Facing the shadow.
Facing one’s shadow, chasing one’s shadow, and pointing towards the centre line — the fighting principles passed down through successive generations.
Sticking Hands (Chi Sau) is the main exercise in practising the fighting techniques of Wing Chun. When practising sticking hands, instructors always mention facing one's shadow (Chiu Ying), chasing one's shadow (Jui Ying) and pointing towards the centre line (Gee Ng Sien). These are the main points in fighting that have been passed down from successive generations.
But no matter whether the fight is between humans or animals, when a fight is between a pair it is natural to prepare oneself by facing the opponent, chasing the opponent, and pointing towards the centre line. These are the natural instincts in preparing for a fight, and should not form the main points in fighting even though they have been passed on through generations. Whether they contain any hidden meaning is worthy for us to research and discuss.
Wing Chun emphasises facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line — but the explanation is not as simple as the literal meaning of these sayings. Actually, these words hide the skill of using the mind force in practical application, which develops automatic self-defence and attack together with an effective counter-attacking technique. It also speeds up the reflexes and becomes the best way to develop the subconscious power in fighting.
If one wants to understand this type of fighting technique, firstly he has to understand the purposes of the Wing Chun forms, and then analyse the reasons for it.
From the position of the stance of Siu Nim Tau, the legs point towards the centre — which makes the toes and the knees do the same. This is the basic position for the legs to face towards the opponent, and the movements of Tan Sau, Bong Sau and Fook Sau also point towards the centre. The coordination of the shapes of the arms and legs makes the whole body form a solid triangle pointing towards the centre. The front point of this triangle, together with the forward movement of the body, becomes the cohesive point of the body mass. Using this shape and point to contact the opponent creates the ability to crack in, break through and thrust open — controlling the inner gate (Noi Mun) of the opponent, destroying his defence and opening up his central area.
By further analysing the relationship between facing one's shadow, chasing one's shadow and pointing towards the centre line, they all function under the same reason. Facing one's shadow means to face the opponent directly in front. Chasing one's shadow: when the opponent moves left or right, one chases towards that direction so as to focus on the opponent's centre line again. Gee Ng Sien means centre line — Gee represents the middle of the night, Ng the middle of the day; it is simply another word for the centre line.
If one can control the skills of facing the opponent, chasing the opponent and pointing towards the centre line, generally he can achieve the following:
- Accumulate the strength of the whole body mass;
- Keep the limbs ready to fight — just as the arrow is in the bow, ready to fire;
- Conceal the abilities to absorb external pressure and to bounce back the incoming force;
- Develop the faculties for automatic defence and attack.
As these skills contain the hidden, profound power of Wing Chun, I find it difficult to express and explain in black and white. For this reason it is necessary for me to demonstrate, so that you can feel the power personally.