Review of Chu Shong Tin's Ving Tsun Kuen DVD

Customer/3rd Party Review: This review was done by a customer/3rd party and is listed here for you reference only. The views and opinions of the reviewer are not those of Everything Wing Chun and do not necessarily reflect EWC's views or opinions on the subject matter. It is posted, like all customer reviews, to give you more info on the product and to give you different opinions on a product so that you can make the best decision for yourself about its content. The review is NOT by an EWC employee or contractor and EWC cannot stand by anything said in any customer/3rd party review. Enjoy!

Reviewer: George Hernandez
Date: February 21, 2011

DVD Bought on: Everything Wing Chun : http://www.everythingwingchun.com/chu-shong-tin-wing-chun-dvds-books-s/125.htm
This DVD is also available for download on Everything Wing Chun Instant Access

Technical Specifications:

Title: Chu Shong Tin – Three Forms, Mook Jong (Wooden Dummy) Dragon Pole form and basic applications
Language: Cantonese
Region: Region 3 restricted – playable on a US DVD player with proper codec, e.g.Phillips Portable DVD Player: Model PET741/37
Format: DVD-R
Number of Disk: 1
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Length: approximately three hours

What It’s About:

Master Chu presents a discussion and demonstration of the three forms of Wing Chun Kung Fu, Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu and Bil Jee. He also provides a demonstration of the Mook Jong set and the Dragon Pole forms both with applications.

Comments:

This DVD is similar to the instructional seminar series conducted in Sidney Australia. However, there are differences in content and explanatory narrative. If you speak Cantonese, you shouldn’t have any problems in understanding what is said and demonstrated. If you have attended the seminars in Australia, or purchased the Master Chu Shong Tin, Wing Chun seminar series from “Everything Wing Chun,” it shouldn’t be a problem for you either. If you’re a beginning Wing Chun student, however, this DVD perhaps would not be the best option for you.

Master Chu demonstrates all three forms in this DVD, and emphasizes how important the Si Nim Tao form, is in establishing a strong foundation and how structure contributes to the movements and applications of Chum Kiu and Bil Jee.

You will also get instructional detail which is not specifically demonstrated in the Australian seminar series. In this DVD he shows how crucial circular motion is in all three forms, not only in the larger movements which are readily apparent, but also at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. If you’re familiar with cars that use a drive train in transferring power to the back wheels, then you’re probably aware of the universal joints connecting the drive shaft to the transmission and differential gear complex. I hope that analogy isn’t too confusing. However, at the very least, I trust you’re able perceive that the forearm is like the drive shaft of a car. In Wing Chun you’re only concerned with how you move from the elbow and wrist…it is the movement of the wrist that controls the hand and the elbow directs the hand where it needs to go. Consequently, in reference to the entire body, it is the proper motion of all the joints and the projection of the “Body Mass”, particularly as it’s rotating that gives technique its power.

I must remind you that the application of the “Mind Force” is essential in making the technique natural and successful. Forceful movement stressed with tension or “muscle mind” will only spoil your training in applying Wing Chun technique, as it was originally taught by Ng Moy as an internal system of Kung Fu.

The section I enjoyed the most in this DVD, was Master Chu’s demonstration of Mook Jong Training. In the beginning of his demonstration, he gives a thorough description of the wooden dummy as it applies to all three forms while showing quite expertly how some of the basic movements are applied in the first section of the Mook Jong set. For example, he turns to one of his senior students and shows how the application works on a person in different “hand” scenarios (e.g. Bong Sau, Tan Sau and Kuen Sau hands and uses this approach throughout the demonstration of the entire wooden dummy set).

Of further interest in Master Chu’s demonstration from the Mook Jong set is his showing of different hand techniques with various kicks. Of course hand and kicking techniques come right out of the second and third forms of Wing Chun. The last part of this DVD is a demonstration of the Dragon Pole form, the proper stance training associated with it and basic applications.

If you think Wing Chun is strictly a hard style and linear in motion, I must tell you it is not! You will readily understand what I mean the more you observe and listen to Master Chu in person, or by watching his Wing Chun DVD series.
For those who are only interested in applications specific to each form you will certainly get that in this DVD. It is packed with useful demonstrations for any experienced student or teacher capable in grasping the internal aspects of Wing Chun concepts. If you already have in your collection the Master Chu Shong Tin, Australian Seminar Series, this DVD would certainly be a welcomed addition, as well as a valuable investment.
 

Content Overview, All Cantonese Version

• Introduction
• The Three Forms
  • Discussion of specifics as related to each form in Wing Chun
  • Siu Nim Tao
    • The three stages of Development
    • Demonstration of Principles with Student
      • Circular movement in 1st form
      • Using Bong Sao as an example
  • Chum Kiu
    • Movement/ Rotation.
    • The forms relationship with Siu Nim Tao
    • Demonstration of Principles of Chum Kiu
      • The body mass motion
      • The elbow and rotation
      • Circular motion in Chum Kiu
      • Sinking the Elbow and Rotation
      • Rotation using the legs
  • Bi Jee
    • Integration of the first two forms.
    • Dependent on 1st and 2nd forms
    • The Circular Motion in Bil Jee
    • Relaxed motion and power
    • Demonstration of principles with Student
      • Application of the Hands and Arms
      • Application of the legs
      • Application of the last upward movement in the form using two hands
• Wooden Dummy
  • Basic orientation to the Wooden Dummy
    • Demonstrated solo movements of the Mook Jong form
    • Demonstrated applications of the Mook Jong form
    • Applied principles from the three forms
• The Butterfly Sword Form
  • Demonstration of the form by Master Chu
  • Discussion of the principles of the Butterfly Sword Movements
    • The rotation of the knifes
    • Forward movement of the knifes
    • Rotation in using the knifes
• The Dragon Pole
  • Demonstration of form by Master Chu
  • Demonstration of basic applications
    • Downward movement of the pole
    • Sideward/downward movement of the pole
    • Sideward movement extending the arms
    • Sideward movement and bringing the arms back
    • Stance practice and punching for the development of skill in the Dragon Pole form applications.
    • Learning how to use the pole in a basic standing posture and sitting posture.
    • Learning how to use the pole in a sitting posture and stepping pattern movement.
• Concluding Remarks
  • Review of Wind Chun Principles Discussed