Hello Sifu,
I was just wondering who it was that taught you Bruce’s version of Sil Lim Tao and how long it take you to perform it?
Also, do you find much variation in the way Sil Lim Tao is performed amongst other recognised JKD instructors?
Thank, Steve

Mate most consept`s instructor`s will not even know the form!form make`s evrey thing strong,i have never seen two version`s that are the same and all of them say that it is yip man`s (if that is right)form,i think Sifu has Bruce Lee on film doing the form if so then we know it is right,Paul

Hi Paul,
I totally agree with you and have a copy of Bruce doing the form. I think it's on one of the documentary dvd's, possibly 'Bruce Lee - Martial Arts Master', super imposed into the top left hand corner during an interview with Wong Shun Leung; but I could be wrong?
This is why I find it hard to believe there are so many versions. I think Sifu may have said that not even Patrick Strong does the form as Bruce did it!
I always thought there were only two versions of the form. The 'Chan Wah Shun' version and the 'Leung Bik' version. Yip Man knew both and Bruce knew the 'Chan Wah Shun' version.
I just hope the power of the form isn't being diluted with all the alterations.
All the best,
Steve from Australia

Sil Lim tao is an important element in developing a strong structure in
Jun Fan Gung Fu and JKD.Without a good structure a person is building an art with no real foundation.If this happens,when things get rough you may find yourself blown away by an attack.I teach my student the form at intermediate level and it certainly helps ther understanding and performance.
best wishes
Martin

Hello Stephen!

Sorry to be so long getting to this! If you would, please post on the HJKDCGFA Member's Only Forun, as I check that one daily!

I first learned the Sil Lim Tao form from Sifu Joseph Cowles, who learned the form originally from Bruce Lee in the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Seattle, Washington (would have been nice to be there, huh?). I have noticed minor differences in the way some of the others do the form, but this is mainly because they learned it from someone of another lineage (yes, it's true, many JF/JKD practitioners learned a different version of Sil Lim Tao). My version of the form comes right from Joseph Cowles, who was there and learned it from Bruce! This is further confirmed by watching the tape/DVD "Wing Chun: The Science of Infighting" starring Wong Shun Leung. Wong Shun Leung was primarily responsible for teaching Bruce Lee, and the Sil Lim Tao form that he does on that video is exactly as Bruce Lee practiced and taught the form! As for the amount of time it takes to do the form, there is no set time. It is really up to the individual. Some like to practice certain parts of the form slower, with more muscular tension, to get more of a physical workout. I find that it is best to experiment with many different speeds and tensions, to get the full range of benefit from the form. I hope this answers your question, and that you benefit from this information!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
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