Wing Chun Chi Sau -Adam Chan

[@davidwilliams4837]

Chi Sao is NOT sparring. Proper Wing Chun finishes quickly as Adam demonstrates. Chi Sao is useful for "listening" and learning to sense center and force so it can be redirected immediately. Another great video.

[@screamtheguy6425]

Im still learning to achieve the ability to feel openings and opportunities like Adam has shown. I have decent structure and balance, but I'm rigid and not as soft as Adam can be. So first question: Will practicing slowly help me increase my sensitivity, and as I progress, I can become softer? Second question: When you feel an opening, do you need to seize that gap as QUICKLY as possible? Thank you

[@davidwilliams4837]

We must do all things with forward pressure. Think of your fingers like the end of a hose: as "water" spraying forward. If you maintain this "idea", you will find that you will fill the gap without thought. I suggest learning to feel lines of force using a partner. Learn to sense his energy, accept it and think of sending it back and redirecting it. The best place to be is BESIDE lines of force. In this "contact" becomes "control". Speed multiples force, but contact divides it. Look to swivel along the pole [spine] using your hips as he attacks with his "triangle". The apex of the triangle [hips/shoulders to outstretched fists] is where his fist reaches forward as he advances. Instead, look to pivot toward the attack and advance at once. Use your hands to "feel" or "sense", but move forward to fold his structure immediately. This will put you “beside” the triangle instead of at the “end” or “tip”. Be relaxed and do not "resist" his force or you will stiffen and resort to "dumb" muscular pressure rather than structural leverage. Be relaxed, but try to maintain contact at all times. If you have a Mook Jong [wooden dummy] it does help to understand the lines of force an opponent produces and how to move forward and just beside these lines to affect his structure. That said: without proper "centering" you will be unable to upset his balance in the way you desire. We learn Wing Chun backwards. We mime movement rather than focus on intention and “idea”. This is why we fail. Movement is a RESULT of intention. This means our mind forms an “idea” and gathers internal energy within and the movement follows. In truth, we must first learn to properly "center" or we will be unable to affect our opponent while remaining relaxed. Most Wing Chun teachers teach the "idea" of centering incorrectly. Think of the spine as a line, each side as an opposing reflection of a mirror. One side opposes the other. If we punch with our right arm, our left arm wants to “draw” back in an opposite manner. But if we can learn to attack or “find” the “center”, we will discover where both reflections meet [in the spine] and this is where one’s “seat” or soul resides. Whenever we make contact, we should send force to “center” where it cannot be evaded or escaped. Centering does NOT mean standing inside our opponent and trading punches. It means wherever we strike, the opponent feels it at the lowest vertebrae of the spine. A useful exercise is to touch a partner's shoulder "without" using the idea of centering as they stand in front of you. They will turn aside, but the force will not be transferred without them directly [linearly] resisting you. Now: try "centering" and touch them again, but transfer your force INTO them to their "seat" [lower vertebrae/tailbone area]. Done correctly, you will see them buckle and they will feel an uncomfortable "twist" in the spine. Your movement will be natural because it follows your "idea". Practice this and you will suddenly “connect” with your opponent and begin to feel and affect structure immediately. Pay attention because we can often “see” where energy binds up. A good example is our own shoulders: Remember: Our shoulders are more sling than lever. They need to remain relaxed and "seated". The shoulders is where energy "binds" up most often because we strain and unseat [raise up] our shoulders, disconnecting our arms from our mass or center. Conversely, WE must center OURSELVES as well: When we "center", we "connect" all our mass. Even when relaxed, our arms and legs will feel more solid, as if they are the mass of our entire body. This gives us advantage. It also means if we strike, we send inescapable energy via our connected mass rather than just the muscle of one arm. Remember: true Wing Chun is converting energy. Think of your opponent's force as something to "receive", "borrow" and "redirect"and "return". The opportunities are realized by "feel" rather than sight. I believe slow contact [not quite Chi Sao yet] with a partner with your eyes closed will help you to focus on your "sensing" or "listening" abilities. Work slowly and see if you can tell where the energy is being directed. Focus, not force is key. Otherwise we will resort to "dumb" muscular force rather than structure [and at higher levels, "idea"]. Practice with each “idea” [centering, accepting, sticking, borrowing, returning, redirecting] at a time and “feel” the difference. It might be slight, but together they become powerful. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. But none of it matters if it is just “movement” rather than done with intention and understanding. Once you feel the difference you will learn to recognize the effect you are trying to produce upon bridging and contact. Sorry for the long response; this is a difficult topic better handled in person. Feel is as important as “sight”. Sometimes closing our eyes upon contact allows us to respond more quickly and efficiently as we now respond to lines of force rather than trying to mimic movements. Best of luck!

[@screamtheguy6425]

@@davidwilliams4837 I thank you and appreciate your detailed response! I will attempt to train with this mindset!

[@davidwilliams4837]

Most importantly: Have fun with it. Sometimes we over train; try to enjoy the experience and the journey. Explore Wing Chun and how ideas affect movement. You may discover many things you didn't expect. Don't be afraid to experiment and try things as well as to just respond to what you sense. It's always good to meet a Wing Chun brother. Train on!

[@screamtheguy6425]

@@davidwilliams4837 It gets more lonely as you rise in skill towards the top. It's nice to share experiences that us practitioners can understand (due to having practice), even when describing it through words! I struggled because of my rigidity and focused a lot on softness. It was frustrating, but at least progression keeps me satisfied! :)

[@DxModel219]

Control the center, control the energy, control the opponent

[@WingChunChiSauTube]

Love this, love chi sau, nice clear teaching

[@GeneBurnett]

I've been thinking about this video Adam, and the principles involved...one thing that occurred to me is that one of the benefits to doing various solo forms, especially with good alignment and with a healthy amount of one-leg balancing is that these forms force you to learn to control your own spine and center of gravity in order to do them correctly. Just standing on one leg for any length of time forces you to engage your core, control your spine and sit into your center. I think this makes your own spine and center harder for someone else to control...not impossible of course, there are people like yourself who are very good at taking control of the other guy's spine...but harder, because you are able to recognize when you're losing it and make corrections. Of course there are many partner drills that do this too, probably better than solo forms do, but people sometimes disparage solo forms as martially useless and this is just one of the benefits of doing them, among of course, many others. I always enjoy and learn from your videos Adam. Many thanks. GB

[@fillsack]

Great skills and coaching.

[@WereWolf27181]

You are the only Sifu they doing this moves in chi sau I like it 🇨🇾👊🏽🙏🏽🐺

[@nickdobrov]

I was just discussing this with my student yesterday! Thank you for the video

[@hernanmaggi1799]

Muy bueno, Sifu Chan! Saludos desde Argentina! Xie Xie!

[@FrodeFalch]

Another good video. I miss my wing chun days. Thanks Adam.

[@glenn_8855]

Amazing

[@alswedgin9274]

If i control myself, i know that i have a long reach. Should i ignore that while protecting myself or take advantage of it.. I realise that putting my limbs out there posses a vulnerabilty. I probably answered my own question but i would appreciate your input; Mr. Chan. Peace be with you!

[@I-poths]

I would love to have some training with Adam..one of few guys that give me the feeling that he know what he's talking about without mush talking about theory and blah blah blah...right to the point 👌..too bad you are that far 😕

[@astillero711]

Nice control

[@jean4j_]

The bad approach you're describing isn't the Jeet Kune Do way though?

[@canyouhandleit6718]

Just read this new book titled Myths and blind spots in the fighting arts’ world. /After the Bible, it’s the next gοοd bοοk for you! He exposes and destroys chi sao and centerline in one of his chapters. Mind boggling book and I feel commenting on it is just doing it it injustice.

[@brianjones3783]

Hi sifu my names Brian Jones and I got to my 1st degree instructors level under Grand Master Felix Leong, Adelaide, Australia but i didn’t get my instructors! He tried to make me sit for my instructors 3 times because my fighting skill was high, but I didn’t grade to my instructors level! So I’m a black sash level student. I was a live in student for just over 2 years! I started training in January 2000 and finished training there on the 23rd off February 2002! My sifu was pissed because as a black sash level student I could beat his 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree students easily!!!!!!!!!😀 I’ve trained every day since at least 8 hours a day!!!! I’d do my wooden dummy form for 24 hours straight and my skill went through the roof 😀😀😀 I wrote down every lesson every night after I finished training and I knew that if I stole there centre of gravity there was nothing they could do to stop me!!! You don’t want to sit there playing handy’s!! As soon as they throw a punch or hands touch it should be over!!!!!!!!!!!! I love your hand to hand combat(Wing Chun) Very Nice Sifu!!!! Well Done train hand live well and all the love in the world to you my friend!! You made my Day😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀THANKS😀😀😀😀

[@Aniontedone]

A-men: control the Center.

[@nerlind]

I feel like going a little easier on your students might make your moves seem softer but would help them feel more comfortable and enjoy the experience more.