Challenge fights in Hong Kong in 1950s - and using internal Wing Chun in self defense

www.mindfulwin...
some interesting stories told by Chu Shong Tin (and Nima King) regarding challenge/rooftop fights in Hong Kong in the early days of Ip Man's teaching.
*A note about this channel the lineage:
Sifu Nima King is the owner and team leader of Mindful Wing Chun, a CST Wing Chun school in Hong Kong with affiliations around the world. Mindful Wing Chun is wholeheartedly dedicated to passing on the internal wing chun method as passed down by Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin who was the longest serving student of Grandmaster Ip Man. Chu Shong Tin lived with Ip Man for 5 years (1950-1955) and was coined the title ' the king of siu nim tao' by his master Ip Man.
He was a legend in the world of Wing Chun (in particular the internal method of wing chun) and spent 64years passing it on full-time before he passed away in 2014. Nim King practiced under hin in Hong Kong for 9 years and established Mindful Wing Chun under CST's guidance. Nima is also on the board of Directors for the 'Chu Shong Tin Alumni' which is a group of senior students of CST that were hand picked by him to establish the Alumni and to uphold and continue his teachings and Wing Chun legacy after he passed away.
Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin was a very humble and low-key Wing Chun Master therefore its only after we began putting his videos online, that people started to hear about him. In fact, majority of the main Wing CHun teachers (of the Ip Man lineage) who began practice in the 50s and early 60s (apart of Leung Sheung and Lok Yiu) were trained by CST even-though they were Ip Man's students. This is due to CST being the most snr and main teacher of Ip Man's school in those days.
Nima was lucky to start his practice under CST in 2005 because that's when CST decided to change his teaching to all internal practice so that he can pass on "Nim Tao' and 'Nim Lik' (the mind power/energy cultivated through internal Wing Chun practice) to his students.
Nima, even though a non-chinese and much younger than the other students of CST, attained a high level of these final teachings. He now mainly teaches the seniors within this lineage and also travels around giving workshops and is working on an online program so that master CST's teaching can have a greater reach.
You may contact Nima/Mindful Wing Chun through:
website: www.mindfulwin...
facebook: / mindfulwingchun
facebook 2: / sifunimaking
fecebook (personal): / nima.khezrnejat
Instagram: / mindful_wingchun
Instagram (personal) : / nima_king1
Long live the genuine and internal art of Wing Chun / Ving Tsun!
Mindful Wing Chun - Chu Shong Tin (Ip Man) Wing Chun / Ving Tsun - Hong Kong

[@waimusic3559]

Grand Master Ip Mun died in 1972 (aged 79) would never think so many international followers around the world to practise Wing Chun. Thank you for all dedicated masters like Nima for their life-dedication to teach those who are interested to learn this mighty martial art originated from Shao Lin Temple in China. I learned Wing Chun from KZbin too, not difficult really.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Thanks for taking the time to write a kind comment. I'm happy you have learned things off the channel. Happy New Year and all the best for 2020 Wai!

[@jchien]

I have two herniated discs plus other spinal issues from jujitsu and powerlifting.. following u doing internal wing chun xiau nim tao focusing on spinal alignment has done wonders for my healing process. Thank you for spreading the word on internal wing chun.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Very happy to hear these videos are helping my friend. Keep up the practice and itll keep improving im sure!

[@Treeesmith]

jchien me too

[@darkhorse888]

Having put myself in learning a little Wing Chun and also through rolling in BJJ, I had relaxation under pressure tested recently but not in fighting. I was surfing large waves in Sydney and was coming off being sick the week before. As a result i was pretty weak and decided that I might paddle in as there was a strong rip going out and I didn't want to get tired and caught out (there was only two other guys out). Just as I had that thought I copped a couple of sets on the head and snapped my leg rope. The swim in was 30 minutes. At about the 20min mark i still hadn't gained much ground because of the aforementioned rip. Breathing, relaxing, i was able to remain calm, really look at the situation and make the final 10 minutes in. I had a few pukes on the sand but i truly believe the training on land, putting yourself under pressure and learning to relax is what helped me out. My point being that you need to put pressure on your training on a regular basis. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. As they say constant pressure makes coal into diamonds. Thanks Nima.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Wow, thanks for sharing that. I actually had a similar experience once in Bondi, and another time in Tailongwan (a beach in Hong Kong). The Tim in HK was a scary one man cause there was no lifeguards and a total of less than 10people on the beach that day cause its a very private beach and can only get to it with a trek. And I couldn't agree more re pressure testing oneself. Actually the skill doesn't really count unless it's been pressure tested. That's why BJJ is addictive too, although I've had many months off now cause of the way it has broken my body, lol

[@davidwilliams4837]

Wonderful story about CST. He had great character to go with his skill. Self-control and control of force is the sign of a true master. He truly could have seriously hurt or killed someone with a punch because he used internal energy rather than muscular force. It is difficult to maintain control when others lack self-discipline. I love his humility, but also his matter-of-fact answers when people challenged. He was the real deal and I am glad there are people who desire to carry on his teachings.

[@MindfulWingChun]

He was certainly a special human being that s for sure. It was hard not to fall in live with the man if you met him. And yes that, along with the amazing method of practice he left behind, is the reason why I have literally dedicated my life to practicing and passing on his art :)

[@davidwilliams4837]

@@MindfulWingChun It is a worthy pursuit. Greetings from the US. Love the videos.

[@bombast9866]

A generous sharing of a life of martial arts practice and experience. Thank you

[@MindfulWingChun]

Glad you enjoyed it , thanks for the kind words

[@ThaDiscoFreak]

Champion video loved the stories Heard about these through grand master William Chung & history of this in Hong Kong looking forward to training with you

[@MindfulWingChun]

Cheers Tony. Apologies for the late reply though, and yes very much looking forward to training with you too. All the best till then!

[@spawn314159]

Nima, Something else i got from one of the other videos you posted of Sigung is that to practice SNT infront of mirror is very important too, because we need to learn from the internal view looking outwards... but we only view and get taught it externaly, so when you practice infront of mirror, you get both views, so you can compare internal view vs external view, and get the two to syncronise. and using Anapana breathing... Thank you for posting, very much apreciated.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Actually Chu Shong Tin mentions that at first its good to do it in front of a mirror to get the shapes and positions looking correct at the beginner level, but after that he (and I also) recommend not to do it in front of the mirror as it will become a distraction

[@perrypelican9476]

I never heard anyone speak so honestly about this stuff. It's refreshing. It's always about deep thought, or lack of thought. Why is wing chun hardly used in mma? It's clear to me how powerful an art it can be. Is it wing chun or can the internal stuff apply to any martial art, like tai ji, the fighting version. Is it that once you start being successful with the internal stuff, you lose interest in battle.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Exactly, while you become well equipped for self defense situations, once someone reaches a high level in this art they must have already gone through some inner transformations so they would seek out kindness and helpfulness rather than violence :)

[@perrypelican9476]

Mindful Wing Chun it's too bad because a few mma demonstrations would really bring a lot of people into the inner stuff and violence would be reduced. The problem is that mma would be so much different because the fights would not be as violent. The better masters would end the fights quickly. Then there would be more and more high level guys and no one would want to fight. Bad for business. Imagine all mma guys taking off years to get into the inner stuff and never coming back except for the odd one who still has the violent urges.

[@MustAfaalik]

@Perry Pelican. You show your ignorance about MMA fighters in not knowing that Tony Ferguson adopts some WC techniques and that the shin stomping of Jon Jones is utilised in WC. There are many more technics that can be adapted to be effective in MMA if the fighters are exposed to WC. Thus if a WC practitioner trains physically for MMA, adapt and incorporate other styles, it will be just as practical for the ring. Meanwhile, WC remains an effective form of self defence for me.

[@KingDariusMartial-dc2nr]

In this video Master Chu Shong Tin said he use to get challenge a lot, would you say practicing Internal we need to also give time to practice it in sparring scenario to be able to understand the principles?

[@MindfulWingChun]

Yes of course, if you want to be able to apply it in combat, you must so sparring, bag work, and pressure test it. There is no way around that. But, many people fall in love with this practice for internal mind-body-spirit benefits that the practice gives them., Not everything is about fighting, especially as we age :)

[@michaelreadnower4424]

thank you nima beautiful stories. would love a video about the healing ability of wing chun😄😄🌟😇🌟

[@MindfulWingChun]

Cheers Michael. I've already made one (along with 10 other videos) and will upload them 1 by one every couple of weeks. Happy New Year mate.

[@reylit]

thank you for sharing this amazing story.

[@MindfulWingChun]

My pleasure Rey, glad you enjoyed it

[@colreef]

Great vid.I totally agree with the later part of this vid.Wing chun is so much more than just self defence.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Glad you liked it. And very happy to hear that fact also resonated with you cause it means you have/are benefiting a lot from the art. Wishing you all the best in your journey mate

[@pascodavid]

Enjoyed your talk Nima as you know I was taught Ving Tsun by Victor kan and guided by Sipak your Sigung. And was confused at the two approaches of learning VT over the years by these two masters. But finally relised its the person not the system that was so different..like boxing you have a guy going forwards always being agressive `Yang` or a counter attacker `Yin` waiting for the opponents to make his move before an attack is made this is the personal difference but its the the same boxing methode. Just my take on it in a simple way. One can focus on physical side meaning fighting applications or more the self improve side, energy and meditation.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Agreed!

[@alexpepe2730]

For me I had to know the darkside before my introduction to the peaceful mind Nim Tau sense from brain, very true in explaining the tempo of adrenalines.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Yeah same for me Alex. I don't regret it though and I'm happy for the experience that the street fights brought for me at such an early age. Although now as I'm older, I'm paying the price for it with the injuries I had during some of those fights.

[@nicokik3438]

CST was a sort of buddha..., heavy power inside his body but always very respectfull with all weak oponent! Tks nima🤝🙏

[@MindfulWingChun]

Yeah he was a very humble and down to earth dude with a massive heart. A well developed human being for sure

[@ytb460]

According to some Choi li fut people from HK, they were fighting on rooftops daily and CLF won most.

[@MindfulWingChun]

Yeah I've actually talked to some elders of CLF here in Hong Kong and they said the same thing to me. I guess this is something that we can never be clear on cause we weren't there and don't have the footage. I wonder if there was any footage taken? What I hear from the elders in my lineage is that majority of the Wing Chun people would get smashed in these fights. They actually said that their toughest fights was with Thai's who came over here from Thailand, and the easiest opponent's were, unfortunately, other Wing Chun people. Having said that Wong Shun Leung and Lok Yiu themselves were good fighters according to Chu Shong Tin. So here I was referring to the 2nd generation Ip Man students

[@Far7anR]

@@MindfulWingChun That honesty is refreshing. I think a major issue was that, despite wing chun's solid principles and concept, there is a kind of vacancy in most wing chun curriculums regarding actual fight science. Distancing, timing, strategy, combinations, CONDITIONING, legitimate sparring, etc.

[@anthonyalvarez6658]

The Leung Sheung lineage also focus on the internal aspect of Wing Chun

[@MindfulWingChun]

Hi Anthony. Yes I've heard, but it's very different to the CST method from what I've seen and the interactions I had with Kenneth Chung when he visited CST's school more than a decade ago.

[@trandyan]

Hi Nima. I really appreciate all your content. Thank you. Curious if you would associate this "state" as the pure state of awareness/consciousness, similar or equivalent to states attained in deep meditation?

[@MindfulWingChun]

Hi Andy, Thanks for your comment. I think there are very high level parallels between the 2 states. I have been practicing meditation for 15 years and Wing Chun for around 17. The meditation I practice is a Buddhist type called Vipassana. In meditation, I try to maintain equanimity with whatever arises, with no agenda apart from allowing all sensation to just be as they are. The Nim Tao state is similar but with the addition that you drop a seed of intention into it (i.e. relaxation, opening the joints, focusing the mass to the target etc.) So IN MY EXPERIENCE, I think that the pure consciousness state obtained in meditation is more was than the Nim Tao state (almost transcending the physical and mental states) whereas the Nim Tao state gives a much detailed control within the physical and mental state. I hope that makes sense. cheers, Nima

[@DanielHernandez-io9db]

Very much so. Thank you. I had the same curiosity, myself.

[@trandyan]

Very much appreciated. It definitely makes sense, albeit only logically at the moment. Even though there's still a lot of ambiguity, this reply helps narrow down the path a bit! Curious - are you able to activate the Nim Tao state instantly, for example in a real life fighting situation?

[@MindfulWingChun]

I wish I could say yes :) Recently (in the last year) I feel like I can activate it a little more in Dynamic situations such as Chi Sau and sparring. however my level is very very low compared to Master Chu's explanations if Nim Lik. Lucky I am relatively young and have been blessed with a position to be able to practice hours a day so maybe in the next decade or 2 I can reach a level that Wows everyone regardless of their Martial Arts background :)

[@DanielHernandez-io9db]

When you settle your mass and stand effortlessly, does that automatically activate the Nim Lik state? Or is Nim Lik an addition to that?

[@lm2193]

very well said.

[@MindfulWingChun]

cheers!

[@1ばかぶた]

It is either you dont get taichi or someone that telling you what taichi is, not learning his taichi correctly

[@MindfulWingChun]

Could you kindly share what you think it is. Thanks in advance.

[@darkhorse888]

nice one Nima.

[@MindfulWingChun]

cheers dude.

[@pascal0868]

Nima, any one teaching this stuff in Canada...Toronto?

[@MindfulWingChun]

Hey man, Not in Cancada. There is only one person teaching in Canada from this lineage but he's in Vancouver, his name is Leo Lit.

[@timothyfreeman97]

What suburb in west Sydney are you from, mate?

[@MindfulWingChun]

Hey Tim, I grew up in West Ryde :)

[@नागराज-न4झ]

very informative

[@MindfulWingChun]

Glad you thought so :)

[@pascal0868]

Dog meat...people falling off the roof...challenge fights...love it! Well except the hot dogs

[@MindfulWingChun]

Hahahaha, yeah me and you both...

[@georgecostanza2695]

Don’t think that’s exactly what it was. Not certain, but I’m pretty sure dog meat was illegal in HOng Kong since before that time. I say that because I have friends who are 60-70 now and they tell me stories about growing up in HK and how people would have to go to the lawless Kowloon Walled City if they wanted to eat dog.

[@ATTA10]

Ma qualche sottotitolo tu che puoi perché non ci sono ? Il video è interessante ma si capisce il 10% hehehe

[@MindfulWingChun]

Yeah sorry man. Subtitles take a long time for a non-savy tech person like me. hopefully one day ill be able to find someone to subtitle it all

[@Treeesmith]

Self control Emotional Mental Physical Spiritual

[@MindfulWingChun]

All very powerful words :) 🙏🙏

[@Paladin1776a]

I'm calling BS on these horse crap stories. Prove it. Get them in the ring and have them prove it, otherwise it's just another in a long list of BS Stories. Broke a guys wrist in 4 places...what a bunch of BS.

[@symbolsarenotreality4595]

What about the weapon forms, should people fight each other to the death with swords too?

[@jedi77palmer]

@@symbolsarenotreality4595 Yes

[@MindfulWingChun]

hahahaha! ok dude...

[@brookatkins8111]

If you don’t believe why do you watch ? Seriously …

[@Paladin1776a]

After they side stepped the actual fighting question, I would have asked them to get in the ring and prove it, otherwise, it's a crock...

[@MindfulWingChun]

CST's students DID fight in the ring in Taiwan and Singapore mate. Not sure what you have against the explanation of this part of Kung Fu history and why you so easily disregard it because it doesn't match your beliefs. But each to their own. I haven't fought in the ring and don't plan to but was a doorman for many years and so know what works and doesn't on the streets... But perhaps since I cant provide any footage of the street fights people can just "call BS" on them too?!!

[@Paladin1776a]

@@MindfulWingChun The actual results of Wing Chun in the ring are abysmal. I'd suggest going to a BJJ Gym and trying it in a live match, then truth will be revealed... unless of course you want to continue in believing bs...