Sil Lum Tao (Siu Nim Tao, Sil Lim Tao, Siu Lien Tao) (Traditional Chinese: 小念頭; Simplified Chinese: 小念头; pinyin: xiăo niàn tóu; Jyutping: siu2 nim6 tau4; Yale: siú nihm taùh; literally means little thought/idea) is a practice routine of Wing Chun, its first form.
All the basic hand and leg movements used in Wing Chun are contained in Sil Lum Tao, although the leg movements are reduced to their most elementary components during the opening of the stance at the beginning of the form. These movements are combined into a fighting system in the Chum Kiu set. The form trains many things such as:
- Keeping the center line
- Keeping the body still while moving the arms correctly
- Providing a stable state to return to while executing Wing Chun
- Applying the elbow energy correctly
- Correct stance
- Force generation
- Breathing correctly
Great emphasis is put on relaxation while performing Sil Lum Tao. Sil Lum Tao can also be used as a meditation exercise.