The Eastern Kung Fu Academy

Muscle Tension with arms in Wing Chun Forms & Techniques by Sifu Peter Atkin.
Half tension (soft) for extension and full tension (hard) for retraction.
Yin and Yang (Taoism) is one of the primary idea/belief systems that Chinese Wing Chun Kung Fu is based on and is internal, meaning it is Chinese unlike Buddhism which is an external belief system exported from India to China.
When we start SLT FORM we extend both arms to full & the focus is to tense the arm muscles at half, when retracting to full the focus is to tense the arm muscles at full tension! This parallels with the theory of yin and yang or soft and hard. Awareness of sensitivity internally is the focus of the SLT FORM and muscle tension awareness is important for optimal function of arm movement. Every hand technique has a specific path and therefore understanding how to tense the arm muscles correctly for optimal movement is a crucial skill. Whether it is for speed, strength, timing, coordination or optimal power, without correct muscle tension, hand techniques will not manoeuvre effectively. Understanding yin & yang technique groups path, energy and muscle tension focus will increase internal sensitivity and awareness of Wing Chun soft and hard hand techniques.
Simultaneous half and full tension with both arms is quite difficult coordination, let alone rapid dynamic changing from one to the other at full intensity. The 1ST (SLOW & REPEAT) set of SLT FORM introduces us to the ability to keep one open hand moving between half and full muscle tension whilst simultaneously keeping the other arm retracted at full tension beside the torso in a closed fist position. Grouping the techniques into soft and hard is important in the slow set and the ability to change dynamically from one to the other is done slowly and repeatedly for correct neural path wiring. Wiring of the central nervous system is obviously important for optimal function of hand techniques with full intensity so we must first start slowly and repetitiously with this skill. It may be hard to understand but this wiring is all about chi sao and the ability to feel different muscle tension will eventually be applied externally in chi sao drills, sparring or even fighting.
In random chi sao, the ability to lead with changes of technique effectively is generally going to result in victory, however being able to follow random techniques effectively is just as important and can result in one of the most effective tools to use in combat and that is the ability to counter the counterattack. Everything must have balance, understand that the soft can overcome the hard but so can the hard overcome the soft. It is best to be skilled at both soft and hard techniques than only being skilled at one or the other. By all means, be great at leading in chi sao but remember that if you have poor following skill in chi sao, you will not have the ability to take advantage of opportunities and the ability to manage threats let alone the ability to recover!
Rather than focus on the grand circulation of chi, the dan tien or some vague magical or mystical kung fu rabbit hole that leads you to over complicate a style (Wing Chun) that is meant to be closer to a scientific or logical martial art, focus on seeing, feeling and knowing the intent of your opponent and then applying effective martial arts strategies and techniques to the situation. This will be enough and will always be more effective, the idea that Wing Chun is simple is not true, it has both simplicity and complexity just like every martial art. I remember my Sifu once said why have complex techniques? Because sometimes simple techniques will not do!

Training my Straight Sword Form in Warburton today & as I raise the sword up, I see a Wedge Tail Eagle circling above me. :)
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There are different spellings of Chinese names of techniques and forms. Get a grip, it's just a phonetic translation!

Bil Gee Form & applications video is up in the private group 😉
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Next week I should have the Wooden Dummy complete form in the air and on the dummy videos filmed and edited.

Just finished editing the Bil Gee Form video. If you want access remember to join an online class 😉
It's only 51 minutes...

Eyes can lie; this does not mean they cannot see the truth!

Way back in December 2004 I passed my Level 10 Gold Sash. This is me with Grandmaster Joe Molnar. I was very happy and honoured to have achieved my gold sash. Fast forward to December 2025 and here I am with my student Sifu Paulie Aylen on his Gold sash grading day. How time flies and look how happy we both are after a massive and brutal grading. All the forms, all the chi sao, all techniques and self-defence of Wing Chun and then to finish it off we do twelve rounds of sparring against 4 partners. Blood & sweat but no tears just cheers and grins from ear to ear!

I just deleted the old private EASTERN KUNG FU ACADEMY group if anyone was wondering. It's nothing personal but it is no longer needed. Thanks to all the old students who trained with me during those years and if you would like to train again please contact me for Online classes. Thanks for the memories and great times.
Regards,
Sifu Pete