I have trained In Wing Chun for many years, seeing and training with people from varying styles of the Wing Chun system. I have had the pleasure of being comprehensively trained by Grand Master Roland Tong in Ip Man Ving Tsun. With the aim to preserve and Promote Ip Man Wing Chun as taught to me.
Sil Lim Tao (Little Idea) is the first of the three empty hand forms of Wing Chun. It is divided into three sections although between different styles of Wing Chun the individual movements can vary as can their purpose and applications. Sil Lim Tao teaches the core techniques of the Wing Chun System, offensive and defensive as well as the correct structural alignment of the body throughout these movements. Done correctly the form should take around fifteen minutes to complete. Students often struggle with understanding the importance of Sil Lim Tao. In essence, it is the foundation for the entire Wing Chun system and without it the other forms will not work correctly and should be practiced daily by any serious Wing Chun practitioner.
The Training Stance (Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma)
In the correct position, the feet should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart supporting 50 percent of your weight distribution on each foot, with toes turned in so that if you draw a straight line to where the feet are facing the lines would cross over at about a meter in front of where you are standing. The Knees should be bent and pulled inwards in line with the direction of the feet. The knees should not go forwards past the tip of the feet as this will disrupt balance and put undue stress on the knees. The Hip should be rotated inwards to align the spine
The spine should be upright, if you lean forward or to the sides it is impossible to then bring the force up through your stance (MA) and you will be left off balance. Shoulders should be relaxed but stay in the correct anatomical position, if the shoulders are protracted forwards which is a common error in beginner Wing Chun practitioners then you risk physical injury and the possibility of losing balance. If your shoulders are protracted, then you also lose the ability to transfer incoming force from the body into the ground. The arms should be pulled back with hands pulled up beside your chest and elbows tucked in behind you.
SLT is a stationary form in which the practitioner learns and develops:
1. Structure,
The correct structural alignment throughout the body is important for the execution of powerful blows, deflecting attacks, balance, force transference and controlling the center line. The positioning of the elbow also has a key structural role to play in the Wing Chun system, this is called the Immovable Elbow.
2. Attacking and defensive movements
The following attacking and defensive movements are developed through the practice of SLT: Wu Sau (Protecting Hand), Tan Sau (Palm Up Hand), Bong Sau (Wing Arm), Darting Fingers (Biu Jee), Fook Sau (Subduing Hand), Gaun sau (Splitting hand), Pak Sau (Slapping Hand), Jut Sau (Jerking Hand), Lan Sau (Bar Arm), Jum Sau (Sinking Elbow), tei sau (Upper Lifting Hands), lap sau (Grabbing Hand), Huen sau (Circling Hand), tok sau (Elbow Lifting Hand), Fak Sau (Whisking Hand), Side palm (Wang Jeung), verticle palm (Jing Jeung) Straight Punch, Grip release and elbow strikes.
3. Body conditioning
The positioning of the legs engages and strengthens the required muscles which are vital for the Wing Chun practitioner to have a strong stable base for the transference of force up from and down to the ground during all movements whether stepping, attacking or defending. SLT is training both legs to be the back leg and to be constantly engaged for this purpose.
4. The centerline theory
This is the shortest most economical line between two objects. In Wing Chun it is important to control your opponent’s center line whilst attacking along it.
5. Energy development
The practice of SLT helps us to develop and condition the specific muscles used during different movements and root into the ground.
Tension/ Relaxation, when striking to be relaxed throughout the strike until the point of impact when you tense up to inflict maximum damage, after which returning to a state of relaxation. If done correctly this can be described as Ging. Relaxing immediately after the strike allows for a swift/smooth transition into the next movement.
Being relaxed up until impact has several benefits:
A. Speed, without tension your arms will move much faster.
B. Increased sensitivity. Sensitivity levels are greatly increased allowing reaction to opposing forces and or making a change of direction much quicker.
C. Energy saving, The more energy you conserve during a fight the longer you last as during a real life self-defense situation with the adrenaline pumping we burn up our energy very quickly (although ideally the fight will be over in seconds).
For any more information or advice I can be contacted directly at rob@robleyacademy.com
Sifu
Robert Ley