The Shaolin Secrets Of Kung Fu Training- Bon Sao
One of the most important techniques learnt during your wing chun training is the bon sao or wing arm. It is taught at the beginner levels as basic defense against attack and is particularly useful to understanding the style. The technique is designed to protect a wide area of your body , to yield to extreme pressure yet never allowing your arm to be trapped. It can easily change into a palm up block and allow you to slip your hands free. The rear protective guard (Wu Sao) can grab and deflect the oncoming strike and allow the bon sao to become an effective throat cutting/chop technique.
The Bon sao technique demonstrates just how flexible wing chun can be. It also illustrates that if a single technique can be used in many situations, there is no need to learn several different moves for different situations. This reinforces the simplicity of the wing chun training system.
Bon sao is also a prominent technique used on the wing chun dummy. There is a whole sequence that shows teaches you how to transition into and out of bon sao.
Speaking of which one the most popular drills that instructors torture..i mean pass on to their students is the bon sao drill. It teaches correct technique and is quite dynamic as you need to use your footwork and can change your stance from left to right. A must for any kung fu training.
It also a great precursor to chi sao. It teaches you how to feel the punch of your opponents and react to it. Through repetition you improve your technique and speed up the process.
In true traditional wing chun style it is best to practice on both sides of the body starting with your left.
This technique and drill will go a long way in your development. It is in these little exercises that lay the building blocks for your wing chun master.
