In the film "The Silent Flute" there was a great quote.

"You can't step on the same piece of water twice"

Well you can if it's frozen.

Chi Sao is just the same, like water, or at least it should be.
Other than respecting your partner, the important rule is not to be
predictable. Chi Sao if played correctly will be different each time
you play it. Hard thing is to get out of the habit of working set
patterns, it should flow free like a conversation.

Otherwise you become like ice.

Gosh how profound!


--- In lunkuenacademyofwingchun@yahoogroups.com, "kermit_blueme"
<kermit_blueme@y...> wrote:
> Just to say thank you for the response. Your thoughts do make alot
> of sense. In my wing chun training, chi sau has been a focal point
> that binds the system together, supposedly giving fluidity to the
> practitioner.
> However, in my past experiences, chi sau with other practitioners
has
> been like a grudge match, with other peoples ego's getting in the
way
> of developement. Leading to a rigid exchange of 'super stiff' arms
> trying to wade through and score 'points'.
> My views on chi sau are that two people should mutually try and
learn
> something everytime they roll. I see chi sau as the best way to
> understand wing chun. To see what techniques will flow from one to
> another under different variables. What do I use when I'm
> pulled/pushed for example. Trying a technique out, seeing whether
it
> does the required job. Looking at the workings of the technique to
> see why it was or was not successful, and looking for ways to
> simplify the technique if possible, with both practitioners
> exchanging ideas and experimenting together. When both parties
have
> a deeper understanding of the techniques they are using and how
they
> interact with timing and positioning, does this lead to fluidity?
Is
> this how chi sau should be performed? Or is there no set way?