WingTsun and ChiKung – two sides of the same coin
ChiKung and WingTsun influence each other positively.
The EWTO ChiKung has developed significantly in parallel to WingTsun. It is on a completely different level today than it was in the 1990s.
ChiKung has in common with WingTsun the approach of not teaching techniques, but a universal approach to the goal pursued. It is a system to “learn to move.” In WingTsun we learn natural combat skills, in ChiKung we rediscover lightness, well-being and health.
The ChiKung team implemented the developments of our WingTsun – such as ReakTsun and “Rumpf ist Trumpf” – in parallel, thereby giving ChiKung a completely new direction: towards the implementation of WingTsun on the third level. In ChiKung, combat situations and applications are left out. This makes it easier to concentrate entirely on the other aspects. This enables the implementation of the new (old) WT principles without fear and stress filters.
In addition to the health benefits, this also brings advantages in WingTsun – a big plus for the WT learner: he can get to know his body better in ChiKung, become lighter and smoother when moving. And this without having to stretch excessively, because stretching is only one way to gain mobility, albeit more limited than with sensorimotor training (see below).
All contents of the ChiKung promote health and physical abilities for WingTsun at the same time
The ChiKung form, consisting of parts from SiuNimTau, ChamKiu, BiuDjie, Gesundheits-SNT, moves through the whole body and warms up. The trunk mobility is trained intensively here.
In body exercises specifically developed for ChiKung, you learn to consciously relax the opposing muscles in the action. So the active muscle can achieve full performance. Muscle coordination is strengthened and self-timing trained because multiple body parts are involved in a single movement. The exercises are designed in such a way that the entire body does not have to work, rather than an isolated muscle area – if only so as not to tip over. This teaches to activate the whole muscle chain at the same time, which is necessary for movement and dynamic stabilization of the body in motion: more power for movement and standing.
The aim of functional stretching in ChiKung is to maintain a smoother connective tissue and increased blood flow by tensing and relaxing the muscles, relaxing the nervous system. Feeling your own body through the intense feeling of stretching can be an effective way for people with less physical awareness to perceive themselves better.
Sensorimotor training is of central importance in both WingTsun and ChiKung. In order for our mobility, the motor system, to be really efficient, it needs control commands from the nervous system. These are based on the feedback from our sensory perceptions, the sensors. This interaction is known as sensorimotor function and can be optimized through targeted training.
Similar to ChiSao, ChiGörk and ReakTsun, there are partner exercises in ChiKung that teach you to control your body under the influence of your partner. By completely eliminating the combative aspect in the so-called “SensoDuo”, you can really concentrate here on pure movement learning – which in turn will bear fruit in the WingTsun ability. Even more directly, the so-called “SensoUno” exercises can teach you to move your body in a more targeted, relaxed and easy way. With a reference movement at the beginning and at the end of an exercise, you immediately get feedback on what has improved.
Teach energetic exercises, breathing exercises, perceptual exercises,
to consciously relax and focus and calm the nervous system. Prerequisites that we absolutely need in the area of fighting!
All that remains is the request:
Get to know ChiKung!