Wing Chun's Forms

Siu Nim Tau

The first form of Wing Chun is Siu Nim Tau, which translates to 'small idea' or 'little thought'. The Siu Nim Tau form teaches you how to build up your structure and achieve a relaxed state, which is necessary for the proper generation of force and the development of Wing Chun's 'Power of Relaxation'.

The three most basic handwork of Wing Chun, the tan sau, bong sau and fook sau, form part of the arc of a circle or sphere. These movements are performed through the rotation of the circle at its centre, such as the ball joint in the shoulder. As a spherical shape can withstand a much stronger external impact than any other shape, these movements are highly effective for attacking and defending in a self defence scenario.

To enable proper rotation, there are three conditions which must be in place:

• The integrity of the Wing Chun exponent's stance and structure;
• The relaxation of muscles around the joints and the spine; and
• The existence of a clear intention on what to rotate and where to rotate from.

Wing Chun's movements are initiated through the rotation of the ball joint in the shoulder as opposed to the pushing of the hand, which would cause the Wing Chun exponent to tense up their shoulder and restrict their movement. The elbow joint is also used in the rotation of the shoulder joint; the elbow expands and rotates around the point of resistance instead of pressing directly into it.

Once the idea of rotation and its application to Wing Chun's movements has been mastered, it may be applied effectively in any self defence situation.

Chum Kiu

The Chum Kiu form's predominant emphasis is on moving the body, stepping, pivoting and finding the centre of mass.

When stepping, it is important that the whole body move as one coordinated unit. When stepping with the body correctly coordinated, external resistance does not affect the movement of the Wing Chun exponent.

By focusing correctly, turning the body around the centre and ignoring the resistance, you can turn effortlessly and the person resisting will just come along for the ride.

The Chum Kiu form also teaches the development of multi-vector force, an example being a stepping movement with a simultaneous bong sau and dai sau. As the body moves to the side, one arm creates a circle with the bong sau movement while the other performs a raising dai sau movement, thereby creating 3 vectors of force. The combination of the 3 force vectors results in the generation of a tremendous amount of force which the opponent will find difficult to resist or determine the origin of.

When practising Chum Kiu, you must be mindful of body and arm coordination and maintain body unity.

Biu Jee

The above video demonstration highlights the Biu Jee form's generation of force and its ability to redirect the opponent's force to the centre of a vortex, thereby allowing a Wing Chun exponent to turn their attacker's force against them. The first movement demonstrated will work as either an attack or defence.

In the second movement, the Biu Sau (thrusting or darting hand), the Wing Chun exponent's body moves from its centre while the arm accelerates off the momentum of the body and the force projects through the fingertips like a whip.

In the third movement, the Garn Sau, upon contact with the Wing Chun exponent's arms, the opponent's balance is upset in several directions, which allows them to be controlled without effort.

The Biu Jee form is the most powerful of Wing Chun's empty-handed forms.