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