Wing Chun is a martial art that, like Tai Chi, can be considered an internal martial art. It's forms were first documented around 1850, and it was popularly championed by Bruce Lee in the 1970's. Wing Chun as a martial art can be observed in many kung-fu movies, such as IP man, The Prodigal Son, and Sherlock Holmes.
Here is a young Bruce Lee performing a foundational Wing Chun exercise - 10 sec
The focus of Wing Chun is in efficiency of movement. This also requires an efficiency of mind, in order to realize further boundaries than one's usual physical movements. Hence, Wing Chun is considered an internal martial art as well as being useful as an external force.
Wing Chun is so effective because it organizes your movement to attack and defend most efficiently, according to the challenge in front of you. For instance, if an opponent throws a fist at your neck, Wing Chun will teach you to both defend at your neck and attack at the point your opponent will be weak in the same moment.
Balance is also a heavy component in the practice of Wing Chun. Compared to Tai Chi, which utilizes balance within a personal space, Wing Chun uses the leverage of your opponent's balance to take advantage of any mistakes.
Practicing the core principles of Wing Chun simply requires honing a routine in an intentional way. Practitioners of Wing Chun will perform this routine many times a day:
Standard Wing Chun Forms - 2 min
This is the best minimum routine to begin exploring Wing Chun. After some intentional practice you may notice a similar intentionality and efficiency in your regular movements, as well as a sense of assuredness. This habit of efficient intention may also cross into your problem solving, organization, prioritizing, and other thought processes. This is because Wing Chun requires the mental efforts of intention and self-control as well as the physical efforts of efficient movement and balance. As you focus on all of these aspects through Wing Chun, they perpetuate into other aspects of your life through the similar habit of intention.
Previous Introductions to Various Meditations:
Why Practice Meditation?
Body Scan
Dark Night of the Soul
Walking Power-Breath
Exposure to Fear
Sleep Induction
Mind Clearing
Wow!! Great post! I have a book about tai chi, I have barely touched it and reading this is giving me a sign to read and practice tai chi! I will also check out wing chun! love the post! and thank you for sharing!