1st Set – Siu Nim Tao (小念頭) By David Davila
All the basic hand movements used in Wing Chun Kuen are contained in Siu Nim Tao. This is the foundational form which teaches proper mechanics and hand positions without leaving the Yee Jee Kim Yang Ma (二字鉗羊馬) or "Character two goat clamping stance". The stance is called such because when in it, the practitioner's toes will be at a shorter distance to each other than the heels, thus resembling the Chinese character two.
Siu Nim Tao translates into "little idea" which refers to the neutral state of simplicity maintained throughout the practice of the form. One should not "over do it". On the contrary, this form teaches the student how to relax into the correct posture and practice settling their energy downwards toward the ground. The calm mental training develops "Nim Lik" (念力), which means "thought strength", referring to the intent guiding the movements.
Fundamental rules of balance and body structure are developed in this form. Proper practice of Siu Nim Tao enables the student to develop proper abdominal breathing, independent arm movement, structure and energy. When practicing Siu Nim Tao, the eyes should be fixed forward taking in everything while focusing on nothing.
During Siu Nim Tao practice, the student:
Structural Guidelines:
1. Kim Sut (鉗厀) knees in; lit. "squeeze/press knees"
2. Lok Ma (落馬) lower/settle down in the stance
3. Ting Yiu (挺腰) tuck the hips under and forward; lit. “straighten lower back”
4. Dung Tao (登頭) head erect
5. Mai Jarn (埋肘) elbows in; lit. "bury elbow"
By keeping the stance still throughout the whole set, the student will maintain a stable state to return to while executing the techniques, learning how to develop and apply elbow and knee energy correctly.
Siu Nim Tao demonstration by Wesley Lim, Head Instructor of Leung Sheung Wing Chun Singapore:
*This article can also be found at www.leungsheung.com
All the basic hand movements used in Wing Chun Kuen are contained in Siu Nim Tao. This is the foundational form which teaches proper mechanics and hand positions without leaving the Yee Jee Kim Yang Ma (二字鉗羊馬) or "Character two goat clamping stance". The stance is called such because when in it, the practitioner's toes will be at a shorter distance to each other than the heels, thus resembling the Chinese character two.
Siu Nim Tao translates into "little idea" which refers to the neutral state of simplicity maintained throughout the practice of the form. One should not "over do it". On the contrary, this form teaches the student how to relax into the correct posture and practice settling their energy downwards toward the ground. The calm mental training develops "Nim Lik" (念力), which means "thought strength", referring to the intent guiding the movements.
Fundamental rules of balance and body structure are developed in this form. Proper practice of Siu Nim Tao enables the student to develop proper abdominal breathing, independent arm movement, structure and energy. When practicing Siu Nim Tao, the eyes should be fixed forward taking in everything while focusing on nothing.
During Siu Nim Tao practice, the student:
- Trains the stance and structural mechanics
- Defines the centerline and learns where their hands should be relative to it
- Learns proper positioning and how to execute movements correctly
- Trains coordination and relaxation
- Trains elbow energy, knee cap energy, and long bridge energy
Structural Guidelines:
1. Kim Sut (鉗厀) knees in; lit. "squeeze/press knees"
2. Lok Ma (落馬) lower/settle down in the stance
3. Ting Yiu (挺腰) tuck the hips under and forward; lit. “straighten lower back”
4. Dung Tao (登頭) head erect
5. Mai Jarn (埋肘) elbows in; lit. "bury elbow"
By keeping the stance still throughout the whole set, the student will maintain a stable state to return to while executing the techniques, learning how to develop and apply elbow and knee energy correctly.
Siu Nim Tao demonstration by Wesley Lim, Head Instructor of Leung Sheung Wing Chun Singapore:
*This article can also be found at www.leungsheung.com
