Some say that learning Wing Chun alone is a waste of time. You can’t learn a martial art properly without hand to hand contact with an experience practitioner. While this is true, there’s many things you can learn alone, which can supplement your training, while away from a class. Or, if you haven’t got a local Wing Chun school to join, you can at least learn some stand alone basic, which can help if and when you do find a class.
Learning Wing Chun Alone – Benefits
Learning Wing Chun alone can be a nice way to exercise while engaging your mind and learning something new. Wing Chun is also said to have many health benefits. Obviously doing anything physical has a natural benefit of lower blood pressure and activating chemicals in the brain. This can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety; plus a whole host of other mental problems.
The mind – body related benefits are also a massive benefit. Meditation is shown to slow down the mind and help achieve different brain wave frequencies. With Siu Lim Tao – the first hand pattern of Wing Chun, you are training both the mind and the body; focusing on the moving arm and nothing else.
Learning Wing Chun Alone – My Story
At 19 years old I found a Wing Chun class in the UK with a direct connection to Grandmaster Ip Chun in Hong Kong. I didn’t realise how lucky I was until I moved away to another city where the Wing Chun was practically none existent.
Keeping up my studies, I travelled across from Lancaster to Leeds to train with my Sifu for years. (Not bad considering some travelled continents for the knowledge, including my own teacher). During time away from the class I found a deeper appreciation for the hand patterns. In fact the time away from the class forced me to look into the hand patterns in a way I hadn’t previously appreciated.
Siu Lim Tao was particularly important to my Wing Chun as I found out. I practiced diligently every day, since I couldn’t get to classes. I spent at least 30 minutes on the form practicing it as slow as possible during the first section. This had a number of knock-on effects when I resumed the classes:
- Improved focus and stamina
- My positions were better and my hands were never out of position or overcommitted.
- I had a naturally lower stance during practice because of the many hours I had put in doing Siu Lim Tao.
- This meant it was more difficult for partners to move me
There’s power in the first form which can go unappreciated, especially by beginners. I wasn’t interested in the forms when I first began learning and was only interested in chi sau and street oriented training. But I later came to appreciate them.
Learning Wing Chun Alone – Downsides
Of course there are downsides to learning Wing Chun alone too. Ideally learn with a qualified Sifu who has spent at least 10 years studying with someone well qualified. If you don’t have this option, use an online training resource like the one on this site.
You can practice diligently for years and still get it wrong. The benefit of a class is that your positions and structures can be put under test and pressure with an actual class in chi sau (sticky hands). With a proper instructor you are guided and corrected as you make mistakes.
Without the benefit of an instructor or a regular class to attend, it’s easy to pick up bad habits and fall into the habit of practicing them alongside your good ones.
But if you haven’t got these resources at your fingertips, an online resource is far better than nothing!
Access A Free Training Course Covering Siu Lim Tao
You can access the free Wing Chun training videos and learn the basic positions for first form. You’ll learn basic stance, basic positions and use of energy; plus some block and counter movements.
Practice the first form daily and make a habit out of it. Over time you’ll develop a deeper understanding of it if you practice with focused attention and consideration of the principles underlying the practice.
