The Siu Lim Tau Glass Box

 

 

When playing your Siu Lim Tau, as well as the focus of energy / basic positions / centerline and so on… there is another train of thought you may wish to humor, and that is one of parameters.

 

Knowing your limits if you like.

 

Now in Chi Sau I will always tell my students never to reach for an attack if you are out of range, and that the area in front of you should be considered as a front garden, a safe, front garden.

 

Do not go too far to the sides or you will be in your neighbor’s property, and to extend too far forward will see you leaving the safety of the lawn and stepping out in to the busy main road, where there is a LOT of traffic and it is very dangerous.

I’m guessing you know what I’m saying by now so I’ll stop the analogy there.

 

Basically, protect what is in front of you and do not be drawn out of your comfort/safety zone.

 

Now it is these limits, which CAN BE observed in our Siu Lim Tau.

If you practice your form along with this blog you may feel like a bit of a mime artist, but here goes anyway.

 

To get us started then try to imagine that you are a large glass case with your back against one wall.

 

Our initial centerline punches will define the maximum range we can reach forward, so your fist would now be touching the glass wall in front of you (if you like).

This mentality would still warrant a centerline check and the principles of forward and reverse energy through the Tan, Fook and Wu Sau shapes.

 

The first section would finish by showing us the closest part of the sidewalls

through the use of the inside Pak Sau.

 

Our second section would begin by showing the safe areas around the perimeter of the body and finishing with the double Biu’s showing the highest central point of the box, while then sliding down, showing the lowest point before returning to the top for the close of that section.

 

Third section beginning with outside Pak, could be seen as showing the furthest reach of the outside wall, following with Low Garn representing the bottom corners of the glass case and the low palm strike showing the lowest centre point.

 

The elbows of Bong Sau could be thought of as pointing out the highest corners and the Tok Sau demonstrating the highest centre point.

 

 

Collectively then;

Through Paks and Palms we see the walls;

Bong elbows and Low Garns show the corners,

With the Die Wan Jern (Low side palm) and Tok Sau’s showing the highest and lowest central points.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you…..

 

The Siu Lim Tau Box!

 

Is this true?

Of course not, I just made it up.

 

But it is interesting to see how we can look at our forms in a different light to create a different outcome.

 

Keep your form patterns the same, but keep your applications open to interpretation.

 

Thank you