The Sil Lim Tao form, is the first form Wing Chun students learn. While the form itself is ’simple’ when compared to other martial arts systems on the surface, for the Sil Lim Tao to be done correctly, a practitioner must keep several principles in mind. These principles help the Wing Chun practitioner to self-correct, any errors while performing the Sil Nim Tao.

The Sil Lim Tao provides the student an application of the following Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) key theories and principles:

  • Centerline
  • Facing
  • Gates
  • Structure Unification
  • Stance (Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma)
  • The Tan, Bong & Fook relationship
  • Alignments

The Sil Lim Tao provides the Wing Chun practitioner all the core hand techniques or positions in Wing Chun. It can be said that the Sil Lim Tao is the foundation for the entire Wing Chun system. Only with diligent practice and correction will a Wing Chun practitioner be able to move on to the Chum Kil (Searching Bridge) form. If a student moves on to the Chum Kil without a solid understanding of correct concepts and principles found and taught in the Sil Lim Tao form, the journey will take longer. The best analogy of progressing to soon is trying to run before you can truly walk. You will eventually get it, but you will fall a lot more, and take longer to master it.