Review of Chu Shong Tin's 2003 Wing Chun Seminars: Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu & Chi Sao DVD

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Reviewer: George Hernandez
Date: February 19, 2011
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

DVD Bought on: Everything Wing Chun : http://www.everythingwingchun.com/chu-shong-tin-wing-chun-dvds-books-s/125.htm
This DVD is also available for download on Everything Wing Chun Instant Access

Technical Specifications:

Title: Chu Shong Tin – 2003 Wing Chun Seminars: Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu & Chi Sao
Language: English
Region: All
Format: DVD-R
Number of Disk: 1
Length: approximately three hours (This presentation was converted from VHS for DVD access, the menu will refer to each section of the DVD, as Disk 1, 2,and 3, respectfully). Please note, there is only one disk and that the conversion process from one media type to another, presents the same quality as the original production.
Part one – Si Nim Tao, 1:02:19
Part two – Chum Kiu, 1:02:09
Part three – Chi Sao, 1:00:37

Video Quality: Average
Audio Quality: Good, 4 out of 5

What It’s About:

This DVD provides lecture materials and practical demonstrations of the basic principles of Siu Nim Tao Chum Kiu and Chi Sao practice.

Comments:

Master Chu presents a thorough presentation on the historical aspects of the development of Wing Chun. The novice and experienced practitioner in other styles of Wing Chun Kung Fu will discover how and why this system is really an internal system and not necessarily the hard style promoted today by most present-day schools. You might be surprised to find out why the Buddhist Nun Mg Moy created the Wing Chun System, in the first place.

Master Chu conveniently shows how actually the forms Chum Kiu and Bil Jee are attributed to the basic foundation of the Siu Lim Tao. What is most critical in understanding all three forms, is the fundamental principle of the “Mind Force,” which has the potential to lead one toward a level of awareness beyond aggression. When you are totally aggressive it takes lots of energy to maintain, which is against the basic foundation of the Wing Chun System.

But before one achieves the higher levels of Wing Chun skills, you first need to begin from some place, which is the Siu Nim Tao, this basic practice establishes the necessary structure and how the form is applied. Master Chu, talks about “right thinking’ in developing Wing Chun. As you hear him speak, the realization might dawn on you about Ng Moy’s fundamental philosophy underlying her Shaolin influence, which was her spiritual practice of Buddhist teachings of “Body, Speech and Mind.”

You cannot disallow the importance of Ng Moy’s spiritual training and Siu Nim Tao’s physical movements which is at the root of the whole Wing Chun system. If you mimic the movements only, or copy them with aggressive force behind its structure, you have hard style karate, not an internal kung Fu. Master Chu gives you the mechanics of how it all works and subtleness of meaning in the “Mind Force” concept.

As you advance to the second form of Wing Chun, Chun Kiu, you’re ready to move out of Siu Nim Tao’s basic structure and into moving and coming in contact with the other person. Master Chu, demonstrates the form which may appear to the no-practitioner as slow and lacking in physical power.

Don’t let the mild manner of Master Chu, make you think he can be easily bowed over. Here, in his demonstration of the second form, he shows how the structure of Siu Nim Tao is important, how movement and the body mass play into the applications of the Chum Kiu. He frequently shows in this seminar series, how these fundamental principles are used and how they work. And through his student’s questions and direct physical contact with them, he is assured they understand, what is important to make it all work in the original way which Ng Moy taught.

Chi Sao is an important part of Wing Chun where the student begins to learn how the basics of Si Nim Tao practice contributes toward the development of sensitivity, proper movement and direction of the elbow and focusing of the “Mind Force.” Master Chu’s instructional methods in all three basic topics in this DVD are an invaluable contribution in Wing Chun Kung Fu, as a skillful means in the study and practice of Chinese martial arts.

There is a great deal in these instructional DVDs that are presented, than what is said. If you disagree with this, then buy the DVD and tell me what you think he means! However, if all you’re looking for are the basic principles of the Siu Nim Tao and Chum Kiu form: its structure, Chi Sau practice and the demonstration of power in natural movement, then it’s all there before your eyes?
 

Content Overview, Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu, & Chi Sao

• Introduction
• Course Content Starts with Demonstration.
  • Siu Nim Tao form – Master Chu
• Historical –Review
  • Buddhist Nun Ng Moy.
  • Founded Wing Chun Late in Life.
  • New Approach toward Martial Arts.
• Siu Nim Tao
  • Wing Chun based on Relaxation.
  • Relinquishing Muscular Strength
  • Generation of Nature Power.
  • Tap unused Mental Resource
  • Siu Nim Tao, developing the Force.
  • Development Through Slowness.
  • Siu Nam Tao, “Little Idea”
    • Associated with how we think.
  • Training the Silent Mind.
    • Don’t rush your training
    • Awareness in developing your power of each movement.
    • Learn to control subconscious power.
  • Posture
    • Wing Chun Stance
    • Centerline
    • Forming the Triangle in Front.
    • Alignment of Hips and Shoulders.
    • Arms and Legs Point toward the centerline.
    • Chasing the line
    • No pushing or pulling-the magic of just the movement.
    • “Mind Force” and Focusing.
    • Proper Focusing affects the other person and movement.
    • Focusing the “Mind Force” difficult to describe.
    • Centerline depends on where the other person, it changes with position.
    • Over time, with consistent practice you need not
    • Deliberately focus, all you need is to move toward the target.
    • First form best way to learn how to relax and apply

• The subtle principles of focus and effort in projecting force.
  • Demonstration of relaxation and force.
  • The alignment of the shoulder, elbow and wrist.
  • The relationship of one’s center of gravity
  • Using the Fook Sao, best way to learn how to relax.
  • Structure is used to get rid of the other persons force.
  • Trusting in what you know you’re doing.
• The Chum Kiu
  • Second Form Demonstrated by Master Chu
  • Secord form principles.
    • Based on Siu Nim Tao movement.
    • Learn how to use your body mass.
    • Transferring the mass to the arms.
  • Forward movement and the body mass.
  • Angle and target when attacking.
    • Two methods in movement.
    • Direct or straight.
    • Pivoting or rotation.
  • Learning how to put body mass in every movement.
  • Making the movement and body mass habitual.
  • The relationship between Chum Kiu and Si Nim Tao.
  • Maintaining structure through the “Mind Force.”
  • The Chum is not that much different than the Siu Nim Tao.
  • Directing the Bong Sao movement while stepping to the side.
  • Using the mind to place your movement.
  • Always focus you attention on the target, this will direct the body mass.
• Chi Sao
  • Master Chu demonstrates “sticky hands’ with students.
  • Circles, back and forth movement.
  • If you get tired doing Chi Sao…you’re doing wrong, there should be no tension in any movements.
  • There are four ways to practice Chi Sao.
  • Learn how to roll in all Chi Sao hand positions.
  • Learn how to defend with one hand and the other attacking.
  • Leann how to use rotation and the elbow to upset the other person’s balance.
  • If you learn how to roll properly that means the center can be controlled all the time.
  • Don’t let the other person point toward your center.
  • Using the elbow to upset the person’s balance, rotation is the key in all movements.
  • Using muscle will make you the loser.
  • Using structure to neutralize the person’s force.