October 2000 Wing Chun Master Augustine Fong came to Chicago’s north shore for the first time. Master Fong would be conducting a two-day seminar. The focus of the seminar was Sil Lum Tao. Wing Chun’s first form. After a brief introduction, Master Fong began discussing the first section of Sil Lum Tao. Sifu started with opening up to yee gee kim ye ma. Even something so ostensibly simple had a lot meaning to it. Sifu continued by explaining the importance of doing tan, fook and wu sau. This is a developmental thing to find the zero point of each motion. This section is also done for self-awareness too. 

Sifu then went into the second section of Sil Lum Tao. A question was asked of Sifu, “Why does your form have a double punch in it?” Sifu explained how his teacher, Master Ho Kam Ming, would have Sifu and the other students go around the gym in a circle and do double punches. This was not in the form anywhere. So as Sifu digested the art more he decided it should be put in so it would always be practiced. Sifu went on to show where the proper placement of each motion should be. He also explained why the second and third section of Sil Lum Tao should be done with crispness and sharpness. 

Sifu continued with Sil Lum Tao and began to discuss the third and final section. Sifu began this by explaining a misinterpretation of the first movement of this section. Many people think the first motion of the third section is Pak sau. It’s really a motion called kow sau. Kow sau has a little pull to it at the end of the motion. Sifu continued with the form. When he got to the bong sau section Sifu stopped to explain why this part differs from the other parts of the second and third sections of Sil lum tao. Up to this point the form is done with connecting energy. But in the bong sau part they are not done with connecting energy. Sifu explained this is because the paths of energy travel differently with bong sau than it does with the other motions. 

It was then time for the students to practice Sil lum tao so Sifu could observe them. The students went through Sil lum tao at sifu’s count. Sifu then went through the application of each motion in Sil lum tao. Sifu would show the application of each motion, and then the students would practice the application after each one was shown. The application was practiced through a chi sau situation and Sifu would go into fighting application as well. 

Sifu ended the seminar with some street fighting strategy and footwork drills. Sifu talked about the mind of the wing Chun fighter. How to fight against one person or against multiple people. The seminar participants walked away with a wealth of information.