Chinese kung fu fans

In martial arts training, a very useful equipment to utilize is a wooden Wing Chun dummy. Simple as it may seem, it assists you to learn various techniques as you train to become a good martial arts practitioner. With all these in mind, one may wonder on where the Muk Yan Jong really came from? Where was it first used? How did it develop? To answer these questions, let us find out its origin.

Years ago, it was believed that the Shaolin temple had 108 wooden dummies. These dummies which are called Muk Yan Jong (also known as Mook Jong) were used as a tool to train the monks. Each dummy teaches a specific technique, and the monk had to go through 108 of them to complete their training. These were placed in an underground tunnel at the Shaolin Temple. No one really knew that these tactics were studied there. 

Not until after some time, chaos happened in China. This resulted in the destruction of the Shaolin Temple. There was really no proper evidence or documentation of the events but according to legend, a Buddhist monk named Ng Mui was able to escape. She brought along with her the skills she learned throughout the rigorous training in the temple.

According to oral tradition, she was the one who introduced the use of this gadget to the outside world. She taught martial arts to her student named Yim Wing Chun. This is where Wing Chun Martial Arts got its name, including the origin of the use of a mook jong.

Its appearance used to be simple as it was only a cylindrical wood mounted on the floor which had 2 hands and a leg sticking out. Thanks to the development of the science of martial arts training, it became a better and more effective training partner. Nowadays, various forms of the wooden Wing Chun dummy are for sale in sporting goods stores  and even online.

Wing Chun dummy training is beneficial in different martial arts such as Wing Chun. One good thing about it is that it trains the body to perform techniques in body positioning. This includes maintaining the balance and footwork. Even though it is an immobile object, one can move around it to practice his attacks. It may not be the same as training with a human but through repetition of movement; the techniques can be perfected whether or not you are trying it on a dummy or on a human sparring partner.

Many people who train with this gear have it at home. That is actually one good benefit of this. After you have your martial arts classes and would still want to train more, you can do so at the convenience of your own home. Make sure you place it in a wide space so that your movements will not be limited. Also, try putting it somewhere which is not a common area. You would not want to get distracted, would you?

With the use of this effective training tool, plus constant practice and dedicated training, one can become a skilled martial arts practitioner in no time. Once you are established, you will feel the fruits of your labor and by the end of all that, you will be thanking everyone who helped you achieve your goal, including your non-human training partner, the Muk Yan Jong.