The Federation System of Wing Tsun Kung-Fu
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This is the main page for all information regarding our primary martial art: The Federation Wing Tsun System developed by Sifu Lee Paul Heron. The complete system consists of three levels, each level is divided into four stages, and each stage contains a number of grades. The structure provides long-term, mid-term and simpler short-term goals for our students to work towards.
An overview of the three levels is as follows:
Apprentice Level
Just like an apprentice tradesman, the apprentice Kung-Fu student systematically assembles technical, theoretical and practical knowledge of how, why & when to use all the tools of their trade. This level consists of 12 progressive training programmes divided into 4 training stages. Each stage introduces additional tools, and concentrates on a different General Strategy through which they may be employed against an opponent and their weapons of choice. An apprenticeship in Federation Wing Tsun usually takes 4-5 years of regular training to complete to a satisfactory standard. More...
Journeyman Level
Traditionally the Journeyman was a senior student who had completed an apprenticeship and was skilled in the most commonly employed ways of their trade. They subsequently remained attached to their own Master whilst studying the deeper knowledge of their craft with him. However they were also encouraged to assist the other apprentices, travel and study with other Masters, thus testing & improving their own knowledge whilst gaining a more complete view of their world. This is the level where serious students gain real understanding of their art. There is no average time or set duration in which to complete this level. Each Journeyman sets their own standard, which is universally high. More...
Master Level
Contrary to most media stereotypes, the Kung-Fu Master is simply someone who has spent decades studying their art from many perspectives, not just the physical one. Consider a master tradesman who fully understands his tools & how to get the best quality results from them in the most economical fashion, but who will also be striving to improve or refine their art. It is at this level that objective analysis, self-criticism and peer-review become paramount, as by necessity a master will question & often break with accepted tradition, creatively exploring the martial arts. With time & experience, such a person understands levels of their art beyond physical conflict. More...
Articles & More Information
We have written many interrelated articles about the Federation Wing Tsun System to assist & clarify the knowledge of our members, and these are freely available here. More...
