Siu Nim Tao


Siu Nim Tao or Siu Lim Tao is the first open-hand form, or taolu, of Wing Chun kung fu. The name is a transcription of the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese characters "小念頭". Several other versions of the name are used by different organisations. The second form is called Chum Kiu.

Purposes

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 used extensively in Wing Chun.

Demonstrations of the form

Although many of the movements are similar, Siu Nim Tao varies significantly between schools and branches. In Ip Man’s Wing Chun Siu Nim Tao the first section of the form is done by training the basic power for the hand techniques by tensing and relaxing the arms. In Moy Yat’s Wing Chun the first section of the form is done without muscle tension and slowly in a meditative, calm, and being “in the moment”.
In 1972, weeks before he died, Ip Man demonstrated Siu Nim Tau on film on how the form is performed. There is also a photo breakdown and captions on how each movement is correctly performed.