Sunshine Coast Wing Chun

Cho Shong Tin

Sticking hands is the necessary step in learning the fighting principles of Wing Chun. The purpose is to train the application of the movements and the ingenious responses in fighting so one can foster the natural reflexes of the movements.

In order to develop the superior, natural and habitual reflexes, one needs to have a rigorous basis in sticking hands training. Because of this reason, the practise of sticking hands is divided into the following stages: single sticking hand, rolling hands, practising the defencing and attacking techniques and free sparring and requires to be learnt step by step.

When some of the people discuss the sticking hands of Wing Chun, they consider that the techniques in sticking hands are effective only when there is arm(s) contact with the opponent. The Wing Chun practitioner can then feel what the opponents are doing and respond to the action and fight back. In fighting, if the opponents can avoid arm(s) contact with the Wing Chun practitioner then they think the function of sticking hands cannot be used. This idea is due to the lack of their understanding of Wing Chun.

Sticking hands does not need to have arm(s) contact in its reponses to the action of the opponent. The purpose of sticking hands are diverse and need to be coordinated together in order to achieve the best fighting result.

The procedures and purposes of sticking hands, generally, can be divided as follow:

(1) Single sticking hands;
(2) Rolling arms or also called rotating arms;
(3) Practising defencing and attacking techniques or called the double sticking hands;
(4) Application of force (No actual force is required but it is difficult to find a proper phrase to replace it.);
(5) Establish and utilise the natural reflexes of “Loy Lau Hoi Shun, Lut Sau Ja Chung” (Means: when a person strikes in, one should neutralise his incoming force. When his force is withdrawing, one should move in. When he removes his hand(s) away, one should strike in.);
(6) Seek the profound techniques of facing one’s shadow, chasing one’s shadow and pointing towards the centre line.

(A) Single Sticking Hands: It is the first step in learning the sticking hands of Wing Chun by practising the usage of the defencing and attacking techniques of Tan, Bong and Fook Sau. Generally, beginners will find it difficult in using Tan and Bong Sau when they receive a downward pressing force from the opponent. They will feel that the application of force in Fook Sau has a dominant advantage over the other movements. However, if one can understand the rotational skill of Tan Sau and Bong Sau, not only can he intimidate the one using the Fook Sau but he can also tire out that person very easily. In contrast, if the person can utilise the Fook Sau properly, he can also make the user of Tan or Bong Sau feels very difficult to withstand his force. This is a contradicting matter but however, the one who can apply the movements the best will win.

(B) Rolling arms: Both sides try to practise with theTan, Bong and Fook Sau to form a circular rotating movement resulting in redirecting force, applying pressure on the opponent, finding the way to withstand the pressure from the opponent, feeling how to upset the balance of the opponent by using a proper technique and developing a complete relaxed shoulder-joints even when one is under pressure. If one can relax his shoulder-joints more, the force developed from the initial sliding movement of the joint(s) will increase which will lead to the acceleration of the rotation movements and thus creating the best result of tractive and striking forces.

STICKING HANDS AND
FACING ONE’S SHADOW,
CHASING ONE’S SHADOW, CENTRE LINE

Chu Shong Tin

Sticking Hands (Chi Sau) is the main exercise in parctising the fighting techniques of Wing Chun. When practising sticking hands, instructors always mention about facing one’s shadow (Chiu Ying), chasing one’s shadow (Jui Ying) and pointing towards the centre line (Gee Ng Sien). These are the main points in fighting techniques that have been passed down from successive generations.

But, no matter whether the fight is between humans or animals and when the fight is between a pair, it is natural to prepare oneself by facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line. These are the natural instincts in preparing for a fight and should not form the main points in fighting even though they have been passed on from generations. Whether it contains any hidden meanings, it should be worthy for us to research and discuss.

Wing Chun emphasises on facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line but the explanation for these words is not as simple as the literal meaning of these sayings. Actually, these words hide the skill of using the mind force in a practical application which will develop the automatic self-defence and attack together with a effective counter-attacking technique. It also speeds up the reflexes and become the best way to develop the subconscious power in fighting. Therefore, facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line together with the motivation and infusion of mind force will combine to form the profound fighting techniques of Wing Chun.

If one wants to understand this type of fighting techniques, firstly, he has to understand the purposes of the Wing Chun Forms and then analyses the reasons for it.

From the position of the stance of Siu Nim Tau, the legs are pointing towards the centre which also make the toes and the knees do the same. This is the basic position for the legs to face towards the opponent and the movements of Tan Sau, Bong Sau and Fook Sau are also pointing towards the centre. The coordination of the shapes of the arms and legs together will make the whole body to form a solid triangle pointing towards the centre. The front point of this solid triangle together with the forward movement of the body will become the cohensive point of the body mass. Using this shape and point to contact with the opponent will create the abilities to crack in, break through and thrust open. This means controlling the “Noi Mun” (Means: the hands are within the inner area closer to the centre) of the opponent and will destroy his defence and put him into a disadvantage position by opening up his central area.

By further analysing the relationship between facing one’s shadow, chasing one’s shadow and pointing towards the centre line, they all function under the same reason. Facing one’s shadow: it means to face the opponent directly in front. Chasing one’s shadow: when the opponent is moving either left or right, one has to chase towards the direction where the opponent is moving to so he can focus at the centre line of the opponent again. This is why it is named as chasing one’s shadow. Gee Ng Sien means centre line and it is a representation of time as used by the Chinese. Gee represents the middle of night time. Ng represents the middle of day time. (The meaning of Gee Ng Sien can be used very broadly. It can be used by the study of Fung Shiu. In geography, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is also called as Gee Ng Sien.) It just another word for centre line.

If one can control the skills of facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line, generally, he can achieve the following reactions:

(1) Accumulate the strength of the whole body mass;

(2) The limbs are in the condition that is ready to fight just like the arrow is in the bow ready to fire;

(3) Conceal the abilities to absorb the external pressure and to bounce back the incoming force;

(4) Develop the faculties for automatic defence and attack.

As facing the opponent, chasing the opponent, pointing towards the centre line can develop the above-mentioned skills which also contains the hidden profound power of Wing Chun, I find this difficult in expressing and explaining it in black and white. For this reason, it is necessary for me to demonstrate in the course so you can feel the power personally.

Chu Shong Tin

Bill Gee is the form which concentrates an enormous destructive power in attacking. It is to use the natural skill to release the potential power of a person to the highest level and is also the combination of the mind and the theory of force.

It is wrong to say that learning the form of Bill Gee will then possess the enormous power of Bill Gee as well as having the very high skill in concentrating the force. Without the basic skill of Siu Nim Tau and Chum Kiu, the Bill Gee’s power cannot be effected. Sometimes, one may even hurt one when applying Bill Gee in fighting if one does not possess the basic skill of Siu Nim Tau and Chum Kiu.

To analyse the original idea of Bill Gee from the moves of the form:

1. When practising Bill Gee, one must move in speedy motion. When one is familiar with the moves of Bill Gee, he should practise it speedily because everybody knows that the destructive power is greater when moving faster.

2. Using rotation as a source of releasing energy. Whether it is as hard as steel or as soft as water, once rotated, the steel or water can generate enormous power. It is obvious that one will be unwilling to approach a rotating steel. Also, when the air is rotated, it creates a powerful hurricane. The whirlpool formed by the rotation of water is just as bad.

Hence, when practising Bill Gee, one must infuse his mind into the moves. In the way, he can feel the speedy effect and the original idea of Bill Gee so as to obtain the greatest satisfaction.

The profound Skill of Bill Gee can only expressed through demonstration, as such complexities can never be expressed in black and white. Hopefully, I wish that the participants of this course can grab hold of this profound skill so as to increase their understanding of Wing Chun. Consequently, they can practise Wing Chun with great interest.

Chu Shong Tin

Wing Chun was created by the Abbess Ng Mui three hundred years ago. Amongst all the martial arts in China, Wing Chun is the one I like the most. The reason I say this is not because I am teaching Wing Chun, but the fact that the theory and structure of Wing Chun are very scientific and has reached the acme of perfection.

According to the oral statement of Master Yip Man, the Late Abbess Ng Mui became weak and less powerful as she was growing older. Consequently, the traditional kung fu which she was very familiar with and depended on the physical fitness of the person became less effective in fighting. In order to overcome this, she tried to create a special kind of kung fu which did not rely upon the physical fitness of a person in such a way that the effect in combat would not reduce because of old age. After researching for a long time, the perfect kung fu of Wing Chun was introduced.

It is considered that the Wing Chun kung fu is flawless. Its theory, structure and technique in attack and defence is very profound and comprise different aspects including the characteristic of human muscle, skeletal structure, the theory of force, and human thinking as well as the potential power of a person. The familiarization and understanding of the above aspects will lead to the highest level of fighting technique. One, who indulges in martial art, will find great satisfaction when one fully understands the theory through persistent researching and practicing.

Wing Chun comprises of three forms i.e. [Siu Nim Tau], [Chum Kiu] and [Bill Gee], and each form has a theory of its own. In order words, each form has a specific goal to be achieved. Each of the three forms will, on its own, generate a kind of manoeuvring effect. The combination of these kinds of manoeuvring effects will mean an invincible martial art which is powerful in both attack and defence. In addition to these three forms, the practice of Wooden Dummy will increase a person’s interest in practicing.

At first, I will give a brief description of the theory. Then, I will analyse in more detail. It is hoped that, in this way, a learner can understand how to practise so as to obtain the best result.

1. SIU NIM TAU

The basic concept of Siu Nim Tau is the adoption of some simple moves, and the skill of using the force together with the infusion of the spirit into different parts of the body. In this way, every simple move becomes a very strong structure and can withstand heavy impact as well as being efficient in arrack.

2. CHUM KIU

The basic concept of Chum Kiu is to use the body weight in connection with the moves of Siu Nim Tau to form different kinds of techniques in the use of force. In this way, one can overcome the opponent very easily without wasting much energy.

3. BILL GEE

The basic concept of Bill Gee is to generate explosive power with the body weight in speedy motion. This is basically the use of the simple moves of Siu Nim Tau together with the turning skill of Chum Kiu modified by increasing speed. When this is practiced well, one can strike out a fully concentrated power. This is why form is called Bill Gee (In Chinese, the word Bill Gee means “striking out a fully concentrated force with a finger-tip”).

Ip Ching

My late father, Master IP Man, actively promoted the art of ” Wing Chun” after coming to Hong Kong in 1949. In a brief period of 22 years（1950 - 1972）, the art of ” Wing Chun” blossomed in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. More than that, the seeds of Wing Chun were spread throughout the world and a firm foundation was laid in the major countries of the world. During his life, excellent disciples such as LEUNG Sheung, IP Bo-ching, CHIU Wan, Bruce LEE, LOK Yiu, CHUI Sheungtin, WONG Shun-leung and HO Kam-ming were cultivated and they inherited Master Yip’s wish to further develop ” Wing Chun”. Therefore, Master Yip was held in the highest esteem by his disciples and unanimously praised as the” Master of Wing Chun” after he passed away. （My late father was humble and prudent throughout his life and he had never claimed himself as the Master of Wing Chun or the elder of any school. I mentioned this point as a warning to fellow disciples of ” Wing Chun” who had completed to be leader of the school.）My late father could accept this title without feeling embarrassed.
My late father was born in Foshan at the end of Ching Dynasty. Foshan was situated at the most prosperous region of the Zheyieng Delta of Guangdong province and it was the hub of land and sea transport. From ancient time, it had been called one of the Ever Major Historical Towns of China in association with Jingde, Thuxian and Hankiou. Industry and trade, in particular handicraft trade, prospered all along and the residents lived a stable and prosperous life. As a result, culture and art developed fully and as Chinese martial art was part of China’s traditional culture and art, the trend of learn material art was very popular. Well known masters of the South School, e.g. WONG Fai-hung, CHEUNG Hung-shing, LEUNG Chan, LEUNG Siu-ching etc. came from Foshan. Master Ip was born in such an age and he was extremely fond of Chinese martial art. With talent and persistence as well as teaching by famous teachers（CHAN Wah-shun at the beginning and LEUNG Pik, son of LEUNG Chan later）, Master Ip’s achievement could be envisaged.
I came to Hong Kong in 1962 and followed my father to learn martial arts. Afterwards, I assisted him in teaching ”Wing Chun” until he passed away in 1972. I learned a lot from the way he taught. As it was the 100th anniversary of the birth Master IP Man, I would like to put forward a few points that I learned from the master’s way of teaching in the hope that all” Wing Chun” disciples would learn from them and study them.
The Master put great emphasis on the selection of talent. He always said,” No doubt it is difficult for a disciple to select a teacher. But it is even more difficult for a teacher to select a disciple”. It was extraordinary for someone who taught martial art for a living to have such a mentality. This meant that he was serious in his attitude and responsible to the disciples he taught. Throughout his life, the Master had neither hung up a signboard nor put up enrollment advertisement. The aim for this was just to reserve” the active right to select disciple” . The Master adhered to this principle strictly for the past 20 years. It was commendable for someone who taught martial art for a living.
“Wing Chun” is practical, simple and direct without any fancy element. The Master put great emphasis on the basic training of the new disciples. When he taught them Xiu Nin Tau, he imposed no time constraint on the learning of correct stance, co-ordination of the waist and the stand as well as the use of strength. He would teach a new topic only after the disciple could prove that he could meet his requirement. He would never teach perfunctorily. This was in fact, a kind of award to those who worked hard to meet the requirement.
Another characteristic of the Master’s way of teaching was teaching a disciple according to his aptitude. He would thoroughly analyze the mentally, character, physical fitness, physique, education standard, cultural accomplishment as well as power of absorption of the disciple first. Then he would teach him ways and means according to the different needs of individual to make sure that every disciple would absorb and learn easily.
In the course of teaching, the Master placed a lot of importance in practicing a show and free combat. The aim was to nurture disciple’s love of and confidence in” Wing Chun” so as to guide him to study the rules of “Wing Chun” and the wooden dummy.
Apart from great attainments in ”Wing Chun”, the Master received advanced education in his youth. Moreover, he continued to absorb modern scientific knowledge. Therefore, he could always make use of present day’s technological knowledge such as mechanic and mathematics theories to explain the rules of Wing Chun. The Master could even give up unintelligible wordings such as the Five Elements, Eight Diagrams and mutual promotion and restraint between the Five Elements that were commonly used in metaphysics. This helped purification of martial arts and this was also the secret for the Master to achieve such high attainment. The Master had never said and even detested anyone who said,” I met a genius or hermit who taught me extraordinary skill or unique move in martial art” to cheat his disciple and to promote himself. He thought that such person had no confidence in what he had learnt and he was extremely shallow in the rules of martial art. He only wished to scare people by telling this kind of specious story. Such person was doomed to failure by using this kind of unsubstantiated means to teach martial art.
The secret of the Master’s way of teaching was not limited to the above points. I hope that fellow disciples will explore more meaningful points in the future.

Chu Shong Tin

Literally, Chum Kiu when translated is the method of how to deal with the opponent’s wrists once in contact. In other words, Chum Kiu is the form applicable to fighting. If the theory of Chum Kiu is analysed carefully, it is found that it has reached the acme of perfection.

Chum Kiu is to utilize the body weight of a person as the source of energy and combining the moves of Siu Nim Tau to create a skill that can apply force in different directions. As a result, the opponent will find it difficult to tackle these kind of moves because his centre of gravity has been affected and will be easily toppled over. Hence, your chance to win in fighting is increased.

The theory of Chum Kiu can be grouped as follows:
1. The application of “two-way” force;
2. Using the centre of the body as the source of energy;
3. Using the mind to control the movement of the body;
4. Using the simultaneous attack and defence movements.

1. THE APPLICATION OF “TWO-WAY FORCE”

The majority of the moves in Chum Kiu is to apply the force moving in two different directions to contact with the wrists of the opponent. Although it is called the “two-way force”, yet, if analysed in more detail, it is found that it consists of skill of applying the force pointing from more than two directions.

The turning stance of Chum Kiu is a two-dimensional turning, i.e. turning on a surface. When the turning stance is combined with use of Tau Sau, Bong Sau and Fook Sau of Siu Nim Tau at the same time, every move of Chum Kiu will comprise the effect of having a force pointing from two different directions. Thus, the opponent will find it difficult in dealing with these kind of moves.

I was invited to organise a seminar in Holland in 1994 in which I demonstrated the “two-way force” of Chum Kiu. During the demonstration, I wrestled with a young and huge Negro who could easily lift up 250 kg. At that time, I weighed only 60 kg. As the body weights vary so greatly, my winning with the use of Chum Kiu obtained the shouts of triumph from everybody present on that occasion.

The reason why the “two-way force” is difficult to be deal with is very simple. Assume that one can easily raise up an object of 50 kg, but if a person pushes you with a force of 20 kg from the side while you are lifting an object of 30 kg then you will find it very difficult to resist the pushing and will even lose your balance and fall over.

2. Using the centre of the body as the source of energy

In practising Chum Kiu, one must use the centre of the body as the source of energy. The purpose is to maintain the body weight as an unity and then every move will contain the weight of the whole body. When the opponent is in contact with any part of your body, he will then have to suffer an attack from your whole body weight.

3. Using the mind to control the movement of the body

The purpose of using the mind to control the movement of the body is to generate the whole body weight without using any unnecessary muscular force. Thus, every move you are using will contain the weight of the whole body.

4. Using the simultaneous attack and defence movements

Practising Chum Kiu has entered into the stage of body contact with the opponent. This means that Chum Kiu is the form which will comprise of the combating skill. Hence, every simple move of Chum Kiu contains a common structure which is fit for attack or defence. Apart from having the speciality of Wing Chun (i.e. not to waste energy), every move will contain the scientific structure for combat, allowing the fighting skill to show up when facing the opponent.

It is of my opinion the fighting skill of Chum Kiu is difficult to describe in writing. The best way is to understand it is through demonstration and practice. If I have to put down all the Chum Kiu skills in writing, the article will be so profound that the person who reads it will find it hard to understand and will be confused.

Chu Shong Tin

After one is familiar with all the movements in the Wing Chun Forms, he should study and understand more in depth the theory and contents of the Forms in order to establish the concept in training so that he could reach the revelation – “Lup Lim” (Means: determines to use the thinking process to achieve the basic principles of Wing Chun) – as told by the late Grandmaster Ip Man. Practicing in this way, one can be able to gain an ideal result and obtain enrichment.

Now I will give a brief description of the philosophy of Wing Chun. Wing Chun kung fu always emphasizes on not to use any muscular force but to conjugate with the mind and work it out as the source of power. This reinforces the importance of “Lup Lim” during training. I hope that the followers of Wing Chun can assimilate the logic of modern scientific theories in analysing its movements so one can learn more about the Wing Chun system and make it easier to understand why Wing Chun is so profound in its learning.

During the Ching Dynasty of China, Wing Chun was created from the life martial art experience of the Abbess Ng Mui during her latter years. Now a few hundred years later, if one use the modern scientific knowledge to analysis Wing Chun, no matter which movements, [Siu Nim Tau], [Chum Kiu] or [Bill Gee], are backed up by the logic of physics, dynamics and the theory of body structure. That is why I believe Wing Chun is an invented martial art that transcends time.

Generally, when the beginners study the movements of the Wing Chun forms, most of them will find it very difficult to comprehend. Therefore, they will concentrate on the practical application of the techniques and neglect the importance of the logic of the theories of force and structure. The more comprehendible one will after analysing Wing Chun with the theory of leverage believes that this is the highest skill of Wing Chun but overlooks the advance effects which could be obtained from the energy developed from mind force, the reasons why it can save strength and the theories of force and structure etc. which can help one to progress to a higher level.

When I try to explain the profound theory of Wing Chun kung fu, I found it very difficult to describe and put in writing. Even if I demonstrate the movements on people as I did in my previous seminars, I was still thought to be acting. Therefore, it shows that the practical effects of Wing Chun have reached a point of view that the force it can be generated is hard for anyone to believe.

In practising Wing Chun, besides studying the application of the movements, one should not neglect the theory of each Form. For example, in Siu Nim Tau, of course its movements can be used for defense and attack but in practising, one should direct all the movements in the form with the use of the mind. In establishing this mind force theory by not using any muscular strength, one can derive the skill of how to generate force with his mind and a good example of this is the Bong Sau. Bong Sau can easily fling the downward pressing force of the opponent by not using any muscular strength. It is said that the Bong Sau was created by the late Abbess Ng Mui when she sighted the fight between a crane and a raccoon. The crane just used its thin wing to rotate the raccoon away and it could continue to stand on one leg throughout the fight. She then suddenly understood the principle why a lighter object could fight against a heavier object by not using any strength. It is difficult to prove whether Wing Chun was created from those incidents but it does not need to use any strength is an affirmative fact.

In order to achieve the mind force of Wing Chun, practitioners should first practise according to the functions of the Forms and try to merge your mind and the movements together. When one starts to feel the existence of the mind force, Wing Chun will become one of the enjoyments of life.

Wing Chun comprises of three forms i.e. [Siu Nim Tau], [Chum Kiu] and [Bill Gee] and each form has a theory of its own. In application, if one can combine the three forms together, Wing Chun will become a system which is practical and capable of deriving a highly destructive force.

By Chu Shong Tin

THE MOVES TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE MIND

From the name [Siu Nim Tau] (In Chinese means “sense from the brain”), it can be seen that the form is based on idea or mind. Hence, when one has attained a stage that he is familiar with the form and perform all the moves correctly, he need not practise with a mirror in front of him just to see if the moves are correct. In order not to affect the concentration of the moves, he should use the mind to perform the moves. After practicing for a long period of time, he should be able to perform the moves with the mind freely at any moment without exerting force of the muscle.

THE INPUT OF MIND FORCE

In learning Siu Nim Tau, when one has passed the stages of imitating the moves and performing the moves with the mind, he should try to input the mind force into the limbs. “Mind Force” is an invisible power. Looking at it from another angle, it is the power created when concentrating the mind and is similar to Qigong and Ligong. When one has achieved the stage of driving the mind force, he can feel the existence of it. Wherever the mind force is moved to inside the body of a person, the power of that part of the body is increased, and every move he performs will be springy and filled up with energy. In fighting, since he has already possessed the absorbing and rebounding effect due to the existence of the mind force, when encountering the opponent, he is able to use the appropriate move automatically without thinking, thus, achieving the best result in attack and defence.

THE THEORY OF CENTRE LINE

The centre line of any object is the centre point of that object. It is also the perpendicular line from the centre of gravity of that object, and supporting at the centre of gravity is actually supporting the weight of that object. Hence, if that object moves to any direction, and if one touches the centre of gravity of that object in the direction it is moving, he will have to suffer the whole weight and impact of the object. Since a object of different shape will have a different centre of gravity, depending on the shape of that object, it is necessary to determine where the centre of gravity is on each occasion.

The basic moves of Siu Nim Tau is founded basing on the centre of gravity of a person together with the principle of the centre line. The Tan Sau and Fook Sau moves forward from one’s centre point. This is to use the centre of gravity of a person to move forward thus concentrating the whole body weight of the person to attack. Bong Sau, which is moving up from below, is using the centre of gravity of the person moving slopingly forward and upwards. Garn Sau and lower cut down is using the centre of gravity of the person moving slopingly forward and downwards. For this reason, if one can master the principle of the centre of gravity, the opponent has to tolerate your attack with your whole body weight. This is the main idea of Siu Nim Tau using the body weight in fighting.

The above is just the basic theory of Siu Nim Tau and does not consist of any particular skill. Hence, if you practise Siu Nim Tau in accordance with the above theory and achieve the described level, you will be able to tolerate heavy force and generate enormous power without exerting muscular force. One cannot imagine this unless he has personally experienced it. In order to really know Siu Nim Tau and feel its power, one must practise Siu Nim Tau repeatedly and persistently for a long period of time.

By Chu Shong Tin

Siu Nim Tau is the basic form of Wing Chun. It comprises three specialties: (1) No need to exert force; (2) It possesses the strongest structure with the minimum use of energy; (3) It induces the release of mind force from a person.

Learning Siu Nim Tau is divided in to three stages.

Firstly, one must relax the muscles of the whole body. Then, he should infuse the spirit into the spirit so that it is maintained straight. Contracting the anus is also important because it can help different parts of the body to form a unified structure.

The second stage is to practise in a completely relaxed state. When one is fully acquainted with all the moves, he should practise every move with the mind to initiate the movement without paying attention to whether the move is correct or not. He must ensure that every movement is initiated by the mind and not by the muscle.

After completing the training of the above two stages, it now comes to practise the main point of Siu Nim Tau. This is to learn how to release the mind force and the familiarization of the automatic reaction applying to fighting.

Expressing this kind of technique on paper is just like inventing a theory without experiment. One will not believe it unless he has experienced such techniques. Luckily, with the assistance of the video , a Wing Chun learner can have a chance to fully understand the techniques.

The important points of Siu Nim Tau can be grouped as follows:
1. The structure of the moves
2. The moves to be controlled by the mind
3. The input of mind force
4. The theory of center line

(1). THE STRUCTURE OF THE MOVES

(a) The basic concept is to utilize the rotation of a circle to generate the force and to tolerate any force applied externally. This is due to the fact that anything of the same mass when in a circular shape can tolerate heavier force applied externally and generate greater driving force with minimum energy than in any other shape. The ‘Tan Sau’, ‘Bong Sau’ and ‘Fook Sau’ of Siu Nim Tau are the obvious examples of applying the principle of circular motion. The practical use is to let the opponent’s wrist contact on the internal side or external side of the circle. From Tan Sau to Bong Sau is to let the opponent’s wrist from the internal side of the circle go to the external side of the circle go to the internal side of the circle. Fook Sau is to use the external side of the circle to contact the opponent’s wrist.

(b) To use the straight line as the base of exerting force during attack. The motto of Wing Chun “A straight line is the shortest distance between two points” is actually applying the principle of the straight line. This is the application of speed and force of impact. In real fighting, speed and great force of impact is of prime importance. The short distance is to reduce the attacking time whilst attacking on a straight line is to increase the striking force. The combination of a “short distance” and a “straight line” will result in high speed and a heavy punch.

(c) The concealed skill of the “Two Adduction Stance” (Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma). The “Two Adduction Stance” fully reflects the skill in concentrating the force of impact. Because of its posture, it can concentrate the force of impact at the center line or even to the center point so that every move contains the weight of the whole body. Since the knees are slightly bent and springy, one can transfer the striking force from the wrist of the opponent to one’s knees. This action can reduce the burden of the arms, thus increasing the mobile ability of the arms.