WCI Review - Chu Shong Tin - 1999 Seminar: Siu Nim Tao & Chi Sao

The late Sifu Chu Shong Tin, known as the "King of Siu Nim Tao", was one of Grandmaster Ip Man's earliest and more celebrated students. In this video he leads a group attending a seminar during a 1999 visit to Australia, covering Wing Chun's fundamental form and the Chi Sao concepts, drills and applications borne from it.

The date of filming means that the footage is not in high definition and was shot with the era's video technology in reasonably good resolution. For those that can comprehend Cantonese, the audio of the esteemed Sifu is distorted by the background noise, but the on-site translator and the demonstrations are quite clear during this two-hour offering.

With principal system theories prefacing the content to follow, Sifu Chu says that, "Relaxed muscles and learning how to control your body is where your power will come from. That it is what makes Wing Chun special". He continues, "When you practise Siu Nim Tao, you shouldn't use any muscles". To reinforce this seemingly simple, yet demonstratively powerful concept, the Master destabilises an individual with significantly greater mass and muscles, with what appears to be no effort other than his structure in connection with his Ma (stance). An impressive stability established through thorough, regular and diligent practice.

Most of this video dives deeper into one's structures, the alignment of, their relative actions and reactions when engaged with another, and managing oneself with balance and relaxation of mind stating that, "Good practice comes from the mind and translates to the body. Some people call this Qigong. Of course, if you can get your structure and movement right, you get the best (results)". Sifu Chu is careful to communicate that the finer details being imparted may seem as if they are supernatural or mystical, but that is not the case. It is simply mind over muscle.

With the majority of the video being in a lecture format, the last quarter of it finds Sifu Chu and the attendees pairing up in Daan Chi Sao (Single-Hand Chi Sao) engagements, working on static structural reinforcement as well as in the exchange of energy, to explore how one maintains self confidence in application in order to manage themselves with control and balance.

Sifu Chu Shong Tin further engages the audience with childlike playfulness, dispatching those who attempt to impose their will upon him, disarming them with his smile and jovial demeanour. A man, a Master who, at 66 years of age at the time of the recording, reminds us that a youthful mind is an open mind that is willing to learn through play. The infinite wisdom of a timeless system that is solely limited by our own understandings. An incredible piece of profound knowledge from a pillar of the Wing Chun community, whose learning and legacy lives on.

Chu Shong Tin - 1999 Seminar: Siu Nim Tao & Chi Sao
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 120 min.
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