As you may probably already know, Siu Nim Tau, is the first form of the Wing Chun system. Unlike some other martial arts, Wing Chun is primarily based on principles rather than a prescribed set of moves which, if done in sequence after being attacked in a specific way will enable you to counter your attacker and be victorious. That is why to some, who are not at all familiar with the system may think, when they first see how the Siu Nim Tau is practiced, that it doesn’t seem effective. Whereas it has often be said to me, that once you know and understand the principles in the Siu Nim Tau, along with it’s various applications, you will already be skilled in Wing Chun.
This is true, up to a point, and it’s up to you how far you want to take your understanding of the Wing Chun system.
The name of the form “Siu Nim Tau” has a number of different spellings, and some different interpretations of the meaning. For me I like the simplicity of “Little Idea”. I have also read, that is should be “to put into your mind the concept of small efficient, economical motions”. Some interpret it as the importance of “being of no mind”. You get the idea (no pun intended).
The form is almost invariably taught in three sections, and when practicing, I like to use the first section to try and calm and clear my mind of my day to day concerns, and to focus on my breathing and just to relax. So to try and be of no mind. This for me allows me to focus completely on performing the form, and to examine all of the techniques from start to finish.
The number of moves in the form, will vary from school to school, and I’m not going to give you a full breakdown of them all here. That’s up to your Sifu to teach you, and while you could learn what the technique might look like, you can’t learn the principles and proper application from a web page or book.
The form is open hand, by this I mean you do not use any weapons, (that comes much later) and you will learn about the centre line theory, the gates of the body, and a number of techniques in how to defend these. But you will also learn one of the most important principles in Wing Chun, the principle of simultaneousness defense and attack.
I’m going to add some snippets around some of these principles in time, but for now if you want to learn more about anything I put up on here, I strongly recommend looking up a Wing Chun school in your area and finding yourself a good Sifu. Finding the right Sifu for you will be the best thing you can do as this person will help you develop safely and effectively.