1700's / 1800's INTERNAL WING CHUN
The Wing Chun curriculum taught at the Eternal Spring Institute is composed of all the
diverse lineages studied by the Institute's founders over decades of living and studying in
China and Southeast Asia. The curriculum is divided into different historical periods, namely
the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s.
The curriculum starts with the Snake-Crane Wing Chun lineage, as passed down by late
Grandmasters Law Man Gung (also known by his opera stage name San Gam) and his
student Law Tai Wan. This period is followed by the 1700s period. As this period mainly
focuses on the Ancient Single Set Siu Lin Tau and its internals, together with the ancestor
arts of Emei Shi Er Zhuang and Fujian White Crane, we decided to start with the 1800s
period since students are more familiar with the Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu, and Biu Tze of the
1800s period.
The ancient single set Siu-Lin Tau (Training of the Little Details Set) should not be confused
with the Siu-Nim Tau (The Little Idea Form). The ancient single set Siu-Lin Tau is the training
of the Little Details Set, which came out of the fusion of Emei Shi Er Zhuang and Fujian
White Crane (Fujian Yong Chun Bai Hei).
The 1700s curriculum is mostly comprised of deep,
closed-door, advanced internal Kung Fu knowledge, lost in many modern-day Kung Fu
lineages transmitted around the world. The 1700s curriculum focuses purely on the
development of Shen (Spirit), Yi (Intention), Qi (Energy), starting with the transformation of
Lik into Ging (or in Mandarin, Li into Jin). All these elements are part of a deep cultivation
process, which sets it apart from the 1800s and 1900s periods in Wing Chun history.
Nowadays, these cultivation methods are mostly attributed to the Northern internal arts like
Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Chuan, and Xing Yi Chuan. Many are not aware of the time period
before the 1800s in Wing Chun’s history and its ancestor arts.
1. Lik to Ging Transformation The development of Lik (Li) — muscular force — into
Ging (Jin), or refined internal energy, is a primary focus. This transformation is the
foundation of internal martial arts and allows practitioners to generate power without
relying solely on physical strength.
2. Yi (Intention) The cultivation of Yi (Intention) is the next critical step. The practitioner
learns to guide energy and movement through focused mental intent, an essential
aspect of advanced martial arts.
3. Qi (Energy) Following the development of Yi, practitioners work on cultivating Qi (Hei
in Cantonese) — internal energy or life force. This internal energy is directed and
utilized to enhance both martial applications and overall vitality.
4. Shen (Spirit) The final stage in this internal progression is the cultivation of Shen
(Spirit). This involves the integration of mind, body, and energy into a unified whole,
reaching a state of internal harmony and mastery.
Key Distinction: Siu-Lin Tau Set vs. Siu-Nim Tau
● Development of Yi (Intention)
The 1900s period comprises the Yip Man Wing Chun lineage, which is the most popular
Wing Chun lineage around the world. The Yip Man lineage, as taught by the Eternal Spring
Institute, is unique because the founding members have acquired master levels in several of
the Yip Man lineages. For example, Sifu Sergio Iadarola has completed the curriculum of
several Yip Man lineages like the Wang Kiu lineage and the Leung Ting lineage. Sifu Kleber
Bataglia has completed the curriculum of the Wong Shun Leung lineage and the Wan Kam
Leung lineage. Furthermore, both Sifus have also studied and acquired extensive knowledge
from other Wing Chun systems in mainland China, like the aforementioned 1800s
Snake-Crane Wing Chun lineage and the Yuen Kay San lineage.
Significance of the Snake-Crane Lineage The 1800s Snake-Crane Wing Chun of
Grandmaster Law Tai Wan contains the original Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu, and Biu Ji forms.
Since the acceptance of the Secret Note as recorded by Law Tai Wan in the 1890s by the
Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Department of the Foshan Museum, this is an
indisputable fact.
The Eternal Spring Institute offers a complete Wing Chun curriculum, tracing the art’s
evolution through three key historical periods. It revives ancient internal practices from the
1700s Ancient Single Set Siu Lin Tau, preserves authentic knowledge from the oldest
Snake-Crane lineage of the 1800s, and brings high-level Yip Man Wing Chun knowledge
from the 1900s. This curriculum provides a well-rounded and profound understanding of
Wing Chun, balancing internal cultivation and practical combat applications. It is a rare
opportunity to learn Wing Chun as a complete internal and external system, as it was
originally intended by its founders.
