| There are a number of different forms of chi | | | | defended at all times.Jeung Sao (changing |
| sao, but they all share some common | | | | hands) |
| characteristics.They are always two person | | | | |
| exercises. | | | | The practitioners learn to move from the |
| | | | outside to the inside of their opponents arms |
| The arms always start in contact at striking | | | | and back. Because they are particularly |
| range | | | | vulnerable to attack during these transitions |
| | | | they need to move quickly and maintain the |
| They aim to the develop sensitivity to the | | | | optimal structure for their arm position.Dok |
| opponents movements and energy, use of | | | | Sao (analytical hands) |
| correct position, and ability to find a gap | | | | |
| in an opponents defences, and the appropriate | | | | Starting from poon sao the practitioners |
| use of trapping skills.The six stages of Chi | | | | roll slowly seeking gaps in their partners |
| Sau training are:Dan Chi Sao (single sticking | | | | defeence, as they find those gaps they push |
| hands) | | | | forward very slowly giving time for their |
| | | | partner to adjust to a better position. There |
| Poon Sao (double sticking hands) | | | | are no set patterns and the exercise is an |
| | | | opportunity for practitioners to start |
| Jeung Sao (changing hands) | | | | experimenting with the basic positions and |
| | | | techniques that they've learned.Gor Sao (free |
| Dok Sao (analytical hands) | | | | applications) |
| | | | |
| Gor Sao (free applications) | | | | At full speed and starting from poon sau the |
| | | | practitioners aim to find gaps in their |
| Chi Sao Lye Bye Muk (blindfolded chi sao) | | | | partners defences and deliver light taps to |
| | | | indicate where and how they could land a hit, |
| By looking at each of these stages in more | | | | and the same time they have to ensure that |
| detail we can gain a better understanding of | | | | the same doesn't happen to themselves. |
| the methods and aims of Chi Sao training.Dan | | | | Defence, trapping and striking skills can all |
| Chi Sao (single sticking hands) | | | | be tested against a resisting opponent. It |
| | | | is essential that Chi Sao is done in a |
| Praticed in the Wing Chun training stance | | | | relaxed and non-aggressive manner for the |
| Using one hand the two practitioners | | | | student to get the optimum benefit in terms |
| alternate between striking and defending | | | | of training. Practitioners of wing chun talk |
| cycling through some of the basic hand | | | | about "playing" chi sau to emphasis the fact |
| techniques of the wing chun system. | | | | that it is to be done in a relaxed manner and |
| Practitioners try not to get into a | | | | frame of mind, that you would any game of |
| predictable rythm and will both vary the | | | | skill.Chi Sao Lye Bye Muk (blindfolded chi |
| speed of the drill randomly to ensure that | | | | sau) |
| they are maintaining an acute awareness of | | | | |
| their partners movement.Poon Sao (double | | | | As you'd probably guess this builds on gor |
| sticking hands) | | | | sau, adding the extra element of blindfolds |
| | | | to enhance the development of using contact |
| This is the second stage in Chi Sao training | | | | to guage the position and defences of the |
| and is the only only stage where the movement | | | | other player.Although chis sau unique to wing |
| is in a fixed and predictable sequence. Both | | | | chun, similar principles are used in other |
| arms are in contact as the two practitioners | | | | systems, notably "Pushing Hands" in Tai Chi |
| alternate between basic wing chun defensive | | | | and "hubud-lobud" in Kali. |
| positions ensuring that the centreline is | | | | |