Excellent! I don't practice Wing Chun, I practice Baguazhang, Taijiquan and Xingyiquan, and I've been watching a lot of the videos that you've put up of master Chu Shong Tin, and I have to say that even though the training methods and terminology differs, there seems to be some fundamental similarities on the use of the structure, spin and intention. Various internal arts talk about opening the Ming Men (lower back) by relaxing and dropping the tailbone, also using intention to "close" the anus, and having the intention rise up through the spine to the crown. Sometimes the image of a balloon attached to the crown is used to emphasis the "gentle" lifting via intention and lengthening the spine. Much of this is trained through Zhan Zhuang or various Nei Gong sets over a long period to develop a "center" and body awareness to gain more control over it, then that development gets carried over to more complicated forms and ranges of motion etc. I can't say exactly that what I've trained and been taught is exactly what you guys do, but what you're doing does seem familiar. I appreciate the clear and open discussions about this topic, and also of the videos of Master Chu Shong Tin. It's great that you all are preserving and making available all this.
GREAT VIDEO!!!! Good to see you never slowed down. Still tell folks about the time you knocked me through the air in our backyard sessions... good times!
I been playing around with Tai gong and Seng hei but do not know if I am doing it correctly that's good you gave different exercises to help verify the Tai gong and seng hei.
So much great information here Nima. Thank you. The best explanation of tei hung and seng I’ve seen or read. So helpful for my daily practice. Question, what is the basic feeling at the base of the spine? If you could describe the feeling, what is it?
Sure, for me there is a feeling of spaciousness and emptiness around the tailbone area. and I will a strong awareness of the tip of the tailbone itself so I can then think about relaxing and rising up from that point.
Mindful Wing Chun Thanks Sifu Nima for the very informative content, as usual. Do you have the same "chills" feeling that Sifu John Kaufman speaks of? Also, with this engine, is force from the ground still depended upon, or does it feel like the the opponent can be moved without coupling with the ground? 🙏🏻
Hey Andy. No I dont feel the "chills" :) CST never talked about that. John Kaufman is a very nice man. It should be known that he spent a total of 1week training under CST. Regarding your second question, no, ultimately we dont want to be aligning with the ground. not sure if you watched the latest video I posted in which I talk a little on that subject. Thanks for taking the time to comment man. cheers
Nima - cultivating this energy or internal power seems like it is one part visualization, and one part very subtle physical feelings that correspond to the visualization (opening of the spine, expanding energy, moving energy up the spine, experiencing the energy in the crown, directing energy to the limbs). In cultivating the energy, is SNT the only method, or can one visualize and feel those physical feelings at any time during the day - for example, sitting behind a desk or watching a movie, or walking, or lying in bed at night. In other words, have you tried taking the mental and physical aspects of the cultivation exercises outside of Wing Chun, or is SNT literally the only way it can be cultivated, felt, and controlled in your experience? One more question. SNT begins with a very slow and deliberate series of isolated movements - and this slowness lends itself to calm awareness and the visualization of energy. But the remaining parts of SNT are fast - how do you maintain this calm awareness when the movements are fast? How do maintain calm awareness when you're doing other forms and exercises - not to mention how do you maintain the calm awareness during a fight when your adrenaline is pumping and you cannot really be aware of being aware?
All great questions... SNT is the best tool for cultivating this 'Nim Tao' state due to the shape of the stance, posture, and the bio mechanics of the movements. It really helps experience the energy and express it through perfect geometry. But of course, it can and should be practiced in all moments of life and in all positions and actions. Yes, to move slowly helps to tap into the stillness required for the concentration and awareness that leads to Nim Tao but later we practice how to retain that state while moving faster, while under pressure with an opponent (chisau and sparring), while moving at highest speed (Biu Jee form), while holding a heavy object (weapons forms) etc. Needless to say, the more dynamic and faster the situation , the harder it would be to retain that state so it important to go through the right processes and step in training and not skip any of them. Personally I have experienced controlling the adrenaline dump (the the point my legs were shaking) just before a fight was about to kick off and the shaking completely stopped as soon as I put on the state and got ready to fight. It all depends of the level of the practitioner (and how they train) but its very possible.
Hi Nima, thanks for sharing this video. This is really useful one. One thing I don't quite get is the "shaping" you mentioned at least few minutes. Can you explain more?
So when I think about 'Seng' (rising up through the spine), I feel a flow of something go up from the tailbone to the crown of the head. Then it feels like I can use my intention to 'shape' that flow to mobilize my limbs. hope that makes sense..
That's awesome I'm trying to successfully complete the spine relaxation but I find difficulty shutting down the muscles all I have is time thanks for the video
So, yesterday I tried to do some of the basic excersises to feel some of those "airy fairy" stuff... And the tip of my tailbone crawled out!! ':D like it literally points at different direction now. I enjoy your explanations and I'll keep practice until I understand!
Hello Nima ! Something I don't understand with NIM TAO: When/ How to develop it ? Does it "come" with Siu Lim Tao or after learning all the wing chun forms or is it something else ??? Thank you for the video. well made !
Hey Levon. Yes, it's something that is developed through correct and prolonged practice of Siu Nim Tao (hence the name siu - Nim Tao). It's the ultimate goal of practicing SNT and is the engine that we carry forth into the next forms, chisau and ultimately fighting.
Really amazing stuff. I have photographs of the late Chu Shong Tin with my Sibak, and I've always wanted to ask him about this stuff! Thanks for the video!
Awesome video! If I may ask to understand the order, would it be: spacial awareness of the body(balance), tai gung, seng, Then finding the center Of mass? All throughout remaining relaxed?
Thank Isaiah. Yes you could think about it like that but its very important to remember that Nim Taio is a State so all those things will be felt simultaneously in the end. The mind is in a singular state rather than jumping from stage/step to step. hope that makes sense
very timely video... many things im going through personally in this way of moving right now. my sifu says string from heaven/head and from ground/bottom... and you get pulled apart....... but i dont claim to understand in my body or internalize that knowledge, but its so interesting that it seems to come along naturally if you keep it in mind.... i think? lol but each area seems separate in action but connected by larger systemic dynamic ... thanks a million! please keep up what you do. It is loved and inspiring beyond words.
Hi Nima, what would you recommend practice wise for someone new to the internal system. I’m a little unsure of best way to utilise my practice time. I currently split my time 50-50 between standing practice and the form. Would you recommend a different ratio prioritising one over the other. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hey Darryl, it all depends on what stage of practice you are at and how much control and awareness you already have. For me, 80% of my practice is self-practice and the rest is partner training (chisau and live sparring). in the 80% self practice, I do mainly SNT and Chum Kiu and the Dummy as well as Punching, Kicking and bag work. I spend around 5% on Biu Jee and very little on the weapons at the moment due to lack of time with my young kids... So im not sure how to answer your question as I'd need to feel where you are at. however if you are doing lots of SNT practice then you are doing well. I recommend you do practice moving around, striking and partner work too though. I hope the online school Im working on will be able to help out ppl like yourself with specific instructional homeworks etc. Hope to have it launched before the end of the year...
Mindful Wing Chun 👍🏻thanks for taking the time out to reply in detail, it's nice to get a bit of insight into where to focus my time. I know the feeling regarding family time/training, I'm fairly new to the system so I'm trying to juggle the two whilst trying to maximise my progress within the art. It's a 5hr chunk of my family time to attend my classes so these online courses will help massively in my training. Keep up the good work.
I believe there’s something at work but.. Tendons are just a continuation of muscles tissue. They attach muscle to bone. The function of ligaments is to help keep the integrity of joints. They also contain proprioceptors that help you “feel” your position in space.
According to Chu Shong Tin, this type of practice enables us to tap into our ligaments directly. Having said that, of course I'm not there yet (to his level) so I'm still using plenty of muscular force but because there is some aspects of deeper joint control I can do such types of demos. Nima
