Leung Sheung Wing Chun - Shanghai Group

My experience with Leung Wing Chun so as taught by David Davila (Kenneth Chung)

"Unlocking the Essence of Soft Wing Chun: A Journey of Taoism and Self-Discovery" by Christoph Busetti

In my experience training with David in the soft approach to Wing Chun, I've discovered two profound revelations. First, I've realized how closely this martial art aligns with the principles of Taoism. Secondly, I've come to understand that focusing on learning countless techniques can inflate one's ego and divert us from the true essence of martial art.
So, how does Wing Chun resonate with Taoism? For me, it's the concepts of "the soft overcomes the hard," being receptive like a valley, and the idea of Wu Wei, which I interpret as cleansing oneself from ego and greed. These concepts are not just philosophical ideas; David demonstrates how to apply them in a practical and logical way, which sets him apart.
Wing Chun is undeniably a journey that spans years, if not a lifetime. There are no shortcuts in this art; it's about continuous hard work, both mentally and physically. It can be frustrating, but it inevitably shapes a new level of consciousness. It's akin to learning a language: amassing a vast vocabulary is meaningless without understanding the grammar. You may impress some people, but you won't effectively communicate without grasping the underlying principles.
When I first encountered Wing Chun in 2000, I was struck by the speed of the movements and the way my hands were manipulated during training – b**g sau, chops, and those lightning-fast chain punches. The training at that time was dominated by complex sequences, with specific responses to each move. I often wondered, "What if the opponent doesn't act as expected? How do I adapt?" The complexity left me puzzled, and my stance was weak, causing frequent balance issues.
I also couldn't fathom where the power came from when executing straight punches without involving the shoulders or waist. These strikes paled in comparison to those in boxing or other martial arts. I believed that hitting the gym and practicing more chain punches would increase my speed and power. I also encountered sore shoulders while practicing chisao, and my teacher's response was that it would improve with time and strengthen my shoulders.
However, these pieces didn't seem to fit together. After a year of training, I moved to Venice for university, continuing to practice chain punches but receiving no formal training until 2011 when I reunited with David in Shanghai.
I decided to learn from him, primarily due to the remarkable finesse he demonstrated during a visit to my apartment in Hangzhou. His touch was powerful yet effortless, natural, and deeply relaxing. This experience opened my eyes to the essence of Wing Chun, a martial art created by a woman: soft yet potent. I understood "soft" as the correct posture that allows Qi to flow naturally without obstructions, filling every part of the body.
The punches he showed me seemed to descend effortlessly upon me, penetrating rather than pushing. I committed myself to this type of Wing Chun, but it was a frustrating journey. It lacked the flashy moves I had initially associated with martial arts. It was monotonous and frustrating. I even started sweating profusely during Siu Lim Tao practice.
Despite the initial boredom, I persisted, realizing that my punches and my overall Wing Chun skills were becoming more robust and substantial. I was entering a new realm of consciousness. My focus shifted to timing, positioning, the connection between knees and elbows, and feelings.
The connection between my knees, back, shoulders, and elbows created a system of elastic bends that, when aligned, generated formidable but penetrating power. It was about being connected and relaxed, not muscle-bound. Siu Lim Tao served as the foundation for this internal work, Nei Gong. Although it may not appear strenuous from the outside, it demanded great patience and a Wu Wei attitude. It was an internal journey, an exploration of feeling and learning to internalize these sensations for practical use.
In each lesson, David corrected our posture, ensuring that we were relaxed and connected. He allowed us to experience the correct movements, focusing on the sensations they generated. After the lesson, it was up to us to reorganize and internalize these concepts, retaining the "feelings" we had discovered.
In the end, much of the work depends on us, as we practice alone, often in front of a mirror, to refine our posture, movements, and connections, striving to recapture those elusive feelings. The depth of knowledge we gain correlates with our ability to shed our egos and embrace the journey.

《詠春心學》從小念頭到無念頭
Wing Chun Mastermind: FROM SIUNIMTAO TO WUNIMTAO

武術不僅僅是一門對抗的藝術，更是一種哲學，一種對生活、對自我、對宇宙的深入探索和體悟。從「鬆、靜、自然」到「空、虛、無求」，每一步都反映了武者對真理、對自然、對生命的更深入的理解和體驗。
Martial arts is so much more than just an art of combat. It is a philosophy, a deep exploration and realization of life, the self, and the universe. From SiuNimTao's "relaxation, stillness, nature" to WuNimTao's "emptiness, void, detachment", each step embodies a martial artist's profound understanding and experience of truth, nature, and life.

在學習「小念頭」初始階段，首先要達到身體的「鬆」，使力量能夠毫無阻礙地在體內流動；內心的「靜」，以確保面對各種情境時能保持冷靜和清醒；而所有的行動和反應都要達到「自然」，既不過度也不不足，如此才能確保動作的效率和精確。
In the beginning stages of SiuNimTao, learners focus on physical "relaxation" to allow unimpeded flow of energy within their bodies. They nurture mental "stillness" to ensure that in the face of any situation, they remain calm and alert. And every action, every reaction should embody "nature" - neither too much nor too little force. This ensures efficiency and precision in every movement.

當身體和技巧達到一定的境界後，學習者開始進入到「無念頭」的階段。在這一階段，「空」的心態使學習者在對抗中不受思緒干擾，讓反應更為迅速；「虛」的身體狀態使其能夠更好地吸收和運用外部力量；而「無求」的心境則讓武者超脫於外界的得失，專注於內在的平和和成長。
As one’s body and skills evolve, they transition into the phase of "mindlessness" in WuNimTao. In this stage, an "empty" state of mind ensures that the martial artist remains undistracted by thoughts, allowing swifter reactions. A "void" physical state allows for better absorption and utilization of external forces. And the mindset of "detachment" elevates the martial artist beyond worldly gains or losses, focusing solely on inner peace and growth.

在遙遠的佛門寺院裡，僧人們誦經念佛，深信「靜能生慧，慧能生智」。而在幽靜的山洞之中，道家弟子修煉著，相信「靈台清靜，靜能生定，定能智慧生」。在繁華的都市裡，儒家學者講學，提倡「靜而後能安，安而後能慮，慮而後能得」。
In the distant Buddhist temples, monks chant and meditate, firmly believing that "stillness births wisdom, and wisdom births intelligence". In the serene mountain caves, Taoist disciples practice, trusting in the philosophy that "from a tranquil mind comes concentration, and from concentration springs wisdom". And in the bustling cities, Confucian scholars teach, advocating "from stillness comes peace, from peace comes contemplation, and from contemplation comes understanding".

大賢《道德經》中的教誨也流傳著，宣稱「靜為躁君」，靜能克服人身上的躁氣。每當武林人士從《昭德新編》中閱讀到「水靜極則形象明，心靜極則智慧生」這句，總是會醍醐灌頂，得到新的領悟。
The teachings from the revered Tao Te Ching resonate, proclaiming "Stillness is the master of unrest. Tranquility can conquer agitation". Every martial artist, when reading from the classic, Zhao Xin Compilation and encountering the line, "When water is still, its reflection is clear; when the mind is still, wisdom emerges", experiences a profound moment of enlightenment.

三國中的蜀漢丞相諸葛亮在他的《誡子書》中寫下了「非淡泊無以明志，非寧靜無以致遠」，而他身旁的武將們，深知人生不僅僅是劍拔弩張的戰場，更是一場追求真理和智慧的旅行。
Zhuge Liang, the esteemed chancellor of the ancient Shu Han dynasty from the Three Kingdoms period, penned in his writings, Admonitions to My Son: "Without detachment, there’s no clarity of purpose; without tranquility, there"s no far-reaching vision". His fellow warriors deeply recognized that life isn't just about battlefield confrontations but a quest for truth and wisdom.

武林裡，人們常說：「人生而靜，心兮本虛。」一些高手修煉後，認為「一動不如一靜，靜者多慧；一滿不如一虛，虛者能容」。在這個紛紛擾擾的武林世界中，只有那些能獨守一份安和寧靜，保持一種空谷平懷的人，才能找到真正的武道和智慧。
In the martial world, it's often said, "Humans are born still, and the heart is inherently empty." Many masters, after years of training, believe "Motion is inferior to stillness; the still are wiser. Fullness is inferior to emptiness; the empty can contain more." In the turbulent world of martial arts, only those who can maintain peace and tranquility, preserving a serene demeanor, can truly discover the path of martial wisdom.

當年，大清的名將曾國藩在遇到困境時，經常回想起他的老師唐鑒先生給他的忠告——靜。每當他靜坐修煉，不僅武技進步，對於如何治國、平定四方的智慧也日益深厚。
Zeng Guofan, a distinguished general from the Qing Dynasty, often reflected upon the advice of his teacher, Mr. Tang Jian, especially during challenging times - to be "still". As he meditated, not only did his martial prowess grow, but his wisdom in governing and pacifying regions deepened.

李小龍說過：夫靜中之靜，非真靜；唯有動中求靜，宇宙律方顯現。
Bruce Lee once said, "The stillness in stillness is not the real stillness; only when there is stillness in movement does the universal rhythm manifest."

而在另一個維度，《道德經》告訴人們：「致虛極，守靜篤，萬物並作，吾以觀復。」武林中的每一位高手都在追求那種「心無掛礙，通曉一切」的境界，因為只有達到這種境界，才能真正的深入了解大道，獲得真正的武道。
In another dimension, the Tao Te Ching advises, "Embrace simplicity, cherish stillness. With all things happening around, I observe its return." Every martial arts master aspires to reach a state where their "heart is unobstructed, understanding all". For in achieving this state, one can truly grasp the Great Way and attain the essence of martial arts.

從前，有位自稱通曉佛道的書生，來到一位隱世的武林高手禪師處論道。但當禪師給他沏茶時，他卻顯示出自己內心的不靜與固執。禪師微笑地告訴他，要想真正了解武道，首先要學會放下。
Long ago, a scholar who claimed to understand both Buddhism and Taoism visited a reclusive martial arts Zen master. But when the Zen master brewed tea for him, the scholar's inner restlessness and stubbornness revealed themselves. The Zen master, with a gentle smile, advised him that to truly understand the martial way, one must first learn to LET GO ...

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In our training, as passed down by Kenneth Chung-David Davila we put great emphasis on mental calm, balance, correct posture and mindful relaxation. Mindfulness practices have also been adapted specifically for treating symptoms of stress. One approach, known as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), is an eight-week program that combines elements of mindfulness and yoga to help people address thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to feelings of stress.

What Are the Benefits of Mindfulness? Some benefits of mindfulness include lower stress, decreased depression, and even better memory. Learn more about how mindfulness can improve well-being.

Founded in Shanghai in 2011, we are a global network of Communities of Practitioners of
​Leung Sheung Wing Chun from the lineage of Kenneth Chung.

Nice feedback from Vytas [Salute]

“Wing Chun was the first martial art I tried and boy I wish I knew what I was getting myself into. Chris is a great teacher of this complex system, with in-depth knowledge of both, body mindfulness and applied skills, as well as how they combine to form the Leung Sheung lineage. Thanks to his past experience in various combat styles, teacher Chris has a good understanding of what’s effective and how to achieve that. Expect impact achieved through refining your skills, not flashy moves seen in movies. “

Vytas