A: Although there are various interpretations, the principle/theories of Ving Tsun are very similar from school to school. The elegance of Ving Tsun is encompasses in the fact that the principle allow the individual to adjust the system to suit them. As a result, the way Ving Tsun is taught in “our” school is not based simply on learning a series of techniques for specific fighting scenarios, but princples/theories that encompass the nature of combat. In addition to that, the approach to teaching is flexible with a strong emphasis on foundation building. Even in the Ving Tsun family, quite a few instruction may not follow this approach.
After completing the system, I began to visit my elders and my Si-Fu’s (teacher) elders within the Moy Yat family, as well as grand students of Grandmaster Ip Man. As a result of having learned and shared with many other lineages of Ving Tsun, my perspective of Ving Tsun has broadened. Furthermore, I was able to attain better perspective/approach to teaching that allows a certain level of flexibility. In this way, I am able to adapt to the needs of different students. For instance, what a small person can do versus larger person may vary. This can also apply to a person that is flexible or inflexible, strong or weaker, tall or short, etc. Some teachers tailor their approach to instruction to a particular type of person (usually themselves). That is, their approach to teaching Ving Tsun may be forceful and thus more suited towards a larger person. Therefore, when men/women of smaller staure go into Ving Tsun school of this nature, they may not get the best out of their Ving Tsun training. The approach I take towards teaching can be tailored towards any individual of any size. This was also how Grandmaster Ip Man and GrandMaster Moy Yat taught.
“The purpose of Ving Tsun Kung Fu is to lead you to be free and relaxed. This can never be achieved if you are tied physically or emotionally to techniques. You must free yourself from dependence on mechanical expressional and trust your body, your own kung fu to protect yourself.” -Moy Yat