$8.25 in Siu Nim Tao

Playing forms is good for the soul and great for one’s kung fu.  Many times practitioners set out with a certain number of forms that they wish to play over the course of a workout or a day.  If you let your mind and body relax deeper into the kung fu it can become easy to lose count of how many forms you’ve played.  For this, it’s very easy to use some form of counter to help keep track.

Coins make a great counter.  They’re unobtrusive and aside from the initial cash investment on an item that did not round to a dollar amount, they’re available for free under your sofa cushions.  They slide along a flat surface easily making them simple to move on a desk, counter top, or floor.  The floor is an excellent spot to use them as you can slide them from one group to another with your foot with minimal interruption to your forms.  When times are tight, gravel will do also.

Of course, training does not always require counting how many forms you play.

Train hard.  Relax hard.

Forms in Moy Yat Ving Tsun

Siu Nim Tao

Already alluded to in the first post of this blog, Siu Nim Tao is the first empty hand form in the ving tsun curriculum.  It means “Little Idea.”  Some say that 90% of the ving tsun system is contained within its first section.  Siu Nim Tao teaches relaxation, centerline, horse stance, power, and energy.  Serving as a reference for numerous techniques in ving tsun, Siu Nim Tao has many things to reveal to those who practice it regularly and diligently.

Chum Kiu

Chum Kiu is the second empty hand form taught to students.  It means “Seeking the Bridge.”  Building on the foundation learned in Siu Nim Tao, one learns footwork, shifting, balance, and coordination of arms and legs.

Biu Je

The third form in the system teaches emergency techniques.  These techniques can help a ving tsun practitioner recover from a bad position.  One should have highly refined Siu Nim Tao and Chum Kiu before learning the third empty hand form.  Biu Je means “Standard Compass,” or “Darting Fingers.”

Muk Yan Jong

After completing the three empty hand forms of ving tsun, more advanced training commences with the wooden dummy or Muk Yan Jong.

Luk Dim Poon Kwan

After mastering the Muk Yan Jong, training continues with the 6 1/2 point pole form and techniques.

Bot Chom Doa

The highest form of ving tsun is the double knife set or Eight Way Chopping Knives.

Train hard and relax hard.