wing chun techniques book form

7/29/2019 Wing Chun Techniques Book Form

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Wing Chun Basics

Wu Sao

It is important to keep the fingers

straight and upright with the wrist onthe centreline. The hand is drawn backuntil the wrist is one fist distant from

the chest, maintaining the fingersstraight and vertical with the thumb

bent, this is the Wu Sau position or protectivehand, not so much an active technique but oneof the most important in the reality of fighting.


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Tan Sao

The arm is pushed out along thecentreline until the elbow is one fist

distance from the chest. The handis held horizontally about throat level,fingers pointing forward. The whole

movement from the hand opening tofinishing is done with tension and very slowly.As a guide it should take about one minute to

complete the move.


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Fook sao

Keeping the wrist on the centrelinebend at the wrist relaxing the handdown. The thumb is placed on the

second finger with the other fingersgrouped around while keepingthem straight, the fingers are pulled

back toward the body.


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The literal translation of Siu Lim Tao as I understand it, is "Little Idea",and over the years I have come to realize just how powerful a concept it

embraces. I have heard many other explanations, some reasonable,some bizarre, to the extent that some people say that there is a secret

form that goes beyond Siu Lim Tao and that is the "BIG Idea" form. Theare no secrets in Wing Chun only people who wish the hide theirignorance behind a pretence. If you are told that "You will learn the

secrets when you have trained long enough and shown your dedication."The point is that you must have no 'little' or small ideas in your head

when you practise, this means that you are concentrating on yourmoves and energies and not worrying about unrelated 'little' thoughts,such as "How much did I spend last night?" or "I wonder if they wouldlike to go on a date?". To learn to concentrate on yourself is a difficultthing to do as we are not accustomed to doing it, it is not since beingsmall children that our brains have had to consider co-ordinating new

body movements and so we have to learn once more to focus on ourmovements so that we can correct ourselves. It is not a problem if youare constantly making mistakes, if you are aware of them you can putthem right, but if you are unaware of the errors you will continue to

reinforce them through repetitive practise until they become bad habits.In learning to be self-critical you will begin to appreciate and understand

yourself in a different light, criticism is not only a negative thing, youmust also take it on board to realize when you are doing somethingright, essentially we are talking about a form of meditation, not the

mystical heart stopping levitation type, but an intense internalization ofbody movements and how they controlled and used.


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1 OPENING THE STANCE, stand upright and relaxed withyour feet together and your arms by your side, eyes lookingstraightforward. It is at this point that you remove anydistracting thoughts or Little Ideas from your mind and

concentrate solely on the movements and energies of theform.2 Lift your arms up, the hands close as and are held at theside of the chest, the fists do not protrude in front of thechest. The elbows are pulled back and kept in so that theyare not visible from the front view, wrist and forearm are inline and held horizontal.3 Sit down slightly until the toes are only just visible over theknees. It is important not to bend over too far as this willresult in an incorrect stance, as well as stressing the knees

too much which could lead to health problems later.4 Maintaining the same level, pivot on the heels pushing thetoes out without lifting them off the floor.5 The balance is now shifted so that the feet pivot on theballs of the feet not on the toes, the heels are pushed outinto a completed basic stance. The centre of gravity is overthe heels and this brings the correct tension throughout themuscles of the legs. Hips are slightly pushed forward tocreate a straight line from knees through the hips to the

shoulders. Knees are held one fist distance apart.6 Bring the arms out, forward and down into a CROSSEDGAUN SAU position. Cross the forearms just above the wristand always left over right. The point where the arms crossdescribes a lower point on the centreline.7 Maintaining the elbow position turn the hands so that thepalms face up, while lifting the forearms to a CROSSED TANSAU position with the wrists still in contact. The hands shouldnow be at shoulder level and the left hand on the inside. Ahigher point on the centreline is now defined.8 This is not a technique or practical fighting move, it datesback to the days when mirrors were not readily available anda pole was placed in the ground; then when the stance waslined up using the CROSSED GAUN SAU and CROSSED TANSAU the pole was a point of reference to equate to thecentreline.


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9 Both elbows are now pulled back simultaneously into therest position. Check that the forearms are horizontal, elbowsin, fists level with the front of the chest and the wristscorrectly aligned.

10 Bring the left fist into the centreline one fist distancefrom the chest in front of the solar plexus, the elbow shouldbe in a relaxed natural position at the side of the body, toofar off the body and it destroys the alignment and projectionof energy.11 The left fist is now extended out as a straight-line punch.When the fist begins its movement the arm is relaxed, thisallows maximum speed production; tension in the earlystages brings the antagonistic muscles into play slowing themovement. Tension is applied only in the last six inches to

give the correct energy. The fist is vertical, connecting withthe bottom three knuckles. You must be precise and certainthat the knuckles are on the centreline.12 The fist is brought into the centreline relaxed, due to thewhole arm being relaxed the fist drops slightly at the wrist,though it is very important that the back of the wrist is inline with the forearm. When in the last six inches the fistsnaps into the punch with total tension, the knuckles notonly drive forward but also slightly up; this unique extra

lifting energy from the wrist is the essence of Wing Chunsclose range punching, it is not restricted to the extendedarm it can be used close to the body, the important point isin understanding the expression of energy over a maximumof six inches.13 Keeping the arm extended open the hand palm up withthe fingers straight.14 It is important to keep the elbow locked out and to pullthe wrist and fingers back as far as possible so that thefingers are pointing towards the body. Slowly rotate in aclockwise direction with total tension; correct positioning isessential if you are to build maximum wrist strength andhence energy through HUEN SAU, or circling hand.15 The slow rotation continues with the concentrationfocused on the tension and control of the movement.


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16 Maintain the tension in the HUEN SAU until the handreaches the horizontal. It is at this point that the rotationcannot continue without involving a lift in the shoulder. Thearm now relaxes and immediately snaps closed as a fist held

horizontally with the back of the hand facing up.17 The left arm returns to the rest position by pulling theelbow back with energy being expressed in the last sixinches. Check that the forearms are horizontal with thewrists flat, elbows in, fists level with the front of the chestand the shoulders relaxed.18 Bring the right fist into the centreline held one fistdistance from the chest in front of the solar plexus, elbow atthe side of the body with the whole arm relaxed, just held inposition.

19 Extend the right arm out, fast though relaxed. It isimportant to have the correct alignment throughout the armmovement with awareness that it is the elbow that is behindpushing the fist out along the centreline.20 In the last six inches tension is applied in the armresulting in the energy being expressed in the vertical fistwith the bottom three knuckles on the centreline.21 Open the hand palm up, keeping the elbow locked so thearm is straight.

22 Keeping the fingers, straight bend at the third joint whilebending also at the wrist, pull back until the fingers pointback toward the body. Tension will be felt mostly in the wristand forearm, as this is an exercise designed to strengthenthe wrist rather than a practical application, the importanceof which will be covered further later.23 Slowly rotate the hand in an anticlockwise direction as aHUEN SAU, keeping the elbow locked with the arm straight.Continue the rotation with tension until the hand reaches thehorizontal then relax. The point where the HUEN SAU stopsvaries with the individual flexibility of the practitioner, usingthe hand becoming horizontal is merely a point of referencethat gives a uniformity to the form as it passes down thegenerations.24 As the arm relaxes the hand quickly closes as a fist heldhorizontally with the back of the hand facing up.


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25 Pull the arm back to the rest position checking for elbow,forearm and wrist alignment along with your stance andposture.26 Open the left hand, palm up and feed it in toward the

centreline and as the hand is travelling out along thecentreline the elbow follows, coming out also onto then outalong the centreline.27 The arm is pushed out along the centreline until theelbow is one fist distance from the chest. This is the TAN SAUposition, the hand is held horizontally about throat level,fingers pointing forward. The whole movement from thehand opening to finishing in the TAN SAU is done withtension and very slowly. As a guide it should take about oneminute to complete the move.

28 Maintaining the tension bend at the wrist while keepingthe fingers straight and pointing toward the body. Slowlyrotate the hand as a HUEN SAU.29 The rotation continues slowly with tension until the handcomes to the horizontal and then the wrist tension is relaxed.30 The arm is quickly brought back into tension with thehand vertical, fingers straight, locking the wrist and thethumb bent. The energy expressed in the arm when itreturns to tension is JUM SAU ENERGY. As the HUEN SAU is

executed the elbow moves out naturally from its position onthe centreline. When the tension is applied correctly itfocuses mainly on exercising the muscles on the outside ofthe forearm.31 The hand returns toward the body by pulling the elbowback to the side of the body. It is important to keep thefingers straight and upright with the wrist on the centreline.

The hand is drawn back until the wrist is one fist distant fromthe chest, maintaining the fingers straight and vertical withthe thumb bent, this is the WU SAU position or protectivehand, not so much an active technique but one of the mostimportant in the reality of fighting. Once more moving veryslowly with total tension is important using the guide of oneminute the start of the return to the body to finishing in theWU SAU.


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32 Keeping the wrist on the centreline bend at the wristrelaxing the hand down. The thumb is placed on the secondfinger with the other fingers grouped around while keepingthem straight, the fingers are pulled back toward the body,

this is a FOOK SAU position. Bring the arm into total tensionfeeling the muscles on the inside of the forearm beingexercised. Slowly begin to push the wrist out along thecentreline with the elbow following it onto the centreline.33 As you push the wrist out think also about how yourelbow travels through the movement, remembering whatyou understand of correct position and technique. The armmoving out in tension until the elbow is one fist distance offthe chest while the wrist stays on the centreline.34 When you have completed the push out into the FOOK

SAU , taking about one minute, separate the fingers fromaround the thumb while maintaining the tension and executethe HUEN SAU, relaxing only when the hand reaches thehorizontal.35 Bring the arm quickly back into tension with the fingersstraight and vertical, as the wrist stays locked and on thecentreline.36 Using the elbow as a focus of energy draw the arm backuntil the wrist is one fist distance from the chest resulting in

a WU SAU position. Take care that the fingers are verticalthroughout the movement and the wrist keeps its position onthe centreline. Particular attention should be paid to theenergy expressed in the fingertips, thumb, wrist and elbow.37 Relax the hand down into the second FOOK SAU , wristbent, fingers pulled back and grouped around the thumbwith the hand held horizontally and the wrist on thecentreline. Return the arm to total tension and slowly pushthe wrist out along the centreline, remembering that theelbow also comes onto the centreline.38 Push the FOOK SAU out very slowly until the elbow is onefist distance from the chest, taking about one minute tocomplete the movement. When the hand stops separate thefingers and begin a HUEN SAU rotation.


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39 The HUEN SAU finishes with a JUM SAU energy beingexpressed in the arm. The wrist is locked with the fingersvertical, thumb bent and the arm in total tension.40 Draw the arm back very slowly into the WU SAU position

one fist distance off the chest. Check that the fingers are stillvertical and the wrist is on the centreline as the elbowreturns to a natural position at the side of the body.41 Relax the hand down into the third and final FOOK SAU ,wrist bent, fingers pulled back with the second finger on thethumb and the rest of the fingers grouped around, while thewrist stays on the centreline. Concentration should beintense throughout all of the movements and energies, youmust learn to remind yourself of this constantly otherwiseyou will never know correct position or achieve maximum

energy.42 Push the wrist out along the centreline with the elbowfollowing from its position of rest at the side of the chest,initially staying in contact with the body until it also comesonto the centreline and then following out along thecentreline to a position one fist distance from the chest.43 Separate the fingers and execute a HUEN SAU rotation.44 Throughout the rotation tension should be maintained.45 Tension in the HUEN SAU continues until the hand

reaches the horizontal.46 The arm relaxes and the hand is brought into the verticalposition with JUM SAU energy.47 For the last time with the left arm draw the wrist backalong the centreline by focusing on the elbow as it returns toits natural position at the side of the body. Fingers are keptvertical, the thumb bent and held off the palm, while thewrist is locked and finishes one fist distance from the chest.48 From the relaxed WU SAU position the hand is thrust outsideways to be level with the shoulder as a PAK SAU or slaphand. The energy is expressed in the last six inches; as thefingers are kept vertical with the thumb bent.49 Return the hand back relaxed to the centreline as a WUSAU.50 Move the hand out with the palm facing forward alongthe centreline; the arm should be relaxed.


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51 In the last six inches thrust the hand out as a verticalpalm strike.52 Flatten the hand palm up.53 It is important at the end of all of these moves to hesitate

for a moment; this punctuates the form and allows not onlythe practitioner but also the instructor to see clearly theprecision of the movement and the correctness of theenergy.54 Keep the fingers straight, bending at the third joint bendalso at the wrist so that the fingers point back toward tobody. The elbow is kept locked out and with the arm in totaltension the HUEN SAU is initiated.55 Maintain the tension throughout the HUEN SAU rotation.56 Continue the rotation with tension until the hand reaches

the horizontal then the arm relaxes.57 Snap the hand closed as a fist with the back of the handup.58 Pull the arm back to the rest position using energythrough the elbow. Check the alignment of the elbow,forearm and wrist, along with the position of the fist inrelation to the chest.59 The moves are now repeated with the right arm. Thewords describing the movements of the left side have been

repeated for the right so you can follow them as a distinct,separate sequence. To start the right hand opens palm upand is fed in toward the centreline, as the hand travels outthe elbow is in touch with the body until it comes to thecentreline, then it begins to move out along the centreline.60 The arm is pushed out along the centreline until theelbow is one fist distance from the chest. This is the TAN SAUposition, the hand is held horizontally about throat level,fingers pointing forward. The whole movement from thehand opening to finishing in the TAN SAU is done withtension and very slowly. As a guide it should take about oneminute to complete the move.61 Maintaining the tension bend at the wrist while keepingthe fingers straight and pointing toward the body. Slowlyrotate the hand anticlockwise as a HUEN SAU.


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62 The rotation continues slowly with tension until the handcomes to the horizontal and then the wrist tension is relaxed.63 The arm is quickly brought back into tension with thehand vertical, fingers straight, locking the wrist and the

thumb bent. The energy expressed in the arm when itreturns to tension is JUM SAU energy. As the HUEN SAU isexecuted the elbow moves out naturally from its position onthe centreline. When the tension is applied correctly itfocuses mainly on exercising the muscles on the outside ofthe forearm.64 The hand returns toward the body by pulling the elbowback to the side of the body. It is important to keep thefingers straight and upright with the wrist on the centreline.

The hand is drawn back until the wrist is one fist distant from

the chest, maintaining the fingers straight and vertical withthe thumb bent to the WU SAU position or protective hand.Once more moving very slowly with total tension isimportant using the guide of one minute the start of thereturn to the body to finishing in the WU SAU.65 Keeping the wrist on the centreline bend at the wristrelaxing the hand down. The thumb is placed on the secondfinger with the other fingers grouped around while keepingthem straight, the fingers are pulled back toward the body,

to a FOOK SAU position. Bring the arm into total tensionfeeling the muscles on the inside of the forearm beingexercised. Slowly begin to push the wrist out along thecentreline with the elbow following it onto the centreline.66 As you push the wrist out think also about how yourelbow travels through the movement, remembering whatyou understand of correct position and technique. The armmoving out in tension until the elbow is one fist distance offthe chest while the wrist stays on the centreline.67 When you have completed the push out into the FOOKSAU , taking about one minute, separate the fingers fromaround the thumb while maintaining the tension and executethe HUEN SAU, relaxing only when the hand reaches thehorizontal.


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68 Bring the arm quickly back into tension with the fingersstraight and vertical, as the wrist stays locked and on thecentreline.69 Using the elbow as a focus of energy draw the arm back

until the wrist is one fist distance from the chest resulting ina WU SAU position. Take care that the fingers are verticalthroughout the movement and the wrist keeps its position onthe centreline. Particular attention should be paid to theenergy expressed in the fingertips, thumb, wrist and elbow.70 Relax the hand down into the second FOOK SAU , wristbent, fingers pulled back and grouped around the thumbwith the hand held horizontally and the wrist on thecentreline. Return the arm to total tension and slowly pushthe wrist out along the centreline, remembering that the

elbow also comes onto the centreline.71 Push the FOOK SAU out very slowly until the elbow is onefist distance from the chest, taking about one minute tocomplete the movement. When the hand stops separate thefingers and begin a HUEN SAU rotation.72 The HUEN SAU finishes with a JUM SAU energy beingexpressed in the arm. The wrist is locked with the fingersvertical, thumb bent and the arm in total tension.73 Draw the arm back very slowly into the WU SAU position

one fist distance off the chest. Check that the fingers are stillvertical and the wrist is on the centreline as the elbowreturns to a natural position at the side of the body.74 Relax the hand down into the third and final FOOK SAU ,wrist bent, fingers pulled back with the second finger on thethumb and the rest of the fingers grouped around, while thewrist stays on the centreline. Concentration should beintense throughout all of the movements and energies, youmust learn to remind yourself of this constantly otherwiseyou will never know correct position or achieve maximumenergy.75 Push the wrist out along the centreline with the elbowfollowing from its position of rest at the side of the chest,initially staying in contact with the body until it also comesonto the centreline and then following out along thecentreline to a position one fist distance from the chest.


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76 Separate the fingers and execute a HUEN SAU rotation.77 Throughout the rotation tension should be maintained.78 Tension in the HUEN SAU continues until the handreaches the horizontal.

79 The arm relaxes and the hand is brought into the verticalposition with JUM SAU energy.80 For the last time with the right arm draw the wrist backalong the centreline by focusing on the elbow as it returns toits natural position at the side of the body. Fingers are keptvertical, the thumb bent and held off the palm, while thewrist is locked and finishes one fist distance from the chest.81 From the relaxed WU SAU position the hand is thrust outsideways to be level with the shoulder as a PAK SAU or slaphand. The energy is expressed in the last six inches; as the

fingers are kept vertical with the thumb bent.82 Return the hand back relaxed to the centreline as a WUSAU.83 Move the hand out with the palm facing forward alongthe centreline; the arm should be relaxed.84 In the last six inches thrust the hand out as a verticalpalm strike.85 Flatten the hand palm up.86 Keep the fingers straight, bending at the third joint bend

also at the wrist so that the fingers point back toward tobody. The elbow is kept locked out and with the arm in totaltension the HUEN SAU is initiated.87 Maintain the tension throughout the HUEN SAU rotation.88 Continue the rotation with tension until the hand reachesthe horizontal then the arm relaxes.89 Snap the hand closed as a fist with the back of the handup.90 Pull the arm back to the rest position using energythrough the elbow. Check the alignment of the elbow,forearm and wrist, along with the position of the fist inrelation to the chest.91 This completes the first section of SIU LIM TAO, as amethod of developing muscle energy it is the best way tobuild the muscles of the arm in the correct manner withactions that mimic how you will be using the muscles in the


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two main expressions of energy from the shoulder unit, theelbow moving away from the body as in a punch or palmstrike and the elbow pulling back as a LAP SAU or JUT SAU.92 Another important aspect of this section is that it

provides practise for proper breathing technique. By keepingthe mouth closed, the teeth together and the tongue pressedto the roof of the mouth, with the breathing natural throughthe nose and not forced, using the diaphragm to inhale andexhale rather than the chest and keeping the rate ofbreathing independent from any arm or body movement sothat it is relaxed and continuous. All of these things whenpractised together lead to improving various health aspectsin general, from mental to dental.93 With the start of the second section of SIU LIM TAO the

emphasis shifts to learning how to express the energy thathas been developed through the first section, by practisingthe use of that energy in the last six inches of themovements.94 The second third begins by opening the left hand with thepalm facing up.95 As the hand relaxes down it turns to face palm down, themovement stays relaxed and controlled until the handreaches hip level.

96 After the hand passes hip level the palm is pushed downwith energy as a GUM SAU. Tension in the last six inchescreates power in the palm heel, the arm is held slightly awayoff the body, with the fingers pointing back toward the leg.97 The right hand opens, at first with the palm up and thenturns palm down as the hand is dropped relaxed to hip level.98 The palm is thrust down with the energy expressed in thelast six inches as a GUM SAU, keeping the arm slightly offthe body and the fingers pointing back toward the leg.99 Bring both hands simultaneously behind the back placingthem at the base of the spine with the first joint of thethumbs and the tips of the forefingers touching.100 Both hands move out relaxed at first then thrust out inthe last six inches as a double rear GUM SAU. It is importantto place the energy in the palm heels and to push them out


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horizontally with the fingers pointing back toward the bodywhere they would not interfere with any contact made.101 Relax the tension in the arms and bring the hands overthe hips.

102 The hands are brought to rest in front of the hips, theelbows in a natural position at the side of the body.103 Both hands together are now thrust out with the tensionbeing restricted to the last six inches of the movement.104 It is useful at this stage to concentrate on practising theGUM SAUs on their own as they are simple moves whichmake it easier to focus on what you are trying to achieve andunderstand the importance of the relationship betweenrelaxation and tension, which is the basis of the energy ofWing Chun.

105 Lift the arms up in front of the chest and hold in a LANSAU or bar arm position, no tension, with the left arm ontop the arms are close but not touching. The arms are heldhorizontally at chest level, the level they are held is critical,too high and the shoulders will be affected, too low and thestructure of the LAN SAU will be lost. LAN SAUs strengthrelies more upon the mechanics of the arm than the musclesinvolved.106 Open the arms out horizontally, elbows leading. It is

easy to misinterpret the movement in this technique, themain error in practising this move is that action is more of aswinging out of the arms with the hands following a circulartrajectory, whereas the movement follows one of the basicprinciples of Wing Chun, that is the Straight Line theory, thepalm heel describes a straight line from the point where itexists in the LAN SAU to its finish as a contact point of theSIDE BIU SAU.107 The arms straighten out using the palm heel of the handedge to strike with; the hands are kept flat throughout,though the fingers point slightly forward. This is a SIDE BIUSAU, the energy is directed straight out sideways and in thelast six inches.108 Bring the arms back to the LAN SAU position with theright arm on top, fingertips level with the elbows and theforearms horizontal but not touching.


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109 The left hand is brought inside the right LAN SAU andthen both elbows are relaxed down while keeping the handsheld high.110 Continue to drop the elbows in until the forearms have

uncrossed, at this point there is still no tension in the arms.111 Both arms fall simultaneously into tension as a JUM SAUenergy. Wrist at a slightly higher level than the elbow, neverbelow. Elbows are held about six inches apart, the forearmsnarrow toward the wrist. The hands are angled in a slight V,fingers straight, thumb bent, total tension applied.112 This is the HIGH JUM SAU position, which differs fromthe LOW JUM SAU position that exists in the first third only inhow the arm is held. The principles behind each are thesame it is in their application where there is variation, one

being defensive and the other offensive. The LOW JUM SAUbecomes more evident in CHUM KIU and BIU JEE.113 Relax the JUM SAU energy and bring the elbows intoward the centreline, the palms turn up so that the armsform a DOUBLE TAN SAU position.114 Turn the palms to face down and at the same time allowthe elbows to drift out from the centreline. When the palmsbecome horizontal the elbows are jerked back about sixinches toward the body, the elbows should be resting

naturally by the side of the body. The hand is angled slightlyup from the wrist with the fingers straight and the thumbsbent. The whole movement is continuous, the energyexpressed through the elbow and focused in the wrist as asharp pull back, this is the JUT SAU.115 Thrust the fingers out relaxed at first, changing totension in the last six inches as a BIU JEE finger strike withthe arms straight and your hand slightly angled up from thewrist.116 Keep the hands and fingers straight with the elbowslocked and drop the wrists down.117 Continue the movement down and in the last six inchesbring the arms into tension. This is a downward JUT SAU typeenergy expressed through straight arms.


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118 Bend the wrists dropping the hands down, press thethumbs to the second fingers and group the other fingersaround, similar to the FOOK SAU of the first section.119 Lift the arms up to shoulder level with energy expressed

in the last six inches and focused in the back of the wrist.The elbows must be kept locked out so you can understandthat you can still generate energy with a straight arm andthat it is not essential to bend the elbow before power canbe demonstrated.120 Run through the HUEN SAU procedure to close thehands into fists held horizontally with the back of the handup.121 The arms are pulled back to the rest position at the sideof the body. Always be careful to check your arm structure

and stance, as it is easy to relax your concentration and driftout of correct position.122 This completes the second third of SIU LIM TAO123 The final section of SIU LIM TAO concentrates on thepractising the use of energy in technique application. Energythat was developed in the first third and understood how tobe expressed in the second.124 Open the left hand and move it across the chest, as itpasses the centreline it travels through the WU SAU position,

hand vertical and the arm relaxed. The hand continuestravelling in a straight line and stops level with the shoulder;the energy is expressed as always in the last six inches inthe palm heel as a PAK SAU.125 Relax the arm and bring the wrist back onto thecentreline as a smooth movement with no tension. The palmbegins to move out along the centreline while the handtends toward the horizontal.126 Complete the movement with tension over the last sixinches as a horizontal palm strike.127 Flatten the hand palm up.128 Pull the fingers back toward the body, bend at the wristand rotate as a HUEN SAU.129 It is important to maintain the tension throughout thismovement as constant correct practise will result inprogressive development of wrist energy.


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130 Tension continues until the hand reaches the horizontalthen the arm relaxes.131 Close the hand quickly as a fist.132 Pull the arm back to the rest position at the side of the

body with the fist at the side of and level with the front ofthe chest and the forearm horizontal.133 The right hand now opens and initiates the PAK SAUmovement by passing across the chest; in the last six inchestension is quickly expressed so that the PAK SAU energy isexecuted level with the shoulder, hand vertical with the palmheel as the point of focus. Return the wrist to the centrelinewith the arm relaxed. When the arm returns to the centrelineit must not be interpreted as a technique, it is important forthe beginner to understand the centreline as a concept and

so by constantly returning to the centreline it helps toestablish the concept and trains the hand to automaticallyreturn to the WU SAU position on the centreline.134 Move the hand out along the centreline, relaxed at firstand changing to tension in the last six inches as a horizontalpalm strike.135 Flatten the hand palm up. Remember to hesitate ateach point of importance, this defines the move and showsunderstanding of the technique being practised. This

hesitation is not too deliberate it only lasts a fraction of asecond and does not interfere with the continuity o f themovements.136 Bend the wrist with the fingers straight and pointingback toward the body, rotate slowly to initiate a HUEN SAU.137 Continue the HUEN SAU slowly with tension until thehand reaches the horizontal and then relax.138 Immediately after the hand is relaxed snap the handclosed as a horizontal fist.139 Pull the arm back focusing the energy in the elbow andreturn to the rest position at the side of the chest, tension inthe last six inches of the movement.140 Open the left hand palm up. Bring the hand onto thecentreline and push out relaxed though not slow.141 In the last six inches tension is introduced in the arm.

The palm is flat and at throat level, the elbow is one fist


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distance from the body. Concentrate on the fingertipspushing out along the centreline expressing a TAN SAUenergy. Wrist and elbow are on the centreline.142 Relax the hand down in a curve.

143 The movement is complete when the straightened armfalls in line with the shoulder, tension in the last six inches.The hand is slightly pulled back with the fingers pointingtoward the centreline away from the lower forearm which isthe area used to express the energy as the GAUN SAU cover.144 Lift the arm up relaxed into a TAN SAU position. This isnot a defensive technique; you are merely returning thehand to the TAN SAU position to initiate the next movement.145 Pull the fingers back toward the body and start a HUENSAU rotation. The HUEN SAU practised in this technique is

different to the others in SIU LIM TAO in that it is donerelaxed and at speed.146 Continue the rotation of the HUEN SAU with speed untilit is complete, when the palm faces out and the hand ishorizontal.147 Thrust the hand out as a low horizontal palm strike atwaist level.148 Lift the arm up straight to shoulder level with the handopen and the palm up.

149 Pull the fingers back toward the body with the elbowlocked out and bending at the wrist execute a HUEN SAUwith slow tension.150 Continue the HUEN SAU until the hand reaches thehorizontal then relax.151 Once the arm is relaxed, quickly close the hand as ahorizontal fist.152 Pull the arm back to its rest position at the side of thechest. Check stance and arm positions.153 Open the right hand palm up and push it out along thecentreline relaxed and at medium speed.154 Complete the movement at speed and with tension inthe last six inches as a TAN SAU energy, palm at throatheight and the elbow one fist distance off the body.155 Relax the arm down in a curve with the palm changingto face down.


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156 The hand continues its movement down until the armstraightens and ends in line with the shoulder. The GAUNSAU energy is expressed in the last six inches in the lowerforearm.

157 Lift the arm up relaxed in a TAN SAU position.158 Pull the fingers back and initiate a relaxed HUEN SAU.159 The rotation of the HUEN SAU is of medium speed sothat you can understand the movement without making ittoo deliberate.160 The HUEN SAU is complete when the hand is horizontalwith the palm facing out.161 As the HUEN SAU finishes the hand changes to a lowhorizontal palm strike with the energy focused in the palmheel of the hand in the last six inches of the movement.

162 Lift the arm straight to shoulder level with the hand flatand the palm up.163 Pull the fingers back keeping them straight and bendingat the wrist with the elbow kept locked, tension is appliedthroughout the arm and then the hand is slowly rotated as aHUEN SAU.164 Continue the HUEN SAU until the hand reaches thehorizontal and then relax the tension.165 Snap the hand closed as a horizontal fist.

166 Pull the arm back to the rest position at the side of thechest with energy expressed in the elbow over the last sixinches of the movement. Check for correct position andstance.167 Open the left hand and start to push the arm outrelaxed as if initiating a TAN SAU, when the arm reaches arelaxed TAN SAU position lift the elbow up vertically.168 The forearm rotates so that the palm faces forward asthe elbow is flicked into the BONG SAU position with theenergy expressed in the last six inches of the movement.169 The elbow is at least level with the shoulder and therelaxed forearm is diagonally down and forward from theelbow with the wrist on the centreline. In the BONG SAU it isvital that you understand the correct use of energy in theelbow, its importance cannot be stressed enough being one


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of the Seeds of Wing Chun, the other two are TAN SAU andFOOK SAU .170 Relax the elbow down toward the centreline whilemaintaining the wrist on the centreline.

171 As the elbow drops onto the centreline the hand turnspalm up and the arm forms a relaxed TAN SAU.172 Bend at the wrist to point the fingers down to the floor.173 Thrust the hand out as a palm strike, pulling the handback as far as you can so that the fingers are as close to thevertical as possible. This helps with the flexibility of the wristand should not be viewed too literally as an application.174 Flatten the hand in line with the horizontal arm.175 Pull the fingers back toward the body to initiate a HUENSAU rotation.

176 Maintain the tension in the HUEN SAU while keeping theelbow locked out.177 Tension is relaxed in the HUEN SAU when the handreaches the horizontal.178 Close the hand quickly as a horizontal fist.179 Pull the arm back to its rest position at the side of thechest using energy in the elbow.180 Open the right hand and start to push the arm outrelaxed, again as if initiating a TAN SAU, when the arm

reaches a relaxed TAN SAU position lift the elbow upvertically.181 The forearm rotates so that the palm faces forward asthe elbow is flicked into the BONG SAU position with theenergy expressed in the last six inches of the movement.182 The elbow is at least level with the shoulder and therelaxed forearm is diagonally down and forward from theelbow with the wrist on the centreline.183 Relax the elbow down toward the centreline whilemaintaining the wrist on the centreline.184 As the elbow drops onto the centreline the hand turnspalm up and the arm forms a relaxed TAN SAU.185 Bend at the wrist to point the fingers down to the floor.186 Thrust the hand out as a palm strike, pulling the handback as far as you can so that the fingers are as close to thevertical as possible. This downward pointing palm is a very


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difficult position to attain; it is important to try and notaccept incorrect position and justify them with excuses. Useadditional stretching exercises if necessary to increase theflexibility of your wrist.

187 Flatten the hand in line with the horizontal arm.188 Pull the fingers back toward the body to initiate a HUENSAU rotation.189 Maintain the tension in the HUEN SAU while keeping theelbow locked out.190 Tension is relaxed in the HUEN SAU when the handreaches the horizontal.191 Close the hand quickly as a horizontal fist.192 Pull the arm back to its rest position at the side of thechest using energy in the elbow. Always remember to check

position and stance at every occasion to reinforce yourcontrol over your movements and posture.193 Open the left hand and bring the wrist onto thecentreline with the arm relaxed.194 While turning the palm to face down, move the wrist outforward and down while keeping it on the centreline.195 When the movement is complete the arm is in a GAUNSAU position. There is no expression of energy in the GAUNSAU, as you are not practising a technique, merely

positioning the arm for what is to follow.196 Open the right hand and bring it out relaxed toward thecentreline.197 Place the right hand palm up onto the left arm with thepalm heel of the right hand in contact with the elbow of theleft GAUN SAU. Both arms should be relaxed.198 Scrape the right palm heel down the left forearm, thearms remain relaxed throughout this movement until theright hand is six inches above the left wrist.199 Energy is now expressed in both hands, the left hand ispulled back as it turns to face palm up and the right palmheel is thrust out across the left palm.200 The right arm is now in the GAUN SAU position while theleft hand is lifted up and comes to rest on the right elbow.


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201 Check that the palm heel of the left hand is now incontact with the right elbow before you continue with thenext movement.202 Repeat the technique on the opposite side, with the left

palm heel scraping down the right forearm.203 When the left hand is six inches from the right wrist, theright hand turns as it is turned back so that the left palmheel can be thrust out across the right palm.204 Now the left arm returns to the GAUN SAU position withthe wrist on the centreline and the right hand is lifted to itsposition on the left elbow.205 Keep the arms relaxed as the right palm heel scrapesdown the left forearm until it is six inches above the leftwrist.

206 In the last six inches the right palm is thrust again outwith energy while simultaneously rotating the left forearm asit is pulled back so that the right palm heel crosses over theleft palm.207 While the right arm straightens into a GAUN SAUposition with the wrist on the centreline the left arm isbrought up to the right elbow.208 Maintain the position of the right arm as you close yourleft hand as a vertical fist on your centreline.

209 Push the left fist out along the centreline relaxed as theright arm is brought up with the hand closed.210 Energy is expressed in the last six inches as the left fistchanges into a punch while the right fist is brought uprelaxed and held by the left elbow.211 Tension is relaxed from the left fist as it drops slightlyand begins to be pulled back toward the body;simultaneously the right fist starts to push out along thecentreline.212 In the last six inches the right fist converts to a punchwith the left hand coming to rest beside the right elbow.213 Push the left fist out along the centreline relaxed whilethe right fist drops and is pulled back without tension.214 As the left fist changes in the last six inches to acentreline punch, the right arm is pulled back to the restposition with the right fist held horizontally at the side of the


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chest and level with the front of the chest, back of the handdown.215 Keeping the arm straight open the hand flat with thepalm up.

216 Pull the fingers back straight, bending at the wrist andthe third joint of the fingers so that they point back towardthe body. Tension is exerted in the arm as a slow HUEN SAUis initiated.217 The HUEN SAU is slow and with total tension with theelbow locked out. Even though you are near completion ofthe form your concentration on position and movement isstill critical, always bring to mind what makes a techniquecorrect and only be satisfied with perfection, then you willalways have something to aim for in your practise of SIU LIM

TAO.218 Continue the tension in the arm until the hand reachesthe horizontal then relax the tension and rapidly close thehand as a horizontal fist.219 Pull the arm back to the rest position at the side of thechest.220 Begin to close your stance by first bringing your heelstogether by pivoting on the balls of your feet.221 Rotate on the heels to bring the feet together, you

should at this point still have your knees bent.Drop your arms relaxed to the side of your body as you standup to relax from your stance in completion of SIU LIM TAO.

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