The IWKA System is a unique form of Kung Fu based on the Three Treasures of Chinese Martial Arts: Philosophy, Health and the Martial. It is the balance of these three aspects that is so crucially important.
I have studied Wing Chun intensively for the last 26 years. Ten of those years where devoted to almost full time research into the arts history, philosophy, concepts and principles, in locations such as Hong Kong, Mainland China and South East Asia. It has been this hard work that made the difference, by discovering gems that now make up the base of the IWKA System. It has also laid the foundation for the IWKA Curriculum, by putting the pieces together of the various Wing Chun lineages found throughout Asia and arranging it all in a systematic teaching curriculum.
By doing this I have managed to preserve a piece of Chinese culture, while at the same time preparing the student for todays needs in realistic self-defence for the streets, with an emphasis on developing body, mind and energy to higher levels.
The depth of the IWKA System is the part that surprises most people who come into contact with it for the first time. The depth achieved has only been possible by the intensive studying of the following Wing Chun lineages and Ancestor Arts as well as having access to certain materials that could not have come into his hands if it were not for the help of my Sifus and contacts in China.
The lineages studied by me, some in which I have Master degrees and some that I studied in a more superficial manner.
- Ip Man Wing Chun in various forms
- Chan Wah Sun Wing Chun
- Gulo Wing Chun (Leung Jan System)
- Lo family Weng Chun
- Tang Family Weng Chun
- Info from the secret societies
- Yuen Kay San Wing Chun
- Snake Crane Wing Chun
- Yik Kam Wing Chun
- Fukien Wing Chun Bak Hok (Fujian Yong Chun Baihe)
- Several other internal systems, like Huang Taiji and Yang Shao Hou Taiji
- Tai Zo and Lohan plus several other internal related systems to Wing Chun
What is most important to note here is that the studying of the diverse lineages has helped immensely in recuperating certain complete forms. To give one example not many realise that the Ip Man system’s Long Pole form [Luk Dim Poon Kwan] is only a small part of the original Luk Dim Poon Kwan found in the Tang Yick Weng Chun system.
Furthermore the studying of all the lineages was also needed in order to systemise and regain all the concepts and principles once found in the Wing Chun system, but now spread over several lineages.
The Wing Chun system is a system based on ancient Chinese wisdom, deviating from the system’s main concepts, principles, formulas and Kuen Kuits creates an imbalance and loss of maximum efficiency.
Below is a list of SOME of Wing Chuns features present in the Wing Chun System from before the Tai Ping uprising at the point of its creation.
- Song (getting rid of all unnecessary tension), the way of loosening and opening up the body and liberating the force flow paths.
- Absorbing and issuing through the whole body and not only through specific techniques like Bong, Tang or Kau. The whole body is used according to the fusion of the Emei 12 Zhuang engine and Fujan White Crane engine (7 Bows, etc.).
- Using the complete three shapes: the triangle, circle and the straight line, instead of focussing too much on the triangle and straight line.
- Knowledge of detachment and separation of the body, mind and energy (detachment needed for issuing the diverse types of Jin and momentum handling).
- Complete understanding of Ham Hong (empty chest), Lok Bok (dropping shoulder) and Chum Jarn (sinking elbows) and the consequences of not adhering to these concepts.
- Avoiding rigid fixing of the shoulder blades or keeping the torso too tensed. This enables one to sink the opponents force into the ground and rebound it back up (action and reaction force).
- Giving way to force with the whole body instead with just hand techniques.
- The correct control of breathing.
- The knowledge of Chi, the biomechanical/bioelectric energy of the body and its flow throughout the meridians.
- Expert handling in Fa Jin (force flow handling) instead of brute force pushing.
- Using mainly tendon and joint power instead of muscular power.
- The training of bridging and the use of the eyes instead of only contact reflex training.
- Correct understanding of the Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma stance based exactly on the writings and specifications of the founders and writers of the 1800’s Kuen Kuit.
- Understanding the real meaning of terms like sticking and following instead of thinking that following is just running after an opponent with chain punching.
- Real ability to cut the roots of the opponent by internal work.
- The use flow and spontaneity.
- Understanding the details of the forms through the Kuen Kuit, by making them alive and actually useful to train and develop real Kung.
- Knowledge of Kiu Sao Wing Chun’s training method in handling energy from no contact, to contact.
- The Chi Kung part integrated in the set to build up internal power and health.
- Special Wing Chun San Chong (Zhan Zhuang in Mandarin) exercises to build internal power, using the YI and CHI.
- Complete understanding of heaven, human, earth.
- Understanding of sinking.
- Understanding of opening and closing.
- Understanding of Fou Cham Tan To (meaning Float, Sink, Absorb, Spit).
- Knowledge of the Dan Tian, meridians and bubbling wells.
- Understanding of YING YANG (Yam Yeung) in many of the techniques.
- Understanding of Cotton Body.
- Understanding of the Three Rings.
- Correct usage of the Kwa.
- Knowledge of the snake technology from EMEI (the snake slide worm move and under the sleeve Jin, etc.) for handling the joints and energy transfer.
- Knowledge of the Fujian White Crane Technology for the centre line theory, the external shapes and 7 Bows.
- Two types of force flow.
- Four types of Jin release.
- Five ways to execute the Fa Jin by means of detachment.
These by no means are all of the differences between the Wing Chun from before the Tai Ping uprising and most of the modern day lineages. It is important however to note, that some lineages may have some of the above-mentioned points.
Sifu Sergio Pascal Iadarola