How does Chu Shong Tin Wing Chun differ from other Wing Chun lineages? Chu Shong Tin (also spelled Tsui Sheung Tin) was Ip Man’s third student and began his training with Ip Man in 1950. Chu Shong Tin trained in Ip Man’s school for 14 years and was the main teacher there, teaching for up to 12 hours on some days.
Ip Man, acknowledged Chu’s deep understanding of Wing Chun. He named Master Chu Shong Tin “The King of Siu Nim Tao”. Siu Nim Tao can be translated to ‘Little/Tiny Mind Power’. It’s the first empty hand form of Wing Chun and it is the internal foundation for the entire system. Achieving the ‘Nim Tao’ / ‘Mind Force’ is the ultimate goal of this form.
Shu Shong Tin:
“Even up until now, I’m still contemplating and searching for answers. How did the founder of Wing Chun, Ng Mui, create this form Siu Nim Tao? Did she have a quicker way of teaching students at the time? If so, then why couldn’t I do the same? Does it really take this much time to achieve it?”
“I still haven’t fulfilled my wish for answers yet and I really hope that those students who can activate Nim Tao will find a quicker way in the future. I don’t know how much time I have left to find a quicker way. Passing on a way that everyone can activate ‘Nim Tao’; that everyone can be healthy; that everyone can have the ability to effortlessly generate powerful force so they can protect themselves. This is in fact, my last and final wish!”
Towards the end of his life, Chu Shong Tin changed the way he taught.
Chu Shong Tin Wing Chun – Nim Tao Power
In his early years of teaching, Chu Shong Tin played a lot of chi sau. But over time, he realised that his students couldn’t replicate his ability to generate power. So, in efforts to correct this, he began showing them his understanding of “nim tao” (power generation). However, not one of his students could replicate it without his help.
In order to generate nim tao, Chu Shong Tin had his students practice the form Siu Nim Tao repeatedly. He also had them do standing practice, often for hours at a time. As he explains in the video below, the power generation comes from a different part of the brain than is normally used.
Chu Shong Tin Wing Chun Differences
It is this focus on power generation and the internal aspect of the Wing Chun system which most stands out when coming to a Chu Shong Tin school from another lineage. As a previous disciple of another lineage (through a senior student of Ip Chun), I had very little understanding of the internal aspects of the system. I had practiced Siu Lim/Nim tao many times, however, I couldn’t generate the power demonstrated by others at the Chu Shong Tin school, nor did I have the connection to the ground which seemed to help with this power.
In my previous lineage there was a large focus on chi sau, drills and the self defence aspects of the system. In the Shu Shong Tin lineage class, there was a different focus. The main difference (apart from some slight differences in the forms) was the understanding of power generation and the testing of it.
Relaxation Vs. Tension
This is done through hands on instruction and the releasing of tension in the body, or relaxation. Rather than using muscular force to generate power, which is the de facto (default) strategy which we will all naturally use, there’s another operating system.
Here’s a quote from an article on Sung Wing Chun‘s website of the Shu Shong Tin lineage:
“In line with CST’s final stage of teaching our paramount focus is on achieving a state of release and expansion in the spine and whole back, so that it can lengthen and widen (sing). That then provides for unified body movement in an expanded state with the emphasis of release of undue muscular tension.
Wing chun method themselves are then used in the class to test and refine the above ability. Any wing chun technique or skill which causes undue tension, compression or reduced mobility is simply not trained.” – Dan Parr Sung Wing Chun
Shu Shong Tin Wing Chun – Summary
Shu Shong Tin taught for many years but in his final years he changed the way he taught. He shifted from the previous chi sau focus to a more internal method. This shift came from his observation of his students. He noted that they were unable to replicate his force generation and power.
In efforts to correct this, he shifted to a different aspect of the system. Nim tao or mind power is the basis of the first form. Through practicing the form and through the correct mind state, a student is able to generate incredible force, and much more easily than through muscle power alone.
This is only achieved through regular practice of the first form and from developing a deeper understanding of nim tao – mind power.
More about Chu Shong Tin here.
