Jason Kokkorakis Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma

Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma

Here is a small exert from my second book on the Sui Lum Tao. Each action of the form is explained in the same detail as what you can read here. The aim of the book series is to help beginners with little or no access to a teacher gain a deeper understanding of training methods and applications of the system. -J.K.

The basic stance in the system gives incredible stability to the user. When this stance is understood, it is possible to take pressure pushing the body and redirect it into the ground. The aim is to find the optimum position in your balance so you will be ready to absorb this force even when not strictly in the stance. Performing its actions over some years will give you the ability to perform its intended purpose from practically any position. This can only be achieved when you can literally feel and route the pressing force that is applied to you.

When starting the form, stand with your feet together and get a sense of your balance and weight sinking into the spot you are stood on while simultaneously pulling your arms back, fists clenched tightly and held one inch from the sides of your chest. From this position you can begin to go into the Yee Jee Kim Yuen Ma stance. Sink your body by bending your knees so they line up with the front of you toes. Then turning on your heels, create a 'V' by turning your toes outwards. Then place your bodyweight over the balls of your feet and turn your heels outward. From here, your feet are pointing in and form an imaginary triangle, the point of which is where your opponents centre will be. Once in this position, you angle your pelvis up slightly and relax your bodyweight into the stance, holding it all together with a slight muscular tension in the buttocks. Keep your back straight, chin up and chest held slightly forwards. Caution! Sinking too far can put a strain on your knees, which can cause injury, so be careful and only sink as far as is comfortable.

Once in the stance, the weight of the body can be held over the heels or middle of the feet. When over the middle of the feet, connection to the ground is felt between the heel and balls of the feet, with balance concentrated over the arches of the feet. If we are pressed by the opponent, our body structure and stance can absorb the pressing force while we remain balanced and rooted to the floor. But if pressed hard, we can move onto our heels and then rotate or apply a structure to deal with the pressing force. There is buoyancy in this stance that exists at the knees. If done correctly, the stance should feel very comfortable and can be maintained for long periods of time, effortlessly. If great weight or pressure is placed on the hips, the knees can absorb this force until the feeling of pressing out from the floor exists.

There are several methods for standing in this stance. One way is to stand with the chest in line with the toes, as this gives you an upright posture that you can instantly move forward or backwards from. If you are pulled forward, your leg simply steps ahead of your torso. The same principle is applied if pushed back. To do this correctly, you will have a slight tension in your hips, which should be there naturally as you hold your hips angled up. This tension will propel the correct leg forward or backward in relation to where you are being pulled or pushed.

The same principle applies if slowly and gradually pressed. If the pressure on your chest suddenly disconnects, your legs will spring you out from the floor and in the direction of the pressing force, one leg will move forward and you will arrive in a strong, forward stance. If on the other hand the pressure on your chest is too great, you can simply turn the pelvis and torso and redirect that pressure away from your centre or step back.
Once in the stance you should maintain your balance and posture. When training with a partner, never allow yourself to overextend or give your balance away. If during exercises you are pulled or pushed, try to maintain your position. Avoid leaning backwards or forwards by rotating your torso to dissipate force or stepping with the

direction of force. If your arm is pulled, i.e. by a Lap Sao, try applying a Huen Sao to break free of the grip or move forward with the pull and attack with your shoulder. It is important that you do not get used to poor posture or allow a partner to constantly compromise your positioning. Balance, rooting and posture are the key to developing power for striking and controlling the opponent.

Jason Kokkorakis.

	Yip Man -> Yip Chun -> Colin Ward + others Yip Man -> Wong Shun Leung -> Clive Potter / Others Yip Man -> Duncan Leung -> Frank Grispo
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