Please answer this, it's really important to me !

[TzuChan]

Hi,

So as most of you know I'm going to start Wing Chun this summer, but I have a problem now :

I see some guys that teach "Wing Chun" and some that teach "Wing Tzun", and the one near me is Wing Tzun, but tell me, is there any difference between both of em ? Or is it just a different spelling ?

Please tell me, cause I have been reading all about Wing CHun and don't want to learn another style.

THANKS !

Wing Chun is h o l l y

[Highlander]

Not really a differenct is the sence that they both teach Wing Chun principles and concepts. They have the same root. But there are going to be different things emphasized. The methods of training are a little different. But basically you will also find differences from school to school in the same lineage. So the differences are of little importance. The main thing is find a school you like and a Sifu you respect. It is better to evaluate each school individually than to make a blanket judgement about a lineage

[Wei Sui]

Whether wing chun, ving tsun, wing tzun, etc...as mentioned, the principles are very similar. The key is to find a good school to teach these principles...to me, the spelling of the name of the art wouldn't much matter.

Check out both schools, see which you prefer...IMO, it doesn't matter if it's Wing chun or tzun.
Cheers and good luck!

dai yut tow dai :)

[S.Teebas]

Find a teacher that can kick your ass, then when you can kick his ass move to next teacher who can still kick you ass...even though you can alot of other asses.

You might not find the right school at first, but as you gain skill you will know what is real and what is fake. I practice WC and prefer it, but there are a lot of crappy WC schools out there as well. I was lucky enought to find a relly good one. But if you find that the WT school is better in your area then i'd practice there.

When i was looking for a school i looked for the scariest teacher (scary as in if he went ape on me) and thought "fu(k that's scary....teach me to be scary too" :)

[Sihing73]

Hello,

Not so sure that finding the "scariest" teacher is always a good idea. There are many people who may be able to fight but not impart that knowledge to others. I think you would be far better off training with someone who can teach you rather than just going for the "who can beat me" mentality. IMHO this type of thinking is a bit dangerous as the person may not be qualified to "teach" and you could end up being his punching bag :(

As to the difference between Wing Chun/Wing Tsun/WingTsun/Ving Tsun etc :p The main difference is in how they apply the same priciples and techniques as everyone else does. But, as already mentioned, this will vary from instructor to instructor even within the same lineage. Wing Tsun/WingTsun is notable in that it emphasizes placing all of the weight on ones rear foot. It is also somewhat softer than some others. However the only thing that could be considered an advatage, IMHO, is that Wing Tsun is more standardized than many others. What this means to you is that if you train in one school and then move on to somewhere else, and there is a Wing Tsun school there too, you can pretty much pick up where you left off.

One thing I would caution against is to become too narrow minded. Realize that everyone has something to offer and keep an open mind. Although there are times when you may want to be weighted 0/100 there are other times when 50/50 is better or even 40/60 ;) Learn whatever method you choose to but make the art a part of you not the other way around. At this point of your journey it is more important that you start and develope a firm foundation in one method rather than if you take Wing Chun or Wing Tsun. Learn the concepts and internalize them and then, if you choose to, you can build upon this foundation and branch out to other lineages/methods in the future.

Peace,

Dave

[TzuChan]

But could some-one tell me the difference between WC and WT, regardless the teacher, pure theory, what's the difference ?

Wing Chun is h o l l y

[JasBourne]

You're getting yourself all worked up - by the time you actually start training, you'll be burned out on the whole idea! ;)

Folks are right - if you have a good instructor you respect, the differences in the branches are minor. Study whatever kung-fu (chinese for "skill aquired through hard work over time") your teacher shares with you. Learn the concepts, learn who you are inside, learn how to apply the concepts in harmony with yourself.

Relax around things like 'what moves do I make' and 'what drills do I do to increase speed', etc etc. That is what your training is for, and why you have a teacher. You won't get solid training from this board :D Power and speed and accuracy will come with dilligent practice of the skills your sify teaches you.

This is a great time for you to take a good look at the commitment you are making - decide whether you want to be a Martial Artist, or someone who does martial arts. I suggest a very good book called "Living the Martial Way : A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think", by Forrest E. Morgan.

Ummm... and not watching a whole bunch of kungfu movies would probably also be a good idea :D

peace,
Jas

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[Highlander]

Tzu`Chan ........ I agree with all the opinions previously posted, but if you looking for the simplified answer to why there is a different spelling, here it is.

Wing Tsun is Leung Tings lineage, he was a student of Yip Man. William Cheung and Ho Kam Ming (also students of Yip Man) spell it Wing Chun. Ip Man, son of Yip Man spells it Wing Chun. William Cheung is based in Austrailia, an english speaking country. Ho Kam Ming is based in Canada, another english speaking country (sort of). Leung Ting has a very strong root in Germany. Now this may account for the different spellings, but I don't know for sure. In Hong Kong it has another name and spelling, but I can't remember it right now. The point is the spelling is insignificant. The name has gone through different translations. Just check out the school, ask about the lineage, and enjoy your training. We all have a general understanding of the family tree, but our knowledge of our own branch is going to be the most extensive. So talking about the differences is hard since we are limited in our knowledge of the other branches. But finding a good school and Sifu is all that is important. :)

[Wei Sui]

I am not from Kan Sifu's Lineage but what he says makes sense:

****************
(from Sifu Kan's website originating from Combat)

"COMBAT: Why do we see the variety of spellings in Wing Chun? For example the spelling you use is 'Ving Tsun' or Wing Tsun?

VICTOR KAN: It comes from Hong Kong as originally most of the Sifus at that time could not speak English very well. Therefore, there are differences in pronunciation and spelling according to to each Sifu, though actually it is the same style meaning 'Forever Spring'. "
********************

Don't stress the name, stress the art. Go check out those schools:)

dai yut tow dai :)

[TzuChan]

Those last couple of answers saved me :-)

Sorry but I needed to know, cause I have been reading about Wing Chun and Wing Tzun as if they were the same, but some dude mailed me telling me Wing Tzun used more muscles and ****, but I told him too it was but a difference in spelling.

Thanks alot, my brain started to hurt :)


Thanks again !

Wing Chun is h o l l y

[S.Teebas]

Maybe i used the wrong words to express what i ment to say. I looked for a teacher that really inspired me. i believe that alot of people who practice MA's just arn't inspired to achieve great skill (thought not all) . But this guy impressed me a hell of a lot. And if ever i get in the slumps about my training i remember my goal of being able to display this high level of skill and control... it keeps me going

[kungfu cowboy]

Hate to burst your bubble, but there ARE schools who take VERY different approaches to interpreting the principles and methods of wing chun. The most basic are probably the difference in using muscular force or not, and a hard vs soft approach.

[Highlander]

Kungfu Cowboy ........ This is very true. That is why each school has to be looked at individually. Even within a specific lineage you will have variations. After all both William Cheung and Leung Ting are from the Yip Man lineage yet their styles are different. Equally, I would bet they both have good and bad students that teach. Therefore, a school should have a good verifiable lineage, and that lineage may give some general insights, but ultimately it is that specific school that has to be evaluted.