Fight like Ip Man and get fit: Wing Chun takes flight in Singapore

Wing chun students Tan Jin Kiat (right), 44, and Ken Tan (left), 31, practising moves during a class at Dennis Lee Ving Tsun Martial Arts Association (Singapore) at Selegie Road on Feb 21, 2018.
Wing chun students Tan Jin Kiat (right), 44, and Ken Tan (left), 31, practising moves during a class at Dennis Lee Ving Tsun Martial Arts Association (Singapore) at Selegie Road on Feb 21, 2018. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Signature moves in Wing Chun: ON-GUARD STANCE WITH HAND AND RAISED LEG (JONG SAU HEI KEOK): This pose can be taken against an attacker who is charging towards you. From here, you can easily guard against either a punch or kick.
Signature moves in Wing Chun: ON-GUARD STANCE WITH HAND AND RAISED LEG (JONG SAU HEI KEOK): This pose can be taken against an attacker who is charging towards you. From here, you can easily guard against either a punch or kick.
LOW SLAP WITH GUARDING HAND (DEI PAK SAU, WU SAU): A slap deflects attacks from your lower body. Regardless of whether other punches are coming in from the left or right, your other hand is also ready to deflect them.
LOW SLAP WITH GUARDING HAND (DEI PAK SAU, WU SAU): A slap deflects attacks from your lower body. Regardless of whether other punches are coming in from the left or right, your other hand is also ready to deflect them.
DISPERSING HAND WITH LOW PALM STRIKE (TAN SAU DEI JEONG): Your palm, when used in the right way, can be stronger than your fist. Striking an attacker (far left) with your palm can potentially damage his ribcage while you use the other arm (left) to
DISPERSING HAND WITH LOW PALM STRIKE (TAN SAU DEI JEONG): Your palm, when used in the right way, can be stronger than your fist. Striking an attacker (far left) with your palm can potentially damage his ribcage while you use the other arm (left) to deflect his attack.
WINGED HAND (BONG SAU): Roll one's forearm out and push the elbow up. This technique can be used to deflect straight punches.
WINGED HAND (BONG SAU): Roll one's forearm out and push the elbow up. This technique can be used to deflect straight punches.
SLAP AND SIDE STRIKE (PAK, FATT): In Wing Chun, having the side of your body face an attacker is not desirable as this leaves the area exposed to harm. However, this move (left) can be used to strike an attacker from the side, pushing him away (far l
SLAP AND SIDE STRIKE (PAK, FATT): In Wing Chun, having the side of your body face an attacker is not desirable as this leaves the area exposed to harm. However, this move (left) can be used to strike an attacker from the side, pushing him away (far left).
TRAPPING HAND (KWAN SAU): A deflecting and defending stance that restricts the attacker's movements, thus creating a ''trap''.
TRAPPING HAND (KWAN SAU): A deflecting and defending stance that restricts the attacker's movements, thus creating a ''trap''.
SLAP AND HIT (PAK DA): This move (left) slaps away any oncoming attack, especially fast punches, leaving room for you to strike the attacker (far left).
SLAP AND HIT (PAK DA): This move (left) slaps away any oncoming attack, especially fast punches, leaving room for you to strike the attacker (far left).
TURNING STANCE WITH PUNCH (ZHUN MA CE KEUN): Rotating the body creates a force that can be used to power a strong punch to an attacker.
TURNING STANCE WITH PUNCH (ZHUN MA CE KEUN): Rotating the body creates a force that can be used to power a strong punch to an attacker.
DARTING HAND (BIU SAU): A move that is both a block and a strike. It can deflect straight punches to the head (left), as well as strike the attacker's eyes, neck or throat.
DARTING HAND (BIU SAU): A move that is both a block and a strike. It can deflect straight punches to the head (left), as well as strike the attacker's eyes, neck or throat.

Practitioners of Wing Chun say learning the martial art has helped them pick up defence skills as well as improve their health

Published: 
Feb 25, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
bang@sph.com.sg
@benson_ang

Last Wednesday evening, 16 students in a class in Selegie Road were told to emulate a tree.

"Your feet should be like roots, grounded," says Singaporean Wing Chun instructor Andy Chia. "Your torso should be like a trunk, straight and solid. But your hands should be like branches, soft and flexible, to redirect any blows."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on February 25, 2018, with the headline 'Fight and get fit'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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