Is Chi Sao The Most Important Drill In Wing Chun Kung-Fu?
An Unknown System Of Wing Chun
John Bednarski
Martial Artist and Owner of School Of Arms Media
For those that are unfamiliar with Chi Sao, or Double sticky hands, it is a drill that encourages bi-symmetrical understanding of where your limbs are at while interacting with another individual. The goal of this drill, is to stay attached to the other individual by sensing changes in pressure (sometimes called energy) while in movement.
In the past I use to think that the Chi Sao drill was extremely important; mostly because I only had a passing familiarity with Wing Chun Kung-Fu. After all, most practitioners of the Ip Man lineage, and its off shoots really emphasize the importance of Chi Sao.
I have also heard, at points, that Ip Man kept his students doing Chi Sao for a long period of time, for a specific purpose, but I do not want to spread rumors.
That being said, I assumed the importance of Chi Sao was universal throughout all lineages of Wing Chun Kung-Fu systems; That is until I met Grandmaster Ing, whom teaches his own family style of Wing Chun.
I asked Grandmaster Ing about Chi Sao and his answer was direct, "it isn't as important, as you think." It was not until several years of training with Grandmaster Ing that I realized, much of what I was originally taught about Chi Sao was misguided. This is not to say others are doing it wrong, just incompletely, or quite possibly, they were not taught every aspect of it by their teachers.
In the Ing Family system of Wing Chun Chi Sao is not the central aspect of training; however, when it is trained, it has many more facets to it than other systems I have seen.
Nevertheless, I am one individual giving an opinion from a limited perspective, so, what do the rest of you think?
Why The Ing Family System Of Wing Chun?
There are many different forms of Wing Chun that have been explored and categorized; This family system is none of these. See why Grandmaster Ing is a sought after instructor in Wing Chun, as well as a striking coach for aspiring fighters.