I presume this took place in Hong Kong. Sigung Tsui Seung Tin is discussing Wing Chun Kung Fu. I wish I spoke Cantonese. The only words I can decipher are Sil Lum Tao!
The speech:
Bit more speech, then a demo, then some more speech:
To see Sigung Chu demonstrating some actual Wing Chun techniques, view this video:
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Relaxation
As all Wing Chun practitioners know, relaxation is key to effective training. This post includes helpful information about how to relax, and will continue to evolve.
Muscle Tension
"muscle tension directly influences and blocks the transmission of energy through the channels." [1]
Links
1. Relax for even better EFT while not specifically about Kung Fu, this articles describes the importance of muscle relaxation in relation to allowing energy to flow through the human body.
Muscle Tension
"muscle tension directly influences and blocks the transmission of energy through the channels." [1]
Links
1. Relax for even better EFT while not specifically about Kung Fu, this articles describes the importance of muscle relaxation in relation to allowing energy to flow through the human body.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wing Chun Focus
Do a Google Search for wing chun focus and you will see that the word focus is used a lot to describe various aspects of Wing Chun. This is because the word is used to describe the level of concentration needed when training and applying techniques. This is fine, as it is 100% true that mental focus is required to practise Wing Chun effectively.
What I have had trouble finding is information on how to actually focus one's energy at the intended target. Our sifus have said this to us thousands of times - "Focus where you're aiming" - and on successful days, this has the effect of purifying an attacking or defensive move.
I guess one way to think of focus is intention or aim. Mentally choose a point to which you are moving and feel your entire body aiming at that point from your root. Be careful not to introduce tension while doing this. It is 100% mental until you move.
Try it now: stand next to a wall. Move your hand and touch the wall, without doing anything else.
Now hold your hand out in front - roughly in the guard. Now think from the anus up the spine to the top of the head. Relax. And then focus on a point on the wall, and imagine the fingers of the hand moving out to touch that point. Try to feel the connection all the way from your spine to the tips of your fingers (and beyond). Now, just move the hand in a relaxed fashion to the wall, while maintaining focus [there's that word again].
So now to the point of this post:
In the last paragraph - how do we define 'focus'? Is it simply paying attention to a point in space? What does that mean. While having only practised Wing Chun for a short time, I am sure on occasion I have felt energy travel into my fingers when I am relaxed and focussing. How does this occur? Does the mind cause Chi/Energy to travel through the body to the point the mind is focussing on? And, in order to focus, do you have to be relaxed? Can focus be achieved without proper relaxation?
These are all very important questions that I do not know the answer to, but will do everything I can to find out.
The Basic Aspects link that I referenced in the Tai Gong post is a good read in relation to the issue of focus.
What I have had trouble finding is information on how to actually focus one's energy at the intended target. Our sifus have said this to us thousands of times - "Focus where you're aiming" - and on successful days, this has the effect of purifying an attacking or defensive move.
I guess one way to think of focus is intention or aim. Mentally choose a point to which you are moving and feel your entire body aiming at that point from your root. Be careful not to introduce tension while doing this. It is 100% mental until you move.
Try it now: stand next to a wall. Move your hand and touch the wall, without doing anything else.
Now hold your hand out in front - roughly in the guard. Now think from the anus up the spine to the top of the head. Relax. And then focus on a point on the wall, and imagine the fingers of the hand moving out to touch that point. Try to feel the connection all the way from your spine to the tips of your fingers (and beyond). Now, just move the hand in a relaxed fashion to the wall, while maintaining focus [there's that word again].
So now to the point of this post:
In the last paragraph - how do we define 'focus'? Is it simply paying attention to a point in space? What does that mean. While having only practised Wing Chun for a short time, I am sure on occasion I have felt energy travel into my fingers when I am relaxed and focussing. How does this occur? Does the mind cause Chi/Energy to travel through the body to the point the mind is focussing on? And, in order to focus, do you have to be relaxed? Can focus be achieved without proper relaxation?
These are all very important questions that I do not know the answer to, but will do everything I can to find out.
The Basic Aspects link that I referenced in the Tai Gong post is a good read in relation to the issue of focus.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)