Seminar Part 2

Well last Wednesday we had part 2 of the first 2008 WT seminar. It was another exhausting evening, with the first part of the seminar focusing on repeating certain sections of the chum kiu over and over again. You sure see a wide range of performance even within the same grades. This is expected - some just get it, while others are still on their search.

For the second part of the seminar, I was fortunate enough to be called on for some blind folded chi-sao. My partner was Steve - a personal fitness trainer - who's working on his 1st technician grade. For those of you who say you can't/shouldn't combine weight training and WT, well I would recommend you take a look at Steve (as well Emin Boztepe for that matter...) and reexamine your opinion (you lazy ass).

2 things I came away with from this chi-sao exercise.

1. The attitude of your partner is extremely important in making this drill exciting, encouraging, competitive, yet friendly and mutual
2. So much is "lost" under the stress of not being able to see. Sure you know where your partner's arms may be, but you don't know where you are, what you might trip over, what hits you, etc. All these factors collectively contribute as stressors, over stimulating your senses and distracting your brain from "good Wing Tsun". The result? What shines (actions that you can perform well) under this situation is what you REALLY know.
   

So after all this, what do I know? I know that chain punches are my best friend...and that I need to work harder. It's definitely a good diagnostic test. I highly recommend it. But make sure you have a good partner. If s/he's just killing you all the time, or not giving you the opportunity to return the favour, what good is your time spent with that person? The drill is simply that - a drill and a drill for both partners. Why waste your time with such a selfish partner? You know who I'm talking about - THAT guy who won't take hits and/or let you perform the drill.

Also keep in mind that chi sao is not a measure of fighting skill, much like how the ability to hold one's breath is not a measure of one's swimming ability.

I'd highly recommend you give blind folded chi-sao a go.