sau, the Tan Sau forces out, and once the partners Fook Sau feels this it circles inside and controls the arm.

2. To practice the other side the Fook Sau presses the Tan Sau, which comes over to strike.

3. These changes in energy are small and not exaggerated too much as all feelings should be fine.

4. If you have good reflexes and sensations you should be better able to prevent yourself from being hit.

5. These reflexes should be taught before Chum Kiu.

6. If basics are not followed, Gwau Sau should not be practiced, as if basic exercises are not learned property you would only be lucky if you hit your opponent, because if your opponent is good in his Kung Fu, your mistakes will allow your opponent to hit you and it is not good to trade punches.

5th Stage

1. Chum Kiu is to change position and direction showing how to use footwork.
So after Chum Kiu has been learned you learn how to move in sticking hands.

2. You should use steps, do not use shuffling to move in Chi Sau as you can easily be unbalanced.

3. When moving forward, use either leg and step to 3/4 the distance between your opponents feet.

4. Never step to middle position between opponent’s feet as your body must twist and therefore unbalanced.

5. Never raise foot too high (i.e. as for kicks), as when your foot is lifted you are easily unbalanced.

6. When stepping in Chum Kiu the toes of the moving foot should be close or in contact with the floor, so sliding the front foot in.

7. Mostly you should always have your weight over the back leg, never lean forward, keep hips locked and never step too far.

8. To move back, just step back and pull immediately into stance.

9. When you are in a forward stance you should take the first opportunity to push into basic horse stance.

10. Avoid doing Chi Sau in forward stance as you have only one side to use and it is easy for your opponent to step through your stance.

11. You can move right or left, the stance is flexible, and if your opponents foot, left or right, comes forward, response independently.

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