OP
OP
wingchun100
Senior Master
Well, hard-style Wing Chun anyways. Historically different VT/WC personalities varied their interpretation of the system according to what worked for them. Larger. more powerful individuals typically expressed their VT differently than smaller, weaker individuals.
In my lineage, this is the interpretation of the story (or fable, if you prefer) of Yip Man's two teachers, Chan Wah Shun and Leung Bic. Chan Wah shun in his prime was a powerful and aggressive fighter. Leung Bic was less powerful and more of a technician, ...a soft stylist if you will. Yip Man stated that he learned from both, and at different times in his life stressed one or the other more. My teacher learned from Yip Man at the end of his life, when he was physically weak and emphsized the later (Leung Bic) perspective.
Note: I do not insist that the anyone believe the Leung Bic story. I present it as a part of our oral history that adresses the harder and softer strands within the Yip Man VT lineage. And, it is evident that at different times, with different students, Yip Man emphasized different aspects of the totality that is Wing Chun. Unlike some forum members, I do not subscribe to the theory that the variation in WC/VT as practiced by Yip Man's students today is entirely due to their poor understanding or unbridled personal creativity. Although, that is a factor too.
I am in full agreement with you. I don't think anyone's interpretation should be dismissed outright. I think we should examine them all as valid because, after all, my truth is valid for me, but it might not be for you...and that is okay. The two can coexist.
It's too bad not everyone sees it that way. You can cheat yourself out of a lot of learning. I mean, there have been times when I have watched a Wing Chun video and I came here and said, "Hey guys, this was a revelation to me! Check it out!" Next thing you know, I am getting blasted for giving any attention to a video from some Wing Chun person that I didn't even know was despised.
Recently I came across some Randy Williams videos that show things you can do with the wooden dummy that never even crossed my mind, and it amazed me...but I never shared it here, because I thought to myself, "I bet I get blasted for sharing this guy's stuff!" Which is sad, because I personally think the videos and ideas are really amazing.
