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(The Little
Idea)
By Patrick Gordon
When beginning the study of Wing Chun, one of the first things he or she
will be taught is Sil Lim Tao, which translates into small or little
idea. This form is an extremely important beginning for the student as it
contains most of the fundamental movements inherent in all of Wing Chun's
hand techniques.
Since this form is done stationary, the student must first learn Wing
Chun's basic stance, Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma. Wing chun's "mother stance"
should not be confused with a fighting stance, it is strictly for training
to develop a strong base or foundation, fighting requires mobile stances
which are taught only after the student develops a solid root and a
fundamental understanding of all hand techniques introduced at this level.
The student should concentrate on finding their center of gravity and learn
how to sink it. The tail bone is tucked and the hips locked forward like a
shovel stuck into the ground, this will make the lower back push out, keep
the head up and the chin down making the spine naturally straight. The
practitioner should feel as though suspended from above, while also feeling
rooted into the ground. The feet will be roughly shoulder width apart while
pointing inwards or pigeon toed, the knees should be bent and pointing in
the same direction as the feet. The weight distribution on the feet should
be 50/50, at the same time be evenly dispersed over the entire foot, the
toes are to remain relaxed and ready to grip the floor to help regain
balance, if lost. While practising this stance for long periods at a time,
the feet may begin to burn or possibly itch, this is natural and will go
away with further training. The practitioners fists are held at the side of
the body, approximately mid rib level, without actually touching the body,
the shoulders are dropped causing the elbows to sink. This stance is based
on the structural strength of a pyramid and will help the student to control
their center of gravity, which in turn will produce rooting power as well as
proper balance.
Sil Lim Tao is comprised of three parts or sections totalling 108 motions.
The first section is done very slowly, usually between 15-30 or more
minutes. By practising the form this way the student spends time developing
his or her root. The student should also be concentrating on not using any
muscular strength, but should learn to relax and use just enough natural
tension to support the structure of their technique and stance. The mind
should also be relaxed and not be distracted by anything around them, the
eyes look straight ahead, not at what the hands are doing. The student
should use a small idea such as breathing, relaxing, etc, to clear all large
ideas such as dinner, job, etc. The practitioners thoughts should become
smaller and smaller until a time comes when the mind is completely clear,
this is called mental clarity.
The first part of the form helps to develop a strong foundation, natural
tension, patience, relaxation, technique, and mental clarity. All of these
attributes allow chi ( internal energy ) to flow naturally, with time the
practitioner will learn develop and control their chi.
The first part of the form also introduces what is known as the
"immovable elbow line" In Wing Chun the elbow is used by pushing and
pulling, controlling the power in most of the hand techniques, it also stays
close to the body to protect against mid section attacks.
The second part of the form is done at a faster, more regular speed
without over using muscular strength. The hands work together in a
continuous flowing manner, going from one technique to the next, releasing
the proper amount of power upon the completion of each motion, without
interruption of flow. The body must remain relaxed in order to allow this
flowing to occur. The techniques should be crisp and work together with a
yin/yang balance in each motion.
The third part of the form is done with the same speed and power as the
second part, only instead of the hands flowing together they are introduced
to working independently of one another. The hands must still provide a
yin/yang balance with one another in order to maintain a steady flow of
power, balance and also to develop proper timing.
A very important concept introduced within Sil Lim Tao are imaginary
lines known as the mother line, attacking line and most importantly the
center line. The mother line exists within the core of the body, running
from the top of the head down between the legs. This line is closely
related to the stance, the student must learn to protect this line and keep
it vertical at all times, the stance should never lean at any direction.
The attacking line is an imaginary line which exists between the practioner
and an opponents mother lines, this line is the closest or most direct path
to take for an attack. The self-centerline is an imaginary line, which runs
down the front of the practitioners body, dividing it into two halves. Most
hand techniques are done on this line and it should be very closely
observed. Defend on the self-centerline, attach the opponents mother line
with the most direct path, the attacking line, quite simple!
This form also introduces the three families of all Wing Chun hand
techniques, these techniques are Tan Sao, Bong Sao and Fok Sao. All hand
methods are related to one of these three techniques.
These three techniques when together also form an exercise known as Chi
Sau (sticky hands) the most important exercise in the Wing Chun system. Chi
Sau allows the practioner to dissect the forms and understand them in a
more practical manner.
Sil Lim Tao helps to develop the fundamental principles of the Wing Chun
system and prepare the practioner for the more advanced forms and theory
lying ahead. Eighty percent of all Wing Chun hand techniques are found
within this form and all foot work and kicking techniques rely on leg
development, developed at this level, simply put, this form helps to build a
strong base on which the student can continue to build upon. Sil Lim Tao is
truly the right beginning.
(Seeking The Bridge)
(Shooting Fingers)
(Wooden Dummy)
(Butterfly Knives)
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