Usually demonstrations of soft skills include a smaller weak looking old man throwing around several young large men who are trying to move or strike the old master. Usheba, the great master and founder of Aikido, would often give such demonstrations, also many of the renowned Tai Chi masters have been seen demonstrating skill in this way. There are some demonstrations of breaking ability using soft chi skills but they are uncommon. The approach that soft chi training takes is based upon the idea that energy flows naturally in the universe, and that the mind can control and direct that flow. Hard chi kung also use this approach but with some notable differences.
Soft training emphasizes a relaxed body rather than a tense one.
Tension locks chi and stops or reduces the natural flow, while a relaxed body opens the flow and allows the chi to move, as it should. Learning to truly relax the mind and body takes some years of training and practice. Focusing the mind's intent is also a key factor in soft training just as it is in hard. However, there seems to be a wider range of potential skills that fit in the soft chi kung spectrum than those within the hard chi kung spectrum. All the listening, feeling or sensing skills are part of the soft chi kung repertoire.