What It Is
Advanced Sil Lim Tao is a deeper level of Wing Chun's first form, taught later in Kung Fu Kendra's curriculum. It revisits the movements of Sil Lim Tao with a greater focus on refined structure, relaxed power, breathing and precise energy through each technique, so that the foundation built at the start of training keeps developing as the student advances.
Why Return to the First Form?
Sil Lim Tao is the foundation of everything in Wing Chun. Early on, students learn its shapes. Later, after Chum Kiu, Biu Gee and the wooden dummy, they have the experience to understand what those shapes are really for. Advanced Sil Lim Tao is the structured return to the foundation, with new standards for what 'correct' means.
What Changes at the Advanced Level
The movements are familiar, but the attention is different. Relaxation becomes more important than position. The elbow line, the centre and the breath are refined until each technique carries power without tension. Small details that a beginner can safely ignore become the main point of practice.
How to Practise It
Practise slowly, often and with full attention. Film yourself regularly and compare each section against your earlier recordings; the changes at this level are subtle, and video makes them visible. Daily practice of even one section is more valuable than an occasional full run-through.
Common Mistakes
Treating it as a review rather than a new level. Speeding up because the movements are familiar. And tensing to 'feel' power, which works against the relaxed strength the advanced form is designed to build.
Can you learn Advanced Sil Lim Tao online?
Yes. Advanced Sil Lim Tao is taught step by step in Kung Fu Kendra’s Wing Chun Online Certification Course, a 10-level program taught by 3rd generation Ip Man lineage master Sifu Kendra Mahon (Grandmaster William Cheung, 1st generation; Master Brian Lewadny, 2nd generation). Every level has a graded exam, students get direct feedback, and it is a single one-time fee with no monthly payments.
Kendra’s Verdict
Advanced Sil Lim Tao proves the first form is never finished. It's where good foundations become great ones.