Siu Lim Tao
The Foundation of Wing Chun
Learn the sequence.
Understand the principles.
Build a stronger foundation.
This 93-page student textbook provides a structured guide to Siu Lim Tao, from the first stance and centreline principles through to the complete form, applications, Chi Sau and Green Sash preparation.
Created for Kung Fu Southside students and Wing Chun practitioners who want a clear reference for training between classes.
Complete form sequence • 60-week study path • White to Green Sash
DEVELOP A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF SIU LIM TAO
Siu Lim Tao is usually the first form learned in Wing Chun. Its lessons remain important throughout your training.
The form teaches you how to organise your stance, protect your centreline, move without unnecessary tension and connect the actions of the hands to the structure of the body.
Remembering the sequence is only one part of the process. You also need to understand what each movement trains, how to practise it and how it connects to later skills.
This book gives you a clear reference you can return to throughout your training.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Build your foundation
• Yee Jee Kim Yeung Maa stance
• Balance, posture and central alignment
• Centreline principles
• Relaxation without collapse
• Breathing, Yi and internal awareness
• Safe training habits
Understand the form
• Complete Siu Lim Tao sequence
• Opening, centreline reference and punches
• Tan Sau, Fuk Sau, Wu Sau and Huen Sau
• Sinking, barring and rising actions
• Palms, sweeps and bridge removal
• Common errors and self-correction
Connect the form to application
• Wing Chun punching and short-range power
• Footwork and stance transitions
• Kicking and physical preparation
• Controlled partner applications
• Chi Sau contact and sensitivity
• Pressure tests and development drills
Follow a structured training path
• White Sash study program
• Yellow Sash study program
• Green Sash study program
• Home-practice plans
• Grading preparation
• Progress records and training logs
MORE THAN A FORM SEQUENCE
This textbook explains the physical and mental qualities that give the movements their purpose.
You will study:
• How the stance supports the movement of the hands
• How the centreline guides attack, defence and recovery
• How to remove unnecessary muscular tension
• How intention gives direction to movement
• How Yin and Yang appear through receiving and advancing
• How Chi Sau develops awareness through contact
• How structure, timing and control work together
• How internal training is practised without forced breathing or vague claims
Traditional terminology, practical instruction and lineage-specific interpretations are clearly identified throughout the book.
THE HIDDEN DETAIL WITHIN THE TRAINING
The book also examines several areas that are often mentioned briefly in class but deserve further study.
These include:
• The deeper meaning of Yee Jee Kim Yeung Maa
• The physical and internal stages of stance training
• The meaning of Yi, determination and directed attention
• The water and fire teaching images within Chi Sau
• Sticking without clinging
• The ring finger switch and ulnar-side connection
• Integrated power through the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder
• Safe methods for partner pressure and resistance training
Each subject includes practical guidance, coaching cues, common errors and progress checks.
A COMPLETE WHITE TO GREEN SASH STUDY GUIDE
The textbook follows a structured 60-week pathway covering the White, Yellow and Green Sash curriculum.
You can use it to:
• Review material after class
• Prepare before your next lesson
• Record corrections from your instructor
• Plan short home-practice sessions
• Check your understanding of terminology
• Prepare for sash assessment
• Return to earlier material when faults appear
• Track your progress over time
The goal is consistent improvement through correct repetition, direct correction and patient practice.
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
Kung Fu Southside students
Use the textbook alongside your regular classes. It follows the school’s White to Green Sash study pathway and provides space for personal corrections and training records.
New Wing Chun students
Learn the purpose behind the first form and develop sound training habits from the beginning.
Experienced practitioners
Return to the foundations and examine the stance, centreline, relaxation, intention, Chi Sau and internal training in greater detail.
Wing Chun practitioners from other lineages
Use the book as a reference to one documented teaching method. Terminology, sequence and interpretation can vary between schools. Your own instructor’s direct correction should guide your physical practice.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Your copy contains:
• 93 pages
• 29 structured chapters
• Complete Siu Lim Tao form sequence
• 60-week study pathway
• White, Yellow and Green Sash requirements
• Detailed movement references
• Applications and partner exercises
• Chi Sau principles and training guidance
• Internal training explanations
• Review questions and answer key
• Cantonese and English glossary
• Technique finder
• Reusable training logs
LINEAGE AND TEACHING CONTEXT
This book presents Siu Lim Tao through the lineage of:
Ip Man → Grandmaster Gregory Choi → Sifu David Richardson
Grandmaster Gregory Choi trained privately under Ip Man from 1954. He later accepted David Richardson as his final closed-door disciple, Guan Mun Dai Zi, and entrusted him to preserve and teach Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong.
The book records this teaching while respecting the different methods, terminology and interpretations found across the wider Wing Chun community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Richardson, also known as Sifu Dave, is the founder and head instructor of Kung Fu Southside in Hillcrest, Queensland.
He began training in Wing Chun in 1989 and has studied martial arts for more than three decades. His later private training under Grandmaster Gregory Choi focused on Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong, internal training, structure, intention, health preservation and long-term martial development.
This textbook was developed from the Kung Fu Southside instructor syllabus and rewritten as a practical student reference.
IMPORTANT TRAINING NOTE
This book is an educational reference. It supports qualified, face-to-face instruction but does not replace it.
Martial arts training carries a risk of injury. Practise within your current level, use controlled contact and follow the instructions of a qualified teacher.
Traditional descriptions of Qi, Dan Tian and internal training are presented as part of the lineage teaching. They are not medical claims.
