Known as Kuen To, or “Fist Form”, the forms of Wing Chun
provide complete “texts” of the entire art. They are much
more than simple collections of technique. The Kuen To
contain every principle within Wing Chun, and also contain
the internal energy training needed to effectively express the art.
There are only three empty hand forms in Wing Chun (compared to as
many as 20 in other martial arts); they are Siu Lim Tao (The Little
Idea), Chum Kiu (Seeking the Bridge), and Biu Tze (Thrusting Fingers).
These three forms are each the basis for the three training levels of
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Wing Chun only needs three because
of its principle oriented nature. The forms do not ask the practitioner
to pretend he is fighting an imaginary opponent, they are to be used to
practice proper technique, gain an understanding of the fighting principles,
and to develop power. It is in dedicated Kuen To practice that the student
develops Wing Chun’s creative fighting abilities.
Once technique and power are learned, the student applies the knowledge gained from forms training through the unique Chi Sao exercise. Once Kuen To and Chi Sao are combined, the student becomes an effective practitioner of Wing Chun by being able to move about in an armor of correct fighting principles, able to adapt to an infinite variety of situations.