Siu Nim Tao

Siu Nim Tao
Traditional Chinese	小念頭
Simplified Chinese	小念头
Literal meaning	little thought/idea
Transcriptions Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin xiăo niàn tóu Cantonese (Yue) - Jyutping siu2 nim6 tau4 - Yale Romanization siú nihm taùh

Siu Nim Tao is the first open-hand form, or taolu, of Wing Chun kung fu. The form may also be called Sil Lim Tao, Sil Lum Tao, Siu-Lim-Tou, or Siu-Lien-Tao (Yuen-Kay San Wing Chun Kuen).

History

Siu Nim Tao is a traditional form from Wing Chun Kung Fu. The Siu Nim Tao form was created by the Red Boat member Leung Yee-Tai, along with the Chum Kiu and Biu Tze forms. There is evidence in this by the fact that not all Wing Chun families have the Siu Nim Tao form. The story of Yim Wing Chun may be nothing but legend, as the account of Ng Mui cannot be supported, given the fact that Nuns were not allowed to live in male temples. In the Fung Siu-Ching oral tradition, the Young Forest Shaolin Abbot Chi Shim (also Jee Shim) introduced the Muk Yan Jong or Dummy Form to the Red Boat Society members, and it was from there that all of the Wing Chun (Weng Chun in the Fung Siu-Chin line) were created. The Red Boat members combined the Luk Dim Bun Gon into the system. The Leung Jan Line contains the three forms, Muk Yan Jong, pole, and Dou (knife) forms. The Fung-Siu Ching line developed the Fa Kuen (Blossoming Fist), Sam Pai Fut (Three Prayers to Buddha), Weng Chun Sup Yat Sao (Always Spring Eleven Hands), Jong Kuen (Dummy Fist), Muk Yan Jong (Wooden Dummy), Luk Dim Boon Kwun (Six-and-a-Half-Point-Pole), and Seung Do (Double Knives). Yuen Kay-San studied under Leung Yee-Tai's and Wong Wah-Bo's disciple Fok Bo-Chuen and also under Fung Siu-Ching, so he was one of the few to have studied from two different Wing Chun lines. The form itself, which contains the Saam Kei Fat or Three Prayers to Buddha section, represents the form as a Qigong form, and so the lack of movement is representative of the traditional standing postures of Qigong, though using the Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma stance of Wing Chung.

Little is known prior to this, however, many martial arts employ a neutral position when first teaching students the basic elements of a particular style.^{[citation needed]}

Technical aspects

All the basic hand movements used in Wing Chun are contained in Siu Nim Tao. There is minimal leg movement in the form; the feet only move to set up the stance in the initial movements.

Siu Nim Tao practice:

• defines the centreline and teaches students where their hands should be relative to it
• teaches students how to execute Wing Chun strikes correctly
• reinforces the correct elbow position
• instills correct breathing patterns
• facilitates force generation in short range Wing Chun strikes

Great emphasis is put on relaxation while performing Siu Nim Tao. This facilitates efficiency of movement and hand speed. Some teachers, notably Chu Shong Tin, place enormous emphasis on relaxation during Siu Nim Tao practice.^{[citation needed]}

Other aspects

Siu Nim Tao can be used as a form of moving and breathing meditation. In addition, it increases student concentration and focus. The form is also used extensively to develop forward energy in Wing Chun practitioners.

Demonstrations of the form

Although many of the movements are similar, Siu Nim Tao varies significantly between schools and branches.

Siu Nim Tao or Little Idea Variations Demonstrated

References

• Siu Nim Tao - Sequence details Siu Nim Tau in photographs, shown courtesy of Marcelo Navarro, School Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kuen Europe.