The Two Primary Postures

In Wing Chun, much of our training revolves around two primary postures: the Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma (YJKYM) and the Chut Sam Bo (CSB). Though simple in appearance, true mastery of these stances reveals layers of depth and understanding that only dedicated practice can uncover.

In basic practice, the first thing we typically learn is the YJKYM, which, when done correctly, cultivates resilience, external strength, stability, and internal power. This stance is part of the bread and butter of the style - the base upon which all further techniques are built. Like the foundation of a house, you can have beautiful rooms and impressive decoration, but without a solid base, everything eventually collapses. Importantly, the YJKYM, if all criteria from head to toe are met, is your connection and conduit to the ground.

The second posture is the CSB — literally the “7–3 stance,” referring to roughly 70% of the weight on the back leg and 30% on the front. Structurally, it is the same from the hips upward as the YJKYM; however, this time the upper structure is moved mostly over one leg. CSB brings the YJKYM to life through Juen Ma (turning or shifting). In other words, you take an incredibly strong, stable structure and accelerate it to amplify the power and make it mobile.

It is important to train stability and power generation in stages to build an intimate understanding of the inner workings of these structures. That way, when you blend and adapt them under pressure, you don’t lose their essential qualities.

In essence, it’s like getting to know a friend — you need to spend a lot of time with them. Likewise, you must spend time in these positions to understand their function, develop body awareness, and refine the fine motor control that can’t be learned from verbal instruction alone. Always ask yourself, “Is my stance working?” If not, “Why?” These practices take diligent study, reflection, and repetition.

Although they appear static when practiced in isolation, they are extremely versatile and highly mobile in application. Transitioning between the two stances gives you 180° coverage of your centerline which makes it difficult for an opponent to outflank you, as you can turn to evade or redirect incoming force. You should be completely stable in every position and while moving between them, maintaining the ability to receive and deliver force.

As you progress, you’ll use this mechanism in conjunction with other methods, techniques, and footwork patterns to neutralise an opponent’s force and destabilise them as well. The interconnected nature of this style means that mastering these stances paves the way for mastering all subsequent skills.