On Saturday 4th Oct our teacher Si Hing Ross Sargent came to Winchester and instructed a fantastic seminar!
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We completed four focused hours of training at our regular venue, Osborne School. Practice focused on a training technique known as Chi Sau (translated as ’stick arm’). The purpose of chi sau is to refine the ability to ’stick’, ‘hold on to’ or control a partners or aggressor’s body without necessarily gripping them with you hands. This is achieved by applying physical pressure, a bit like pinning a book to a wall with your elbow. This pressure can be applied with any part of the body, the arms being used most commonly.
At an advanced level one is able to constantly adapt to movement in the opposing body and maintain constant pressure. Imagine being able to always strike, push, pull, twist or control an attacker’s body despite them stepping, moving or weaving. It doesn’t matter how much you move inside a tidal wave, your going to get soaked.
Our seminars are designed to introduce a new focus for ongoing training. On this occasion students at a basic level were introduced to the basic moves and concepts of chi sau. Whilst our advanced students learnt a new chi sau sentence. Sentences are dynamic two person contact forms that promote chi sau skills.
The seminar is also the time when we celebrate the achievement our members have made through the grading system. All our new students passed their 1st grade and received a certificate from Si Hing Ross. In the weeks preceding the seminar their basic structure and strength of spirit had been tested in ‘pressure games’ and all performed excellently, well done to you all.
We were also very pleased for two of our intermediate students, Tim and Chris, who graduated from their green colours at advanced level and join our most accomplished members wearing brown. To all our advanced level members your success is a credit to your continued and dedicated practice, well done.
We then moved on to the pub for a beer and then enjoyed a good meal at the Gurkha Chef! Also a big thank you to our friend Rupert Sabine who did another superb job, using his professional photography skills to capture these great images of the day. Check out more of his great work in our club albums.
The next Winchester Seminar will take place in the new year. Exact date to be announced. Check the Seminar time table for further details.
The training introduced by Ross during the seminar crystallized the next step in the training our basic level members will receive. Our advanced level members will now work to really refine their skills toward senior level and black colours. Chi Sau and internal mechanics will form the core of our work over the coming months. In conjunction with structure and pressure training, practice will develop the ideal balance of structure and softness which makes intelligent martial arts and healthy living such a pleasure.
A huge thank you to Si Hing Ross for sharing his knowledge and fine company with us. The dedication and quality you bring to your training and teaching is an inspiration.