Magic Mirror (Chi Sau Reflections Part One)

by Sifu Nick Francis

"Magic mirror, on the wall...

Who is the fairest of them all?""

 Imprinted on culture, from the 1937 Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the famous utterance of this Evil Queen resurfaces time and time again. Weathering the test of time, pithy and entertaining as these words may be, they echo an internal voice that is in constant need to be checked.

The scene is simple, It needs no explanation. Not only is it cemented in the Disney archives but alive and well, across generations, in every human heart.

1937 Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

"Who's the fairest of them all?"

The thing that draws me to this metaphor is the similarity it brings to mind when I think about Wing Chun or more specifically, Chi Sau.

If you are not familiar, Chi Sau, if I am to over simplify, is a relaxed, physical exchange where Wing Chun practitioners explore the aspects and mechanics of a fight in a playful, game-like fashion.

Personally, even though this doesn't sound like much, I find Chi Sau to have the highest level of impact on developing and honing one's skills. And to me, I also find it the most difficult!

Difficult? 

Sounds like a strange thing to say doesn't it?

Why do I say this?

After all, I was told that Wing Chun was so easy to learn that in six months of time the skills gained could actually save my life? In all my years of training, the word "difficult" is readily avoided because with some time and practice almost everyone can learn.

So why use it now?

Please allow me to explain...

For starters, I do not see an inconsistency here. Simply explained, Chi Sau is the linking up of hands, hence the name "Sticky hands" to roll and simulate movement to heighten one's reflexes to develop Wing Chun techniques.

There is no difficulty in this... just time and practice.

If you learn the forms, techniques and seek understanding through partner drills, Chi Sau simply becomes the forum by which we put it all together. This is not difficult at all.

Except...

It is in Chi Sau we come face to face with ourselves.

In this way, Chi Sau is much, much more...

In my opinion, if you are learning a pure and honest Wing Chun then Chi Sau is not only going to expose where you need practice developing your position, energy, reactions and technique.

It is going to expose who you are!

Chi Sau is a mirror.

The wonderful news is that not only does it reveal who we are but if we look closely, it can also provide glimpses into who we are becoming.

 ___________________________

 The other week we did a little experiment through playing Chi Sau.

It exposed all types of things.

When asking the open question, "What is Chi Sau?", many are quick to agree that it is a "conversation". Like any conversation there is a clarified intent of listening and sharing. The purpose of Chi Sau is to "physically" explore (or discuss) Wing Chun techniques through developing and sharing energy.

What then is being said in these conversions?

Well, this is exactly what I wanted to explore...

 ___________________________

Here's what happened. We all "rolled" for a few minutes and then paused. We then asked one another to share what it felt like was being "said".

We got these reflections.

Example #1: The Misunderstood

While one partner said they were just "playing",

the other said they were left feeling bullied.

Example #2: The Mischief

While one partner intentionally laughed and tried to make the exercise humorous,

the other found it frustrating as the "rules" of the game were being broken and ignored.

Example #3: The Mismatch

In this scenario, one partner was trying to create attacks while the other at best felt like they had to just follow along, not really knowing how to respond in return.

Example #4: The Misrepresented

Although I had tried to get a variety of emotional responses, the majority one was simply solemn and serious. Instead of having fun, it just didn't feel this way.

So here is the analysis.

Is this wrong or right?

It is not wrong and it is in fact alright!

Not only is this alright, but this is Chi Sau. This is the path to learning Wing Chun and that path requires that we learn about ourselves.

To learn Wing Chun is to learn about oneself!

But learn what exactly?

This brings me to my point. We need to be clear about what we are doing and know what is actually at stake if we don't. When we don't understand, it is possible that we can actually hinder the things we are trying to augment...

Learning.

Community. 

Personal Well-Being & Growth.

In my opinion, Chi Sau is quite possibly the most telling mirror you can find. If we tend to compare ourselves to others, it will be natural to feel humiliated. If we naturally have the desire to "win", then we may be surprised when others feel unsafe to play with us. If we struggle with ego, then every time we get tapped in Chi Sau, we may feel a wide range of emotions from fear to anger and everything in between.

Likewise, if our desires and goals are pure and honorable then we will learn how to be pure and honorable. If they are not, then the outcomes may be less than what we had hoped.

Chi Sau in my experience does not only show us where we can improve our skills, but it will also show us where we can improve our character.

Magic mirror on the wall,

what is Chi Sau for after all?

___________________________

Now, to be clear, I am in no way asking anyone to forfeit the play of tagging your partner, playfully hitting them, breaking through and making that contact, after all this is exactly the purpose and the end goal of Chi Sau.

However, I am convinced that the attitude we bring to it absolutely determines the outcome.

What if:

 • Connection and learning replace battering and bruising.

• Community and support are prioritized over ego and pride.

• Kindness and humility overwrite our natural responses of fear and humiliation.

___________________________

So...

What is Chi Sau?

or better yet...

What is Chi Sau to you?

Maybe Chi Sau is about us all working on ourselves together.

The mirror is there for a reason and we all have plenty to work on.

Thanks for reading.

We are grateful to have you join us on this journey!