Bong Sao Using Tai Chi Principles

While Tai Chi focuses on understanding the flow of energy and how to control your chi. Wing Chun is an internal / external martial art system.

The key to unlocking the bong sao is to understand how to control energy, which Tai Chi can teach you how to do very well.

The energy should be even in your arm when you are applying a bong sao. Not to heavy and not to soft, if your energy is favoring either it is wrong. I like to imagine a metal rod in my arm from my wrist to my elbow. Every time my arm moves the energy moves evenly from those two points.

Making contact with your wing chun bong sao

In Tai Chi we strive to keep our energy in balance and harmony. In Wing Chun we feel for weaknesses in a person structure. If you energy is even you will be able to *feel where your opponent is inconsistent. It is that inconsistency that you use to your advantage.

You do this by filling up where there is no pressure, or by neutralizing pressure that is greater than yours. By practicing the Tai Chi Chuan form you are able to mentally connect with your body. Once you can actually start feeling connected it will be much easier to connect with your opponent.

Tai Chi Increases Your Wing Chun

Learning a martial system like Tai Chi Chuan you are able to take complimentary systems like Wing Chun and have a better understanding of how the body mechanics work.

I attribute this to the fact that Tai Chi does a better job of teaching your body how to correctly move than wing chun does alone.

Also in Wing Chun the focus is on hitting your opponent. When learning how to be soft and yield it is rather difficult to do when a person is trying to attack you. Chi Sao while a great training aid sometimes trains bad habits if done incorrectly.

Tai Chi's pushing hands drill is less aggressive and you are able to stay calmer thereby focusing more on feeling energy rather than getting your lights knocked out.