Recently I filmed myself doing the wing chun kung fu form known as chum kiu. Loosely translated, this means “seeking the bridge” because this is where you start to pivot, step and use your entire body. In the first form, sil lum tao, all you use are your hands while remaining in your basic horse stance. Here is the video:
Right now, this is the form I’m trying to improve. In my opinion, all the secrets to the style lie in the first two. Everything else (biu jee, mook jong, pole and butterfly sword forms) is just extra gravy.
Having said that, here is a list of what I see needs work after watching this video:
*I’m not releasing the energy right when I roll my arms up in that opening move.
*For some reason, my elbow keeps bouncing around when I pivot. (Check out the arm that I pull back to do the rear elbow move.)
*At this point in time, I really should make it a point to do my kicks in a more methodical manner. I should pretend like I am in a movie, doing them in slow motion, until I get the release down better.
*The same goes for the second-to-last section where I do a double low bong sao and raise my arms up to a double tan sao. During this maneuver, the energy is supposed to sink into my elbows. Right now, that’s not happening.
It won’t take me too long to fix these issues. That doesn’t mean the form will be perfect, but it WILL be better.
Another thing I need to do is get a better grip on each section of the form. If someone asked why I was doing two low bong saos at the end, I wouldn’t be able to accurately answer them.
If I want to be a Sifu someday, then I NEED to get a better grasp on the purpose behind each section.
Awesome!! I believe if you believe in yourself you will reach your goal!