The Wooden Dummy is recognised as the highest skill in Wing Chun. Hence, the majority of Wing Chun learners consider that learning the moves of the Wooden Dummy will automatically make them a good Wing Chun fighter. Some even feel very happy with themselves and boast about their own achievements to the junior learners.
The moves of the Wooden Dummy are all good for fighting. However, those moves are actually formed by the basic movements of Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu and Biu Gee. They are not uniquely owned by the Wooden Dummy only.
The Skill of the 3 Forms
In fact, the practice of this form is taken as an auxiliary measure for the training of the Wing Chun forms. If your purpose is to practice the skill of the three forms then you should treat the Wooden Dummy as a piece of equipment. Also, try your best to practice the moves and the skill of the three forms on it. You should also try to feel if your goal has been achieved. That is, trying to concentrate the force of the whole body to a particular point. Additionally, induce the opponent’s force for your own use. (That is, to induce the opponent’s force for your own use is one of the basic structure of Biu Gee. It’s the combined effect of you rotating your body and the formation of the whirlpool effect).
If you treat the Wooden Dummy as your opponent, you should try to concentrate your own force. Furthermore, as well as the skill of inducing the opponent’s force, to attack the Wooden Dummy so as to attain the state that your hands can reach any part of the opponent as your mind wishes to do.
Conclusion of the Wooden Dummy
As I said before, if I describe every move of the Wooden Dummy in writing, one will find it difficult to follow. Therefore, it may even lead him away from the principal goal in practicing it. For this reason, I have made up my mind to show you the skill of the forms as well as the Wooden Dummy myself, so that you can feel the mysterious and profound skill of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Read also Chum Kiu Explained by Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin
Chum Kiu Explained by Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin
About The Author
Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin
Chu Shong Tin trained in Ip Man’s school for 14 years and was the main teacher there, teaching for up to 12 hours on some days. The major focus in the early years of his training was the practice of “Siu Nim Tao” (meaning “Tiny Idea”). Which is the first empty-hand form and the essence of Wing Chun. This is because Ip Man used to say: “When well-versed in Siu Nim Tao, the other parts of Wing Chun training will all be well grasped and performed too.”