Grandmaster Tse’s Chùn Yuén Diaries 俊元日記 28

In all the Chùn Yuén Quán 俊元拳 forms, we begin with our legs together, which is quite different from Tàijíquán 太極拳, Qìgōng 氣功 and even Wing Chun Kung Fu 詠春功夫. In Wing Chun, we start with our feet together, but then we open them to make our stance – Yìh Jih Kìhm Yèuhng Máh 二字鉗羊馬 (Basic Wing Chun Stance). We then stay like this, apart from sometimes turning and stepping to the side, bringing the feet together, before turning and opening the legs again. In all Chùn Yuén forms, we begin with the legs together, then step forward and bring them together again. From there, we continue to perform the rest of the movements in the form.

Having the feet and legs closed brings up our Qì 氣. If we stand with our feet shoulder-width apart, then we will feel more relaxed and settled. You can try it for yourself, and you will feel the difference. If you watch soldiers standing to attention, you will see the legs are straight and together, and this lifts their spirit. In Chùn Yuén Quán, we need the Qì to rise up so we can practise the forms better. Chùn Yuén Quán requires more energy and involves moving quickly, jumping, kicking, swinging and also using weapons.