Most people don't realize the actual purpose for the wooden dummy to even answer this question properly anyway.
On the surface, it's just another way to practice the movements of wing chun. With the dummy you have an instrument that can provide you with subtle feedback on your stance and structure.
From the neija perspective, there's a reason why it's not hit at full power, and there's a reason why it's not used to "condition" the arms. The reason is because the dummy is meant as a tool to develop a natural heavy hand (or internal power) You tap it naturally...projecting the intent of your energy into the center of the dummy. Even the movements on the dummy's arms should be directed toward the center / base. From this perspective the dummy is meant to further ingrain the movements of wing chun hand forms, structure alignment, and footwork like the saam gok ma. It develops soft power.
From the wujia perspective, the dummy can be used to condition the body, harden the fists, arms and legs. This type of training can give you a cardiovascular workout, it can toughen up the skin, and in essence becomes very much like a heavy bag, but with the arms and leg providing an obstruction to work around.
All in all however, the dummy is still a dead tool. Using it requires use of ones imagination because you're not getting any true stimulus for action with the dummy. So while the dummy can help with structure, stepping, muscle memory, skin and bone conditioning, internal power, and the like...it does not help with timing, working off triggers (reaction), or how to counter counters for example. It does not teach you the finer points of fighting interaction, continuous spatial orientation, or recovery from getting hit, for example.
The dummy has its uses...but skill in fighting can be had without using the dummy at all.
Last edited by SAAMAG; 05-05-2010 at 02:51 PM.
"I don't know if anyone is known with the art of "sitting on your couch" here, but in my eyes it is also to be a martial art.
It is the art of avoiding dangerous situations. It helps you to avoid a dangerous situation by not actually being there. So lets say there is a dangerous situation going on somewhere other than your couch. You are safely seated on your couch so you have in a nutshell "difused" the situation."