CHI SAO
Chi Sao (Chee Sau) is a method known as “Sticky Hands” and involves the two White Crane Practitioners joining hands and engaging in motions symbolic of close range combat with the arms.
The first and possibly most important skill developed from the very start of Chee Sau training is known as Gum Gock Ging, which can be translated as: “Feeling Energy” or “Sensitivity.” Gum Gock Ging is enhanced by constantly sticking hands with multiple partners and learning to sense impending attacks through Bridge Contact. A trainee with highly developed Gum Gock Ging can often sense the opponent’s intention and react to that motion even before the opponent himself fully realizes what he intends to do. It is for this reason that it can at times appear that White Crane masters have a sort of “sixth sense.” In actuality, it is no more than a high degree of cultivation of the five senses similar to the extra sensitive hearing perception reported by many blind people that results from sight deprivation. By relying more on feeling and less on seeing in Chee Sau practice, Gum Gock Ging is summarily enhanced.
Technique—The attacking and defending movements that can be practiced in Sticky Hands encompass the entire spectrum of motions in the system, as well as those “improvisational” applications of White Crane theory that the practitioner will begin to discover.
PAN SHOU:
Pan Shou is the use of the hands in a revolving manner and is one of the highest level aspects of Chinese White Crane Boxing hands joining.
It involves the two practitioner joining hands near the wrist and revolving the hands inside and outside in circles always keeping the hands and wrist in touch.
Besides learning better execution, flow and exchange of techniques through Revolving Hands, the trainee is introduced to the concepts of “closing and leaving the gap, meaning moving in from a position of non- Bridge Contact while executing some form of attack and/or defense, and reaking contact again. Hoang Jai Ging, or “Controlling Energy,” works together with Sen- sitivity, Sticking and Directing Energies to enable the trainee not only to feel an opening through forearm contact and to guide the opponent’s arms into a position of disadvantage, but also to gain complete control over him through trapping. An old proverb regarding this principle, “Chee Duck Joke Sum Siu Shue Duck,” means “Sticking to and controlling the opponent increases the chances of victory.”
TUISHOU:
Tuishou takes the form of single, double and circular pushing hands and is regarded as a high level skill. Being able to control and a opponent through pushing hands is highly regarded.
Bau Ja Ging, “Explosive Energy,” is built as each individual motion is quickly and smoothly snapped from “load-up,” and works closely with all other energies to create sharp, explosive guiding, trapping, blocking and striking movements. Connecting Energy (Gan Jeep Ging) is also further enhanced by flowing smoothly from the basic rolling cycle into any blocking or attacking motion of the system.
On a more spiritual plane, the practice and mastery of Chee Sau, Pan Shou and Tuishou training also develops the practitioner’s ability to project a confident, aggressive attitude (Choang Ging) as well as his determination and perseverance.
Many of the truths out- lined in the traditional White Crane poems of the fist manifest themselves inthese hand practices, inspiring the trainee to more fully develop each of the types of energy mentioned here as well as other crucial skills. The desire to push forward and further one’s White Crane development is known as Yun Ging, or Persistent Energy. The patience and enlightenment gained through Yun Ging development is in turn reintroduced into these hand practices, as the trainee persists with confidence and determination until his attack is successful.
Important Aspects of this type of training are:
1) Combative spirit—more variables prepare the student for free sparring and actual combat
2) Promotes natural flowing of Chi and Technique
3) Timing (See Gan Sing)
4) Power
(a) Development of the “Eight Energies” (Ging)
(b) Borrowing Power (Jyeh Lick)
(c) Balance of Power
(d) Control of Power (Jeep Joke Meen)
(e) Go with the opponent's power—do not fight force with force
5) Sensitivity (Gum Gock Ging)
6) Sensitivity (Gum Gock Ging) (e) Leg traps Body
6) Trapping (Fon Sau)
7) Moving Stancework (Ma Boh)
8) Instinctive Blocking and Parrying (Siu Sau)
9) Smooth, effective insertion of hand and leg techniques
(Sau/Gyeuk Fot)
10) Attack
11) Changing of Structure to support the hands (Yee Ying Boh Sau)
12) Building confidence in one's ability to apply techniques from the forms and drills
13) Continuous exchange of improvised techniques
14) Teaches how to achieve “Inside Centerline” (Loy Joong Seen)—
also called “Centerline Advantage”
15) Develops the ability to stick.
