Cham Kiu

Cham Kiu

Seeking the bridge

The Second Form of Lo Man Kam Wing Chun

Author: Marc Debus et al.

Translated by Tim Bostick

Schreibstark-Verlag

Saalburgstr. 30

61267 Neu-Anspach

“Wing Chun Kuen”

Calligraphy by Sifu Lo Man Kam

1. Foreword

After the publication of our first two books, Siu Lim Tao and The Lo Man Kam Wing Chun System, we are now happy to present the book on the second form Cham Kiu.

We hadn’t expected to achieve such a huge success with the first two books. The book Siu Lim Tao was translated into English and thereby gained a large readership in English-speaking countries. Therefore we decided to offer the second book, The Lo Man Kam Wing Chun System, in English as well.

Because of the great interest in the Wing Chun system of Sifu Lo Man Kam, we decided to provide everyone interested in the second form an overview in written format.

Once again, many of our friends worked on this book. Even Sifu Lo Man Kam assisted in words and deeds and was a great help (just as in training). We especially appreciated the help of Gorden Lu, his son. Gorden is not only our Sihing (elder training brother) but has also become a good friend over the years.

Therefore we were very glad to have convinced Gorden to produce the pictorial for the Cham Kiu form together with Frank Kuhnecke. Gorden took time to visit and was so helpful in publishing this book, despite the fact that he had just opened his school in Virginia Beach. There he teaches Wing Chun from both Sifu Lo Man Kam and Sifu Duncan Leung, whose system he also learned.

We hope all our readers enjoy our new book

Sifu Lo Man Kam and his disciples in Germany

2. Cham Kiu: The Second Form of the Wing Chun System

By Marc Debus

After one has learned the first form of Wing Chun kung fu, Siu Lim Tao (“Little Idea”), and the exercises that go along with it, the second form of the system, Cham Kiu, follows.

The word Cham means ‘seeking’ and kiu means ‘bridge’ or ‘leading arm’. Therefore, one frequently sees the translations ‘seeking the bridge’ or ‘seeking the opponent’s arms’.

The Cham Kiu form of Lo Man Kam Wing Chun is taught in three sections, exactly like the first form. In the second form there are movements already learned in the first. For this reason, the first form is a prerequisite to learning the second one. In Cham Kiu, body movements are added to the arm movements. The students learn to carry out the arm techniques along with the body movements.

The students also learn the first turns. These Cham Kiu turns are done on the heel. The body turns 180 degrees, and the feet are placed at a 45-degree angle from the rest of the body. Weight is distributed evenly on both feet. The students have to learn to execute these turns in a controlled manner. If they turn too far or the feet aren’t set properly, the stance is not stable. The ‘turned’ stance of Cham Kiu (Hor Ma) is also the fighting stance of Wing Chun kung fu.

Furthermore, step techniques also appear in the second form. The students learn to move forward and simultaneously use arm techniques. This simultaneous execution of leg and arm techniques requires a lot of bodily coordination. Extensive training in this form enables the arm and leg movements to become optimally aligned with each other. Correct movements and positions in the form grant the fighter stability.

Cham Kiu also teaches the first kick techniques of the system. The first kick in the form is the front kick, which is also one of the most important ones in Wing Chun. The balance necessary for this technique is the foundation for all other kicks.

The second form is also an important advancement for those training. There are turns, steps, kicks, and movements in the system that improve the coordination, mobility, and stability of the practitioners. At the same time, students learn to coordinate arm and leg movements in order to generate even more power via the combination.

3. The Cham Kiu Form

By Gorden Lu

A few hundred years have passed since the creation of the martial art, Wing Chun. This art leaves behind the wisdom of many important concepts to learn and practice. Unfortunately, there were few written documents detailing this art since Wing Chun was mainly taught through the oral tradition. Since this art was taught from person to person without the benefit of written documentation, the history, movements and theories have had a number of different interpretations, sometimes misinterpretations.

The second form of Wing Chun is called Cham Kiu. The Chinese representation is

The English interpretation literally means ‘seeking the bridge’. In terms of methodology, ‘bridging the gap’ is more in accord with Wing Chun theory.

Other Chinese words are pronounced almost the same as Cham Kiu but the meaning is totally different.

This one means ‘sinking the bridge’. Because of the similarity in pronunciation, sometimes people think this is the meaning of the second form. ‘Sinking the bridge’ can be a movement or technique to use but is not a name of a form.

Like other forms of Wing Chun, there are always key ideas that practitioners need to learn. The first form emphasized the ideas of Wing Chun movements. The second form is more dynamic and emphasized the actual application of Wing Chun. The intent here is to summarize the principles and ideas of the form in order to introduce the philosophy of Sifu Lo Man Kam’s Wing Chun style.

3.1. Generate arm movement’s power:

- Chuen Sao trains the student to generate power by extending the shoulder and pushing the elbow together to shoot the arm towards an opponent’s center. “Chuen” in Chinese means thread or pass through an object. Chuen Sao is the first movement of the second form which pushes the two arms with vertical palms up and to a forward position.

- The power of opposite direction can be seen from the first form at the last two exercises ‘Tue Sao’ and ‘Punch’. This teaches the generation of power by pulling one arm back and pushing another arm forward to create a stronger and better power from the opposite direction. In the second form this same theory is applied but with different moves such as, Jip Sao, Palm strike, Lan Sao and uppercut. (Photo-1)

Photo 1: Generate the movement power

3.2. Footwork and mobility:

Wing Chun footwork can generate significant power by combining movements of the waist, horse stance, and shoulder (Photo-2). Using ‘Waist, Horse, and Shoulder’ represents long bridge power, and ‘Waist, Horse, and Elbow’ represents short bridge power. The second form’s footwork initially has a turning exercise with a double Lan Sao. The core concept is not to teach proper Lan Sao (as the first form already taught correct Lan Sao movement). Rather, it is to teach the combination of ‘Waist, Horse, and Elbow’ in one movement together to obtain a good rotation and turning power.

Photo 2: Gorden Lu shows the Wing Chun turning

It is also important to have a good footwork structure while turning your horse. This structure is designed for later exercises such as the two different Bong Sao step forward movements after the kicks. A question commonly asked about the form is why the Lan Sao is done side to side in a 180゜rotation. This is unlike other turning exercises that involve a much smaller angle. The reason for this goes back to the Wing Chun training theory where students are taught the most difficult methods first and then the easy ones next. If one can turn 180゜, then 90゜, 60゜, or 45゜becomes much easier to learn. The same is true of training the chain punches. If one can do five fast punches at once, then performing three punches will be easier and faster. Therefore, in the second form the rest of the turning movements all cover less than 180゜. The second form’s footwork is not the only concept emphasized. Hand and leg coordination is very important as well. For examples, students need to have a good control arm positioning and a good timing for pull and push power required for the section of Lan Sao and Bong Sao turning exercises. Students need to have good timing and structure on pushing the Bong Sao side way while simultaneously stepping forward. Power is also generated from the back leg. By pushing the back leg while stepping forward, power is transferred from the heel to both elbows. This is similar to the stepping forward with two Bong Sao exercise. (Photo-3)

Photo 3: Stepping forward with double Bong Sao

Turning:

- Both feet should always maintain contact with the ground. Keep the heels on the same spot and turn with the soles. While turning, firmly grip the ground with the toes. When doing the turns, the direction of the feet should at least be parallel or toes pointing in while maintaining the same gap from the horse stance.

- The second form turning exercises also provide the opportunity to apply the power of turning and stability of the body structure while turning and using the power from the ground by the heels.

- The second form turning exercises emphasizes a variety of arm movement with different angles of turning. These movements are the main ideas that teach the students to learn the different ways of “building the bridge” on give and take to contact an opponent’s arms.

Stepping and jamming:

In Wing Chun fighting theory, there is a way of fighting where one steps in to let the body and footwork press forward, simultaneously jamming in with control and an attack that covers the opponent’s arms and body. This step is called ‘Bik Shen Po Bo’. (Photo-4)

In fact, this is also one of several ways to generate short bridge power during the short bridge fighting method. Bik Shen Po Bo is used frequently when performing Chi Sao or some fighting drills to complement close-range follow-up techniques.

Photo 4: Bik Shen Po Bo

Kicks:

There are two types of kicks involved in the second form. The first kick involves a straight forward pushing motion. This is done by kicking out the leg from a knee-up position. The power is generated from the ground leg pushing the heel of the kicking leg thrusting it forward to an opponent. Due to the method of this kick, gaining bigger power will require a bigger move. In Wing Chun fighting theory, a fight is not usually initiated with this kick. The best way to injure the opponent with this kick is to have a good strategy and good timing. For example, you can create a chance to use chain punches to chase the opponent and while he is busy covering the upper part and moving backward, this opens enough of a gap to knee-up and kick his midsection. Another kick is accomplished by twisting the hip and the waist to provide a power swing and kick to the side. This kick comes out from the side to the center and is usually used to kick an opponent’s leg or to counter an opponent’s kicking attack. This kick can initiate an attack or be used simultaneously when an opponent starts a kick.

The way to build the bridge:

In Wing Chun each form has different ways to build the bridge; the intent here is to point out some of the principles and ideas of the way to build the bridge.

Checking hand – When there is no contact with your opponent but are still within a close distance, one can initiate a move by shooting the hand towards an opponent such as ‘Fa Sao’, ‘Punch’, or ‘Sa Sao’ to draw your opponent’s hand out to make contact and build a bridge. (Checking hand is not a main attack but is a setup movement. It always needs to be accompanied with a follow up attack. Pretend to attack the head by checking hand, but really do a strike on lower part or kick on his leg.) (Photo 5)

Photo 5: Checking hand

Intercept – ‘Lan Sao’ is a typical hand for interception. In the second form, Lan Sao always works with turning the horse. That means to have good structure and power of Lan Sao, footwork is most important. In Wing Chun, many movements can be used for interception; Lan Sao is just one example from the second form. In fact, Pak Sao Jam, Gaan Sao forward, and Tan Sao can all be interception techniques.

Borrow – To use an opponent’s bridge, which means the hand has already connected with the opponent’s hand. In this situation, one can create a counter attack with ‘Pak Da’, ‘Bong Sao Lap Da’ or other techniques. When your Wing Chun skills improve, you can also borrow your opponent’s power from his arm(s) to create better power when fighting back or to redirect the opponent’s power from his arm(s) to create an opening for the follow-up:

‘Bik Shen Po Bo’ can be used in this situation.

Stick - As implied by the name, this means to stick with an opponent’s arms. When contact is made with an opponent, one can stick and control an opponent’s arms from his various hand techniques and body position changes. Sticking the bridges is a strategy used in Wing Chun fighting. In the second form, turning and stepping with hand exercises are also designed for a practitioner to easily adapt to any situation and react with follow-up techniques to perform good control and fighting skills.