Chi Sao (Sticking Hands)

In the art Of Shaolin Tai Chi Chuan we have method of training our awareness and co-ordination skills called ‘Chi Sao’. A fancy translation of this word is ‘Sticking Hands’, the direct translation is “Air Hands”. The word ‘Chi Sao’ is Mandarin and translates to ‘Hei Sao’ in Cantonese

Chi Sao is not only a method of developing blocking and evading skills but it also develops a complex skill of mental awareness and understanding of timing, space, distance, pressure and so on. These things will also benefit you in your personal life.

The training is difficult at first but it becomes second nature as time goes on. Once the skills are learnt it then becomes a part of your normal thinking and seems to be just your body’s common sense. As time progresses the skills become more deeply embedded into your body’s basic understanding of balance and control, it then allows you to perform at a much more advanced level of skill development.

The skills of Chi Sao make you understand that every opportunity in life should be grasped and used if possible.  If you miss the opportunity then another will come along at some time.

“Every moment, is another chance”

Students who have no knowledge of Chi Sao seem to practice something that is called ‘lazy’ Chi Sao. This means that they have no understanding of exactly what they are doing. At the Hull Kung Fu classes we teach you why you do things and help you achieve your aims out of the Chi Sao. Mistakes are never repeated, just improvements made.

When practicing Chi Sao you need to decide what you are training for. You need to know whether you are aiming to improve a certain technique or mental method. Always agree with your partner what you are to practice.

The main points to learning Chi Sao

Focus your intention on what techniques you are doing and try not to learn too much at once. Correct mistakes after you have finished your techniques and not whilst you are doing them. After you have performed Chi Sao note down any feedback from your partner. Keep retesting and retraining.

Chi Sao uses methods and Jings to control opponents. Methods are examples of controlling the opponents i.e., guiding, expelling and Jings are forces applied to the methods i.e., explosive force.

Things to be aware of

Body types, skills and mental states of your opponent When doing something with someone else there will be inherent variables: body types, skill levels, mental states and intention and so you need to train with certain people to train certain attributes; you will need to match the right attributes with the right people as this will allow you to calibrate your skill.

Skill of the opponent In set training patterns, in which the technique or mental method is decided beforehand, there will be a certain extent to which your partner will be anticipating and countering the pre-ordained technique or mental method which may limit its apparent efficacy.

Partner’s level of response Variables will occur within the chosen area of testing. A situation may arise in which your partner is giving you the wrong response, defence or feedback and this will require that you adjust and correct the response, defence or feedback to produce a counter attack.

State of well-being How you feel will have a big impact in terms of energy levels and feeling of well-being as well as general state of health and mental focus.

Problems encountered in Chi Sao

Having a very bad stance can enable you opponent to overpower you. Putting too much force into you moves can help your opponent to win. Being too soft can help your opponent overpower you.