LiJiong - Yiquan Course

COURSEBy Li Jiong (Assisted by Timo Heikkila, Bertram Chock, Mike Cherrill and Vahid Jabbari) 1 Preface Since 1991, the first time I met Mr. Han Jingyu in Shanghai, about twelve years passed. Guided by Mr. Han, I stepped in Yiquan world, and from then on, I never gave up study. I am fortunate, I met a great teacher, and he never gave up me. But the way of Yiquan Study is still not easy, frankly speaking, I just saw the ultimate realm of Yiquan recently, and I do not reach there yet. It is the common ideal of human being in fact, Taoism calls it Tao; Buddhism calls it nirvana. People seek this ultimate result by different ways, I approach it by Yiquan training, I believe now I will arrive there sooner or later surely. From Mr. Wang Xiangzhai on, at least, there are thousands practitioners did seek this ultimate result seriously by Yiquan training, but few of them did arrive, most of them even did not see it clearly. But believe me please, all efforts you do on Yiquan training will be worthy, so long as you walk up the right way, every effort you do will get enough repayment surely. This is the second edition of our course. The first edition is a record of Mr. Han’s teaching mainly; in this second edition, there may be more comprehension of me. As a course, I think it tries the best already, after all, there is not everything can be expressed by words. The rest relies on you, exert your wisdom, don’t give up, I can arrive here, you can arrive too. So relaxation means lack of any unnecessary tension, which is the meaning of the saying "tension in relaxation." One should not, however, take the approach of dividing the body into different parts and different muscles but see it as a unity. The way of analyzing is not the way to learn Yiquan. Analysis can explain the theory, while the real thing can only be understood by personal experience; both have their own value and use. In order to feel relaxation in its simplest form, stand still in a natural posture, your hands hanging down relaxed on the sides. Note that if your hands hang away from your body, it means you are tensing to keep them up, once you relax them completely, they will hang down touching your body. Then ask someone to grab your wrist and lift your hand and arm up, and then let it loose, let it drop down. Here your friend can test whether you are relaxed or not, if your hand feels light you are tensing up, while a heavy hand is a sign of relaxation. That is because by tensing one will keep the hand up with one's own strength, thus the other person does not need to exert any strength. When he drops your hand, it should fall down immediately and slap your leg or hips when it comes down, any delay before the hand falls down means tension. A relaxed hand feels like a loose heavy rope, and feels and looks like one even if the other person shakes it. Some might be able to do this right away, while for others it might take a while to learn to let go of all tension. After you can do it, it is time to move to the next exercise: Exercise 1 Stand with your legs parallel, at about your shoulder width. Bend your waist forwards about 45 degrees, keeping your back straight. Let your hands and shoulders hang down loosely. If you stay relaxed like that, without doing anything for a while you'll get a heavy feeling in your hands due to the blood packing in there, but that is not the purpose or the goal of this exercise. Next start moving your weight from one leg to another, keeping your hands and shoulders completely relaxed. The movement caused by moving your weight will make your hands wave like two big pendulums, or two thick and loose ropes. Let the hands go with their own speed, don't even try control them. If you ask another person to give a slight push to your hands at any moment, your hands will give up and weave to the direction of the push without any resistance. Again some might be able to do it right away, or after a few minutes of practice, while for others it might take days, or even a couple of weeks to learn it, it all depends on the level one starts from. Many martial artists even with dozens of years of experience might lack this basic skill of relaxing, and some might have made their bodies stiff and tense by incorrect practice. But even if you would find it difficult to relax, remember 3 The first step--Relaxation Training ORIGIN: Why shall we do Relaxation Training? Because it is the basal nature state of one's life, most time we stay in the relaxation state, if we grasp this state well, we can get better rest, accordingly, we will get better health, and consequently, we can enjoy our lives better. This is the origin of Relaxation Training; all exercises are built on this origin. There are different actions, just train you to be able to get into the Relaxation State in all kinds of instances. Relaxation means the muscles of the body not being contracted, and the mind being tranquil. It is a state where the brain, central nervous system, and the muscles are at rest. But is it possible to relax all the muscles? No, certain muscles must always be supporting the frame, otherwise one will fall down. 2 that relaxation is inherent in every one of us, it is an inborn and natural state of ours, only hindered by tension. Anyone can attain it; all it takes is to stop tensing. For many people it might indeed be more difficult not to do anything, than to do many things. After one has learned to enter the state of relaxation in this simple movement, it is time to extend this relaxed state into a slightly more complicated movement. down on your sides. Then start turning your body back and forth around the central axis using the waist only, and your upper body will naturally follow, the hands and shoulders still being like loose ropes, or pendulums of a rattledrum. Here you can feel your hands slapping your body in the front and behind. You can try doing this movement with maximum speed, and if you do it correctly, your relaxed hands will be hitting your shoulders or chest so hard that it hurts very much. There's no need to keep doing the exercise with such speed and get bruises, just try it to find out whether you can keep your hands and shoulders relaxed. A qualified teacher can see it right away whether one is relaxed when one does this, but without a teacher one has to count on one's own judgment. If the hands are moving together with the rotation of the waist, you are tensing the shoulders. When the hands and shoulders are relaxed they will follow the movement with a small delay and hit the body when it is already turning to another direction. This collision will naturally change the direction of the hands. It is most likely that the more one thinks of one's hands and relaxing, the more one will actually tense. Forgetting the hands and shoulders, letting go of the tension will help in relaxing them. So a beginner can pay his or her attention to turning of the waist, make sure one does the movement around the central axis, without moving the buttocks from side to side. If the hands do not slap the body at every turn, another one in front and the other behind, it is a clear sign that one is tensing them. The reason for the hands not slapping the body might be unconscious fear, but after one can get over it, one will notice that there is no pain involved. Exercise 2 Stand straight with your legs parallel at shoulder width, as if you were hanging from a rope from the crown of your head. Let your hands hang 4 5 be a direct line between your both hands when the final point of every swing is reached. If you get tired very fast, it's a sign of tension. At this point, having mastered the previous exercises, you should also be able to distinguish the difference between relaxation and tension, so you should know by yourself whether you do it correctly or not. You may select a target (such as a forested mountain or a tree), then focus on your hands, and little by little, first imagine to point at it, then touch it, then push it, then pierce it with your palm (chuanzhang), and then drill it with your fist (zuanquan). One point must be noticed: one shouldn't limit his spirit on the target only, the mind should permeate the target and reach very very far, and the spirit should never be limited in the training. After this has been learned, it is time to go on. What is meant by "learned," is that one does it correctly every time. There are three phases for each of these simple exercises: 1. "Completely wrong," 2. "Partly right, partly wrong," and 3. "Always right." If one cannot overcome the first phase in a few minutes, it's no use to keep on doing that exercise, but one should move back to the previous exercise. In the second phase, one should do the exercise much, practice earnestly until one reaches the third phase. After getting to the third stage one does not need to keep on doing that exercise anymore, it has served its purpose, that is, given you a feeling of a certain state. At that point it is time to move to the next exercise. One can, however, always return to the previous exercise to get a feeling of the correct state. Exercise 3 - basis The posture is same as in exercise 2, but now add a certain degree of control in the movement, so that your other hand will swing directly forward, and the other one backward. Choose a target in the distance in front of you, at the eye level. Twisting your body, swing your hands towards this target, the other hand always doing an opposite movement, that is, going backwards. You can start with a smaller movement if you find it difficult to relax in the "full" movement and when you can relax, just extend the movement, until you reach the maximal movement. Going to the maximum, forces your whole body to move, this is important later when issuing strength - even in a tiny movement, every part of the body should move together. It is also important to be able to relax in one's whole range of movement, thus when doing this exercise, make sure that the body always turns so that there will 6 7 When your left hand swings forward. and the muscles working against each other. their movement becomes very unnatural and they have much tension. Here most people will notice that when they start taking steps. especially in the legs.After you can do this properly. and vice versa. Remember to keep the movement of the hands and the twisting of the body "full" even when you take steps. because you are not familiar with the movement. start taking small steps without moving towards any direction. as if you were walking normally. take a narrow stance. You might feel it very difficult to twist your body while taking cross-steps. but usually the major reason is tensing. 8 9 . step with your right foot. just without moving forward. and tried to gain a feeling of relaxation by imagination.e.Yangshengzhuang . If you start too early. i. This of course assumes that one has experienced relaxation by 10 11 . one started right away from yangshengzhuang.Health Preservation Pile Standing After you have learnt to do the first three exercises properly. "taking a hot bath" and try to enter the relaxed state this way. because when you stand there tensing up. you will just be developing a habit of being tense and stiff. The practitioner would imagine. in a completely relaxed manner. the standing can rather be harmful. In the old teaching method. for example. when you have not yet learnt what relaxation is. you can start practicing the standing exercises (zhanzhuang). two hands uplift over the head. That all results from calming the mind and relaxing the body. For many people this way might take weeks or months. while with the new teaching method. it is a sign that your autonomic nervous system has begun to work to clean the inner part of your body. as if the spine was hanging from a thread. the salivary secretion will increase. only watch inside one's body. In fact. and just let it happen by itself. but 12 do not push your stomach out. and if you enter the right state in standing. if one does not know what a hot bath feels like. Having entered a relaxed state. and will be able to extend this relaxed state into different kinds of movements usually in a week or two.Standing postures (a) Baoshi . mental calmness and physical relaxation are essentials of fast reactions and explosive and powerful movements. not the external posture.Holding a balloon posture Stand naturally. it also increases the risk of injuries. One should not. The positive effects for health originate from the brain and the central nervous system having a complete rest and strengthened metabolism. Keep this posture for about twenty minutes each time in beginning. as if sitting on a high stool. so what we mean by relaxation is rather minimum tension. some people even in a couple of days.taking a hot bath. Naturally there is certain tension that is required to keep the posture. which is having only as small amount of tension as is needed to keep the posture. We all know that to be able to fight or compete victoriously. Raise your hands to the shoulder level. but one must remember that what is important is the mental and physical state within. but general fundamental principle. Stopping a movement at any point and keeping the right state of relaxation is zhanzhuang. it is very difficult to relax just by imagining it. For both health and combat. Zhanshi . One must be able to relax in any position. your feet at about shoulder width. or if one cannot relax when really taking one. just feel one's body. Then sit down slightly. and feel the body bulging and shrinking by the breath. and in any movement that includes all the points between these positions as well. but do not raise the chin. (b) Jushi . however. but do not let them hang too low either. Health preservation pile standing is also necessary for those interested in combat. two hands at about shoulder width. mean that one could just choose the easiest and least strenuous posture. the fingers upward. Do not raise the elbows to the same level with the hands and the shoulders. one should not think of anything. Your palm and fingers are opened as if you were holding a rubber ball in each hand. however. the palms of the hand face each other. do breathing consciously. just leave it to nature. This is also the basis on what the practice of Qigong and Taiji bring benefits to the health. The objective bases come from the fact that we all have two hands and two legs. there are certain objective bases on what the external form is based on. there is no need for imagination in yangshengzhuang anymore.Raising posture Continue the above posture. the arms forming a circle. and the same laws of physics apply to everyone of us. Besides. imagine your body has a gigantic stature. as examples. 13 . Tightness in the muscles does not only hinder some of the strength. Below a few postures are given. one will gain a feeling of relaxation right away. This does not. summed up. and some never learn to relax. as if you were holding a big balloon. Close your eyes and relax the whole body like you learnt in the previous exercises. listen to the breath. one must be in good health.try it by yourself and find the most comfortable position for your feet. Keep the head and spinal column erect. as if lift something to the moon. The form we talk of here is not some fixed postures or techniques. the toes pointing forward or slightly outward . two hands slowly fall to the front of the umbilicus. as if pushing something. (e) Anshi .pressing down posture Lower both hands until they are at a distance of about 1 foot from the body.Holding up posture Continue the above posture. the arms become a semicircle.Rowing posture Two hands placed at the sides of the body. each as if putting on a kid’s head. the palms of the hand upward.(c) Pengshi . The palms of the hands are in front and facing down. (d) Tuishi . push ahead. above the umbilicus a little. Other requirements are the same as Baoshi. the arms have an angle of 45 degrees with the body. as if hold a ball.Pushing posture Two hands lift to the same level of the shoulders. the distance between the two hands is a little wider than the hipbones. 14 15 . As if playing in the water and feeling very happy. the elbows brace out. Other requirements are the same as Baoshi. (f) Huashi . or supporting a wall to have a rest. the fingers point at each other. the palms of the hands face forward to the front. as if floating in the sky. Both palms of the hand are upturned. two hands at about shoulder width. image your body has a gigantic stature. two hands uplift over the head. 16 (c) Baoshi-Holding a balloon posture Continue the above posture. as if you were holding a big balloon. Close your eyes and relax the whole body. The whole body relaxed. as if they were hanging from a thread. then stand up slowly. the fingers upward. (b) Jushi-Raising posture Continue the above posture. breathe naturally. (g) Xiuxishi-Rest posture Two hands lightly placed on the lower back. but do not raise the chin. Do not raise the elbows to the same level with the hands and the shoulders. placed lightly on the thighs. Zuoshi-Sitting postures (a) Yubeishi-Preparation posture Sit on a stool naturally (the stool should a little higher than your knees). lower down your hands to the shoulder level.Face right ahead. the upper part of the body bends ahead a little. divide both feet a little wider than your shoulder. the palms face to the rear. 17 . be uniform and silent. the palms of the hands face each other. the shanks are vertical with the ground. then sways to left and right several times. two hands put to the side of the body naturally. but do not let them hang too low either. Keep the head and spine erect. the arms forming a circle. the whole body relaxes. the wrists bend a little. the elbows and the wrists all become an obtuse angle. two hands lower down slowly. 18 19 . as if carry something. The shoulders. feel the whole body relaxed and comfortable. (e) Woshi-Holding posture Continue the above posture. droop the shoulders and drop the elbows. the palms upward. (f) Tuoshi-Supporting posture Continue the above posture. the elbows brace out. the thumb inside. the forearms turn inwardly so that the palms face downward. the palms of the hand upward. gently make two fists. place lightly on the middle area of your thighs. the fingers droop. furl slightly. as if holding the air. The whole body relaxes. the fingers point to each other. and other fingers outside. open the hands and lift them a little.(d) Zhaishi-Picking posture Continue the above posture. the arms become a semicircle. as if lying in tepid water. two hands lightly placed on the lower back. as if floating in the sky. Rest in this posture for a while. 20 21 . Put both feet at about shoulder width apart. the whole body relaxes. both hands placed on the side naturally. breathe naturally. Woshi. the palms face down. the palms face to the rear.Lying postures (a) Yubeishi-Preparation posture Lie on your back on the bed. and close your eyes.(g) Jieshushi-End posture Continue the above posture. and then end the practice. the whole body relaxes. furl slightly. (e) Tuoshi-Supporting posture Continue the above posture. two hands lift to the front of the chest. the palms turn up. the fingers and the toes hold at the same time. (f) Lishi-Erect posture 22 23 . you don't want to kill it by holding too tightly. the fingers droop. (d) Baoshi-Holding a balloon posture Continue the above posture. two feet put on the bed flatly at the same as shoulder width.(b) Woshi-Holding posture Continue the above posture. but you also don't want to let it fly away from your grasp. as if you were holding a big balloon. as if supporting something. extend your wrists and fingers a little. Bend and lift your knees. let it become an obtuse angle. the wrists bend a little. as if holding a small bird. the arms forming a circle. (c) Zhaishi-Picking posture Continue the above posture. the palms open on to your chest. as if picking something. Then turn your body slightly. as if push two walls. Then move your center of mass to the front and back. as if one wooden piece. You may keep relaxed. put them on the abdomen below the navel. Feel whole (unitary) Stand naturally with your feet at about shoulder width. the fingers are upturned. and then end the practice. the palms face each other. feel whether your body is whole. (g) Jieshushi-End posture Continue the above posture. keep whole. also feel whether your body is moving as a whole. stretch your arms to the sides.Continue the above posture. Remember the feeling of relaxation and wholeness. and try to keep this feeling in all relaxation exercises. the forearms have an outward rotation. then extend your legs naturally. left and right. is it still whole? This practice gives you a feeling of wholeness. then move your center of mass to the 24 25 . and at the same time. rest for a while. lower your hands slowly. but let them hang freely (if you feel it is easier. do not raise your elbows. you do the movement starting from the elbows all the way to the hands. Start the sudden shake from a completely relaxed state. Do 26 27 . Start from exactly the same posture as in the previous part of the exercise. just a light impulse of strength is enough. let all the strength go from your wrists. tensing at the end of the movement . if the hands do not come back . This time extend your arms with a small impulse of strength. and even there. just relax the wrists and the hands will "bounce" back automatically. that is a sign of you continuing the movement by yourself. just letting them hang freely (to the inside.do only one shake at a time though.or two very little weaving movements. the hands will come back to the original posture naturally if they are kept completely relaxed. Common problems are: pulling the hands back .the elbows After you have mastered the previous part of the exercise then it is time to extend the movement into the elbows. you can start with elbows slightly raised though). Do not use force during the movement. do not do a telegraphing movement (i. but if they do more than one Part 2 . as if you had just washed your hands and were shaking the water off now .this results from tensing at the point the hands have reached their extreme posture.the wrists Stand naturally and raise your hands to the chest level. hands being about 10cm (4 inches) away from the chest. the previous exercise is included in this one.there is no need to use any strength after the initial impulse. only at the start.e. pull your wrists backwards before shaking) and do not stop the movement. but there is no need to worry about the rest of the body at this point.do not stop the movement by tensing your hands when the hands return to the original position. Exercise 4 Part 1 . instead. Then do a shaking movement with your wrists. the hands will weave a little after they have returned to the original position. that is. and stop after that. let them stop by themselves. just let the wrists bend as much as they bend and the hands will return naturally to their original position. not forward). and after being able to do the movement in the same relaxed manner. but only when the movement is initiated as a sudden impulse. you can raise the target a couple of centimeters higher. Again. Common errors are: tensing the shoulders or the hands just before the movement – ask a friend to hold his/her hands on your shoulders and feel whether the movement starts as one sudden impulse as it should or by first tensing and the starting the movement. there is no need to worry about the rest of the body Part 4 . let your arms extend completely and "bounce" back to the original posture without tension. because the movement is stopped by the elbow joint.this could be harmful to the elbows when done with greater explosiveness. let them bounce back in a relaxed manner.the shoulders After you have mastered both of the previous parts. at this point. with the same feeling. that is. which is a common error among the beginners. Part 3 . A common error is to pull the arms back before they have really extended. i.like in the previous part. which could get hurt if the movement was done with too much force. The movement is initiated by a sudden impulse from the muscles of the arms and shoulders.but let the hands move in a straight line. but first you must 28 29 . but this time thrust your fingers downwards (slightly forward) and when they reach the extreme point. pulling the hands back . a reason is usually unconscious fear when the hand extends without control and this causes pulling the hand back with tension. knees lightly bent. You can also do the same to the sides. Now it is time to initiate the movement from the whole body. When you can do both of the movements in a relaxed way at the shoulder level. the elbows and shoulders following it. many people are afraid of giving up the control and letting the hands go relaxed by themselves after the initial impulse. the left hand goes to the left and the right hand goes to the right. like when you did it forward. Start this from thrusting the hands almost downwards at the beginning and raising a couple of centimeters at a time.not do this movement with force. Start from the same posture as in the previous exercises.there should be no tension during or after the movement.e.but let it all happen in one relaxed movement where strength is used only for the sudden impulse to initiate the movement. making it a sudden impulse created by all the muscles. you can move to the shoulders.whole body Take the same posture as previously. try to overcome this problem by starting slower and gradually increasing the speed and explosiveness. it is time to move to Part 4. tensing at the end of the movement . so the previous parts are again included in this one. and so on. Let the shoulders stretch as much as they stretch naturally and in a relaxed manner. do not make two movements – extend & pull back . you can move a couple of centimeters up again. Do not do the movement by swinging the lower arm around the elbow joint like in the second part of this exercise . Start with a smaller amount of strength first to overcome this problem. but avoid any tension. The whole arms and shoulders are involved in this movement. your feet at shoulder width. and besides it does not serve the purpose in the end . When you have learnt to do this exercise properly thrusting the hands downwards. you can do the same to the sides. After you have learnt that. And then you may add ‘turn’. like in the previous exercise. but more like loose ropes that bend with the movement. like in the previous part of the exercise. When done correctly. on the shoulder level. Swing your hands to the sides. and if it is not. make sure it all happens at the same time and that you maintain your balance during the whole movement. making your body fall down. so do not try to increase the speed by any kind of tension -it will not pay off in the end. the balls of your feet towards your buttocks. and then rise up slowly. seeking maximum explosiveness. When you have practiced this simple movement for some time and feel you can do it in a relaxed manner. letting your hands drop down. and right hand to the right) when they reach the highest point at both sides. By pulling your feet up in the above mentioned way. but after some time of training it will get easier and soon it will happen naturally without even thinking of it . add thrusting your hands out in front of you at the shoulder level to dropping your weight. turn your body. again. Part 5 30 31 . you can start to "shoot" your hands towards left and right (left and to the left side. ‘shoot’ your hands out.one has built sound basis for fali (issuing strength) that comes later in the training. and let them drop and cross in front of you. there will automatically be an impulse of tension in the whole legs. and the toes towards your knees. dropping your weight down at the same time. For a beginner it might be difficult to make the whole body tense at the same time and only for the time of the sudden impulse.learn to drop your weight down: all of a sudden. they will first extend then slightly bounce back and fall down fast at the same time. Maximum speed and explosiveness require maximum relaxation. the whole arms. relax it. Make sure that your hands aren't like stiff straight sticks." relax your whole body. at the same time. check that your body is still relaxed. Having mastered this too. shoulders. after dropping your weight down. you can start increasing the speed. Pull the knees towards your chest. when dropping your weight down. Right after your hands have been "shot out. After you have mastered this thrusting your hands forward. "Shoot" your hands as a sudden impulse. buttocks and abdomen and lower back and by thrusting your hands forward. Do it all at the same time. and upper body tense for the moment of the sudden impulse. still dropping down your weight. Stand naturally. pull your feet up about 3 centimeters. for example. but you should start working on the reaction speed to the surroundings. After you have mastered this as well. you must raise the hammer up to hit again. start altering your targets. This way your whole body is forced to move together. then when you have mastered it. Have. increase your balance and do no harm. and vice versa.going further Now you can go further with Exercise 3. Do not. you can take the target from any direction. raising your [left] leg off the ground.Exercise 5 . you will naturally build the habit of moving your body as a whole. At this point the speed of the movement is not important. at the extreme point of the push. Now that you have mastered all three ways of moving. start the next push with the other hand right away. After you have found the target. When you can do it well with cross-steps (left foot and right hand forward and vice versa). make sure your movement is full every time. after you have hit once. start altering them while you change the targets at every movement. that is. really trying to reach the target. start changing your target every now and then. that is. it will strengthen your legs. Start taking longer and longer steps. Start it with moving forward. Keep the center of your body at the same level all the time. however. If you can reach any further. take a target at the distance at the level of your eyes and think that you were pushing this target with the hand swinging forward. then do that. But make sure to raise your body to an upright position when you have completed the push . keeping extremely alert all the time. This way you keep another leg in front all the time. 32 33 . The new target could be in the same direction. If you start feeling too tired with the fast pace. Have continuous movement without a break as your goal. keeping it completely relaxed. or behind you. it happens with most beginners that their legs start to look as if they were wooden when they start doing this exercise. just searching for a new target. you form a straight line from the rear foot to the fingers. Make your movements bigger and bigger. you can start practicing with left hand pushing while the left leg is in front. there is a third way of stepping left. Now. your left leg forward (naturally you must practice on both sides) and push the ground with your right leg. after you have finished one push (reached the extreme position). because their body is not used to using the hands and feet at the same time. you can still keep improving the reaction speed all the time even though you will never reach the goal. lean forward from the waist. you have already learnt to walk forward while swinging your hands back and forth. Don't be afraid of a low posture. don't move up and down. When you feel natural changing the targets. look for a new target right away. keep the rear leg and upper body in line.it's like pounding with a hammer. even if it is meters away. Although it is physiologically unattainable. but make sure that your can keep your legs relaxed. you can sometimes stop for a few seconds. eventually advancing to changing the target at every push. break when you hit something hard. make the movement full. not at the end or at the beginning. let it rather be slightly open. Start with pushing one hand forward towards the target in a straight line. it is not a combat technique and would not work as one. however. and while the hand is extended the palm points upwards. this kind of practice only spoils the joints on a long run. now you only have a fist that you can start to practice with. Then make sure your fist is flat. Do the twist during the whole movement. What is explained here is to teach you to relax during all kinds of movement and to teach you to always move the body as a unity. no finger points out and all the knuckles are at level. While you do the movement. pay attention to your wrist being straight. i. it'll 34 35 . i. otherwise it can be broken when you start actual combat training. The same requirements apply to this exercise as to the previous one. You can get an idea of the correct wrist position by first putting the backside of your fist and upper arm tightly against a wall. fingers pointing forward. and keeping this position. even though it distantly resembles that. Keep your hand open. When closing your fist. it's time to learn to do the same along a straight line. beating your fist against a hard bag until it hurts. and continue to free stepping like in the Exercise 5. In forming your fist. the palm points downwards. The target should still be at eye level. doing the same with the outside edge of the hand. yet not bending forward from the waist. Another way to do this exercise is keeping your fist closed.e. the other hand moves back to the hips. close the four other fingers first. twist your hand so that while on your hip. but do not make too tight a fist. extending as far as you can reach.e. you must practice with a sandbag to make your fist strong enough. Following these guidelines doesn't mean that you now have a perfect fist. If you have your thumb inside the fist. you can start taking steps without moving forward. Exercise 6 Now that you can do the swinging movement (push) well. When one hand moves towards the target. and thumb on them. Once you have mastered it standing still. This doesn't. and you will also build the movement memory into your brain for right kind of techniques. and relaxation state is the most essence state of one’s life. Many people. do all the techniques in a completely relaxed manner. try to keep a good posture even when you sit down at work. and uppercut. With these exercises you should now have a clear picture of what is "relaxed. pay attention to your posture in your daily life. Three most basic techniques are given here as examples: straight punch. Remember that relaxation is the basis of both combat and health preservation. stand. you stay in relaxation state. check every now and then whether you are relaxed." Now you can start to pay attention to your body in your daily life. do not follow anyone blindly. And you can go to seek a good boxing coach. most time. tend to raise their shoulders when typing on a computer. without any force. etc. type with a computer. Mastering all of this is not an instant thing. train hard and only when you feel comfortable and relaxed in one exercise. At this point. play a ball game. without noticing it. After a month or two. hook. and if you are not. when you start to feel relatively comfortable with all the above mentioned exercises. or make it work for you. you can start to do some specific training to prepare you for combat that is techniques. relax. But remember. no matter how famous or good he is. in learning 36 37 . Also. sit.you should always take only what works for you. ride a bike. when you walk. that is. Here it is still training of relaxation at the same time. although not enough alone. without having the guidance of a teacher. don't hurry. Doing it through correspondence. move to the next one. So do not despise the training of relaxation. but shape them for yourself. who could teach you more about striking techniques. or whatever you do. it might take more than three months to master this. You don't need to imitate these examples blindly. it will also help your health. we are only offering some examples of the training and one should draw inferences about other cases from one of the instances.Tension Training. and since it is a nature state of life. you have to use force. feet or your body. That is to say: the relative positions of the parts of the body do not change. This practice gives you a feeling of "whole tension". The posture is just like the exercise of "feel whole" in the first step (Stand naturally with your feet at about shoulder width. Please don't think that Yiquan training is only about some fixed exercises. then move your center of mass to the left and to the right. our main task isn't to tell you how to place your hands. stretch your arms to the sides.Tension Training ORIGIN Why shall we do Tension Training? As we know. But this time. Following this. The body must not be transformative. and the structure does not deform. imagine that these two walls are pressing you.Feel whole tension First. even to the extent that without being aware of the body. After practicing the first step for several months. Generally. instead of the Yiquan as an object. keep whole. you will get into tension state. The second step -.Exercise 1 -. increase your strength. life isn’t relaxation only. you may achieve the level that you can enter the Relaxation State whenever you wish. let us gain a feeling of tension. it still stays in the proper state. as if to push two walls. Then you may do the advanced exercise -. Only by this way. sometime. you have to use all your strength to counteract them. and you try your best to push to the left and right. Tension Training will let you master the proper way of force exertion. Here. you can get your own Yiquan. but to help you enter the proper state and get the proper feeling by doing some actions. Feel whether your body is whole. The training is a continuous process and it is not possible to completely describe it with words. You may keep tension and at the same time. as if one wooden piece). 38 39 . So it is also a nature state of life. The whole body is completely like a stone. the other things are dependent on yourself. open the eyes. the palms face each other. if you do it truly. which could appear in combat by any possibility. As we know. Now. the line of sight is a little higher than horizontal. in other words. your muscles are working and changing to follow your mind. stand naturally. the advanced steps contain the fundamental steps. This means that you should imagine pushing.When you get the feeling of whole tension. then tense again for a few seconds. pulling. you’d better find a spacious place. can all be Jijizhuang. The mind should be true. Little by little. all postures. Then sit down slightly. in combat. You should also include the possibility of motion instead of dead rigidity. most of the time. pulling. In fact. the toes pointing forward or slightly outward . the center of gravity moves back a little. Keep the head erect. big tree. as if it was hanging from a thread. Raise your hands to shoulder level. Just like an electric light can be turned on or off in an instant. (b) Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang Stand as Hunyuanzhuang. as if to hold the target. in order to train your ability to control the whole space around you. In Yiquan training. pressing or shaking the target). pulling. one may tense for a few seconds and then relax. five minutes for each posture is enough. pressing or shaking it. 40 41 . lifting. And the body remains unmoving (or may have a little moving) when you change from relaxed to tense or from tense to relaxed.try it by yourself and find the most comfortable position for your feet. If one holds tension postures for too long. Note that all forces in Jijizhuang can be described as "whole force". Then you may practice the next exercise. sit down some. So. as if you are really doing it. the relative position of the parts of your body shouldn't be changing much within one posture. the duration can be extended to more than five minutes. Another point should be noted: Each action of tension training should point towards a direction with the whole body. Also. this means that you should be able to relax the whole body immediately at any time. one also should keep the ability to enter the state of relaxation. In the beginning. like a mountain. of combat standing. turn your body to the left (or right) 45 degrees. our body will remain in the relaxed state in order to maintain the ability of rapidly changing. it hasn't any other use. gaze at the target. as if sitting on a high stool. Also. or any other big thing. tension contains the possibility of relaxation and relaxation contains the possibility of tension. but one shouldn't think that only these postures are Jijizhuang. there is a danger of becoming stiff. but do not raise the chin. In the beginning of practicing Jijizhuang. you may begin to work on your target. or stand up a little. imagine holding the target. you needn't do this exercise any more. your feet at about shoulder width. Also. find a target towards your front. In practice. Do the same thing as in Hunyuanzhuang (imagine pushing. imagine pushing. it is best that there are mountains or big trees in view. We have only selected some typical postures here. sometimes. You may also change the height of your body. (a) Hunyuanzhuang (perfectly round standing) Select a target first. we need tension for a short moment only. one may do each Jijizhuang for a short while. don't tense for tension sake only. Face the target that you have selected. while doing the tension practice. but do not push your stomach out. Exercise 2 – Jijizhuang (Combat standing) Here are some examples only. not just your hands. lifting. lifting. pressing or shaking the target with your entire body. do the same thing as Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang (imagine pushing. (c) Dulizhuang .One Leg Standing Stand as Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang. so it also named jijizhuang. lift your back leg. lifting. The raised leg also uses force to do the same thing. pulling. you use the whole body. as if to step on a football. and step ahead. then move your center of gravity to the front leg. 42 43 . pressing or shaking the target which you find at the front).This posture often appears in combat. Imagine that the tiger does all it can to break loose. pulling. lifting. as if to press a tiger. the back hand holds the tiger's waist. sit down some. and you are totally absorbed with the task of subduing it.(d) Dashizhuang . pressing or shaking the target which you find at the front).subduing a tiger posture Stand as Dashizhuang. go down a little. and put the two hands down.Big Posture Standing Stride with your left (or right) leg ahead. the front hand holds the tiger's neck. (e) Fuhuzhuang . 44 45 . do the same thing as Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang (imagine pushing. (f) Xianglongzhuang - vanquishing a dragon posture Continue the above; the tiptoe of the front foot moves out a little; you bend forwards, the right (or left) hand pushes ahead forming a straight line with the back leg. The head turns back to watch the heel of the back foot, the left (or right) hand pushes backwards and pushes back in the opposite direction to the front. You may imagine that you are subduing a fearsome and untamed dragon; your front hand holds the dragon's neck, your back hand holds the dragon's tail, you struggle as if for your life. Test: You may ask a person push or pull you in each posture; if you have whole tension, he will find it very difficult to move you, and your body structure will not be distorted. Exercise 3 -- Bian xian (Change the line of sight) Select two targets towards your front, stand as Hunyuanzhuang or Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang. Focus on one of the targets first, and your body begins to build up a connection with it, just as you did in Jijizhuang standing, then turn to look at the other target suddenly, and the connection is changed immediately towards the second target. Then you turn again to look the first target, and then back to the second. Practice these changes again and again. When you can do the change between two targets, you may do it between three targets, four targets, and so on. At last, you may change the line of sight freely, and your body will change automatically to follow your line of sight. This exercise is very important; it will make your force become very lively. 46 47 waist and neck especially, to see whether they are tense or not. Left-right Shili: Stand as the above, try as if to move the target to the left and right by your whole body. Exercise 4 – Shili (Trial of force) Shili is an extension of Zhanzhuang in three-dimensional space. By thinking of it in this way, we can also call it moving zhuang. The state of Zhanzhuang should also be kept in Shili. Here are some examples of Shili exercise: Front-back Shili: Select a target towards your front, stand as in Hunyuanzhuang, begin to push and pull your target, but this time your hands are really moving, and your body moves slightly too, all the muscles are tense. You may check your 48 Up-down Shili Stand as the above, try as if to lift up the target and then press it down by your whole body. 49 Horizontal Shili: Stand as Hunyuanzhuang, extend the two hands as if to press the target, now try to turn it in a horizontal plane. The two hands draw a circle in the front of your body, and at the same time, your body describes a circle too, but it is smaller; the hands and body coordinate together. Vertical plane Shili: Stand as Hunyuanzhuang, extend your hands to the front, the palms face each other, as if to hold an object. Now, try to turn the object in the vertical plane in front of the chest. Coronal section Shili: Stand as Hunyuanzhuang, the two hands extend as if to press the target. Try to turn it in a vertical plane. The two hands draw a circle at the front of your body, moving from the left, up and then down to the right continuing down and then up to the left (or you can reverse the direction) and at the same time, your body also describes a smaller circle. 50 Free Shili: Now you may try to do Shili freely, hunt around for a target, move as if to hold it and manipulate it spontaneously (pulling, pushing, lifting, pressing, moving...). Change targets one by one; move your body freely (go ahead, back, left, right, or rise, down). 51 Note: In the beginning of Shili training, one should move slowly, the mind hangs over the target, and at the same time, you should experience the feeling of your body, in the movement. If you feel infirm in a certain position, just stop and stand in this posture, use the techniques of Jijizhuang to strengthen it, and then, go back to Shili training. One should pay close attention to one's nutrition and rest while doing tension training. Train hard and you will increase your power rapidly. When you can tense your whole body at any moment and in any posture, with the whole body becoming like a stone and with no flabbiness or discontinuity in the body, then you may enter the next step in training relaxation and tension changing to each other. Exercise 5 -- Zhoutian Zhenpai (circumfluence flap) This is a supplemental exercise, which can improve blood circulation and improve the body's resistance to strikes. With your right palm slap your left arm repeatedly, moving from the shoulder to the hand on the inner side. Each slap should overlap so that the entire area is covered. Then slap back from the hand to the shoulder along the outer side; do this three times. Now change hands; use your left hand to slap the right arm just as above. Then use your two hands to slap the front of your body from the top down. Again, do this three times. Slap the back of your body from the top down three times too. Now, slap your legs along the outer flank from the top down and slap along the inner side from the bottom to the top, three times. Then at the same time, one hand slaps the front of your body, and the other hand slaps the back of your body from the top down, alternately for three rounds. 52 53 54 55 . This exercise also can be done as a supplemental exercise at the beginning or end of each training session. your right hand slaps the left Jianjing (the middle between the shoulder and the neck) three times. if you have enough time. and your left hand slaps the right Jianjing three times. You may repeat the above exercise several times.Finally. but the direction of them are contrary. As we know. as we know. we emphasize to use "whole force" at the very start. you will draw your body upwards. we should train the habit The third step . so that you can protect your life better. a=(v1-v0)/t. you should step backwards. to make your force become bigger and more effective. How can we increase a (the acceleration) As we know. there are four basic ways of Fali: 1. one is to increase M(the mass). If you want to push ahead. in this stage it means. after you send out the explosive force. if you want to pull something down. if one does push hands. I. relaxation changing to tension suddenly is called Fali 56 57 . Then you need to increase your impulse. let us analyze how the force produced. there are two ways to achieve this aim. another is to increase a(the acceleration). If we look at the body as a dynamic system. at the same time.). The parts of your body move reversely (Mainly your hand(s) move reversely with your body) As we know. However. Four basic ways of Fali According to how the force produced. II. simply you have not given your attention to this fact. In Yiquan circle. the force and its counterforce always appear with the form of couple. he may use sending force. you should revert to relaxed state immediately. while you touch the opponent in a punch. the acceleration gets direct ratio from the variable of velocity.. and then the M just is the mass of a fist (or a foot. then the M is the mass of your whole body. Then what you need do is to increase the speed. and the magnitudes of them are equal. mainly to defeat the opponent but not wound him. then the other also does not exist any more. It is also a natural ability. If losing one.relaxation and tension change each other ORIGN: We know. a non-training person will hit the opponent by one part (fist/palm/foot etc. tense all your muscles suddenly. All actions are in this way. at the same time. the environment changes tempestuously. so this step training also will help your health. it is also in this way. Above we talk about how to increase your hit force in combat. F(force)=M(mass)*a(acceleration). it will be added the mass of the earth (your rigid body supported by the earth. The dynamics analysis of Fali First. and your opponent knocks into this rigid mass to the moment).) only. so you have not the experience of using force with double directions. How can we increase M (the mass) Generally. that is to say. and varies inversely with the time of action. it is necessary to train your state changing capacity. sometimes. to prepare for the next Fali. in order to increase F(the force). sometime. become a mass.(send out an explosive force). you should prolong the time of touch. your body becomes rigid and whole. Ft(impulse)=MV(momentum). 2. shorten the time of touch. 1.. 3. This is just the state of highest energy discharging. However. 4. namely. the muscles of one’s waist and hip are very strong. while one barge up against a peril of his life. For example. But there is also another instance. It means that on the condition you can gain your aim. the movement speed of the arms is much higher than the speed of the body. than in daily time. it will comply with the principle of lowest energy. and later. As we know. you save energy and protect your vitality. the second energy discharging modality is excited passively. the above two modalities of discharging energy both are useful. Drop your center of gravity suddenly In fact. one holds your right leg. and is sent out from your hands. Turn your body This is also a Fali way that we often use. the magnitude of them are equal. Longxing Fali—Dragon Bursting Put together two legs. instead of shrinking all muscles of the upper limb forcibly. one holds your left leg. and one’s leg can produce a large force too. Some Samples: 1. Namely. feel as if these five ropes are broken at the same time when you do this Fali exercise. therefore. one holds your right hand. and results in the upper body and the lower body becoming two parts (losing the “whole”). first. we need the ability of entering these two energy discharging modalities on our own initiative. This exercise can help you connect the Fali of the upper body and the lower body. it is not controlled by your consciousness. you can jump over a deep channel in an exigency. Fali should use energy. it can remedy the deficiency of other Fali exercises. make the small part get a high speed. For example. one is in the state of highest energy discharging. For example. in fact. results in the difference of the movement speed. you will use two fingers only. Because in the ordinary times. one should keep the state of “whole”. they come into being a couple. want to pick up a paper. it is not possible to jump over this deep channel at ordinary times. because other Fali exercises are easy to not produce force in the waist. Let’s talk about two modalities of discharging energy of the body. and hit on the body of your opponent. your body always stays in the first energy discharging modality. Of course. the body can burst out a much larger force. you may use force by one upper limb. In martial arts. the direction of them are contrary. Then suddenly expand your whole body to all directions. The back foot stamps the ground This way is to just let your body unified with the earth. the weight potential energy turns into kinetic energy. one holds your left hand. And the chief qualification is the spirit high united. your fist or palm can act on the opponent effectively. cut back on energy discharging as much as possible. In practicing Fali exercises. there is almost no process from relaxation to tension. and the another end of these five ropes all tied around your Dantian (the center of your body). Note: all in suddenness and at the same time. accordingly. we should train the ability of entering the state of highest energy discharging at any moment by Fali exercise. mix some of these four styles or all. in martial arts. These actions accord with the principle of lowest energy.of using force with double directions. use force with double directions. and one holds your neck. This exercise shows you the proper feeling of Fali. in the process of pushing ahead. use the maximal force as possible to deal with the dangerous situation. Two modalities of discharging energy As we know. and gets the great mass. his nerves high tense. IV. but the mass of one’s arms is much less than one’s body. we often do Fali in a mixed way. this ability will increase the possibility of continuing one’s life. on this foundation. In a general way. use less force. your body uses force backwards. we have already gotten the feeling of this way in the exercise 4 of Relaxation Training. therefore. 2. You may imagine there are five ropes tied around your two feet. and then change suddenly from the state of relaxation to the state of tension. III. you will also get a counterforce from the ground. have no use for shrinking your whole body muscles forcibly. in a flash to deal with this emergency. By suddenly dropping your weight down. and tensed all your muscles. bend down your body. Or you may visualize there are five enemies hold and press you. Then you throw them away suddenly with this ‘Dragon Bursting’. 58 59 . Because the mass ratio of double direction movements. You may try the state of relaxation and the state of tension first (the beginning and the end of this action). in nature. turning your body just means using these strong muscles. If you want to take up a satchel. In Fali. and relax. you arms use force ahead. accordingly. two hands and neck respectively. you don’t know how you jumped over it. when the body is discharging energy. tense all muscles at the same time. and the higher arm moves back. the front foot points the ground naturally. and the whole body changes back the relaxation state. 3. Suddenly. Qiantui Fali—Pushing Bursting Stand as “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. at the same time. move your barycentre ahead. all muscles explosively shrink. your body recoils.2. your hands both push ahead. stretch your body ahead. the back foot stamps the ground. suddenly. one about on the front of your mouth and nose. Tanzhang Fali—Stretching Bursting Stand as the same step as “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. the barycentre of your body drops down. another on the front of your stomach. Then the body and hands turn back and relax immediately. and immediately. the lower palm hits out. relax first. put your two hands in the front of the body. The important points of Fali are quick and whole. and your whole body must change from the whole 60 61 . change the state from relaxation to tension. your hands bounce back as if touching a very hot iron. and at the same time. the whole process accomplished in a flash. relaxation state to the whole tension state. two hands pull back fiercely. relax first. at the same time. the whole body changes back to the relaxation state and the preliminary posture. relax first. and then immediately. You may also practice this Fali against a real tree or sandbag to get proper feeling. suddenly. and change back to the whole relaxation state again. the body and the arms move reversely (if your arms move to the left side. then your body moves to the right side. and then immediately. change the state from relaxation to tension. One may practice Fali against a real tree or sandbag to get proper feeling. change the state from relaxation to tension. two hands as if holding something. in preparation state. Ce Fali—Side direction Bursting Stand as “Hunyuanzhuang” or “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. Houla Fali—Pulling Bursting Stand as “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. two hands as if holding something. 5. this is they call “cunjin (inch force)”. the whole body changes back to the relaxation state and the preliminary posture. all muscles explosively shrink. 62 63 . your body move ahead. vice versa). suddenly. two hands trun toward a side. 4. all muscles explosively shrink. your hands may keep a distance of about one inch to the tree/sandbag. change the state from relaxation to tension. and then he can do nothing but be hit. although it looks as “Ce Fali—Side direction Bursting” plus “Qiantui Fali—Pushing Bursting”. 7.6. and then immediately. relax first. all muscles explosively shrink. two hands as if hold something. Stand as “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. suddenly. Xuanzhuan Fali—Turning Bursting Stand as the same step as “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. fill a mass of information in your opponent in a flash. 64 65 . Jingdou Fali—Sudden Shaking Bursting It can be looked as “Ce Fali—Side direction Bursting” plus “Qiantui Fali—Pushing Bursting”. the whole body changes back the relaxation state and the preliminary posture. turn your body. vice versa). all muscles explosively shrink. and then immediately. the hands make a fist. it can’t be broken to two actions. your hands both push ahead. You may try both directions of turning. The important point of this Fali is: the whole process should be finished in a flash. throw one arm ahead and one back. relax first. and at the same time. and then the back foot stamps the ground. the whole body changes back the relaxation state and the preliminary posture. make him be not able to deal with this. then your body moves to the right side. And the forces in two directions (side and ahead) both are true. the body and the arms move reversely (if your arms move to the left side. You should destroy the opponent in both spirit side and body side. change the state from relaxation to tension. suddenly. This exercise is to test whether your body can change from the relaxation state to the tension state synchronously. the whole body changes back the relaxation state and the preliminary posture. 66 67 .8. whether you can bear your own full hit. all muscles explosively shrink. suddenly. relax first. Test—Hit the abdomen by yourself Stand as “Hunyuanzhuang” or “Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang”. take back two hands to hit your own abdomen. and then immediately. change the state from relaxation to tension. according to our experience. attack him immediately (you will shoot out a bursting-force unconsciously). select a target (imagine it is a ferocious enemy/tiger/lion). in this stage. elbows.. it not only can help you avoid dangers. especially. Shisheng--Test the Voice Shisheng is a part of Fali. it is very dangerous. Huobu Fali—Free Fali After you master the above Fali exercises. In this state. Of course. shoulders. Shisheng is in order to excite the energy of yourself.. your body relaxes more and more. such as Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang. And do not test the result of Fali on a real person (especially hitting Fali). expand your spirit out. hands. you attack him immediately without thinking. but also can make you be more effective in some important occasions. as if preparing to catch a basketball. according to the requirement of the nature. make your spirit and force united.. it is a key to entering the state of highest energy discharging. but it is not a shout by your mouth. your two hands will converge. it should work with Fali at the same time. In the beginning. V. just visualize it is a ferocious enemy/tiger/lion…. knees and feet. chains it up. Little by little. head. do not visualize to move the target. you may try different directions and actions by yourself. you may change the target in practice (or imagine there is more than one enemy around you). it is a state just before going into combat. if you cannot get into this state in movement. however. your two hands open. you may take a combat standing to realize this state first. In other words. The voice of Shisheng is similar as “yi er”. but this time. all parts of your body (hands. I can not tell you any fixed actions any more. In practice. The fourth step — Body Relaxed and Mind Tensed ORIGIN: Life is not always easeful. you will feel as if it is emitted from the back of your brain.) want to attack the target. you will get the ability to send out a whole bursting force anytime and anywhere. to prepare for responding the possible changing of the environment.. little by little. your body becomes more and more relaxed. to practice for a total two hundreds times per day are enough. feet. cover the target. you mind tenses more and more. Exercise I Two hands open.9. you have to be absorbed in something. so long as the opponent comes in. you mind becomes more and more tense. your spirit covers the target. so do not overdo it. according to the principles of Fali. this step training can also help one’s life greatly. 68 69 . knees. shoulders. but your mind and spirit tensed. be searching and waiting for a chance to attack (Fali).) wants to attack the opponent fiercely. it can tense your abdomen. Note: Fali training will consume a lot of energy. sometime. the palms towards the target. your whole body (head. attack him at once. then you may practice the free Fali exercise. It is still a nature state. your body relaxed. as soon as the target (your opponent) shows a flaw (mainly his spirit wavers). As soon as your opponent’s spirit reveals a rip. If speak of martial arts only. teeth. as if there is a chance for your opponent to attack you. you are going to fight for your life. but it is a trap in fact. elbows. In this action. Move to the target in a serpentine way. There were two students of Han Xingqiao who died from Fali tests done to them by their companions. knees. feet. deal with it as a ferocious enemy. head. can hit out at any moment. elbows.. all parts of your body (hands.. your two fists. teeth. your spirit covers the target. then it is a Fali. you mind tenses more and more. and then 70 Free exercise Try different forms by yourself.. you attack him immediately without thinking. one in ahead. feet. all parts of your body (hands. Your body relaxes more and more. each one as if holds an egg.) want to attack the target.) want to attack the target. all your muscles explosively shrink. Your arms are always turning. shoulders. and they open their mouths. two arms turn like two snakes. one follows. Your fists always point to the target. In this action. and the another one follows. as if crumbling the eggs suddenly. the back one moves ahead. elbows.. as soon as the 71 . you mind tenses more and more. chains it up. relax.change. and there is always at least one part or some parts point at the target. teeth. Move to the target in a serpentine way. your body relaxes more and more. head. two hands shrink too. when your fist touch the opponent. your fists just are the heads of them. When you hit your opponent at last. chains it up. knees. Exercise II Make your hands to be two fists. wanting to attack the target at any moment. the principles of this stage are: Look at a target. but don’t hold them tightly. as soon as the target (your opponent) shows a flaw (mainly his spirit wavers). shoulders. your spirit always covers the target. ability instead of technique is the root of this art.. your opponent feels as if he is dropping into an 72 73 . everything you do is ultimate truth. and your mind is very tight. and it will increase the chance for you to exist and decrease the damage. you can respond to it naturally. enter the proper state immediately. they are Tuishou (pushing hands). nobody would like to meet such an emergency. permeate Yiquan into your life ORIGIN: Above we described four kinds of Life State. unite Yiquan and your life into one. they are still factitious partition. it is the time to verify your training results in reality. There are also some techniques of Tuishou (pushing hands) and Shizuo (combat) in this section. finally. Shizuo (combat) and Jianwu (Health Dance/Martial Dance). It means that you should defeat his spirit before you defeat his body. such as traffic accident. but if it really happens. then if you are trained well. you may permeate Yiquan into your life. and reality is the ultimate truth. get into and always stay in Nature State. abysm). if you really enter the proper state. one should know. you look as being afraid (the feeling is similar as fear but isn’t real fear.target (your opponent) shows a flaw (mainly his spirit wavers). you look as being afraid. of course. But bear in mind please. In fact. We offer three ways to verify your training results here. you may try Health Dance only. The fifth step—Demonstration --To verify your training results in Tuishou (pushing hands). It will let you be aware how many good abilities you gained. and what kinds of ability you did not get or not enough yet. only in this state can you excite all your energy and abilities. and finally. If you do not like counterwork. but pressed by your spirit. You may also try Fali (real hit out) when your body is very relaxed. like the playactors showing in some Kungfu movies. Shizuo (combat) and Jianwu (Health dance/martial dance). there is one and only healthy state – Nature State. And then. you attack him immediately without thinking. to see whether you can really send out a bursting force in different postures. however. This step is very close to real combat. the appearance of this stage isn’t light-hearted. Now. kill your enemy in one punch. enjoy your life lightheartedly. they need the assistance of Jiajie (visualization). then you can turn back to make up them. and finally. in others eyes. raid etc. the training methods we offered are still factitious methods. The training of this step will also improve one’s ability of responding to an emergency. adjust your body naturally. To make up this deficiency.I. after the hand touch. Shili. body and step are also combined to one. improve our respondence ability. both sides begin the attack and defense actions. here I can but introduce the postures of hands touch. if it is not absolute necessary. The center of 75 . the right hand points to the opponent’s nose. Tuishou--Pushing hands The purpose of Yiquan combat is to kill or wound your enemy. hit just is hit. how you use. another hand guards at the front of one’s chest. The aim of Yiquan is concise. “Center” is the center of gravity of the body. the left hand points to the opponent’s chest. In the process of combat. There are three kinds of touch forms between two practitioners. let students can get the experience of combat rivalry but need not via real combat. once start. it cannot be used in a hurry. you do not barge up against a life danger. namely. ought to incline. each stretches one hand ahead. just evade. the two parties hit each other from each separate position. how you use. they are: one both hands up. two sides both do the same posture. Namely. let both sides realize the varieties of all kinds of attack or defense forces gradually. if we study them one by one. once you hit out. 2. so. nose is the sign of one’s midline. till you win him. the attack intention is very clear. determined by its concise intention. like the Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang (take the right posture as a sample). once the hands touch. you stand in this posture. while you meet the enemy. go without saying. just incline. you also take this posture. it will work out a fearful wound. or both hands down. Forms--Single and double pushing hands In Yiquan pushing hands. in combat. The hit methods are numerous and complicated. two hands combine to point at the opponent’s midline. In the whole course of Yiquan training. or one hand up and another down. But we still can find some principles. For example: Jijizhuang. simply attack and defend each other after touch hands by a posture. 74 your hands. all changing happen in a touch. To let student realize this interest. to accomplish the transition to combat. Therefore. it has worked out victory or defeat already. how you practice. Principle There are not any fixed pattern in Yiquan pushing hands. Yiquan brings forward the principle of “protecting your center and using the center”. Single pushing hands: two practitioners stand face to face. there is not any pretentious flourish. Because Yiquan emphasizes “whole” all the time. we all use lively steps (never fixed). there are must a process of both sides touch each other with their arms or bodies. the hands touch at the middle of two persons. the right hand is in the front and higher a little than the left hand. there are not any fixed prescription. protect yourself. you also such push or pull. how you practice to push or pull. this process is very short. generally speaking. they can begin to attack each other. but again cannot go so far to work out wound. once touch. Double pushing hands: two practitioners stand face to face. When the opponent attack you. therefore. 1. we cannot practice combat at ordinary times. ought to evade. in pushing hands. the vertical line of the center of gravity called midline. then it is hard to get all of them. As for Fali. while you feel uncomfortable. Yiquan ameliorated Taiji pushing hands method. towards the nose of your opponent. like the Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang. we all aim at application. we use the method of pushing hands to slower the speed of this process. to act as a seconder. pull just is pull. go to your aim intently. the whole process of pushing hands determined by the changing of the attack and defense of both sides. when you meet the enemy. accordingly. how you practice. Attack again after you adjust your posture and position. furthermore. This phenomenon is called ‘don't expect and think about it but make it so. only when you can kill the enemy by one punch. you should according to the situation of the time. to try some of them is also Ok. Combat Combat is a kind of means to strive for life with your enemy. because the direction and effect point of the force changed. attack his center. to defeat your enemy. again he does not know what he has just used in this instance. “steadiness” means your emotion must be steady. then it is a duel. at a loss what to do. reach the enemy before one knows’ points the natural response ability which is out of thinking. namely.. So. Bravery 76 The first important thing of combat is bravery. the “center” is very important to both sides. you shouldn't hit naturally. he cannot change his posture agilely. you must strike his center by your own center (whole force namely). Wang Xiangzhai said: “If we're talking about martial art from the point of view of fight for life. attack and attack.” It is requiring us train our spirit in practice by endless imagination. the victory or defeat is the integrative embodiment and validation of Yiquan combat training. it cannot work out the primary effect. protect your own center. destroy your enemy’s spirit. Yiquan pushing hands isn’t a game. you cannot exert the time. unites the spirit. he will fall into passivity. he will tumble. you may not be without victory naturally. such as leftright Fali. you will be never in time. It means responding in spirit side. Under the good psychology. ruthlessness. no time to think in 77 . “to have the heart to” means attacking your enemy without mercy. must kill him. and attack your opponent’s center by your own center. To sum up. One is unable to attack his opponent in the state of “losing the center”. thus. Mr. reaching the enemy before one knows’. Combat can be divided into attack and defense two sides. you need one intention only: “attack. As for other idiographic combat techniques. strike his center by your center immediately.” The six words “to be willing to” means unsuspecting. and nicety’. If you want to attack your opponent effectively. excitated your spirit. it is a limited combat. As for how to frighten him. If you cannot keep good psychology in combat. Mr. but don’t practice them too much. your action should be exact. While one’s center deflective. force and form into one. use “whole” your ability fully. II. up-down Fali and ahead-back Fali. One should deal with such a scene of contending for life with an undaunted spirit. By the way. you can get the most powerful attack force. Wang also told us: “While practicing. then you can hit him. defeat him with one fright. we do not encourage people spend much time to learn and practice them. you protect your center. Whether you can keep imperturbation and press forward with indomitable will in face of a formidable enemy. “ruthlessness” means attacking your enemy viciously. your spirit (note: not your mind. once one “losing the center”. Whole hit Yiquan emphasizes “whole” all the way. whatever how your opponent acts. the situation is extremely critical. one must presume that outside one meter and inside two meters around oneself. the important point is quick and true. When they have already met but have not yet touched. To sum up. to have the heart to. if one stays in this state. Wang Xiangzhai said: “In a two-person duel. and also called ‘requiring the automatic and good functioning of the extremely rounded and very harmonious instinctive strength’. just find a chance to strike the center of your opponent by your own center. any factitious and fixed technique is not natural. then you respond it. you will be defeated unquestionably. while your opponent just produces an intention to attack you.gravity being out of the sustaining area called “losing the center”. if in this case. whatever how good you are in training. we cannot say anything about the combat process. you just add a transverse force on it. but if you want. and after the combat has been solved. This just is the only aim that we are pursuing by Yiquan training. carefulness. ‘Requiring the automatic and good functioning of the extremely rounded and very harmonious instinctive strength’ points the embodiment of one’s vitality. and duel has no morality neither justice. we say “natural respond”. Therefore. it doesn’t means wait your opponent hit out. qi. don’t wait him wake up. there are still some principles regarding combat: 1. When the opponent attack you. Therefore.. one’s psychosis and psychology diathesis. “carefulness” means being careful and cautious. in an attempt to seek reality in nihility. Of course. If you can't hit your opponent. As for “using the center”. steadiness. while your opponent out of his wits. “nicety” means your target should be fixed. in combat. deal with the enemy intently. facing the life and death. 2. ‘Don't expect and think about it but make it so. Holding such decision. there are some gigantic enemies who are holding broadswords and broad hatchets and beasts of prey and wriggling vipers that are coming. one still does not know what he will use.” Therefore. and be determined to perish together with the enemy.”. to compose a new force. one should all the more hold to the six words knack: ‘to be willing to. rather than of teaching content. keep calmness. When you reach this realm.” Health Dance has not any fixed action. “Martial arts dance (health dance) is the top realm of Yiquan training. it can be looked as some samples of health dance. namely. its tool is one’s own body and mind. it may incarnate the spirit of Yiquan. it is a result of martial arts studying. its ultimate realm is to be life itself. you always stay in the nature state. excellent introspection ability. OK. you may get complete awareness and comprehension of life by Yiquan training. and your body responds immediately. Wang Xiangzhai had a description of “four forms”. Throw all factitious methods away. it's too late for him to change it while you hit him. nimble and the instinct force. Mr. Permeate Yiquan into one’s life All in all. it is the time to go ahead by you yourself. it is always a good chance for you to defeat him. adjust yourself immediately. Health Dance Just as Mr. because your opponent has an intention already. and it is a natural production. always keep in psychological moment.combat) detects it. acumen and clearness. Han Jingyu said in <The lecture summary of Yiquan science>. and what it is expressing is the feeling of one’s own body and mind. as a science of life. standing. class is over. It is the time to leave the boat now. accordingly. if you feel out of the good state. Good Luck! 78 79 . It requests that one has hearty vitality. Furthermore. the hands wield it. your whole life is all art. lying or doing anything else. IX. Whatever in walking. What they call: the feeling comes. every action you do is nature. Then how do you know you are staying in the proper state? In the spirit psychology side: eliminate bad emotion. and harmonious sports ability. and you may find it at his main writing <Theory of Yiquan>. sitting. get full self-confidence and life freedom. You may check your state now and then. abundant feeling. but you are training all the time. what it is perceiving is the existence of one’s own body and mind. Its active doer is one’s own body and mind. In the physique side: always keep comfortable. you never train specially. the feet tread it. III. it is a natural outpouring of one’s feeling. you may away from random. what you mentioned is also ok. you may do other exercises to relax your shoulders.Appendix I Question List Answered by Li Jiong 1. Is this ok and do you have any suggestions. Practice them before standing. plus is 30-40 minutes. What I meant by difficult is that since I have been standing daily for about one and a half years and still there are many days when holding 2nd position for only 20 minutes I feel my muscles begin to tire and tense. you may practice other motive exercises. it makes me tense up my shoulders . they indicate the body is in a good adjusting. each can improve your health. Before standing. If I stand for approx 30 min in the morning do I improve my health by adding say two additional sessions of say 10 min each. When holding Baoshi and listening inside I many times get random thoughts or even questions I would like to ask you. I do get increased saliva especially in the first half of standing. I feel crackling like electricity about my face and lips. I usually holding Baoshi for 20 minutes and then holding other two postures (they are changed in different day. they may also improve your health and they are not such easy to make you be tired. you needn't practice it anymore. Answer: The first posture-Baoshi (holding a balloon posture) is the main posture in Yangshengzhuang. can make you be easy to enter the relaxation state. but Baoshi is practiced every day) each for 5-10 minutes. Should I go directly to Jushi from Baoshi without lowering arms for a moment? Answer: You can go directly to Jushi from Baoshi if you feel you can bear after Baoshi standing. or you may imagine that you are stay in a very comfortable place. I feel it would help my training especially on postures I am just learning but I was curious about the health part. and after standing. My ears pop and my nose opens and I 80 81 . your joints will be tired and tense. because after standing for 30-40 minutes.how does one keep relaxed in this exercise and how long should it be practiced? Answer: It is to examine whether you get "whole (conformity)" only. Answer: All these feelings are good. Sometimes it helps to open my eyes especially outside. If it still makes you tense up your shoulders. I feel these thoughts may even help me relax physically but not mentally. you may also practice some motive exercises. it is enough. 3. Various surges up and down my legs. in my daily training. Practice them after standing. don't always do "Feel whole". Could you give a bit more explanation on "Feel whole" exercise whenever I try to do it. you may lower arms for a moment. Answer: It is natural to get random in beginning. otherwise. like a hot spring with beautiful views around. 6. 4. Jijizhuang is something different. in order to relax your joints. 2. it is natural. I don't let it upset me and go back to listening inside as best I can. but don't pay fulsome attention to these feeling please. seem to breathe better. Answer: All postures mentioned in the first part of the course are Yangshengzhuang. imagine you are very happy and comfortable. I will describe some feelings while standing. you may let them have their own swing. All exercises are also the foundation of the further training. I would appreciate any comments. you may also practice Woshi (lying posture) and Zuoshi (sitting posture) if you have time. Tingling like light pins and needles in hands arms testicles lower back lower neck soles of feet. then you may adjust your posture to be more relaxed in standing. whenever you get the proper feeling. 5. I do sense a whole body feeling of expansion when I breath in a little less when I exhale and feel contraction. but if you feel agonies from some muscles. unless one controls himself sexually.7. they are third-rate skills. so then I switch to posture #2. then all reactions will be self-acting and subliminal. your whole body in any posture and any moment). Wang Xiangzhai describes several strike techniques and then in the end he says "but all-in-all. 12. it is included in the second part of the course . I find when I did that it kept me up half the night and I was very tired all the time. then you can practice the second step-tension training. my neck/spine become painful after about 2 minutes. So you may test all postures. it won't harm you to get really high level skill. but is it beneficial to move slowly and make up your own form as you go or do some of your exercises very slowly. Correspondingly. What do you think about that? Answer: It shouldn’t be done if just after practice. but after 3 minutes more my shoulders hurt(even if I experiment with dropping or raising them. you may also adjust yourself in each posture to get the proper feeling (just as you get from the first three exercises). If they do it shows tension. But as you know. 8. Master Wang did not seem to have a high opinion of tai chi. My 1st Yi-Quan teacher told me that one can never get really high level skill. Answer: It is also beneficial to move slowly. relaxing in wu-wei posture only is not enough obviously. Han Jingyu said "the second course of Yiquan". and decide the time of each exercise. I find that I have to go limp and lose "structure" in my body to do that. at last. we are seeking for the ability of relaxation that one can relax his whole body in any posture and any moment. You mention nothing about tendon and bone development in your writings. but the sentence "but all-in-all. and the clever and wise person needn't practice them". otherwise. if one has really gotten all good abilities of movement. obviously. and naturally. belongs to what Mr. while putting a little stress on my back seems to be the most relaxing and enjoyable out of the first 3 postures. don't hurry please. When doing Yangshengzhuang. The problem is that as soon as I do the 1st posture. developing the tendons is important in developing fighting ability. they are optimal. it will be easy to get a harmful result. they are third-rate skills. You say that one should be able to place their hands on their sides when they stand still. Answer: The strike techniques belong to the first course of Yiquan. if you do the sex activity suitable. The 3rd posture. and the clever and wise person needn't practice them". We are seeking for nature. However. according to his own condition. 10. Could you please comment on the phrase in Theory of Yiquan. all fixed strike techniques are lower skills. Is developing the tendons very important in developing fighting skills and do you include it in the second part of the course? Also.Tension Training. Master Wang against the Taolu (a series of skills and trick) of tai chi only. 9. get freedom in one’s life. the course says to stand for about 20 minutes in this posture (or longer if it feels comfortable I assume). in the first stage. should I do some of the tendon stretching exercises I have been taught from various prior baji and pakua teachers? Answer: Yes. Yiquan is a science of response reaction. take the first posture Baoshi (holding a balloon). about self defence when Mr. Also is that not called wu-wei psture and is it beneficial to just stand in wu-wei for long periods if it is relaxing? Answer: It is also beneficial to just stand in wu-wei for long periods if it is relaxing. So would it be ok to only do the 1st 2 postures for 2 minutes each and spend a few minutes in the 3rd posture and try to increase each posture about 1 minute per week or two? Answer: The soul of Yiquan is each practitioner finds out his own way of training. I think one should get the ability of relaxation first (can relax 82 13. but it also shouldn't be forbidden. 11. if 83 . it is a highway already :) The main aim of the first step is getting the ability of whole relaxation. sitting and lying in your daily living and work. and feel comfortable in training. Letting the feeling follow into everything. Is this correct? Answer: Each posture requires the whole body is completely relaxed in this stage. How does one measure there progress in Yichuan? I mean a person can stand in each posture for the required amount of time. As for standing time. 14. you may know whether you has achieved the certain level of whole relaxation by it. Are there specific levels of attainment in Yichaun? How does one know they are on the right path if there is no specific quality or stage you have to reach in order proceed to the next? What are the different levels of Yichuan? Answer: There is a test "Feel whole (unitary)" in the course. such many postures let us experience relaxation in deffirent postures. because if one focus this point. you may train short time. months) how does one know when to advance to the next posture for example Jushi. 16. In other words the knees are not bent very much. I believe these postures have another function not mentioned in the course.you’re doing this posture for a period of time (days. I was just wondering if the posture was held lower. complete or appear to complete certain exercises and never attain a thing. if you have enough time. Also. If you are." What a teacher can do is the first approach "Showing a feeling with a fixed method". But in fact. walking. Part of me thinks that with this type of training it would be very hard to relax at least initially. one may test his ability in Tuishou (pushing hands). Answer: The lower postures will also appear in the next step . Is this correct? Also. each stage has its own requirement. 15. but it is a nature process. from the course is that the practice of Yangshenzhaung postures are to help our body become more and more relaxed. once you advance to the next posture should you still continue to do the original one or only the new posture? If all of them. the postures are held rather high. you may practice according to your own condition. how long for each? When does Zuoshi (sitting posture) come in relative to this practice? Answer: All Yangshengzhuang postures are paratactic (belong to a same level). combat and health dance after all. you may practice long. it will easy go astray.tension training. My impression. others depend on the students. You may try all postures include Zuoshi (sitting posture) and Woshi (lying posture) and then select some postures which you like to practice frequently.tension training. but the Baoshi (holding a balloon) is the most essential. don't hurry please. then you can enter the next step training. Pengshi. one may know whether they are on the right path if he reach a certain level. if the development would be quicker or would it slowdown development. Giving up the method after getting the feeling. the advanced postures will appear in the next step . one may select some of them in daily training. but I'm curious if this is a type of training that goes against the principles of Yichuan. I naturally want to stretch after standing in any posture more than 5 84 85 . and so on. and otherwise. Each posture aids in relaxing a different area until eventually the whole body is completely relaxed. :) 17. each stage has four approaches: "Showing a feeling with a fixed method. I notice in the majority of Yangshengzhuang. I know of many people to get extremely strong through horse stance training which in some ways is similar to Yangshengzhaung. which is to develop chi and a root. Of course. Personal feeling leads to complete awareness. You may also observe whether you are whole relaxed when you are standing. don't limited by it. don't pay overfull attention to it. Yangshengzhuang also can develop chi. The course just delineates some fixed methods to show some feelings. like a horse stance. I was curious why this was not mentioned. My ability to relax still needs improvement. the whole body relaxes) for a while if you feel tired in between changing postures. you may feel the resistance of the air. You make the point that relaxation should always be possible. and the palms also can't touch cold things just after training. squat down and let your knees touch your chest will cumber it. 19.minutes or in between changing postures. 23. perhaps. the force will be hard to be solid. If one takes the first way only. can the body parts move slightly?" 86 87 . it will help you to understand relaxation better. because Yiquan is also named Dachengquan that time. as if trying to "touch" the sky? That is to say. it will be easy to be stiff. Therefore. the tension training is easy to make people be stiff. don't use compelling force. The mind (image) should not be limited (ended). Does this imply that there could be a wrong way of doing the tension exercise?. or are they stretched to the top. but also raise the hands and stretch arms. 25. What does he mean by "the air resistance. and the image should be true to nature. it is to train the sentience of your cutis mainly. practice it in a proper way is very important. then tense again for a few seconds? Answer: These two ways both should be practiced. How long does one have to apply muscle tension? Is it all the time when performing the exercise or do you apply it for let's say a few seconds and then relax. 18. Was "Theory of Dachengquan" and "Theory of Yiquan" in fact the same book with two different tittles? Answer: Yes. because after standing. In the Theory of Yiquan. You may take "Xiuxishi-Rest posture" (Two hands lightly placed on the lower back. As I understand it muscle tension should only be the result of using an image . the qi and blood circulation is improved. produced by the jiajie (imagine to touch the sky or put something on the moon). But while you have a certain experience of relaxation. the palms face to the rear. for example. 21. 24. Wang Xiangzhai is describing the four sorts of out forces. then tense again for a few seconds" to keep agility of the muscles. you may take some further exercises at the same time. in fact. Is it ok to squat down and let my knees touch my chest or put my finger tips or palms on the floor for a few seconds if I feel the urge to do it? Answer: I don't think it is a good idea. When you suddenly relax. You may take these two way alternately.without using an image. "apply it for let's say a few seconds and then relax. and it will harm one's health. I also take some exercises of it sometime now. there should be no (or minimal) muscle tension. if one takes the second way only. and make an equal force to respond it. A question about Jushi: what is the position of the shoulders? Are they relaxed like in Baoshi. all of them should be natural. applying muscle tension for a certain long time to improve your "gongli (power)". Is this correct? Answer: Yes. relaxation training is a continual process. and it is also a “zhengli (contending force) with the atmosphere. we call it "zhen zhuo (real apply)". the spine will be stretched naturally. 20. 22. there is still a little space to be erect in fact. should I just raise the hands or should I stretch shoulders and arms? Answer: The shoulders are still relaxed. this is what I called: "echo with the atmosphere" "? Would you please explain more? Answer: It is a feeling mostly. imagine you are taller and taller. "Theory of Dachengquan" and "Theory of Yiquan" was in fact the same book with two different tittles. Answer: Yes. isn't it? Answer: Yes. When trying shili exercises I suppose one has to use "Yi" (by using an image) to make the muscles react. but I guess that it takes a lifetime and is a continual process. while act. You may try to stretch your spine mainly. must we contract muscles in zhanzhuang ? In the first course. it is quite good already.. without using strength and without contracting muscles. don't tense for tension sake only". just as a sail tensed by wind. pulling. but there isn't a specific way for energy to be stored in the body in Yiquan training. you should use your whole body to move it. Is it a correct way of thinking to say Zhanshi builds energy in the body? Is there a specific way for energy to be stored in the body? Some people say you should do some sitting meditation. I read in a paper that Master Wang Yufang said that all yangshengzhuang postures are good for health. 27. Wang Xiangzhai tried to settle this problem in his late years. Shili is the same.. 26. There are also Zuoshi (sitting postures) and Woshi (lying postures) in Yiquan training. I don't know anyone settled this problem faultlessly. but Zhanzhuang is said to change one's strength. in fact. Maybe someone of us can do this work in the future. does "tension" mean "contraction”? Does it mean to contract muscles (like in some "ying qigong" exercises for example)? So. this kind of tension is produced by the intention to move the whole body in one direction. etc. if your target is a mountain. and the muscles can contract harmoniously. but she did not explain more as it was a short interview. if your target is some air. it also can say Zhanzhuang builds energy in the body. but that it is possible to choose postures according to specific problems: such posture for stomach and digestion problems. it means all muscles tensed equally. And what about shili: must we contract muscles too? Answer: Here. our wind is Jiajie (imagining) though. And you must use your whole body to do it. it is an hour already. What do you know about it? I think it could be very interesting to have these precisions: where can I find them? Answer: Mr. Zhanzhuang is also to change one's strength. not only to prepare at the moments of tension during a fight. do you literally tense all the muscles that you can? Answer: It rests with what target you Jiajie (imagined). 31. and Yiquan training also can improve the ability of using these energy effectively. if you practice four postures. It also will bring on the muscles contracted. if one can practice a Jijizhuang correctly for fifteen minutes. even though Baoshi is the most essential one. I think energy is interspersed in the whole body. such posture for stress.. such posture for lungs problems. 28. but it is different from "ying qigong" exercises. course? Is it possible to become strong without practicing JijiZhuang for hours and hours? You wrote that in combat we need tension for a short moment and it is no necessary to overrun fifteen minutes in doing each JijiZhuang. And till now. each part has the equal pressure. Answer: Yes. the body parts move slightly is allowed. If true does this apply to our training at some point? Answer: Yiquan training can adjust the inner of the body of itself. the body is moving though. they are similar to 89 29.. the tension degree is changing along with what target you select though. so that the force can be passed everywhere of your body. The important thing is your body is equal tensed.. when one imagines pushing.. but without contract and crisp the muscles since this kind of crispation and contraction often take place at shoulder level : is it ok ? Answer: It isn't imagining moving your body. he hadn't finished it. etc. then you may need all your force to move it.. the intention. for example. but one shouldn't move too much. 30. and you may practice some postures per day.Answer: Yes. it is also ok. the teachers say it must be done only with the "yi". So. About tension training.. but unfortunately.. etc. What is exactly the signification of "tension”? When you write "the whole body is completely like a stone". You wrote in the question list that all yangshengzhuang postures are paratactic (belong to the same level) and that one may select some posture which one likes. Is it possible for a beginner who would not have practiced the first 88 . "Each tension training exercise should point towards a direction with the whole body.. then you may need a bit force to move it. "tension" means the mind and muscles are in tight state. But whatever your target is. but the target. I feel I understand your instructions until I refer to "Don't tense for tension sake. 35. Xingyiquan. then you are doing Zhanzhuang training 24 hours every day. muscular strengh is not used". if you stop the Zhanzhuang training for a long time you may lose some ability and regress. etc. some don't know it by themselves. you still need do Zhanzhuang training specially. 36. not only Yiquan has tension exercise. I am adding the second step tension training to my Zhanshi training. which is at the beginning very light. 32." Could you please elaborate on this idea? For example I can imagine lifting a large tree in the distance. it will turn to abdominal breath naturally. etc. it wants to let students advance by themselves. if your target is a mountain. uninterrupted and feelingly mainly. You may arrange a gradual increase in tension at your own pace. Otherwise. muscular strength is not used". you won't regress anymore. How about breathing during tension? I have to keep reminding myself not to hold my breath. teachers said for example to imagine to hold a big tree and to start pushing. In the Dulizhuang. On the contrary. Is this correct? Answer: If you can enter the proper state whatever you doing (walking. the leg off the ground should also produce a relation with the target. When I used to train in the first course. if you imagine push a big tree. And of course again. Answer: Yes. all have tension exercises. you seem to really tense muscles in jijizhuang (and your hands shake) and not try to move the target only in the "Yi".. bitty and conceptually mainly. and progressively changes its weight in mind but without contracting muscles really. maybe some wouldn't like to tell people the truth.. Could you help correct my thinking? Answer: It means all parts of your body should come into being a relation with the target. Other example: one holds a balloon. The difference between the first course and the second course of Yiquan rests with their cognition ways. some express another meaning by this word. instead of your hands only. other martial arts. if you do the exercises correctly. of course. BUT without using muscles: one should have the intention to do it. in fact.. 33. but without contracting muscles really. The concept of tension is not still clear for me. specifically only Hunyuanzhuang. For example. the second course is motive.. and his body does micro-movements. It seems though as I check my body there is always room to add more tension.. if one doesn't use muscles. you may push it by your whole body. I am trying to use my entire body as if really doing it.. Having only trained Ji jizhuang for a short time.. don't let any part tense by itself only. pulling. not the watered down versions. If the Zhanzhuang does build energy and you train for a half hour in the morning does adding a half hour in the evening build energy twice as fast? 90 . they really tense muscles in training. I point real ones here. Most teachers say "in yiquan. of course. But if you haven't achieved this level. if your target is some air. Baguazhang. the first course is static. it means it pushes (or pulls. like Taijiquan. standing or working etc). we advocate natural breath. is it a mayor difference between the first course and the second course. lifts. The leg off the ground seems to be getting tension for tensions sake. Asymmetric Hunyuanzhuang and a little Dulizhuang. I feel if I stop the Zhanshi training for a while I may lose some ability and regress. for example. or is it me who did not understand what teachers of the first course said (the second answer is really possible since I am a beginner and since I had not the opportunity to ask a lot of questions) ? You said you have practiced the first course for 5 years before: did you notice differences in tension training? Did you learn in the first course to really tense muscles too or did you learn it only in the second course? Answer: In fact. it is also ok. whatever during relaxation training or tension training. Should there be a gradual increase in tension or go at the target 110%? The idea of adding tension arises even more in the Dulizhuang. sitting. So. But it is the best to achieve the level I mentioned above (enter the proper state whatever you doing). As for most teachers say "in yiquan. then you may need a bit force to move it. The tension degree rests with what target you Jiajie (imagined). then you may need all your force to move it. lying. say nothing of 91 34.) the target together with the whole body too. Answer: About breathing. I really can't imagine how he moves.sitting meditation. I point the advanced steps training. At the second step-tension training. or is it the correct way to train (moving more than micro-movements)? Answer: What I do in the video is a little exaggerated to demonstrate the techniques. Mr. Chengguang for about a year before I decided to try out the Second Course. you may eat the foods with high calcium and high protein. we can really see your hands and your body move. I found training in this way is even better than training averagely. the main purpose just is to get the ability of "relaxation and whole". Yiquan training is holistic. of course. last Sunday I went ice climbing for about 7 hours. mountaineering. I participate in many strenuous activities. I read once that building muscles with weights was not good for Yiquan. In the jijizhuang section you mention the importance of proper nutrition and rest. I was wondering if it is OK to do the first Course (master Yao Chengguang's method) and Second Course method or is it better to just stay with the Second Course. When you show jijizhuang on the video. if one just practices the first steprelaxation training. in practice. you should have a good rest after these tired activities. which are barely visible (one can have the impression that the practitioner is not moving at all): do you practice in the video only to demonstrate the techniques. Do you have any nutritional guidelines? Answer: About nutritional guidelines. rock climbing. Han lets us learn from Bagua. at the first steprelaxation training.combat. 41. Of course. the rather that the first Course of Yiquan! 38. How can you initiate tension in other parts of your body? Should I use an image where my whole body attaches to the tree and then try to move this object by moving my whole body. my shoulders felt very tense from the previous day’s activity. The next day they were fine. the movements of jijizhuang may very little.. Ice climbing. or do some sitting postures and lying postures only. But what about simple pushups and abdominal training without using weights? What do you think of it? Answer: All partial muscles training will avail certain muscles but bring side-effect to the whole body. I started the Yi Quan corresponding course from master Yao 92 . At first. we want to get the ability of "tension and whole". I have been doing the tension method using your course and I found it to be very effective. in real training. whereas in the first course teachers speak about micromovements. you can learn all kinds of methods and techniques you meet. But of course. Also. others maybe can't see them though. and I think I understood why. and then have a rest next day. However. This then initiates tension in your hands and forearms. How do you make use of your whole body when using an image? I'll explain: when you push/pull a tree it's easy to imagine it being only grasped by your hands and forearms. doing larger movements than in real training in order to explain to us what are the movements of the body. on the contrary. then it is the best to train regularly. 37. I was skeptical about the method (especially the tension training) because it seemed to be contrary to what I was practicing. extreme skiing. like shrimps. Answer: The practice of "whole" is taken at the very start. I sometime train very hard. 42. but there are still movements in the body. Answer: It is Ok to do the first Course and Second Course. after you grasping the principle. 39. we imagine all parts of the body are touch 93 40. I noticed that I seemed to have gained more strength after doing your course for a short time than doing master Yao Chengguang's method for a year. We would rather say the Second Course is a thoughtway than say it is a training method only. the pertinent exercises are allowable. Answer: I don't think the strenuous activities will hurt the training. they will promote the training in some sides. Will these activities hurt my training? For example. Xingyi and Taiji masters. beef etc. etc. if you feel some parts of your body are especial weak. The next day while doing my standing. my practice in master Yao Chengguang method improved a lot after doing the tension training as outlined in your course. so I could not hold a posture for very long without feeling tense. Could you please explain more about this improper conception of tension which is very popular? I think it could be useful in order to better understand the right conception.. Answer: Please try to push a wall or a tree with about 45 degree (your body from your hands to feet become a beeline. which is no longer relaxed in the same way as beginner. it is an important causation why they can't succeed. because one need balance the body by himself. how can you test it? Therefore. or should I continue to alternate strong and little tension? Answer: One must have a good foundation of relaxation training. if you are relaxed like in Yangshengzhuang. the tensile force of all muscles are equal. clear feeling of it. Shili means testing force. then there isn’t any force. and not a body rigid only in imagination with relaxed muscles? 43. or to push/pull/wave a big tree. like to push a wall. to change the way of using force. Answer: I think there are three purposes in the second step-tension training: 1.the target. if not. What you said "use an image where my whole body attaches to the tree and then try to move this object by moving my whole body" is also Ok. like most popular Taijiquan and Yiquan teaching. one can pass his full force to the opponent). after that. to get the ability of getting a rigid body (only then. 3. and push/pull it at the same time. then he can practice tension training. should I be using tension? Should I be relaxed like in zhanzhaung? Or a combination of both? The way I have been previously taught. only then. whatever he does all will be wrong. or should we first begin with image which do not need a lot of tension (balloons on water for example)? I have the impression that if I start with a lot of tension since the beginning my tension will not be really good but rather a crispation. Yes. one should get "the ability of getting a rigid body".. it is no longer relaxed in the same way as beginner. my muscles will be much tensed: do they need to be tensed in exactly the same way when doing Jiji zhuang with the imaginary tree I jiaje? Is this what you named "the ability of getting a rigid body"? Should it be understood literally. otherwise. one will find whenever he feels his body. this beeline forms a 45 degree corner against the wall/tree and also the ground). one should adjust it immediately (feel which part is weak then just strengthen this part). and then the ability of "tension and whole" is gained. If I understood. we may often feel our body to check whether it stays in the proper state. don't make yourself too tired.. I alternate images with a lot of tension and images with little tension. When practicing tension training for the first periods. If one gets the ability of "whole relaxation" already. then whatever "strong tension" or "little tension" all are Ok. jijizhuang is still something different from it. try to move the target by your whole body. but can relax immediately.. the "whole force" and the possibility/ability of fali are always contained in their practice. Answer: There are two instances mainly. 2. At the present time. don't mind whether your muscles are tight or not. with really tensed muscles. Of course. then. tension is a nature result instead of a purpose. 47. you may try to move a real thing. at this stage. We call those superiors doing as "cotton wraps iron". one is negating tension training at all. using it again since I am familiar with little tension exercises. like ying-qigong. 46.. but I would like to know your opinion: should I stop using strong tension for a more or less long period (weeks? months?). 95 . get the "whole force". to strengthen the muscles. if I try to push and pull a real tree with all my force. if you can't get a 94 Answer: Almost yes. The feeling produced from "Feel whole tension" exercise is more immediate in fact. we only use relaxation like in zhanzhuang. Gradually. Anyway. you may get the feeling. with really tensed muscles. but I know also that a lot of tension (and images which go with it) are necessary to build strength. 45. and it is a really rigid body. most Yiquan practitioners ignore this step. the force can be passed swimmingly from your opponent to the ground via your body. is it ok ? 44. When doing shili. that is to say a really rigid body. it always stays in the proper state. can we begin since the first time with images which need a lot of force and product a lot of tension.. it is an error to begin with a relaxed Jiji zhuang : it is only after practicing tension that it is possible to do it in a relaxed way. of course. it is possible to fali (send out a bursting force). another is taking infusing blood in the muscles for tension training. you are able to keep natural state at more and more time. Little by little. Therefore. with a rigid body. (a) You actually pull your feet up. Part 4. then it just is "tensing for tension sake” or slack (if you haven't any tension then). push. 50. is it ok? But in ying qigong it is often tensing for the sake of tensing only. If there are any "breaks". but the feet may also be actually pulled up. the weight potential energy turns into kinetic energy. so that your feet never actually “leave the ground”? 51. Han let me train for six hours per day. repeatedly ? Or. I find that when I'm really tensed. whereas in yiquan one tenses muscles trying to use his whole body to move imaginary things. then you may decrease the special training time. breathing can be fairly natural or is not any issue. However. lift. as a professional practitioner. pull. In the "standard" or "Course 1" type of ShiLi. or shake" action)? 96 97 . then please practice not less than 1 hour per day. Mr. it seems that since we are not really tensed (just mentally mimicking). and do another tensed action. jijizhuang and shili in the afternoon and the rest in the evening? Is it best to do everything in one consecutive time frame? With my schedule. should tension be held throughout the entire duration of shili? Or should it only be held when you are "pushing" or "pulling" your target? Should there be "breaks" in tension? And I should not be tensing for tension sake. In doing shili. or shake" action) realistically can only be for duration of one tensed breath-hold. 5-6 48. but you can adjust the degree of tension. in the tensed-up version of "course 2" ShiLi. 52. but really you are just suddenly dropping your weight down. Can I split up my training? Can I do zhanzhuang in the morning. Of course. as an amateurish practitioner. push. then you have to relax. it means there are not any "breaks" between the actions and imaginations. 49. as from a real vertical jump?) Or.. Being continuous then requires your "yi" (mind/spirit) can't be broken. (b) Is it more like you just ~feel that you suddenly pull your feet up. pull your feet up about 3 centimeters. but there are still a little tight. a little. not only standing. you have to “land” a second later. breathe again. lift. of course. pulling the feet up may help you accomplish this aim. the important point of this exercise is suddenly dropping your weight down. so your feet are actually leaving the ground (so.). I have a question about Exercise 4. both are wrong. of Course 1 (Relaxation Training) It says there: all of a sudden. my breathing tends to get very constricted or to shut down completely. pull. it is much like relaxed. Does that mean that the duration of a single ShiLi pattern (such as a single "press. Will this hinder my progress? Answer: It should be continuous. correct? Answer: "Drop" is the main side. I find it hard to find two to three hours at a time to do everything (except weekends). or say up/down/frontad/back/left/right etc. full time training is the best (as I had ever been in Zhuhai. I mean total training time here. In both ying qigong and yiquan tension training muscles are really tensed. etc.Answer: According to our experience. This exercise is a way of fali (send out bursting-force) in fact. is it ok? hours per day is enough. if you really want to gain something from training. for a beginner. although it may be very slow. two hours in the afternoon and two hours in the evening). two hours in the morning. and must have a direction (push/pull/lift/press/shake. It is OK to split the training. are we supposed to keep trying to breathe in/out continuously throughout many minutes of a single tensed action (such as a "press. by sudden drop your weight down. tension training of Yiquan must produce a relation with the environment (target). 1-2 hours per day is OK. and sends out from your hands. In the beginning. but the things always wouldn't like to be such perfect :-( Answer: Yes. How much time should one spend per day training? I read somewhere that one must practice a minimum of 3 hours per day to achieve real results. making your body fall down” My question is – does that mean. if you imagine you are swimming in the air (pushing/pulling/lifting/pressing/shaking the air). In the second step. if at all. According to my experience. But you should advance gradually. We tensed bone-muscles in tension training. and it goes up while breathe out). the inclination of your popliteal fossa (the back of the knee) shouldn't less than 90 degree. thinking that I SHOULD try to tense abdomen up also. But a bridle-wise Yiquan practitioner may take the way of abdominal breath. Just a suggestion. do you imagine the breath going past the abdomen.subduing a tiger posture and Xianglongzhuang vanquishing a dragon posture. Which includes abdominal). fasheng (send out a sound) just is for strengthening the abdomen mainly. but doesn't include diaphragm. all the way down into the heels during the inhale? Answer: To get a feeling of abdominal breathing. it is still a muscle!) should also get tensed up by us. and shrunk while breathe out). the body should be rigid. As for the way you mentioned. 54. I think it is the best "don't forget it but also don't help it". While one sends out a bursting force. For the past two years I have been standing slightly bent without any discomfort. Do you have any comments regarding this subject? Answer: In relaxation training. Maybe we should say "strengthening". in a flash of touching the target. Then. which includes abdominal. After standing. it is proper that your breath constricted for a short time). in all postures. breathing will become somewhat constricted. it is wrong (in doing Fali. one may try lower postures like Dashizhuang – Big Posture Standing. then people won't take such a scunner against at it :). but the diaphragm still works in the course of nature So. it is also a reason that one can't practice the second step-tension training if he hasn't past through the first step. I have a question regarding zhanzhuang and standing. instead it is ONLY the arm and leg muscles ? That is no problem for me. This is the content of the third step. through the first step-relaxation training. tension is a natural result of an action only. to get a root. 55. But anyway. For breathing through to the heels.Answer: Ordinary person uses thorax breath (the thorax expanded while breathes in. as part of our definite training action. you may try to smell a nice flower at a relaxed state. if one breathes by this way. then your force and the rebound force will concentrate at there. it is a smooth muscle). In the second step. it is led by the diaphragm (the diaphragm goes down while breathe in. let it slides. 53. Answer: In fact. can't pursue it factitiously. you may also try to bend deeper. we try to strengthen our muscles and get the ability of whole tension (every skeletonmuscle. I just misunderstood. But. all things should be natural. it isn't compulsory. As I understand it. perhaps I misunderstood. I never say we should deliberately tense up our body. the breathing can be natural in tension training. one needn't bend his knees too deep. therefore. one way to do abdominal breathing is to imagine the breath moving downwards and filling the abdomen on the inhale. the waist (includes the abdomen) is a weak part for many practitioners. once the abdominal muscle is tensed. as you have written We tensed bone muscles in tension training. and it will be harmed. I do understand that abdominal breathing is the most natural and correct way. I remember reading some literature from Kenichi Sawi where he mentioned needing to bend the knees deep to get "spring power" from the legs. I have no problem to relax my abdominal muscle at all. A superior Yiquan practitioner may even feel there are chi (qi) runs through to his heels every time he breathes in. one may turn the breathing way to abdominal breath naturally. 98 99 . but the diaphragm still works in the course of nature. My question was. How important. In fact. then we think that even the abdominal muscle itself (because. we may discuss it more detailed in the future. if one constricts his breathing. Of course. it is led by the chest muscles. And in doing Hunyuanzhuang. rather than the WHOLE body being tensed (every muscle. then obviously. that if we really and truly deliberately tense up our whole body in the tension training. is bending your knees deep as compared to slightly bent? I have been trying a lot deeper bend and have found pain to be occurring in my knees a couple of hours after and into the next day. Maybe "tension" is a bit of misnomer as the "feeling" of "tension" that is sought is really a feeling of all the muscles locking simultaneously and in unison in one direction. Generally. Also other masters from other schools encourage the same thing. if there are any part is weak. certainly I can relax abdominal muscle anytime. Fuhuzhuang . and don't do it without measure. it is the best to massage and turn your knees slowly for a while. then it will be constricted in tension training. would they start out basically equal? Would the experienced Course 1 person progress much faster? Since many of the standing postures of Course 2 appear similar (or seem to have their basis in Course 1 postures). it will obstruct his progress. the first 56. since the posture is explicit (the tiger under the legs and the hands on the tiger's back and neck). it just is partial. Xianglong Zhuang training just is strengthening this thoroughfare of force. but in xiang long zhuang. nature is better than any master. but it doesn't mean those minute details are unimportant. Or you may try to push a real wall/tree with this posture. is there any objective way to self-test progress in mastering Course 2? Answer: What the second course improved is one's good ability. Aside from subjective "feeling better". if he cannot give up these implicit actions and thoughtway. I realize that this has been touched on in the Question files and some older posts. because the first impression is the strongest. 59. that is what Yiquan opposes sorely. then his ability can be showed in using (like push hands." course is tool". the rebounded force can be past to the ground through this beeline. Han says: “The second course is main thread. When somebody has only studied Course 2 from correspondence. maybe you will get the feeling. in other words. to be personalized correction and adjustment by a qualified master is necessary. when practicing Course 2? And if those minute details are important. arm position. they form a beeline. if one reached a high level. If one has a firm foundation of long practice in correct and classical "Course 1". but I do not understand in xiang long zhuang how to use tension to subdue a dragon with this position of arms and legs. directly. I would appreciate any further commentary on the relation between Course 1 and Course 2 of Yi Quan. when moving to Course 2. or participates in a real seminar with such masters. to supplement Course 2 instruction ? How important are the minute details of head position. ability isn't a corporeal thing. would the student typically find that they needed an enormous amount of personalized correction and adjustment? Answer: It is possible. which is the target exactly and how should we work with it? It seems to be a static posture during which one imagines he is subduing a dragon. over a total beginner. in China. However. he has mastered the tool. range of motion. from the frontal hand to the body to the back leg. is professional Course 1 instruction required to achieve the minimal correctness needed for progress? 58. imaging specifics. any further enlightenment or commentary would be gratefully received. it is difficult to be measured. person who study the first course first would have some fixed actions and thoughtway. combat and health dance 100 101 . he may find the right way by studying the second course from correspondence only.Answer: Just as Mr. 57. I have a question about xiang long zhuang : could you please explain how we should train tension in this exercise ? I understand the use of tension in the other exercices since we try to move the target with our whole body. postural details. If one studies the second course from correspondence only. would it be expected that somebody who has a firm foundation of long practice in correct and classical "Course 1" YiQuan would have a huge advantage. then if such a person visits Master Han or Li in person. he can learn from nature. who has never practiced any form of Yi Quan? Or. However. Different from other postures. then it is recommended to seek professional instruction in the basic Yiquan postures and positions. Of course. he will progress faster than a total beginner. the first course and the second course use two different thoughtways respectively. or "feeling healthy" and the normal subjective sensations of ki energy in the body (similar to Qi Gong). if one pays overfull attention to the minute details. but not certain. If one is wise enough. and can't visit a qualified master of the second course in the near future. then. is it recommended to seek professional instruction in the basic Yi Quan postures and positions. it can be sensed by the practitioner oneself mainly. Xianglong Zhuang is a completion posture (the end of Fali). if he can understand the second well. Otherwise. etc. Answer: You may imagine your frontal hand on the dragon's neck and the back hand on its tail. we just expect the practitioners get those minute requirements naturally by entering the proper state. obviously. The second course doesn't pay much attention to the minute details. but I do not understand how to use tension: I understand for fuhu zhuang. In particular. don't always stay there. Only on this meaning. his skill won't be great. I'm still a bit puzzled about mechanism of force in 1st method of Fali. one may use the fourth method of Fali first. In Dashizhuang. to the rear) how do you then cope with the reaction force generated the moment yr hands reach his body. then immediately. 61. to push your opponent. you had better do it naturally. the back leg bears more weight. Fali by the 1st way (as I said above. Taiji pushing hands is an amusement mainly.e. and then relax immediately. Pushing hands clarification. it will be our best lives. and this just is the reason why great masters have practiced it all life long. it is an interim to real combat. accordingly. I do not say taking pushing hands as an amusement is wrong. The back foot stamps the ground) too. the distance that the body moving is much less than the distance that the hands moving. When I'm practicing tension training. Answer: 1) Yiquan pushing hands is something different with Taijiquan pushing hands. A limited combat is still something different with real combat. "Awareness of oneself and self-realization” just means one knows nature by himself. Zhanzhuang in "course 1". flap from light to heavy little by little. in all the combat standing postures I feel what you call in part III "The force and the counterforce". in my opinion. the hands are thrown towards up-ahead (about 45 degree upwards). one may practice mainly in this way. Is this the reason why great masters have practiced it all life long? Answer: In my opinion. practicing the combat standing postures in this way can help your Fali exercises in the future. accordingly. And in actual exertion. maybe also add the third way "Turning" at the same time. all the postures in jijizhuang belong to the same level but they have different functions. In tension training our mind is identified with an external object. Yiquan can be said as “life science”. always tense or do we tense at the moment of impact? Answer: Yes. So. 103 102 . then most reaction force will be past to the ground. it seems the mind is focused on some visualizations and.) obviously. For instance: when pressing down the target with my arms I feel my body has the tendency to go upwards (although no part moves). And in most actions of Fali. all practice we do just is to give up all factitious minds. however. make the whole body get a movement ahead (to get a kinetic energy first).Do all the postures in jijizhuang belong to the same level? Is the weight distribution on each leg in Dashizhuang 50-50? In zhoutiang zenpai. and then follow nature. 60. it includes the 2nd way "Dropping" already). Can one practice like this or should I exert force with all parts of my body to press down the target? Answer: Yes. 64. this is a way of Fali (4. in "course 2" mind is focused on itself. Your body will tense at the moment of impact naturally. Does that mean that zhanzhuang would be the door to the intuitive process of cognition witch is one of the differences from "course1". the mass of one's hands is much less than the mass of one's body. they have many theories and skills in pushing hands. the body moves back-down (about 45 degree downwards). However. How do you prevent that this reaction force throws you backwards (since a considerable part of your body mass moves away from the opponent?) Answer: As we know. he will be defeated surely in real combat'. and let nature appear. apart from the posture. you can also try to exert force with all parts of your body to act on the target. Just let you get some similar experience of combat. 62. sometime. I just say the purpose of pushing hands in our course is not amusement. apart from the posture. 63. if one always concentrates on pushing hands. If you "throw" your hands towards yr opponent by moving yr body reversely (i. it is 40-60 or 30-70. the practice of zhanzhuang seems similar to other traditions (like Zen) that uses meditation as a tool to achieve what Master Han calls "awareness of oneself" and self-realization. In zhoutiang zenpai. 2) Just as Mr. nowadays. Wang Xiangzhai said: 'if one never practices pushing hands.etc. it is a main way of Fali (The parts of your body move reversely). but we think pushing hands is a limited combat. during the exercise does our body stays always relaxed. face a tiger. a Shidi (junior fellow apprentice) of mine he practiced the first three steps very well. or anything dangerous. following nature". there are less than five guys achieve this level. the capability to catch a rip in the opponent's spirit. if you feel you are hard to get in the state. But if you always 105 . all hide a principle: "get rid of false mind. but you can get into the 'exciting' state in advance to excite your intuition and instinct. in the world. all depend on your intuition and instinct. 65. I can feel this state.. As I said somewhere else. among Han Jingyu's students. some of them we don't know how to use them. let your instinct do it. Han taught this step to me. we know there are a danger. add something everyday.hands experience that you told us and also from stories about Mr. Yes. Although our mind sets on the target like in step II. mostly. if you do it as a test. . Part IV is somewhat different. When 104 66. also do not know how we should respond it. in fact. to improve your intuition. "like responding to an emergency such as traffic accident. Wang Xiangzhai who have also defeated all his opponents without harming them and even in one occasion predicting were his opponent would land. but if without through training." From the push. your instinct reaction is unconscious. practicing push-hands once a month is suitable. in this training. to improve your intuition. let nature appear".your spirit detects it and your body responds immediately. Yes. In actual application. threaten and attack your opponent's center. Yiquan is an active art. it seems that there is some degree of conscious control in action. and he practices step III specially for at least 1 hour per day. we visualize there are danger around us (it is a jiajie). it may take him about three months only to pass through it. it maybe can help you get into the proper state.. you can use more conscious control. there are less than twenty persons who really gets it. none of my student past through it. it means don't always do it. And if your opponent is much weaker than you. your attack is conscious. From step IV and step V it seems that our spirit has two ways to deal with a dangerous situation. of course. Could you please highlight this subject? Answer: If one has a good foundation on step I and step II. It is possible that there is some degree of conscious control in action.. let you be aware of that you need strengthen which side or parts. till now. in fact. And the time to pass through step IV is very different to different persons. it still can be useful to start practicing push-hands without having completely mastered step IV. As for me. according to my personal experience... as soon as Mr. Wang said: 'between conscious and unconscious'. 5) Find some partners to practice it. As for step IV. The training of this step will improve one's ability to get into the 'exciting' (this word may be not very exact) state. he still cannot get the proper feeling and get into the proper state. then he needn't practice this step specially any more. to excite all our energy and abilities. but till now. it puzzles me because it seems a completely new "concept". you may try visualize you are in a dangerous place. some of them are hidden. the danger is created by our mind. This is what Mr. 4) Don't be limited by the word 'reaction (response)'. Just as a guideline. it is exact that "is something that can only be perceived by intuition". we have not the time to think. or maybe we can say: "undivided attention. in all steps. or an atrocious enemy. cut down something everyday." 2) We have the time to be aware of this danger and "in this state we can excite all our energy and abilities. To improve your knowledge. but do not know how it will attack us. I think it maybe because he is too virtuous and shy. some of them are weak. practicing step IV. and as far as know. before you have completely mastered step IV. as for 'reaction'. until step III I can understand what links the different steps and what is required before passing to a new level. I feel there is still a room for me to improve on this step. we have the time to be aware of this danger. or sometime. 1) We react without conscious thinking. his spirit isn't strong enough. but after more than one year training on step IV.3) Force and speed are the root. Push-hands can examine your abilities. (What is called in other martial arts "anticipation” or the "highest level in sensing jing")I believe is something that can only be perceived by intuition witch is very difficult to achieve and I don't see the relation to the previous sections. could you please give us an idea how long your students practice on the average steps III and IV? At the intellectual level. we have all natural abilities.. always keep initiative. don't blindly worship complicated techniques. Do you think this is possible at a high level? Do you think it is useful to start practicing push-hands without having completely mastered step IV? Answer: Step IV is training. And since you have not completely mastered step IV yet. 69. it will lose the function of examination. without the need to maintain balance). little by little. Regarding Yangshengzhuang practice: I understand your reasoning behind using a method to achieve the right feeling. they have not taken any intended training. strong. and why you don't advice doing such exercises on a regular basis? Answer: While you do tension training by 'jiajie' only. is it still necessary to mind which method should be selected? If you have a better method to achieve your purpose. but it is not a good idea to do such exercises on a regular basis I think. Get the right feeling by the method you love. and sometimes even an asymmetrical one. Your relaxation training exercises are supposed to lead to complete relaxation. So it is Ok to pull or push a real tree or a wall between times to get the feeling. In several of your answers. there was a comparison to the natural state of a young baby. and then letting the feeling follow into everything. However. the tree or wall will offer this counterforce to balance your body. you are advising to "just feel one's body". but you are also offering specific postures "as examples". he will lose his agility. despite the inner feeling leading away from it. That is the case even when standing is prefaced with relaxation exercises (similar to the ones you've suggested). and attempting to hold a specific posture? Answer: People select some methods in order to achieve certain purposes.do push-hands as an amusement. but if you pull or push a real tree or a wall. Yet. and lively than when I just go with my internal preference for the same amount of time (just observing the body as a whole). we have to spend much time to get back this state now. while encouraging personal exploration. if you often do push-hands as an amusement. even with a spine bent. apparently.g. because they "affect different parts of the body". I've noticed that while their muscles are always soft and pliable. subtle) preference. a particular chosen posture for some time. the posture tends to get closer to a "classic" one. their bodies are never "limp": When they are being held vertical (fully supported. Elsewhere. this is an inherent state. is always present. and from observing their posture and movement. some improper fixed actions will come into being. sensitive to the whole body motion. it's just that the right one can't be anticipated until the feeling is in place. and there are probably good reasons for "molding" oneself into such configurations. and it is very difficult to correct them later. e. you can see this state on your little kids. Otherwise. and even when a (healthy) baby falls asleep. your body itself has to produce a contrary force to balance your body. Could you comment on this observation? Answer: Relaxation means lack of any unnecessary tension. their hands (or even arms and legs) could be sticking almost vertically in the air. So. and eventually the feeling arises to change a posture substantially. obviously. holding a specific posture chosen in advance for a certain period of time is not the same as simply following the body's whims without knowing which configuration it will take next moment. Yet their bodies do produce an impression of being "filled with lead". do not mind the samples I offering. their arms are still "floating". many factitious concepts are being infused. and in fact. get into the right state. hands hang loose along the body. it is easier to keep his agility. he lose nature. In the course. we can practice the second step--tension training directly. It is not that I tend to prefer simpler postures: Each of the ones you have described appears most comfortable at a certain time. this just is what they called 'zhengli'. When one grows up. this is their difference. 67. you advice to pull or push a real tree or a wall to get the feeling. the resulting state is much less integrated. I have two little kids. Over time. I think we will face a living opponent in combat or pushing hands. While this "static tension" training is used in other systems. I've noticed in the past that my body has a preference at any moment in time which posture would feel best to assume (out of the ones you suggested. when I decide to persist and hold 106 107 . if one practice with 'jiajie' only. if one always practice with tree or wall these static things. Could you suggest a way of interaction between following an immediate body preference. therefore. 68. if you achieved your purposes already. therefore. I haven't heard it to be a method in Yiquan. What is the reason? How is applying force to imaginary objects as in Shili different from applying it to the real ones. but even then a clear (perhaps. As for why I don't advice doing such exercises on a regular basis. However. or similar to those). A slight spontaneous body motion is always present. and lose the ability of relaxation. The "controlling" exercises require restricting the movement of an imaginary force. your body itself produce the counterforce.70. one is you pull/push/press/lift/move. if you practice with 'jiajie'. 71. Fuhuzhuang or the initial one with holding walls) and "manipulative" (all others). The notion is apparently central to internal martial arts (my Taiji teachers used to emphasize moving as if in a thick liquid). I just aim at the purposes that I mentioned somewhere: "to improve my physique. or a mere useful metaphor that came from the traditional medicine? The reason I'm asking is that the writings of your lineage appears to be all highly rational and scientific. while in the "manipulative" ones we (imaginarily) effect an immobile object. (This is. counts as evidence for existence of a separate form of energy? Answer: According to my own experience. each one aims at a certain purpose and is effective at certain time and space. Meanwhile. Wang said: 'all things are contrary. I assume the exercises we can perform may fall into either category: I.g. a mere curiosity question). the target. what is your own opinion about qi? Do you consider it a separate form of energy. do you think all muscles can work at a same direction? "Whole" or ‘Unison’ means all muscles work harmoniously. I do not mind what form it is. and had "manipulation" following "control" immediately (e. but whenever I encountered its descriptions or manifestations. so my impression doesn't hold much validity. The concept of 'zhengli' has been a mystery to me for a while. then the target will produce the counterforce. the exercises can be split into two categories. there is two force in fact. I presume you wouldn't be relying on a concept simply because it holds traditional appeal. Different muscle has different function. if you practice with a real target. while an attempt to "manipulate" (after performing relaxation standing) quickly leads to the loss of frame. in your opinion. For a while. and since it gets balance. Answer: I think 'qi' can be considered as energy. all muscles work. at the same time. My understanding from Master Wang's as well as your teacher's writings (that I could find) were that they were either critical of the concept or at least found it irrelevant. and if so. since the two types appears to be simply mirroring each other (passive force and active counterforce. pushing the tiger down after preventing it from getting up). vs the other way around). or just a superstition (just paying attention to the body and believing you are balancing your "energy" can bring profound psychological and physiological effects). Is that correct so far? The reason for making this distinction is that I found it relatively easy to keep and develop the feeling in the "controlling" exercises. That seems peculiar. But the mechanism has always appeared paradoxical. From your description of Jijizhuang. I was simply feeling muscles "fighting" each other (apparently. critical of the concept. the "energy" appeared either metaphorical (a shortcut for talking about neural activity corresponding to particular imagery. Master Wang had been 108 73. and feel generally more difficult to perform.. to improve my spirit.. just because he aimed at the superstition on the concept that time. I was trying to understand the concept. so I was reasonably confident I was doing the right thing. and it felt good. of course. Anyway. there would be nothing wrong about trying to control an imaginary force in the Hunyuanzhuang. all things are harmonious'. which is all muscles working "as a single muscle". which is exactly training them to not counteract each other. Everything needs two sides to maintain its balance. right? That what looks as a paradox to me: How can training muscles counteract each other prepare them to instantly function in unison? Is this a true paradox that would take time and practice to realize. All truths are not absolute when they are on paper (enunciated by words). you sometimes refer to the concept of "qi" energy (though advising not to focus on it). Since you've emphasized that those are only examples.e. However. the stated objective is apparently to train the body to act as a whole. or am I simple missing something? Answer: Just as Mr. I clearly didn't research the issue seriously enough. it is harmonious. and perhaps you have some interesting evidence for its validity. you may try and feel it carefully. but sometime you can feel it. When I stopped a movement to examine my body. "controlling" (e. I've tried a game. each one works properly. In tension training. it means half of your muscles are relaxed. what you are referring to as "counterforce"). hence. Is this interpretation correct. What. In your answers. and resulting physiological changes). yet it doesn't feel this way to me? Actually.g. 72. another is its counterforce. and improve my instinct". the 'energy' cannot be seen as a separate form. and "manipulation" became much easier 109 . and didn't discuss it with advanced practitioners. though. it is too dangerous. Just as we describe a person. can one achieve good results without the "four as"? Answer: Yes. just as Wang said. So you feel it is relatively easy. The traditional Chinese call it: "spirit travels at the end of universe". it is up to you how the target resists you. I think you may practice "manipulative" more in the beginning. Answer: It is spirit training. and to his back. as for you found it quickly leads to the loss of frame. Anyway. The feelings of ‘four as’ are only come after a long time of practice. If choosing the real target inside the room or at a distance doesn't matter. "four as" describe a same state. "controlling" is more difficult than "manipulative". pierce through the wall. to get a comparatively rounded figure. it cost him about ten years to practice to achieve this result. Therefore. In fact. 'hairs as halberds' particularly on 'the feeling of strong spirit'. But if you practice with jiajie (imagination) only. maybe you can try to control your partner). you may also choose a real target inside the room. How can we practice indoors. and act on the imaginary target. and I just need to keep practicing)? Answer: Yes. I would like to ask you a question about step II. 74. However. 76. Further on he also describes the "four as" as a precondition to be able to practice the health dance. according to his own experience. you will always be a 111 75.in this sequence.g. to right side. then it is a good method. 77. one also can achieve the result of ‘four as’. Extend the spirit out. You can visualise an imaginary target in the distance. then it is no problem to practice indoors. Answer: According to my understanding. In the beginning of the chapter about "talk about four forms" in the "theory of yiquan ". Doesn't the fact that Master Wang chose to have those as two rather than one "as" suggest that the two should be somehow independent? I. we may describe him from the front. Are there subtle distinctions that I am missing? This question seems quite important to me. but could never understand it. so it must stay in the limits you can control it. and there is still a process to do this exercise well. the third "as" (body as if filled with 110 . 'body as if filled with lead' emphasizes particularly on 'the feeling of heaviness'. "the muscles as one" emphasizes particularly on 'the feeling of harmony'. but doesn't feel the whole body as a casting. always exchange information with nature. Maybe it will be much shorter than ten years. Master Wang Xiangzhai talks about the "four as" that one achieves by the practice of zhuang as a prerequisite for the practice of martial arts. it is the best to practice in an open space with big trees or mountains in your sight. Your discovery that "had 'manipulation' following 'control' immediately may also be tried. to left side. if a method can help you achieve your purpose. you can get the true feeling and get into the true state without the true circumstance. in the beginning. to get the true feeling and get into the true state. for instance when it is raining . the exercises we can perform may fall into either category. Following the second course. What am I doing wrong (or is this individual.e. This training can cultivate one's spirit. Little by little. if one feels all muscles as one. Should we visualise an imaginary target in the distance or is it better to choose a real target inside the room? Answer: About the second step. do you have a way of explaining (or at least. you will get the idea. it doesn't matter. hinting at) the function of "spirit extension"? I've heard this advice frequently (so it is probably important). open mind and great momentum. then why have you suggested choosing a distant one to begin with (and extend the spirit even further)? Seriously. then one hasn't achieved the result? Actually. make him be clement. it is really important. "the whole body as a casting" emphasizes particularly on ''the feeling of whole'. Are these feelings something that only comes after a long time of practice? Following the second course. lead) also sounds similar to the first one (as a casting) to me. that is just why I suggest you try to effect on a real target (e. spread your spirit out. for being able to identify internal feedback correctly (not just academic curiosity). a big tree) to get the proper feeling. Two of them ("the whole body as a casting" and "the muscles as one") seems to equal what you call "feel whole". "the whole body as a casting" and "the muscles as one" just mean one gets the ability of the ‘whole relaxation’ and ‘whole tension’. if you practice with a real tiger (just joke. In Fali training. we want to grasp our natural instinct on our own initiative. sometime the waves push you. inspire all your muscles. so you "have to stop". just as its name implies.using springs. But it is a good method only." Could you please give us your interpretation on this? Answer: At the beginning of Shili training. ropes etc pulling on the body make the mind become the subject. being whole tension with a direction lets all the power be sent out. it means while you push a target (in Jiajie). The purpose of Shili training is let you keep 'whole force' at any actions. you hold whole universe. instead of the purpose itself. in this blazing state. you "stopping when having to go". It is almost impossible to maintain a uniform amount of tension when mind and body are separated. I think this sentence is describing the feeling of Shili. the real mind exists in no mind. your hands (or any parts) cannot always move ahead (or any directions). Shili--test force. the important point is force -. Jiajie here is helpful to inspire all your muscles and get a direction for the power. actually. he will extend his spirit out naturally. by training. With an object well away from the body. instead of your movement form. in Shili training. don't worry that nature will steal your energy. there is must a counterforce. causing separation of the body and mind. but bear in mind please. what they call "force penetrates enemy's back" (hit at an enemy's chest. whatever indoors or outdoors. All animals seem to have this ability from the moment that they are born. when the direction of force is changed little by little. Another instance. 78. observing the body as the object.beneficiary. It seems as if fali is more of a natural instinct than a cognitive process. This method seems to solve the problem of uniform tension ie: too much tension in certain muscles with others not being tensed at all causing a broken link in the chain from fist to foot. never limit your spirit at a target only. the method used in the first course . no form.. 112 113 . 80.Wang Xiangzhai wrote about Shili: "hold the attitude of going when having to stop and stopping when having to go. I must say that this method of doing ji jizhuang is superior to the first course method. in Shili training. it is also helpful to Fali training. but you resist the waves. both mind and body become one and act in the way nature intended.: push tree. this change is smooth. Here the real mind means intuition and instinct I think. at last. it is the best to do it slowly but never broken. I find that when doing fali I can get an increase in force by visualizing the object I use in ji ji zhuang i. Could we say that part of yiquan is to undo the bad habits we have acquired since birth and let mind and body act as nature intended? Answer: Yes. so the direction of force must often change.continuous whole force. but the form (your body or a part of your body) is still going at the original direction (it will be a arc track in fact).e. at the point of impact with the bag. Just as Wang Xiangzhai said. And I am sure this training will improve one's penetrability of his force. it is "hold the attitude of going when having to stop". no mind. For example: While you visualize pushing a big mountain. the forces on our body are balanceable on the whole. awaken your intuition and instinct. However. at this time you will get the feeling of "hold the attitude of going when having to stop". Jiajie (visualising some scene) is used widely in Yiquan training.. "Stopping when having to go" is analogical. it is impossible to move it. while you feel the counterforce stop you. change the state from relaxation to tension suddenly will produce a great power. so it doesn't matter to choose real target inside the room or at a distance. Animals also seem to have the ability to switch from relaxation to tension instantly. keep the feeling that you get from Jijizhuang in movement. while you visualize practicing in the big waves. Anyway. Is this caused by the correct muscles being tensed for forward motion? Would tensing all the muscles as I do when not using the image result in a braking effect and a decrease in the transfer of power? Answer: Yes.the body can feel and respond to the universal force. but you still conquer it and go ahead. In the "Theory of Yiquan" Mr. but animals can use their natural instinct passively only. it means that you are able to get into the blazing state anytime you want. 79. but you still move ahead. but the enemy feels pain at his back). but as we know. instead of staying in your body. it seems you "have to go". you can inspire all your energy. As a skilled practitioner. it means the whole Shili training session is one action only. About Relaxation Training. if you feel some parts are not very comfortable. and the respiration will be "inverse" respiration naturally. you may appreciate these four steps in each stage. we say natural respiration. while your body is very relaxed and your spirit is very tensed." Do you think I should completely finish "relax" before starting the exercises in "tension. 1) once a person can do exercises 1. just adjust your posture. sometime tense. I expand belly when I expire). do not mind how the circuit of the energy should be. I am looking ahead to "tension. shake your body. as for how to achieve these purposes. or get a good grounding in the combat stance exercises first. we just do not pay much attention to our respiration. you may sometime relax. 3) Finally.81. 82. little by little. it is the contents of the third step. you will feel uncomfortable. or when you practice Health Dance. and it means you will know what time you may get into the next stage by yourself. just because your inner is not so flowing. and do something to it. your intuition and instinct will manage all the things. in fact. to build a connection between you and the target. when you start tension training. When you feel it is the time to start tension training. you may adjust your body too. I have been working with "relax" for the past several months. you may try Fali. etc. someone feels a little difficult to get into the whole tension state in movement. then begin shi li later? Answer: Each advanced step contains base step/steps. then he can practice the combat stance exercises first. ‘Showing a feeling with a fixed method Giving up the method after getting the feeling Letting the feeling follow into everything Personal feeling leads to complete awareness’ These four phrases are the core expression of the second course. you may work on both at the same time. bound together to a system of "inverse" respiration (I contract the belly when breath. then he no longer needs to do these exercises and can then focus on the Pile Standing etc. for example. then you combine the third step and fourth step into one. just shake your body. it is the exact time to start. you may also visualize a target. your personal feeling leads to complete awareness. your stance or action is not natural. if you can get into the right state. For example. then begin shi li exercises. sprit. When you open your eyes. it is hard to say. you can find a real target outside. then just adjust your stance or action. when you close your eyes.. it is a good method to improve your ability of responding the out circumstance.. is that right? 2) At what point should exercises 4 . our purposes of training are to improve our physique. you just feel your body. Such as respiration. we also do it by a natural way. then you combine the five steps into one. a theoretical question: if a person already understands whole body relaxation and can maintain this relaxation at all times then could that person go immediately to tension training or would he have to go 115 114 . Yiquan offers a natural way for the practitioners to achieve their purposes." should I work on both the combat stance 83. exercises and shili at the same time. The rest may be deduced by analogy. sometime.6 be started. As for the combat stance and Shili. I find there is always a room to improve my state in each step.2 and 3 properly and understands what it is to be relaxed. In training. should we begin exercise 4 after a lot of time doing Pile Standing exercises (weeks or months) or immediately after exercise 3 has been done properly. when you practice the fourth step. sometime change your state suddenly. intuition and instinct. and help your inner body to be flowing. what you said "inverse" respiration is right. As for meditation. you will feel uncomfortable. it will help you relax. you just being quiet and relaxed. you may also practice relaxation training." or could I start to introduce them? When working on "tension. As for "work to a target". sometime body relaxed and mind tense. for instance. you can combine all steps into one. at last. sometime. after getting a good grounding in the combat stance exercises. As for "completely finish a certain state". if you get into the right state. 1) My respiration that use continuously in the practical one and the daily life from 10 years is mistaken or is right for the yiquan? 2) The meditation seated and straight that practical it can be replaced from the practical one Of the YIQUAN? Answer: As I said somewhere before. they are methods. The feeling of this natural respiration just as if you are smelling a nice flower. From many years practical a method of visualization of the circuit of the energy. I practice all five steps some days. Or should I just train “how I feel at that time”. 84. and you may practice relaxation exercises after entering this state. I think all natural things are good. we do not against to frame a training plan if you think it is necessary. if you wash your body by cold water or blowed by cold wind just after training. every day is good day. 20 min. After I was still hyped up and had difficulty sleeping. 20 min. it lies on how good results you get from foregoing training (from relaxation training to the fourth step). going to the bathroom and sex activity before or after any zhan zhuang? Are there any guidelines people should follow? Answer: Relaxation State is the main state of one's life. so mainly the guidelines of Relaxation Training are the same as daily health preservation. but now it is better. drink green tea. When practicing the first coursework. It was like I was reliving the experience and brought on some kind of primordial way of being. 86. drink. Shili. it lies on how strong your spirit is. Shili. then every moment is good time. "Do not train too hard". or just take a walk. As for exercise 3. if you do it just after training. mainly. Tuesday. I did also need a long time to calm my mind after training. 5 min. so on and so on. Would you agree with this. Is there any method that can be used that can calm the mind after entering this state? Answer: According to my personal experience. stay in warm. your hairs stand up. I do not think it will be a problem. 1 hour Zhang Zhuang – Jiji Zhuang. so as soon as you get the proper feeling. 'Shaking' and 'quivering' that is one's body adjusts itself naturally. mind tense" by recalling the time I was stalked by a wild animal-some kind of black leopard. No special time is stated. then subsided. As for sex activity. The state lasted in intensity for a few minutes-which seemed like hours. I think since you have difficulty to calm the mind after entering this state.through all the necessary exercises in the relaxation phase due to there relation to future exercises? Answer: 1) Exercises 1. your blood circulation quickens. Wednesday. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck and i felt a real sense of fear but a determination to survive. such as: keep peaceful and comfortable. 2) You may begin exercises 4 and 5 immediately after exercise 3 has been done properly. it contains some skills of combat in fact. If I am a little tired. 3) If there is really someone keeps his nature so well. I believe I entered the state described as "body relaxed. or does it matter as long as you practice daily? 116 . They shake and quiver and I wonder if this could be good? Answer: I think these can be called training plans. will it hurt to do more strenuous exercises or should I just do easy ones. Do you think it is bad or wrong to have specific training goals? For example: Monday. and your potential is excited. it is easy to be sick. you may do this exercise again and again till you master it skillful. but also. it may consume more energy than normal. we do not recommend a very strict training plan. nothing more serious. Something special: don't touch cold water just after training. 117 85. in the just beginning of the fourth step training. avoid cold wind. don't drink too much. you'd better do not practice this too often now. in other words. don't make love just after training too. he may go immediately to tension training. you need not do these two exercises any more. the pores of your body are open. proper food and drink (don't eat too full. 1 hour Zhang Zhuang – Jiji Zhuang. as for the amateurish practitioners. most time you stay in Relaxation State. Bianxian.2 just show you the feeling of relaxation. Answer: If you walk up the right way. 20 min. and start exercise 6 immediately after exercise 5 has been done properly. eat more vegetables and fruits. In fact. this word is talked to the professional practitioners. In training. then "having specific goals I will hold this posture for X amount of time” is not so good. Fali. Or maybe a better question would be “how hard should I push myself”? Some people when they stand have specific goals “I will hold this posture for X amount of time”. are there any restrictions concerning food. As for how to calm the mind after entering this state. but you do not really feel afeard. if we must say there is something not good. Most books on Chinese Internal Arts state that around 5am is the most productive time of day to stand. 87. the blazing state is similar with fear. As for 'whole force' habit and 'rigid body'. As soon as you achieve all these three purposes. you should check whether you have stayed in the boat too long. every action is dance. Leave the boat when you arriving the other side By Li Jiong You know it is an allegory. you will be always in the river. if you left too early. standing with one posture is OK. To increase your strength. if you choose a bad boat. Knowledge is static. however. It is a pass you have to get across by yourself. otherwise. Wang Xiangzhai never practiced specially. you may do things as normal. Of course. When you get across this pass. they are the instruments serve our purpose. In each stage. after Han left. about standing time. To choose a good boat is very important. Our training is as if to across a river. if you really get the truth. you are wasting you life. 2. every thing I write here or in the course is not ultimate truth. It is also the Key of Yiquan training. all are wrong. never step on the other side. training methods like boats. when your every action is natural. everyday. 3. If you always stay in the boat. it won't be always increasing. One's strength is limited.You may take a walk for about 10 minutes after training. By this reason. it is OK as soon as you get them. as well as any profound arts or sciences. tension training. You need 118 Why do many practitioners feel difficult to learn martial arts? To choose a good boat is difficult. To arrive the other side is our purpose. Shili. it is also very important to leave the boat at the proper time. life is dynamic. there is also a similar process. What is the other side of Yiquan training then? It is your real life. then all things will turn back normal. half an hour also is OK. then you will succeed sooner or later surely. you can turn back to practice it later. otherwise. you are training all the time. For example. no one can substitute for you. and then walked back home. if 119 . Han Xingqiao said. I always think we should let Yiquan serve our lives. when stayed in Beijing. every action is art. only your wisdom can correspond to your life nicely. It is necessary to learn some kinds of knowledge for your life. As well as the stances. 20 minutes is OK. Otherwise. 40 minutes is OK too. Change Knowledge to be Wisdom By Li Jiong As we know. If you feel you have not progressed for a long time. then 5 minutes is OK. we know there is three purposes at this step: 1. instead of we serve Yiquan. knowledge is not enough. leave this 'tension training boat' please and move to the third step training. to leave the boat at the exact time is more difficult. they were trained by Yao Zongxun). Otherwise. For example. not practice tension training specially anymore. that stance is OK too. Of course. Fali or any method. One very important and difficult thing you have to do: 'Change knowledge to be your own wisdom'. Other stages are similar. Han Jingyu said. it is your life itself. maybe it will sink in the middle of the river. But to really benefit your life. Yiquan isn't Zhanzhuan. within fifty years. then every action is training. many masters themselves do not know they should leave the boat one day. he saw his father practice specially once only. it is enough that you can lift a person. they are knowledge yet. watched his students practicing (they were trained by Han Xingqiao. and standing with different postures one by one is also OK. all information expressed by words is knowledge. this stance is OK. if you really get the truth. you will not care the time any more. However. you won't get anything more after that. To form 'whole force' habit. he walked to Taimiao park. you do not need practice specially any more. To get the ability of forming a rigid body in a twinkling. all are wrong. it exceeds concept. Of course. A may be not A. At this stage. one thinks A just is A. The thoughtways of human can be divided into three stages: The first stage is logic. The second course of Yiquan takes this thoughtway. otherwise. Insubstantial and Substantial.one day you feel some exercises are demoded. no contradiction. most martial arts styles take this thoughtway mainly. So contrary. The second stage is dialectic. To learn something you have to pay. no fixed form or method. there are still some samples in our course. Emptiness and Substance General Principles Formulas Put Into Verse The Steps of Training Zhanzhuang (Pile-Stance Keeping) Shili (Testing Force) Shisheng (Testing Voice) Self-defense Jijizhuang Method (Combat Pile Standing) Talk About the States of Zhanzhuang (Pile Standing) A Talk About the Four Forms Brandishing Wave Cruising Dragon White Crane 121 120 . one knows every existence is conditional. and the rest depend on you in fact. but don't pay out your free will. I just hope they can give you some revelation. you should change them into your experience. at this stage. and that's why Wang Xiangzhai called himself 'An old man of contradiction' in his late years. No form or method is inviolable. throw them away. they are still my experience. in substance. the teacher teaches you how act. at this stage. We just offer an origin to you. then A is A. only when certain condition exist. it is the purpose of our training. isn't it? The first course of Yiquan just takes this thoughtway mainly. The third stage is ontology. one knows everything runs naturally. Appendix II The Essence of Martial Art [The Theory of Yiquan (1)] Author: Wang Xiangzhai Translator: Li Jiong (Assisted by Romain Roche & Bertram Chock) Table of Contents Author's Preface Narration on the Important Points of Practicing Martial Arts A Talk About Credos and Rules A Talk About Single and Double-Weightiness and Non-Zhaoxiang Recognizing the Abstract. your freedom and your life. it cannot expressed by words. they are my experience. how much time you should practice. your wisdom. If I give the fixed answers to your questions. not yours. feeling and exercising natural force. How could one hope for them to accomplish the mission of martial art science? Although I do not dare to say this martial art is the supreme learning. and therefore have been practicing multifarious intense sports.Frightened Snake A Talk on the Philosophical Justification of Yiquan A Talk About Quantao (A Series of Skills and Tricks in Martial Arts) and Method A Talk About the Relation Between Martial Art and Appliance A Talk About Dianxue (Hit at Selected Points) The Difference Between Inherence and Learning Free From Mysticism Explanation of Understanding and Doing Why the Martial Art Science Had Been Lost A Discussion on Freedom From the System of Master and Disciple Conclusion Author's Preface The greatness of martial art science. martial arts have turned into all kinds of quantao(6) that are complicated and superfluous. Seeing that common pugilists esteem form. limbs and trunk. and the vital capacity to intensify. because common pugilists have been mostly paying attention to form and method. rooted in universe principle and elements. concerning the usage. and not the others. its harm cannot bear saying. Really. this of course cannot bear mentioning in the same breath. we are not only paying attention to combat. otherwise. and thus benefit one's intelligence. because they have been devoting their efforts to seek enhancement of rough force. it nurtures the entire spirit and powerful force. void or solid isn't fixed(4). Even more. it is a deviation. abnormal and grotesque in shape. believe me. advocate method. what this martial art is paying great attention to is spirit. by following it. so there was nothing more to do but let things be (3). pay attention to rough force. Even more. Thus. you respond as soon as you have a feeling. benefiting the country and benefiting the masses. Science as a matter of course should be higher from generation to generation. and the lifeline of societal education. is really due to the national spirit of necessity. exploring where the genuine meaning is. the foundation of the philosophy of human life. and pained by this thought. trachea and muscles have already been wrecked by it and all these have become decadent. form bent and mind straight. I wanted to refuse it but they did not obey my wishes. only I have it. otherwise there should be no need for it to exist! I deeply believe that martial art science is good for exercising the nerves. In a nutshell. the art of the masses. and therefore have developed it. in more words. I have been practicing martial arts for more than forty years. it makes the breath easy and smooth. they have developed all kinds of wrong teachings and wrong meanings. developing good abilities. putting away shortcomings and taking in excellence. The very core of its mission rests on educating the will of the people. and all of this in order to carry forward it and make it become an unique martial art science. eliminating the false and retaining the true. limbs and trunk. Very often I think of benefiting others. Therefore. will come true the 123 . making students honest and healthy. they are still feeling proud of themselves. it is provided with all acts (5). and most friends feel sweet in test. Now. so that instinctive strength is also gradually increasing. to practice it with delight. Because of this everyone called my martial 122 art “Dacheng” (2). If what we have can achieve all such objectives. it makes a person correspond with atmosphere in a natural way. hardly realizing that all are life-harming sports! Their nerves. You succeed in training the instinct of feeling livingness: concerning the body. I cannot bear just sitting by and watching. transforming physiology. getting rid of its harmful aspects and disclosing its secret. using scientific principles to consider. if we are talking from now or in the past. proving things by my own cognition. then it can be truly called a martial art. Practicing deviant martial arts is like drinking poisoned wine. It is also especially good to warm up and nourish the healthy energy of muscles and to nourish blood. digesting it. then. helping them to express their emotions. Really. and acting like sportsmen. Concerning the important point of effort and the method of training. and to the best of one's abilities. everyone will hold a piece of it and it will be easy to comprehend. Just understand me or place the blame on me. Yiquan also named Dachengquan. most people are still vulgar and fatuous. But originally. I have been able to gradually make more and more use of the advice of others. describing such inside information as to what in my mind. Because I am sincere in teaching te Tao and emotionally cordial. so I will not give unnecessary details now. how I dare to keep it secret to myself? So without estimating whether it would be too simplistic and crude or not. you may deride and taunt me at your discretion. and will praise him for that. but others mostly call it Dachengquan. They are hardly aware of the fact that this phenomenon of malformed development not only obstructs health. (5) It means one's body is able to do all acts. in modern times. Because I am getting old. I will especially appreciate that. then it is unavoidable that some of my sayings will appear vehement. the source of science is common to all human being. Because I have been thinking that even a stupid person may once in a while have a good idea. I hope that all students who are learning from me will seek advice extensively in an open-minded way. and to exert themselves to develop toward the one and only direction. so it can't compare with the literature that cater to laymen. all are given a detailed account in the body of this book. Wang thinks that as a science. if there really is a prominent personage within the country. I have censured their error in newspapers over and over again. in order to gain the profound and extensive implications. and it count for nothing in sport. (4) It means one is nimble. I couldn't elucidate completely. this piece was founded to allow the students to be at ease to practice the martial art. out a bursting-force. or then even teach me. Hebei province Xiangzhai Wang Nibao Record at Taiyi Wanzilang -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(1) At that time. I hope that you will be able to research altogether at any moment. but also does not have any other use. I always take seeking knowledge as my duty.ability of fali (7) in a touch. I'm extremely expecting this. These last years. If someone has learned something. 124 it is really impossible. (3) Mr. In the future. what kind of person I am. everybody is pressing me to leave some markings. I have only taken the teachings that are studied everyday. so it will depend on students to draw inferences about other cases from one instance. otherwise all counts for nothing. (2) It means "complete success" or "great accomplishment". parade their muscles. In days to come. What I was hoping to do is just put down in writing. I am not good at writing and as to the profound and subtle in this martial art. Although commonly sensible person have all expressed their sympathy. Thus if we’re promoting it but cannot succeed. can't say complete success (Dacheng). and sometimes I get lost at being unruly or unrestrained. it is because our spirit is inadequate. series of skills and tricks in martial arts. I worked hard and accomplished this book. However. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------(7) Send (6) A Narration on the Important Points of Practicing Martial Arts Most martial arts practitioners. gotten them recorded in a disconnected way. Boling city. showing the people how strong and tough they are. so he has to let them call what they want. therefore he would rather use the name of Yiquan than Dachengquan. devoting their 125 . he would like to point out the mistakes of this martial art so that they can be corrected. It is the main thing tabooed by physiologists. By this I am expecting to benefit the public and improve the level of the physical culture of the country. and then left behind this work for reference. or our intelligence does not accord with it. Moreover. and to let the real meaning of our martial art science become forever lost along the bottoms. Even more. mind is the commander in chief of force. and are willing to be conservative. one cannot make use of the response of universal force. Use force then muscles will be sluggish and the body isn't nimble. Therefore it is unavoidable that there be many persons who bear a sense of resentment toward me in the end. and especially by speaking thoughtlessly to slander others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 127 . society has a poor understanding of the one who is singularly holding the consummate knowledge seeking happiness and benefits for mankind. However as far as latter-day pugilists are concerned. it is just acquired and artificial. what can be done! Within my intellectual capacity. there are someone talking about "Using force then (you will be) sluggish. What is called mind tightened and force relaxed. and. I don't know how he could gain that health preservation and putting it into use in fight. they would not calmly reject that which is defective and take in that which is excellent. one must know that mind is produced from form. gradually progressing. Moreover. or investigate where is right and where is wrong. Once you have a method. I am absolutely not resigned to drift with the tide. this martial art had ever been bearing the name of "Yiquan" (mind martial art) for a time. each cherished a selfish opinion? Bad old practices die hard. I will simply still often utter a cry. any result in accordance with my wishes has no way to be fulfilled. using method is just method being used up. I am concerned about the perpetuity of martial art science. just as its name implies. the harm of “using force” is great. Since one cannot get the natural living force. all of which is to no avail. I chose the character of "yi" to generalize spirit. then using force is just the force at its completion. and also of the loyal and sublimely wise person. his spirit is already limited by its scope. and resistance is produced because of the fear of getting hit by the enemy. Originally I was hoping to awaken coteries. This again is my trivial ideal and I cannot help but promoting it. But it isn't the force of the muscles stagnating. unifying the spirit through jiajie(8) principle. one can achieve the beautiful nature of mind force for sure. wouldn't it be an acceptance of the adversary’s blow? And then. Therefore. mind is namely force. I hope that prominent personages within the country will not mind understanding and forgiving me. generally. being tensional. it is just partial. and changes in force follow mind. and they are based on each other: so using mind is namely using force. hair bristling and force made sharp like a cutting edge. There is no doubt to this. If one examines the origin of martial arts. 126 One must know that using force and using mind originate both in the fountainhead of qi. using mind then (you will be) nimble". how can one not be hit by others? Really. comprehending their minds. alas. and being congested which is called force. and it is namely the meaning of this martial art to advocate mind and spirit. In most cases. and his actions seem to hesitate to move forward. it was originally picking the strong points of birds and beasts in combat. “using force” is the changing appearance of resistance. and I really dare not take into account my private benefit. if one does not guide the muscles into being relaxed and in harmony by the mind. and I hope to remedy their numbness so that they suddenly start waking up to the truth. How low their level can be imagined. realize their error and tend toward the right target. By this means. then again he will stare at you tongue-tied and will not be able to tell you why. the strength also cannot be solid. he will never gain the living force that is retractile and can be made convergent or be emitted for use at any time. to help them. and just assembling these points to become this skills(9). but say it in the regards to combat. and of no avail the learning of instinct. force is the army corps of the mind. how can they avail themselves of spirit. And that spirit cannot unify. and that harms health. mind and feeling any further? And also. Twenty years ago. muscles being flexible and unpredictable. This really is beneath contempt. if ask him why this is so. imitating their form. Who could have known that among common pugilists. Thus.hearts to harm the truth. since even forms aren't similar (to these things). you have: head straight. gradually progressing. they did not easily agree to accept students. sensibility of expressing humanism. persevering and having a firm and resolute spirit. they are all included. mindful. the chief important point is to respect the teacher. they. In moving be like dragon and tiger. using something unreal to produce real results. true and harmonious. even more. Besides this. imitating their form. such as respect the teacher. the morals of martial art must be completely obeyed. be careful. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(10) It means one is not shallow and often needs say something to prove oneself. harmony and proportionateness. producing a lingering charm like a dragon singing. no matter while exercising or in combat. quiet as ancient Buddha's heart. assembling all these and then martial arts come into being. like meeting a Very Important Person. the predecessors used to be prudent time and again before teaching them. careful. all took four appearances and five important points as first-hand criteria. Heart should be respectful and careful. good faith and kindheartedness. Internal turning causes exerting the voice. these are especially essential qualifications for students. Once knowing nature and understanding truth.. and even if they are taught. uniting the whole range of spiritual jiajie principle. seek toward outside the body. this is a five words secret clearly expressed. The feeling of force is like penetrating electricity. generally. Just talking about tradition. do not lose rightness. Furthermore. The slightest 129 . do not become one who stops studying. As for being simple and honest and running deep lofty qualities. on the contrary. Respectful. you can take "respectful. respect parents and show filial piety to the elder. and voice quiet(10). sincere and harmonious" as a five words rhymed formula to remember the five points. If respectful then the spirit won't be scattered. eyes upright. Therefore.(8) To make use of something in mind. the student must keep the whole body well balanced. With a boundless mind (infinite spirit of ). spirit elegant. but there also exists an important and profound meaning. which is studied with daily profundity. fill your body with vitality. one should first pay attention to dharma. Seeking truth in nihility. then one cannot be said to be a master-hand of martial arts. etc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Talk about Single(11) and double-weightiness(12) and Non-zhaoxiang Speaking in accord to the principles of martial art science. furthermore. Because persons with these abilities are rare. the zeal of a knight-errant and a Buddha. As for the process of teaching. one needs. and must have a steady aspiration of giving up one's own opinion to comply with the truth. careful. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Talk about Credos and Rules The way of martial art science. Do not be limited by method and principle. If one does not have these qualities. with no inclinations. mindful. Let us now display these five words rhymed formula song 128 as follows in order to show its meaning: Since entering a martial art school to practice. then they could also hardly get its essence. is not only exercise to limbs and trunk. and as for the credos that should be complied with. (9) It means that people picking the strong points of birds and beasts in combat. and a nimble and heroic aptitude. comprehending their mind. at every occasion of teaching a new person. otherwise I am afraid that they can hardly been taught. Revere friends and be careful to uphold justice. it is like looking down from above an abyss. For the four appearances. nor force nor mind can allow zhaoxiang. this is also really very pitiful. greatly breaking the rules and the unity of the body. Consequently. and also called “requiring the automatic and good functioning of the extremely centered and very harmonious instinctive strength. if one is a little stiff then it is easy to incur the affliction of double-weightiness. This phenomenon is called “don't expect and think about it but make it so. or say. and double-weighted is also wrong. and the more you’re practicing them. it is also expressed by the head. (12) It means the strength is statuesque and stiff. Once there is zhaoxiang then one becomes rigid. but even if there isn’t (any rigidity). where one never stops until becoming 130 unnatural. some are going the way of becoming stone dead from absolute doubleweightiness. nor form. Alas. Once there is the slightest hair-like force inside (an area). which is called “force not being lost. the hands. Being singleweighted is wrong. They also are all completely improper. without orderly ways. Neither spirit. they will never have a day of developing good ability. which isn't healthy and even more. As for the “non-zhaoxiang” of spirit and mind. (15) The “wonder of single-weighted” means lively force. mind and force together in a unified way. they all have the differentiation between single and double. Emptiness and Substance There is not only one method of beginning the practice of martial art. swaying 131 . Once you have zhaoxiang. the elbows. Let us just talk about the martial arts books of various sects nowadays. the more the learning of single and double-weightiness is getting buried. similar over-absorption of mind of like in fixed forms. This happens even if one comes cross the “wonder of single-weightiness”(15) by oneself. again he does not know what he has just used in this instant. the situation is extremely critical. however. one can only prove it by applying the natural ability of lively force. facing the life-and-death. that is like the vigor of a flag in the air. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recognizing the Abstract. (14) Containing implied or concealed strength. light and heavy. one should often change between being single-weighted and double-weighted. This is going too far. relaxed and tightened. But one should also avoid excessive agility: excessive agility will easily lead to speciosity. losing the ability of moving according to situation and frequent change. one still does not know what he will use. the farther you are from the approach of martial art science. insubstantial and substantial. (13) Zhaoxiang means being attached to some fixed form. without substance and also without figure. these people have to go the way of mechanical methods. and after the contact has been solved. the crotch or the big and small joints. Nowadays the pugilists mostly turn into absolute double-weightiness from being unilaterally single-weighted (inclination).” -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(11) It means the strength deviates. reaching the enemy before one knows”. When they have already met but have not yet touched. These ways of exertion are all like “watching it but cannot see any form”. and moreover their authors are the same people who hold to fixed forms. the knees. which means you also have onesidedness. form. because of not being able to appreciate it. students should remember it carefully. You should also do it in a continuous way. All their postures are really fantastic and disgusting. Even more. uncomfortable and the body deviates. “listening to it but cannot hear any sound”. and as a result.” Double-weightiness does not refer only to the area of the two feet. then one becomes scattered and confused. Insubstantial and Substantial. This is also no different than “double-weightiness”. one risks becoming easily taken advantage of by others.imbalance will literally cause zhaoxiang(13) and the force also will lose its ability to change by being misaligned with the body. the more time passes. such as during fali. the shoulders. The whole body must be stretched out loosely and be pliable and connotative (14). If you just consider its materiality. in a two-person duel. Equilibrium isn't stiffness. the whole wonder of its crystallization simply depends on the exertion of spirit. For example. If once formidable enemies are standing in great numbers. the myriad methods are all empty then made into real representations. undulating without fixed orientation. moving along length and breadth or forward and back according to its touch (with the water around it). comprehending little by little and then advancing. studying and nourishing this during ordinary times.” Be sure to keep in mind that in practice. (17) It means. even more. each one uses his own pretty and elegant technique of drawing. it is also like a fish in the waves. Anyway." How delicious these words are. Thus the fact that in creating a painting. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(16) It means “without doing” and letting things take their own course. and also estimating nihility within ens. The accomplishment of its crucial point and delight consists in invisibly being alike in spirit. tracing his solitary travel within heaven and earth. savour them carefully! Then naturally. to be joined inside and outside. Once one seeks quick results. disallow it to keep an object (in mind) and that gets rid of a whole lot of other things. The important point depends on practicing. in an attempt to seek reality in nihility. this is what they call “spirit and mind are enough. being able to do something obeying the nature. this is what is namely called “respond and unite with the atmosphere”. “to have doing” and being promising. but only responding to the power of the wind. "There is nothing else to seek if leaving oneself. then it is seeking nihility in reality. I am deal with them as if entering a place without anyone. thus you’ll just about be okay. form. between the four limbs and the body. being void and nimble and to keep silent. one must presume that outside three chi(18) and inside seven chi around oneself. Even an action with the slightest iota of force must be exact and coordinated with every tiny part. and the center of the crown of the head). Also it is even more important to develop the coordination of every tiny part. Do not allow your mind to be over absorbed and do not stop or break. one need not seek for the human body to be similar (in form). (18) 1 chi = 0. mind and force must become a whole unit. there are some gigantic enemies who are holding broadswords and broad hatchets and beasts of prey and wriggling vipers that are coming. and among all the rest. the hands 132 should never go out for nothingness and mind never return in vain. then the inner becomes empty and spirit will be lost.astatically.3 meter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 133 . all the academic theories are mostly similar. can be mentioned in the same breath. considering the intention to seek it. so how could one ever master the process of realizing it? Therefore. Actually. One should avoid operating facing towards a mirror during practice. and nerves must be unified. It really combines with Taoist school's and Buddhism’s wu-wei(16) and yet produces yu-wei(17). also the four centers must coincide (the centers of the palms. Again. soaking. respond with atmosphere. if one part moves all parts move. The important point rests with estimating the true within nihility. all are gained from the abstract. Anyway. the insubstantial and substantial need each other to become the Whole and the One (all-pervading). it isn't difficult to see the profundity of martial art science. the centers of the feet. for fear of once seeking to be similar in form. one must be slow in action and the spirit should be fast. It only relies on the seas of implicit spirit to move by watching the chance to act by responding to feelings. the center of the body. so that relaxation and tension at each point of force can be transmitted and used by each other. spirit. accumulating. then the entire course is skated over. While practicing. one must take zhanzhuang as the foundation at the beginning of the learning process. One should deal with such a scene of contending for life with an undaunted spirit. as persisting in oneself is never correct. so one must have the sense (instinct) of dealing combat all the time and anywhere. realizing. having methods also is empty. Formulas put into verse The ancients usually used the method of formulas put into verse. I bear in mind to investigate truth and nature. Let force growing naturally. Store up the spirit and keep silent. it is easy to approach. the main stress was on military issues. get back sight and listen to the inner. by realizing it you start to study shili(19). but with small changes. The mind hangs in the air. specially in editing the formulas put into verse and publishing them as follows to present to students. edifies temper. It was mostly lost in the present age. some people recommended the name of Great Achievement. By never setting up a method. (be ready to) respond to the infinite possibilities. do not regard it as a fanciful school. the appearance seems crazy and idiotic. quiet like a torpid dragon. The way of martial arts is very subtle. all methods are contained. to act as a teaching tool. first start with zhanzhuang. collecting all strong points. and force as if a rhinoceros is on the go. long and slender. faith and benevolence and courage. exercising the nerves. does not allow a whit of feather to adhere to it.General Principles This martial art is rooted in heart. It keeps the truth and changes one’s character. combat skill comes in second. immaterial as atmosphere. strong and vigorous as a dragon. so study of the art begin from there. Move like an angry tiger. force united with the universe. keep bending within proportion. exhale and inhale the fountain of spirit. breathing quietly. expression like a leopard in the fog. all is therein. As if rising high in the clouds. and realize the function (of the body). With the whole body supported equably. The whole body full with vacant and inspirational feelings. 134 135 . Tangible like running water. exert fine ability. in an improvisation without form. Let your spirit continuously feel as if drunk. Comfortably altered and extensively spread out. concentrating the spirit (as if) listening to fine rain. I wish to renew the ancient origin. so I am now going to imitate their intention. With an earnest will of advocating martial art science. It becomes absurd and away from the point. comity modest and courteous. The way of martial arts is based on heart. Keep anyone at a respectful distance. Gaining the center. and full of reasons of interest. If you want to know the essentiality of martial arts. martial art is originally without method. From the beginning. Cut off disturbance and get rid of mussy thoughts. The joints are like pulleys. The force of the crown of the head is flexible and unpredictable. regulate breathing to hear quietness and emptiness. the whole body imbued with opposite power. touch the enemy at high speed like electricity. drilling. the feet feel as if stepping in mud. As for talking about how to face an enemy attack. 137 . and be as majestic as a tiger looking around. Gaze forward like a hawk. you should estimate the right occasion for touching. Your body like a great furnace. Silently facing heaven. Do not forget and also do not pull out the seedling to make it grow faster. bold but cautious. Bend and follow the opponent and suddenly extend. and the condyles give rise to edges. The roadway is tread with the barycentre. While changing. shift naturally between void and solid. circulate power like the sea overflowing On the verge of breaking out. The spiral force is without form. When having practiced it for a long time. The force in the fingertips is like an electric discharge. To make brainwaves inwardly change. it is a subtle skill of the martial art way. burst effectively without staccato. hooking and grinding must work suitably together. the whole body being like a spring. the body soft as a bathing baby. Like a falcon touching down and a dragon diving. The expression of the two eyes is fixed and gathered. Accumulate power like a fully drawn bow. conjecturing the mind force. The body moves like a hill flying. the mind is purposeless. hairs straight up as halberds. but gradually get involved into profound scholarship. in relaxing and tensing do not slide or be stagnant. Muscles are full of power and as about to emit (force). Return to the infant stage to seek the sounds of nature. in the fulcrum the force is like rolled thread. steadily and exactly. simple things produce the beauty of nature. while contending (with an opponent). Be deliberate and willing to endure ferocity. wrapping. binding or crossing. must be done carefully. Circumgyrating. the body is as if being hanged by a rope. and you should step as an uneasy cat. Sharp or blunt. First one should make the force equal and whole. Muscles are as a startled snake. do not seek the queer things. like the convolutions of a whale swimming and spiraling. 136 Students. with the axis not tending toward inclination. let an empty spirit settle your mind. Freely move about like huge surging waves. The lower abdomen should be generally round. You need not expect anything but will naturally reach (the target). The force is relaxed but the mind must be firm. check deeply the opponent's intention. Whether cleaving. walking is as if the wind were carrying along a mat. the form is invisible. and the ears are listening inwardly and shut to the outside. edifying innumerable things.and be carefree and content like having a bath in warm water. spirit has many hints(20). The lively spirit exceeds that of a nimble ape. wise or stupid. move like a torpid dragon getting up. Keep peaceful as a virgin. the chest slightly restrained and collected. Movement and stillness nourish one another. and furthermore one should disallow all illusions. the head straight and the eyes upright. The expression of such melodious things depends on each people. for instance. Now I’m going to explain each stage below. After that are all sorts of principles. To sum up. At the same time. By natural. the hairs of the whole body should have the tendency of extending a lot and standing straight. 138 At the beginning of practice is jiben zhuang(22). If one wants to draw an analogy from metaphor. adjust breath. Zhong Yao’s and Zhang Xu's calligraphies. one should be quiet and void inside. Because it is a natural way of exercising. let us call it “swimming in the air”. face the vast sky silently. with regards Laozi’s. one should feel like a precious tree that is high in the clouds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Sequence of Training The basic training of this martial art is namely zhanzhuang. but the spirit must be genuine. it is also a sport that allows one to coordinate one's life. How can one reach these attainments? the answer is to be good at nourishing one’s noble spirit. the body's joints seem to have the meaning of bending a little. and realizing all things are being fused in the kiln. all is abstract. I mean that is an important means of physiology transforming. the body should be proper-looking and the crown of the head should be erect. one should regard the body as a great smelting furnace. if one achieves some progress by exercising it. Bangu’s and Sima Qian's ancient writings. mind should gaze far away. clean out distracting thoughts. to echo with atmosphere and the waves of relaxation and tension. like shili. one by one. one must first settle the frame of the whole body. shining as if a magic light at the crown of the head. make blood circulation unobstructed and make the muscles stretched and in harmonious proportion.Shout shaking heaven and earth. the inner mind shouldn’t wander outside and extrinsic thoughts mustn’t invade the inside. clear and bright. Next. While practicing it. Da Li’s and Wang Wei's paintings. imagination and realization. covering a small world. and the importance of the void and the solid rooting together. their abstruse wonder are very similar. the spirit should be strong and the force equal (throughout the body). which I guess it may most resemble. the hairs should bristle and the waist relax. it never causes the heart to beat irregularly. and decrease high blood pressure to become normal. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(19) Trial of force (20) It points Jiajie-using something unreal to produce real results. then all the muscles have not been exercised 139 . it can heighten hemoglobin in the case of anemia. In that way. the mood quiet and the breath gentle. It allows it to develop evenly and to work normally. no matter how one does it. then there is self-defense. There may not be the slightest reluctance. which’s because it is a natural activity by itself. and with wooden props below to support it. one should learn to feel the state of muscle cell excitation. relaxed and harmonious. shisheng(21). but if we want to draw an analogy. hanging from a rope. Zhuangzi’s and Buddha’s awakening ways. only the void spirit exists. But from the spiritual side. It really is the study of health preservation and how to be sturdy and beneficial to one's intelligence. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(21) To test voice. Wang Xizi’s. Its efficacy rests with the fact that it can exercise spirit. If one is exercising according to what is mentioned above. one should be aware that all cells are working naturally and simultaneously. and outwardly thoroughly remoulded. Zhanzhuang (pile-stance keeping) Zhanzhuang is namely the work of keeping a standing posture. and natural. and the inside and the outside of the whole body should be like surging and convoluting. to be conscious of one’s good abilities. so we must first feel the atmosphere. test the elasticity of the waves of air and the terrestrial centrifugal force. The 141 . Each joint forms an obtuse angle. naturally. One comes to understand force through Shili. Kaiheli (opening and closing force). It must achieve the state of being comfortable and full of strength. Be one integrated mass. yet at the same time. in order to recognize whether or not the entire force of the mind is 140 well rounded. and whether or not the mind force can become reality. hold the attitude of going when having to stop and stopping when having to go. in a natural way. In the beginning. Shili (Testing Force) When you have a good foundation in the above basic practices. or once the diaphragm tightens. let it never be broken and the spirit never be scattered. front and the back. the muscles empty and nimble. otherwise.(consciously) yet they have gotten exercised by themselves. However. good ability will gradually develop. By moving more precisely. shili or combat. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(22) Foundational pile-standing. as long as or once the breath is out of normal. it is then one can use it. only then we can say that one has gained the wonder of the martial arts. they will lose their relaxed and harmonious state with the slightest block of blood. and then Zhongsu (weighty and rapid). In practice. one should experience the resistance of the air. and that they absolutely do not neglect these things. use just the amount of force to respond it. one must remember that body and mind should never use force. begin to go and yet stop. and so on. that is just wrong. does it with the whole body. you should make your body evenly balanced and whole. and force wooden (stiff). the spirit will become more complete. so I hope students will practice carefully. its upside. no matter what you’re practicing. all is known via spiritual realization. moving minutely and following the feeling. too. Hidden within the power of the martial art. All joints of the body bend. Dingzhong (fixed in the centre or lingering). Luoxuan (helical). right. One should then continue further to learn Shili in order to realize the expression of all kinds of strength and really be able to use them. begin to stop and yet go. Shili is the way to acquire force (power). Slowness excels over quickness. and at the same time. the temperament also gradually changes along with it. none of these are forgotten or neglected. then respond to it little by little. all kinds of favorable abilities will be increasingly developed. and then. and all become wrong. which are to be tested. whether or not the whole body can feel and respond to the universal force (23). When practicing. There are especially no fixed triangles. All of these become known in a natural way from the practise of Shili. Tanli (springy force). and be overflowing with wonderful delight. use the hands to test it. spirit has not been nourished (consciously) yet it has gotten nourished by itself. all joints contain expansion. If one can realize this force. Next. zhanzhuang. What is called shrinking and extending reciprocate each other. As for the mind. Jingli (startling force). Anyway. whether or not the force of the mind can be shot out in response to feeling at anytime and anywhere. We want to respond with the universal force. The names of the kinds of force. the force you use will not overextend and will not be inadequate. Sanjiao (triangular). The whole body. and so spirit is broken. are very numerous. Chanmian (binding). and the whole body will feel entirely free from worry. Xiemian (inclined). furthermore. from inside to outside. underside. next gradually. This instinctive and natural force. Lunzhou (spindle). and if one is not relaxed then qi becomes sluggish. Chengbao (supporting embracing). left. the mind stops. and then all kinds of strength will also not be difficult to get. and moreover. is not coplanar. For instance there is Xuli (accumulating force). Practice it unvaryingly and you will naturally acquire its unimaginable wonder. Duoxing (inertial). and by knowing force. the bones and hairs should all be supportive and consolidated. Huache (pulley). Ganggan (lever). it is really not difficult to develop it bit by bit. Imagine a flow of air coming and going through all the pores. This practice is the most important and difficult work in martial arts. it absolutely does not rest with the form being good or bad and it especially does not rest with the postures being numerous or simple. and thus reaches the enemy before one realizes it.students may understand them by their own inner selves. You. then we again enter the doorway of methods and the whole becomes merely a slice. In this netting. ram straight ahead. However. all this means is that you have gained only some of the principles. On the other hand all the rest of the hairs and muscles extend. they all have an affiliated relationship. both turning back. is again. shoot out together. In action. it is difficult to 143 . To sum up. Within the area of 1 meter from the body. and relaxed or tense. shrink and turn. feel as if there are many swords and bows ready to shoot outwardly. It is impossible to be described by words. Therefore. as well as the proper insubstantiality and substantiality. all is harmonious. does not expect. yourself. the important reason for unifying the body. all forces are used by the spirit in tight concentration with the inside and outside contained congruously. But these should not show outwardly in the form and the force shouldn't be outside the body. Here one needn't think. if in action then be able to have suitable states of relaxation and tension.motion of the form is tiny. it seems the form is motionless. single movement 142 forward. I deeply find that all kinds of strength are produced when the whole body extends toward emptiness (in mind) and forgetting oneself. and the whole body inside and outside has the feeling of ball bearings and edges. As for the method of using force. triangular forces produce helical force. not easy to achieve except for a generalist master who has had plenty of experience in true combat. this whole body emptiness also results from gradual comprehension of the minute angle formations. again I find that all learning is contradictory. points. You now have the proper disposition to study martial arts. it is not easy to understand the principle. The spirit should collect inwardly and the bones should conceal their edges. one should feel as if protected by a layer of netting. only then you can truly understand it. without the whole body being able to discharge at random. be sure not to think that the path of learning martial arts has ended here. All forces result from the muscles moving and the imagination of the spirit working with each other. and especially should have profound and pure skill. The knack of getting the essence. lines. one may gain an instinctive state of liveliness. One should also have tiptop talent. and surfaces. This is not Yiquan. According to my experience. frontal attack or attack sidelong with any of the entire body's joints. Others. but the volution of all joints are rotating and never fixed. The important thing rests with how the spirit controls. it should be known that by holding a fixed form then the force is dissipated and without a fixed form then the spirit is assembled. or think about things but just makes it so. and how the inside and outside of the entire body work together. There also shouldn't be any broken connections and one especially shouldn't have the tendency of feeling light or heavy. No matter Shili or Fali. it is not easy to gain the essence. all these methods have the distinctions of being either early or late. If we talk about them individually. According to my experience in practicing and realizing martial arts for more than forty years. they are sinuous and never stop. whether single out. But then again. how the mind leads. then the result is a mechanical martial art with a fixed form and “broken body” (misaligned and fragmented body). the strength pithy and containing “listening” force in waiting for the feeling. are too numerous to talk about. Unite the contradictions and only then can there be a thorough understanding. such as imaginative metaphors of all kinds of endless forces. if not taught face to face and with the heart. so we will not discuss the matter . outstanding verve. Then gradually. If we talk about them separately. Therefore. In fact. Watching it outwardly. If you have really acquired the above kinds of forces in your own body. must experience it. light or heavy. traverse. so it need not be expatiated here. Just make use of their divisions and agreements. The points of force of the smallest extremes of the entire body should also avoid the action of discharging at random. but at the same time. one should keep the body relaxed and harmonious. whatever the form is. otherwise. maybe one can get its essence. However. Its original intention does not reside in communication. Yinbuda (stretching step strike). Just as our predecessors said: “Shisheng is like the root of a big musical instrument. inside and outside leading strike. Hualida (slippery force strike). front and back revolving strike. In the beginning. The talent of stillness begets unceasing action.achieve its wonder. then it will soon stop and it becomes a representation of impotence. resistance of the atmosphere. One should know a big action is not as good as a small action and a small action is not as good as stillness. this is a valuable thing. Guoda (swathing strike). This very speedy motion is similar to stillness. It is the skill of the voice turning inwardly. therefore. It is different with people who empty shouts in order to bulldoze others. Quanbuda (circling step strike). When it can be seen to be running. If the opponent’s action is rapid. then one has a base for combat. Shisheng (Testing Voice) Shisheng supplements Shili for its minute inadequacies. the foot.” It can not be described by words. if one can use them properly. when it turns very speedily can seem motionless. then test the state of the voice. Zhengbuda (full step strike). Tuibuda (retreating step strike). One should also train the habit of making the provision for issuing force in response to all opportunities at anytime and anyplace. Jieda (cutting strike). Juda (sawing strike). first train the hypogastrium to be substantial. Gouda (hooking strike). In practice. etc. leading the mind. one should make a sound. then we needn't be concerned about him. but for the people who hear it. What is called motionless motion is faster than motion.” “the mind stops but the spirit connects again. “the force stops but the mind doesn't stop. whole of the partial strike. buttocks to be firm. Its effectiveness rests with stimulating the cells work via sound waves. Anda (pressing strike). for example: gravitation. Fuda (whisking strike). each has a combat method. the head. For example. the knee. conjecture its meaning. the elbow. People's voices are different. Jianda (trampling strike). Cuoda (alternating strike). the crotch. Nianlida (viscidity force strike). the shoulder. Zhuanda (drilling strike). Gunlida (rolling force strike). it is clear that not everyman can deal with him. Its ingenious usage rests mainly with control of the nerves. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(23) It points the force of nature. hear the sound. Duda (blocking strike). the elastic power of breathing. a frightening feeling will suddenly be produced in all. Cuoda (twisting strike). The voice is like the sound of ramming a big bell in a glen. we should also research combat methods during peacetime. unilateralism of the whole strike. Zhilida (branched force strike). Shunbuda (sequence step strike). turn to silence. Cuida (destroying strike). Guada (hanging strike). a 144 stable pivot. we need not say that he has all kinds of force. Self-defense Self-defense is another name for combat. consider its principle. If the opponent is stiff and always presents his center of gravity. and changing the barycentre. the air in mouth shouldn't be spit out. route displacement.” the opportunity of the 145 . left and right leading strike. his body never fixed at a place and he is lively like a monkey. only the sounds of Shisheng are all the same. inclined forehand. it seems we still need to pass through the process. Just by his rapid actions. With all the above kinds of methods. Hengbuda (sidelong step strike). With reference to Tida (lifting strike). This is really because it is the voice and the force shooting out together. Boda (dispelling strike). top and underside coiling strike. Dieda (folding strike). the hand. Banbuda (half step strike). Motion and stillness are based upon each other’s usage. One should allow students to watch the teacher's mien during Shisheng. In this way. While doing Shisheng. Jinbuda (advancing step strike). and then gradually. The main point concealed within the insubstantial spirit is that the mind intent can be influenced in inexhaustible ways. front diagonal strike. a machine wheel or rotor. although it is not necessary to get to the bottom of the combative methods. wrapping. one should know the move of the mind taking in and sending out large quantities in a connotative way. and of the heavy and the solid. bagging and coiling. The exertion of spirit and mind: The important thing in Jijizhuang. As for the use of relaxation and tension. conjecturing the soft. pushing and holding are working one with each other. agile. the limbs connected. the force of the two arms is 70% holding and 30% supporting. the shoulders are supporting. the more he gets skilled and finds its wonder. as if the mountain forest were just going to collapse. being quiet and suddenly springing. they are third-rate skills. the chest shrink slightly. and it is less than one inch at its minimum. the back should be upright and the waist straight. pulling and spinning never stop. Front and back. the elbows are sidelong. Now let’s try again to explain the exertion of spirit. The head should be upright.Combat Pile Standing To compare Jijizhuang with the basic zhuang for health. then while moving one should be as an angry tiger searching the mountain. being far or near of the way. swinging and shaking. like coils of hundreds of overlapping lines. rolling. the lower abdomen should always be round. left and right. and. erecting and expanding. muscles contain strength. but still root on the same principle. and then one should be fearfully like having 147 146 . the spirit is able to react so slightly that even a sparrow would have difficulty to fly away. pushing. the whole body lively. rolling and turning. The variable distance between the hands and between the feet doesn’t exceed 1 chi (0. you can imagine having the force of being about to fly. one having the feeling of driving a mountain or the earth. but past equalizing. The step should be as the character "/ \". furthermore. the force being like the powder and the hands like the cannonball. screwing. and the mind being as a clever rhinoceros. the hairs standing as a forest. catch. the heels are lifting a little. all-in-all. the whole body keeps coordinated. and by riding its pulling force. the toes grasping the ground. and one should have the intention of extending and shrinking continuously. While Fali. wrapping. and the clever and wise person need not practice them. if one has not had practice in the field. the spirit being like a tiger in the fog. the two knees have force to support the body but also are pulling up. mind and force below. their spirit and form differ a little from one each other. then one should enter into it gradually. it still should be as the spring of a firearm. how to hold the posture. as gale rolling up a tree. The whole problem of martial art science is contained in the following: in daily practice. rasping. the tip centers pressing and shrinking.movement to start but yet not start. condyles produce edges. one should especially feel the muscles activating and poppling. the whole body is like the state of a snake about to change suddenly. it is also difficult to get them. The fingers stick arrisways. one should assume there is a tiger at one’s front and store up force to fight with one each other for subsistence. force is just equal. the nape erected. and the more one practice it. the joints of the upper side and of the lower side are twisting. whether the Fali is false or true. and then the whole body has the force of supporting. change in one each other without end. lifting up and dropping down. it is also the first principle. also one should feel urgent as if the body were about to be fired. the hairs are like halberds. in fine feather. one should have the spirit and the vigor of a torpid dragon which flies straight with the thunderbolts. one intends to contend with heaven and earth. Jijizhuang Method . and have the forces of supporting sidelong. equal and whole. although they are all partial. 30% of the weight of the body is divided on the front and 70% on the back. But. one should have the force of a strong horse running. and is also named dingbabu: it’s a bow step with the feet placed half like the Chinese character "ding" and half like "/ \". the universe force wave and what opportunity to use it. rests with the whole body being empty. turn outside and wrap inside. equal and whole. and screw to the left and to the right. this is the only way to learn combat in the beginning. of a dragon braying and gnawing. and all kinds of suggested striking methods. and force should always keep balanced.33 meter) at its maximum. not the unilateral one. and again by the deflective alternation between relaxation and tension one can test the suitability of Fali. you might as well release him safe. one should try to conjecture the deflection between the insubstantial and the substantial. then one should absolutely release him safe. and of course I’m speaking about the good natural force. In practice. Further more. Thus. to have the heart to. from the equal and whole force at a point. in preparing the defense and attack of some spots. and duel has no morality neither justice. and one should especially pay attention to the point that one wants to hit with Fali. it is important to make him fear your power but also appreciate your virtue. and one should pay attention first to morality and justice. In the end of the Qing dynasty. then you can hit him. namely.the valor of someone assisted by God. once the spirit and mind meet one each other. namely is bevel. by carefully and quietly considering it. This points to a Roland for an Oliver. Wang Guowei had ever said: "Every person who succeed in his career should go through three kinds of states”. Were it not for experience. words should be guided by affability. nothing can run away. and a heavy snow purging the vegetation. scholar Mr. and like this. and the physiology acts on the mentality. most of this force has to be gained by Shili. ruthlessness. Before the contest. actions should be inspired by manners. and then become the skill. like the thunderbolt sparks. Holding such decision. I name this spirit and mind motion as "hypervelocity motion". one should all the more hold to the six words knack: "to be willing to. it is very different from duel. one should especially observe how the opponent's ability is. If you can't hit your opponent. one will never know that disordered and daredevil hits can be availability and vulnerability (to the opponent) too. in the spirit one “should do them really. the virtue of martial arts will be coming back. and comparing their skills. if we’re talking about it from the point of view of fellows visiting each other. exerting forces is the more important issue. so they reflect each other. And. you may not be without victory naturally. but if the opponent is inferior in skill. Talk about the states of Zhanzhuang (pile standing) By practicing zhuang. lest should come into the shadow of a shade”. only if you can kill the enemy by one punch. and contest is friendly and for research and discussion purpose. if that’s as six to one. and one shouldn't absolutely be overbearing and manic to harm the harmony and concinnity. one must never shoot at random. How exerting the forces: If we except the question of spirit and mind. you should know that solid place is just a kind of weakness. one should realize and learn something from that. Indeed it is the clinking glory of our martial art way. So. you shouldn't hit naturally. as the traditional way can live forever. then it is contest. I have a deep expectation of that. however. but hit the solid place. The frontispiece turns a little. which again go out by all hairs of the body as if to ask the way. bevel counterpunch can push (your opponent) flat. If we're talking 148 about martial art from the point of view of fighting for life. and even more. and nicety". What is called state. so one should see carefully who is the opponent before to do that. everything you meet. again by suitable Fali. Practice diligently and research by all your best. and be determined to perish together with the enemy. then. one should be without deflection in any part by seeking the equal and whole strength. The 149 . So. using the spirit wind around and at the edge of the wave spring force. one should assume first a courteous attitude. just as having a tight encirclement. is the mentation and physiological state in practicing zhuang. then it is duel. The above texts are mostly abstract. (and hit) the hinge place where the void and the solid are exchanging. and so. Now. one should be also as if dealing with a formidable enemy momentarily. steadiness. Therefore. carefulness. nothing can explain its amazingly quick launching. In the future. Take sight at the void place you don't hit. one should come through three kinds of states: at each stage. one could expect to get the ability expressed by the word of “on the verge of breaking out”. expressing that its speed is quicker than any velocity. Therefore. The mentality acts on the physiology. "The spirit dignified and the mind quiet". The above fixed numbers of years I mentioned are all according to my own experience. the body as if being filled with lead. and one will feel the whole body as a ingot. so students. and that person is here like in a waning lamplight. In that case. but their outside are comparatively difficult and slow to get this feeling. the muscles as one. hereat. The third is: “to have been seeking her for thousands times in the public. and one will have the feeling of being as if being filled with lead marbles. then one will feel the waist and the spine getting the feeling of expanding. talking about it according to the mentality point of view is called "to look back". all depend on one's inherence and skills. the body becomes peak and pine for the career”. Student should have a conviction without any doubt. If one has been practicing Zhuang for a long time. Thus. Talking about it according to the physiology angle. the feeling of the arms spreads to the buttocks and 150 the lower abdomen little by little. Thus. by persevering in practice during one hundred of days. and that only this one can give the best (25). then one will feel the limbs expanding. the hands and feet being heated. the qualification for martial art is prepared. suddenly. This namely.first is “the clothes and waistband being are getting loose (24) little by little but one should never regret. When one attains this state. talking about it according to the mentality point of view is called "to look the end of the skyline road". what was practiced in accidence namely is the positive result. to turn the head. Looking back again. hereat. The second state of Zhanzhuang. then once one acts one just feel full of wonder naturally. or the physiology makes some side effect on the mentality… Anyhow. but cannot discern any clear effect. however. the west wind withered the green trees. The second is: “last night. Zeng Guofan had ever said: “To accomplish the career. The first state of Zhanzhuang. and one should also seek help from a wise person. talking about it according to the mentality point of view is called "never regret". then one will feel full of nature delight. one will feel that the two ears are expanding. the inherence acts as 30%. whether there isn't an incorrect posture. by persevering in practice during three or four years. The third state of Zhanzhuang. be encouraged by it. maybe the mentality makes some side effect on the physiology. When one attains this state. then one will have the feelings. Talking about it according to the physiology angle. and the force that is issued then begins to be equal and whole. both the inside and outside of the limbs should have the feeling of being filled with lead marbles? and expanding. and looking the end of the skyline road". and one feels as if a big rock were pressing the calvaria. so you can consider to have gain something then: once one attains this state. is the result achieved by the head held upright and the neck erects in practicing zhuang. walking as stepping in the mud. At the same time. by persevering in practice for five or six years. the body will be moving as if riding a billow. Anyway. walking up the tower lonely. there must be a problem. the brow and the nose feel as if there were something moving inside. all are nature. the waist and spine will be massive like that of a cattle. the hairs are as if flying. it behoove us to throw them away in the ravine and we needn't to cherish them. As for students. all are like the shabby shoes. the feeling of the limbs is grown day by day. the instinctive livingness is like a snake. the force he issued still is the mechanical force of the limbs instead of that from the waist and the spine." Practicing martial arts should also be like this. some may need a little shorter. The insides of the limbs are easy and quick to get this feeling. Mr. Talking about it according to the physiology angle. This isn't empty words. and have the volition that can't be wobbled by one hundred of cattle. the neck is upright as if suspended by the crown on a big rope. This feeling will go through the anus and genitalia. However. every method which has been practiced during ten years. don't consider yourself to be 151 . some may need a little longer. the scalp is swelling. once one will lift his hands then one will produce sharp edges. then one can begin to learn the skills. the diligence occupies 70”. by persevering in practice for about ten years. one should check one’s own body. filliping or waving hand. one will believe that the wonder of all martial arts is included in this martial art and not in the others. and only then he reconstruct some moves of health dance. then the inner strength will be prepared. According to my experience. namely. then we can talk about martial art. I had written a poem with the title "the appearance of dance": The body moving with brandishing wave dance. The muscles contain strength. it was the health preservation and combat method of that time. What is martial art? Martial art is the force coming into play vigorously. only about ten persons who could be said to have got the wonder of the health dance. one should alternate different postures. but most scholars also practiced it. so I have ever taught it to my students again.always right. Talk about four forms Practicing zhuang achieves the state of "the whole body as a casting". That dance is only swinging the limbs. and in some sort. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(26) A place in the middle part of Anhui Province. the spirit being kept and the bones producing edges. The latter-day martial artist Mr. just work out the postures according to each person). On an occasion of the northern expedition (A. it is difficult to dance out the appearance. "white crane" and "frightened snake" about which were talked in the poem are all martial art patterns. During Sui and Tang dynasty (A. Just this way of doing allows a fine-tuning of the physiology. then it is partial. the sitting postures. it was mostly lost later. and then get his teaching. having the ability of "the whole body as a casting". In former days. "the body as if being filled with lead. in the zhuang practice one should avoid by all means to always practice one only posture. to get its effect in combat. get the intendment of the health dance. The time of practicing zhuang per day should account for two parts out three of the whole training time. Huang Muqiao based on his experience of researching martial arts for many years. Wind and cloud emit the splendid moon.D. so that I could meet Mr. If one is always practicing one fixed posture. is what they called: the "Health dance" or the "Martial dance". otherwise. Huang Muqiao. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ making detours as a snake being frightened. the mind force traveling on the water surface. but it is a betweenness only instead of the final proper manner. I had said: “the strength should be sought in the body. so. At the same time. also namely. then the four forms are 153 152 . "the body as if being filled by lead. if you want to handle one' particular case by zhuang. The dance reproducing these martial art patterns. (25) It sounds a little like sectarianism.581-907). -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(24) It means one becomes thin. Those "brandishing wave". Health dance had ever been quite prevalent. it isn’t partial methods. and the lying postures.D. the standing postures and lying postures should be persevered in especially. 1926)." "the muscles as one" and "the hairs as halberds". be careful! Be careful! Again. so. "cruising dragon ". As the precondition of being able to practice the health dance one just should achieve the state of the "four as". although each zhuang can cultivate the inner strength. the heroic spirit run through the long rainbow. each zhuang has its own particular effect (therefore. thus it is suitable. and use the third one to do shili (testing force). Practicing zhuang to the state of "four as". the force shake out of the body”. Not only warriors practiced it." "the muscles as one" and "the hairs (shot up) as halberds". one should also distinguish between the standing postures. Due to zhuang is the basic exercise of Yiquan. students. and conjectured from the dance postures of the persons in Dunhuang fresco and figurines. looked from the point of view of martial art. But concerning how to break out this inner strength to become an outside force. alternate them every day. be cautious about this! It is suitable to practice zhuang for an hour to one and half an hour per day. Thus. I dare not to keep the secret by myself. I traveled to Huainan(26). As a cruising dragon or a white crane playing. but among them. In practice. the fingers are always pointing the opponent's mouth and nose. supporting and holding. even the thumb should also bend and store up the force to point the same direction with the other four fingers. disparting and thrusting. as if lacerate something. his body will detect it and respond automatically to slip it. The forces should break out all in a flash. or outside martial arts.the most proper modality. This is the meaning of “the hands pointing and the claws holding namely. the trick rests with the shoulders and the crotch writhing. the fingers should be detached. like Taiji quan. Therefore. Not only the forefinger. the body hasn't a fixed posture. all should bend and store up (force). and then one can be agile to overmaster the enemy. every action need jiajie(32). (29) As if shouldering something. you should try your best to control the opponent's midline. and the weights 30% and 70% on each of the two feet are changing each other. One should also have the wonder of clasping. in practice. While fighting with an opponent. The two arms in action are never allowed to lose the force of swathing. the palms should be concave. Furthermore. (31) It means that the hands are storing up power. by sitting down the crotch and sending out the knees then you just have strength. If (you act) quickly. In this time. even a mosquito or a fly can't fall on the body(28). while using. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(27) As if holding a bowl adown by palm. the three tips should keep harmonious. and leave the traces. one should always set up an imaginary enemy. the shoulders and crotch writhing should again be powered by the waist and the spinal column. footwork should not yield an inch. (30) Contain Zhengli (contending force). therefore. storing up the force to fight against him. the knees should be sent out. while using this. in practice. rolling. To control the opponent's midline is also namely to protect your own midline being out of trespassing. forking. grinding. middle finger. this just is the wonder of the fingers bended and the wrists screwed. even if a hairlike thing. By being merciless then one can defeat the enemy. the top of the fingers may have the feeling of passing through electricity. wants to touch his body. the four centers homologized. This palm skill is thoroughly dissimilar with what they called internal martial arts. The four forms dance should be according to the principle of "the form bended and the force straight". The ten fingers disallow to be stiffened. or by making the frontal foot as the back foot. you just have the 154 ability of sword. the elbows should be transverse (30). The hands are pointing and the wrists screwing. if you attack an enemy. if (you act) slowly. the body moves following the mind. and use your step to contend for the enemy's place. If desire the hands pointing and the claws holding then the wrists disallow arched and sinked. therefore. The feet haven't a fixed place. as if struggle to get free from binding. malevolence is the best tactic. The two feet in advancing or retreating are never allowed to lose the ability of sword. one should feel his whole body as if meeting a substance. disparting and thrusting. the empty and the solid evolve in one each other. While in action. disallow slack. disallow afloat. the front and the back are alternating. no matter whether a single hand or double hands rise to dance. the fingers bending and the claws holding (27). one must screw the wrists. thus one just can defeat persisting by no persisting. third finger and little finger all point the enemy. rolling. because the methods are produced following the mind. if one’s 155 (28) It . the waist and the spinal column should sway and turn like an axis. like a mosquito or a fly. like Shaolin. because the force breaks out following the mind. then the two arms just have the force of swathing. I persist in nothing. making him also completely unable to catch anything. The shoulders should be sustainable (29). contracting and resisting. The crotch should sit down. giving a menace to your enemy. either by making the back foot as the frontal foot. The two feet should be shifting as if moving in mud or snow. forking. means one is very keen. don’t arch and sink. supporting and holding. the hands leave the traces (31). namely. be in one integrated mass. While the body is standing. the muscles as one and the hairs as halberds". This gravitation wave just is the requirement in combat. The gravity of the body. this is what I called "borrowing force". is what I called the "perfectly round contending force". one should also pay attention to use the law of unity between the opposites. and you shouldn't lose the state of the "four as". this namely is called the "contending force with the earth". shrinking. At the same time. The air resistance. you just have the dance movements and postures of “brandishing wave”. the two arms are lifting synchronously. this is what I called "to echo with the atmosphere". the whole body should never allow to lose the feeling of "the whole body as a casting. however. and while the two arms are pressing down. all actions will be incorrect. sinking. the body's force will not be true. "the shout rides the whirlwind". holding and lifting. this namely. In practice. about the out force and the inner strength of the body. but one should seek it in immobility. Thus. otherwise. to get the avail of combat. By this token. What is called "mind never being broken. the two arms are in tandem.action is without jiajie. the body is raising up. the whole body just being like a wave force. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(32) Using something unreal to produce real results. Namely. But nevertheless posture is the representation of form. the wonder of their action all depends on the breath elasticity. recurring to the force of the two arms round support. While doing this. pulling up and down reversely to elongate oneself. the body as if being filled by lead. the gravitation potential energy translate into kinetic energy. consists in the whole muscle’s pull in the state of the "four as". In practice. The opponent's force in fight. and never lose the state of the "four as". 4. however. we said: "The movement of immobility just is the living movement". Therefore. Physiology acts on psychology. If every action can follow the laws of dynamics. The out force of the body is of four sorts: 1. however. 3. do not forget and do not lose it". thus. this is what I depicted as "being about to pull out the ground to fly". Its embodiment then consists in using the forces of extending. thus. and therefore. The body's inner strength. If you want to get the real avail of martial art. I name them together as the "universe contending 156 Brandishing wave This pattern should be according to the principle of "the form flexible and the force straight". that’s just wrong. the body is sitting down. namely. the force unites with the universe". you should also make the postures be correct. whether it be beautiful or not. spirit never being scattered. force". The diaphragm power. never disobey the laws of physiology dynamics. pulling reversely up and down produces the longitudinal wave force. to make it be able to break out to become an out force at any time and any where. raising. the real skill of Yiquan isn't gained from moving. it is called the "gravitation wave". the two feet immobile. don't seek to make the posture stand or fall. The ground support force and its counterforce. If the left hand is in front then put out 157 . Now. also namely. the dance just has the state of “full of natural wonder”. therefore. Therefore. once the diaphragm tightens. in practice. this just is the health preservation meaning of the health dance. then a big action will be right and a small one right too. you should make the perfectly round contending force and the universe force being on the rhythm. So we say "expire and inspire the fountain of spirit. we seek whether it is comfortable only. this is what I called the "breath elasticity". 2. I’m going to explain the four forms respectively: Practicing the four forms is a directional training to the inner strength. These forces. also is a kind of body's inner strength. so students should care about it. namely. the gravitation potential energy of the body translates into kinetic energy. the body and the two arms are doing the undulant movement up and down in contrary directions at the same time. pressing. it makes the longitudinal wave secretly carrying transverse waves. Therefore. Brandishing Wave and Cruising Dragon. changing each other without end. the dragon just is the billows. and the forces of opening and closing by transverse wave. the billows move just is the dragon goes. the two arms draw arcs from outside to inside alternately. this namely. while it is going to be distorted. opening and closing at the two flank fronts of the body. being about to float but sinking again. pressing. shrinking. shutting. all with wave and billows. extending. Therefore. springing. pressing and raising up and down. nod to its fall. the dragon goes just is the billows move. low then shrink the body". stroking. if low. shocking and bursting. the two hands running an elliptic path. Wave needs elasticity mainly. dividing. if you pronate then it is very deep. the action scope of two arms should be big a little. make him has the feeling of facing an abysm. turning. The image is like a dragon swimming in the sea. if the left arm raises up first then stride out the left foot. again should have the body that if you raise it then it is very high. In action. the fingers don't over the calvaria. you still need to make use of the gravitation wave to issue the forces of lifting. and relax. or one part of enemy's body acts on this place. advance and retreat. when it acts on the enemy's body and to be hindered. This burst force just is the requirement of martial art. still shouldn't lose the state of the "four as". tense. this is what I called "storing up. White crane This pattern should still according to the principle of "the form flexible and the force straight". the two arms should have the forces of 158 159 . But its embodiment then is using the forces of embracing. boring. in practicing this form. These two patterns. tense. is storing up. Cruising dragon This pattern should still be according to the principle of "the form flexible and the force straight". high and low. In drawing arcs. often floats and holds the billows and raise waves at the surface. The two arms are cooperating with the body. wrapping and screwing. pressing. This just is the method of "high then raise the body. the right arm raises up first then stride out the right foot. to strengthen the intensity of the bursting force in straightaway shot. thrusting. shutting. this spring force breaks out to be burst force immediately. Every bending part of my body. one should grasp the degree of tightness of the force wave. if this is the right hand that is in front. stroking.the left foot. use each other. springing. still shouldn't lose the state of the "four as". tense to shoot out the force. pulling reversely and elongate oneself. if the opponent comes highly then I am high to do it. and then the working of this pattern is the same as brandishing wave. this elasticity should break out to be a blast force as soon as it meets something. my this bending part produces a resistance at once to stop the distortion. shocking and bursting" namely. hacking. then put out the right foot. so this form is also named “a divine tortoise swims out the water”. in using them. Practice Brandishing Wave and Cruising Dragon these two patterns. but then its embodiment consists in using the forces of lifting. falling deeper and deeper. Relax to store up the strength. opening and closing. The difference rests with the two arms running an elliptic path by the forces of lifting. the fingers don't lower than the navel. the spring force is proportional to the elongation quantity (or the recovery quantity) of my bending part. Left and right are advancing and retreating. If high. the billows just is the dragon. If the opponent comes lowly then I am low to do it. are all using the gravitation wave to get the effect of martial art. Longitudinal and transverse. dividing. The two arms cooperate with the body to pull reversely up and down. make him has the feeling of being high up in the air and agravic. One should produce the forces of lifting and pressing by longitudinal wave. This pattern's image is just as a tortoise swimming out the water. raising. feel too high to reach. relax. opening and closing. Must know in the allowable elongation that my bending part can flex freely. pressing. head back stick) are all changed out from this pattern. Zhuang Zi said: "The thing which makes substance isn't substance. then I wrap his force. Advance the right foot. wrapping and screwing. But its embodiment then is using the forces of raising. one should still make use of the spring force of the bending parts to break out the forces of raising. If the opponent (two hands) come out together. lengthways then let pass his force”. or embracing. taking in or sending out. thrusting. The wonder of this pattern also rests with raise the foot to override the enemy. I. Front. chest front stick. the opponent advances solely. the strength issued from the hands. in practice. swinging and lifting. or pulling. back. still shouldn't lose the state of the "four as". In doing. or boring. The action of this pattern is the same with white crane. in practice. supporting. the image just is as a frightened snake runs suddenly. supporting. isn't substance itself. stretching out. and don't fall high than the enemy's chest. This namely is the method of "transverse then wrap his force. If the left arm raises first. the left arm draws arc under the right arm. should grasp the quantity of elongation and recovery. if your are going to retract it. two arms continual use by turns. it is stamping in fact. then must retract it. White crane and frightened snake these two patterns are all using elasticity to get the effect of martial art. In action. unparalleled fearfulness. If you are going to extend it. left and right change each other without end. holding. also can break out to be bursting force by the form of A talk on the philosophical justification of Yiquan With regard to the philosophical justification of Yiquan.embracing. Therefore. Practicing white crane and frightened snake two patterns again should know white crane can override transverse (enemy). or wrapping. or raising. two feet use together. the spring force which is produced by the arms' bending parts turning. or hacking. according to different imaginations and jiajie. elongation and recovery should make the whole body as a spring. supporting. what I called bending spring force can break out to be bursting force by the form of raising. the right arm draws arc to outside. boring. the force break out should be one sound. After collation. fall the foot." This means what makes substance become a substance. or trampling. holding. holding. sending out. being about to fly. make him be circumvolved and pull out his root. the image just like a white crane breaks through. at the same time. if you stride out the left foot then raise the left arm. extend to shoot out force. Don't rise high than the knee of own solid leg. then must extend it. one should according to different imaginations and jiajie. Raise the knee. Only use the break-out force. Frightened Snake This pattern should still according to the principle of "the form flexible and the force straight". stamping. this pattern of falling the foot isn't kick. shocking and bursting". and will only put it forward in the form of a philosophical proposition. frightened snake can nip lengthways (enemy). sending out. turning. wrapping and trampling) and three sticks (over shoulder stick. stamping. or thrusting to break out to be bursting force. raising. swinging and lifting. springing. taking in. or screwing. Yiquan asserts that all forces are the 161 160 . The "three fists and one foot" of Yiquan just are changed out from this pattern. swinging or lifting. treading. make a detour left and right it flashes sword light. then I let his force pass. Therefore. retract to store up the strength. I hesitate to write too much. hacking. at the same time. stamping. then the left foot raises broadwise and falls broadwise. let him exhaust the force and pronate ahead. taking in. the right arm draws arc from outside to inside under the left arm. draws arc from inside to outside. This spring force should break out to be bursting force as soon as meet an object. What they called three fists (drilling. these white crane and frightened snake two patterns also are exerting "storing up. it is not difficult to see the real aspect of Yiquan in a natural way. Wang Shouren said: "It is really like water flowing to a humid place and fire coming near a dry 162 place. it is too far from that things. but using fixed methods is also persisting. it is the tool to make a living by the unworthy pugs." V. instead return to the appearance when I haven't yet been born." Therefore." Yiquan asserts that "all kinds of strength are produced by the whole body extending to the point of being inane (in mind) and forgetting oneself. however. II. what makes force become force isn't force. "I never persist and make the opponent also have nothing to persist." Again it is said: "don't think kindness. and has the spirit of religiousness and try his best to practice." Not only resisting and using force are considered persisting. what they called "doing something" and "movement" just are shili and fali. it is still difficult to investigate its end. The theory of "birth and destruction". VI. III. acts recklessly and tangly hits. but also has a good many disturbances to the nerves. It also can be said that force isn't force." Yiquan then asserts: "never set up a method. you will know that my words are not erroneous naturally. it will harm all the body's good abilities. how could you have the time to think? If you see it with your eyes first. wood. Talk about quantao(33) and method The profoundness of martial art is inexhaustible. it points that cause of the need of polity and demos. that is namely the real image. fire and soil to be used. Defeat persisting without persisting. maybe he won't be defeated. and fabricated it absurdly. From Qing dynasty three hundred years on. then he is sure to be defeated. and has practiced for lifetime." This isn't a derogatory term. the antinomy and unification of the acting force and counterforce. Yiquan attaches importance to zhanzhuang and is also the meaning of "inaction." Yiquan asserts. I'm afraid that even if a little child also is difficult to believe it completely. Zen has another idiom: "without method and without persisting. and then react to deal with the enemy. even if the student is zenithal clever. but spirit and mind. body and mind. don't think badness. had brought forward the theory of "cause good cognition. Lao Zi said: "Keep inaction then all things can be done naturally. some ignorant people misused it. it is hard to write out all of them. to open up metal. then think of it in your mind again. quantao and method. IV. without persisting to defeat persisting. "force has two kinds." In former days. Person who really wants to study martial arts. teach people to "seek reality in nihility and exert it in emptiness." In a fight. if one doesn't use method and quantao. the principle of health. namely." Yiquan asserts "the action of doing something proceeds from inaction" and "the movement of immobility is just the living action.concourse of spirit. For combat. what is called artificial martial art shelf. two can then be one. so that it 163 . The Ming dynasty scholar. however. water. and has many more harms." What they called "inaction" and "immobility" just are zhanzhuang in Yiquan. refers to Hong Huan five elements. the mothers of birth and destruction"." Yiquan asserts the theory of "develop good ability"." The appearance when I haven't yet been born is namely "emptiness and nihility." namely. Zen has a saying: "all methods are empty. it is used by the common laymen to perform. people who practicing this is short of wisdom and insight. In other words. Later. In <Han Shu>(35). Who does believe it? You may ask it to the person who has the experience of fight. Wang Shouren. therefore. then we needn't talk about these at all. if use it in case. then is especially absurd." The trend is just so. for the mission of martial arts. As for the theory of "The five elements. then how will he have free time to practice this? It is not only used for nothing. Lao Zi said: "Reversal is the movement of Tao. What is called "contradictory and fractured should be unified". This is just the quiddity why Yiquan is called Yiquan (mind martial art). Furthermore. it is especially improper for application (34). someone presented Yiquan as "the static qigong of ancient Taoism. it is hard to avoid being defeated. At a flash of fight. It is just as engineer compares with a little ironsmith. Everyone. I hope comrades think it again and again. that things with involute forms and postures are empty of essentiality. substantial and insubstantial of long or short. Even if one has pure and solid skills. and expect to awaken fellowmen. (35) History of the Former Han Dynasty (B. not only martial art. this is the tricksters talk at random merely. even if we tell them the truth. otherwise. What is called method. what he has learnt all are preparing methods and prescriptions. again. Talk about the relation between martial art and enginery The ancients said: "martial art succeeded then the enginery accomplished. once there are method. Since quantao and method are no good and harmful. and the instructors even use quantao and method to cheat people. I sighs for the nowaday students. this is just like disturbing the great Tao by the theory of bad elements. all are sinner of martial art science.c.D. but he is also attending to draff and neglect of essentials in the end. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(33) A series of skills and tricks in martial art. unilateral and stark method. it is the method of elements and principle. it will never be end. I fling caution to the winds. don't be perverse any more. to the inner power of all kinds of forces. I really cannot bear to discern the humankind goes astray to catastrophe but don't save. it is really pitiful. sidelong or full-face. and it is held by an expert of this enginery. who takes quantao and method as martial art. can't be mentioned in the same breath. given directions a little. one by one. and do it with perseverance and willpower. sword and wand etc. why? Because these people are dotty in wisdom and knowledge mostly. the mothers of birth and destruction". it is contranatural. however. (34) To use it in true combat. the function of three segments and nine sections. In most cases. there is no place to use his skill. the bend of subsections. even if have the ideal of studying carefully. to correct their mistakes. all kinds of enginery. to wait the sufferers. and the sufferers should sicken according to his prescriptions. the rather that people who don't know what thing martial art is? Therefore. also can be said that all are methods. swear to point out their evildoing. If you can get the truth of martial art. the force also is not true. therefore. the profound learning are all in simple form but their meanings are numerous.206 -.25). not the side. direction and height of the route. I feel all learning are also misshapen developing. believes confirmedly.evolved to now what they called the theory of "five elements. it isn't manful and sudden. the spirit just is inconsistent. or doctor compares with a nurse. spear. how are the fixed posture methods not fabricated by people? All are not the principle of martial art and the learning of exerting instinct. the whole body can't be unified. Alas. don't practice arms only". One should know martial art science hasn't method at all.A. even if being aware they are also difficult to practice. the chance and duration of touch. I explain and discuss it again and again. labor under without the gate to pass through. furthermore. therefore they are curious and like strange things mostly. depend on this to kill time and convenient for make a living. the action is on the loose. therefore. however. not only martial art is such. it is no doubt. Even if you meet an enginery which never been seen or heard before. practice the side methods. how the students can read this? People know that quantao is spurious mostly. can really understand. all will be versed. why are there still never devoid of those teachers and students. The practitioners all use quantao and method to dazzle and flaunt. they are also difficult to aware. leave errors by own error. I do not spare the gain and knowledge based on my realizing experience for many years. just as a quackishness. then whatever falchion. he still can't compare with you. Talk about Dianxue(36) 165 . teary and 164 hateful. his power exceed 1000 jin (500 kilograms). someone says to hit at a selected point. Even if luckily once in a while. however. but their truth are numerous and difficult. knight-errant. sometime can hit. Free from mysticism There are often some talentless and short learning people. they specialize a pure skill. All things like that. can't exemplify martial art learning. if really thus. They hardly realize the talking of mystery is absurd at all. again check up on time in addition. they have been taught by someone. causing internal injury. even if hit the certain point luckily. these are even lower. As for talking about leap onto roofs and vault over walls. One must know a stature of two meters and the power exceed 500 kilograms. jump back two meters. what they talk about are all wrong. can be said abounding in gifts of nature only. otherwise. they are what is called dronish charlatan. someone says to hit in a certain time. If one is deep in training. needless to say the fixed point is not easy to be hit. however. they are some partial skills of fool only. then they can do nothing. however. Don't hit at selected point intentionally. and have taken a more advanced course of the training. practice is more difficult. If one has gained the true power of martial art. walk on swords and spears. Hearing their occult saying. it is still no any effect. they always produce a mystery thought. he will know it clearly naturally. just take for mystery. they all can't be regarded with martial art science. and will walk into the way of disabled person. it is not worth of a talk. Again say one can strike off a big whetstone by one punch. get the truth of martial art science. people all takes for especial phenomenon. and won't doubt there are any other things. if they meet an all-round master. As for 166 Explanation of understanding and doing The important thing of learning. it is hard to avoid deceiving oneself as well as others in the end. they dispute numerously and endlessly. 167 . or things do not have being difficult or easy essentially. and he has experience and extensive knowledge. people who are less identification. even any point also is very difficult to be hit. break stone. one has a stature of two meters. although it is partial. how does martial art science like this only? The difference between inherence and learning People often say. most people inferior to them. each time they meet the thing which is profound in reason. then any part of two flanks or the chest. these are all dreamed and faked by fictionists. watching their function. even if let him jab discretionarily also without the place to use his skill. is it away from the right path more and more? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(36) Hit at certain point. he is very brave can't be blocked off. can be dismissed with a laugh only. but the place be hit none is not point. while meeting something. Don't talk about this for the moment. say flubdub and gulf mostly. full of lies. hearing that make one weary. some say understanding and practice are syncretic. if one hasn't the essential ability of martial art.People all think the theory of dianxue is wonderful. once it is hit by him that can cause death immediately. therefore. if only some points can be hit. one should can practice and also can understand. split off eight bricks and jump ahead three meters. they can't appreciate it and hold loose. People some say understanding is difficult and practice is easy. To sum up. their humanness is loyal. it is produced due to lack wisdom and learning. The names of understanding and doing are simple. just think that a man can't do this. then you have been defeated by your opponent already. nip and tuck. if only study somewhere is point. some say understanding is difficult. rests with understanding and doing. what talked above. If two persons fight. less identification ability and haven't been proficient in realization. deceive people all ages without distinguish? I examined that martial arts were very simple in the first instance. there are often someone at childhood who can be brought up. from simple to numerous. Otherwise. Furthermore. but one should be able to understand then can practice. since it counts for so much. Follow this. all careers depend on it. the severer harm you get. one should understand the truth chiefly. who has world-renowned already. be able to practice and also can understand. one has how much understanding or practice.The above talk. what is called man who follows like sheep just points this. writing or any other arts. It because guided by a bad teaching. how can know the senior and with deep skills one. The consistent truth of being needed each other and promote each other. even more. but because limited by knowledge. should be gotten from the body and mind healthy. No matter what studying. also has considerable effect. echo what others say. breaching the physiological elements and principle. toleration and happiness also should be in good health. Because this way should come true two opponents meet each other momentary. Ill health won’t have enough spirit absolutely. If from numerous to simple then it seems ok. although he is easy in understanding. sciences are all so. each has its truth. I think if one has deep experience and skill in learning. lucubrate carelessly. is improbable to be brought up. 168 then he will also never get realization. understanding to what extent just is real understanding and real practice? Then I really dare not to clinch an argument. the outside and inside assist each other. what a pity! One should know technique is the door of practice only. then became miscellaneous gradually. they can't make people clearly understand thoroughly. then it is not good. then should practice. Altruism is our vocation. therefore. who can be said understanding is difficult and practice is easy. if you don't understand the truth first. study what others study. every ill health person is small tolerance and in a bad temper mostly. it is impossible to have the time of real understanding. they still can't be exempted to study. Why the Martial Art Science had been lost The important thing of martial art practice has three principles: one is health preservation. lay down one's life for a just cause". There are 169 . these things can be found everywhere. but all of all. If one practice but without effect. and also not difficult in practice. if one hasn't force and skill. if falling short of spirit one will never have the story which move one to praises and tears. and also should let them understand truth. it disallows hackneyed and stereotyped expressions. Improving one's health is the root of life. again lack wisdom and knowledge. His life at a loss. the deeper effort you do. he can't explain why it is. for the moment we need not say "die to achieve virtue. only then he can be called understanding and doing unified. they can't espy the door (of the truth) after all. then understanding and practice both are impossible. it is the secret of success to develop the good ability. one is altruism. there are not any time to think. absolutely. then he can be called understanding is easy but practice is difficult. I'm afraid if he meet one drowns or hangs oneself also will recoil in fear. one is self-defense. Learning hasn't a limit essentially. it is easy to go astray. if one has deep identification ability and skills. also if without real practice. how can we let them mix the false with the truth. they will be easy to produce mysticism thoughts. it is difficult to walk up the right path in the end. Confucius said: "Even if the children and grandchildren are foolish. then should lucubrate earnestly. one will never have the day to practice really. martial art science is such especially. also is an essential important item of martial art. martial art is the tool to improve the physiological function. if one has identification ability but hasn't force and skill. they still haven’t any realization in the end. pursue forms. practicing martial art is the basis of improving one's health. don't know the key of training. how can he pull out sword to help other while see something unfair? Not only this. on the contrary. use up all their learning. he hasn’t a bit actual thing. practice to what extent. If without real understanding. but they are vague and partial mostly after all. The way of science. then is rare especially. Five elements are pronoun originally. To this age. there are not twelve forms and all kinds of quantao independently. three fists are one action. talks about supernatural. they are hard to know insight people has been laughing in their sleeve already. so as to develop to the theories of sixiang (four-quadrant). furthermore. it is better than most martial artists are really. also there is not a method can conform with physiological demand. what is called Jian (trampling). but they have pity for being limited by confirmed habit and prejudice. I often hear that nowadays martial art practitioners. later. each has its strong suit. furthermore. wuxing (five elements). it is a custom already. To sum up.three fists in Xing Yi Quan originally. I walked all over the country in forty years. and it is vague mostly. again moreover. why are they stingy like this because without wide view? Learning is common by humankind essentially. but all postures are also worthless. met thousands martial artists. It is not only useless. there are still many fine things in drama. Ba Gua Quan is also like such. they said it is seeking for beautiful to prepare for performance. tell others that they can do several quantao and many fixed actions and then show self-satisfaction. humble professionals add fuel to the fire. fixed actions and methods are excessive to indescribability. how isn't the quantao and methods make it so? After practicing each other three hundreds years. behoves to promulgate them to the world. furthermore. there are single and double huanzhang (change palms). If we practice martial art in order to please people. bagua (the eight diagrams). These actions not only abandon the truth of martial art science. jiugong (nine modes). as for twelve forms point that twelve birds and beasts. would not like to show the essentiality which they gained to others. The abuse of Taijiquan is especially deep. zhuan (drilling) and guo (wrapping). actually. As for five elements and twelve forms are also included. one should try to gain them. suffuse the world. tell lies how cultivate oneself 171 . it is difficult to get rid of deep-rooted practice. it is hard to avoid that there are some exceptional wise persons. they don't know how the water of sea will be afraid to be taken by people. by chance. if one gains some learning. it isn't very absurd yet. as for one who achieve the holy circumstances. but has pity for less succinct content and principles but much general terms. false actions absurdly. come out the unification action of three forces without a break. the diction is fine. then wouldn't it be better to give up 170 practicing martial art to play drama? Furthermore. it is because most people are short of unassuming thoughts and strong volition. Every flimflam and peculiar words. moved by the demagogic theory and scramble for it. Mean solar time. in fact. all are out of the question whether it is proper or not in health preservation and combat. as a horse runs one after another. the man who falls short of this way at all. Then the martial art science being lost. and the learning of hehai (the river and sea of qi). Luckily. however. never saw one posture can be balanced. who can see the profound implication of martial art. there are someone who has learnt several series of sword. then other people who fail in living takes for there is an opportunity to take advantage of. fallen over each other to imitate. the rather that profound and wonder? Martial art is simple in form and numerous in mind originally. fabricated sixty four palms and seventy two kicks etc. spear. examine all latter-day martial arts. It isn't the elements of martial art science is difficult to understand. frequently. If talk about it by <Theory of Taijiquan>. They make students can't understand the right way. because the people with superficial insight could not understand the true meaning in these. how can keep it secret and then make them in oblivion? Recently. originally. the noun of five kinds of force. ask them why. and the custom of errantry is also abandoned follow it. wants to make a living by these. factions are come out on end. there are someone who has practiced for lifetime but can't understand the essentialities. falchion and wand. but its harm is not violent at the physiology side. and even harmful. being used and strain their interpretation to the best of their abilities. again I hear that there are someone relies upon Buddhism. sighs again and again. his plan is sold. thus how could the elements of original way be not lost? Again. however. furthermore. I teach all people who would like to learn from me. furthermore. don't know factions or groups. if carry out it in our country. it became lower and lower. then it becomes full of abuses. look the past famous martial artists please. they are especially absurd and unreasonable. it is deplorable really. nerves. how can we allow the eyeless faith destroy it? Seeking instruction from a master should be careful. For the moment. no one can recognize this way. talk to this. body and temperament all be out of gear. it can assist all careers. of course. thus quintessence. tamper with his life. you should make a clear distinction between right and wrong on it. most of them were getting paralysis because the muscles lost the harmoniousness. if one learns properly. But it also should impute the comrades fell short of wisdom and insight. If the Buddha knows it. it will be difficult to get the secret of teaching. then maybe will martial arts develop? This is my wish. I can not help to be sad for martial arts. these ill and muddleheaded people. it should blame Kang and Yong those two emperors. so as to be deceived by them. I don't know what will he think about these people who transmits erroneous seeds? The way of making a living is not only one. to show that other arts are all unmerited the name of “national”. what a pity! People always call martial art is the quintessence of the country. they how dare to make this erroneous theory and transmit it one by one. Practicing martial art is in order to improve health originally. raise arm in calling for society daylong. I would like to let all people know it. transmitting errors by errors. and these samples can be found everywhere. publish it on the newspapers. because they advocated it in a false way in that period. most people despise it. Even if there are someone in consciousness. The decline of martial art way. it is not necessary to make use of the weakness of the society to deceive others as well as themselves. how they know the sportsmen are the leaders of death ahead of schedule. Furthermore. and the society of martial arts is especially grievous. and they get accustomed to be sure. As for the gentlemen who advocating sports. again because of the prejudice of conservatism and then blame others. but I don't know there are still such wise 172 hot stuff. natural instincts ill. really don't know there are still shame on the world. who can give it the great name. The students think if doesn’t formally acknowledge as teacher. Alas! It is really hideous. bring calamity for life. Thus. it may make one's moral character. A Discussion on Freedom from the System of Master and Disciple The system of master and apprentice is praised as a virtue. always look people as my kindred. there are schools of national art everywhere. sigh to the manners and morals of the time and the will of the people. furthermore. thus far. then they keeping it secret will make the 173 . if one learns improperly. people imitates this action one by one. thus. but there is always perfectly satisfactory thing. Today is an epoch with flourishing science. again as a demon. therefore. Therefore. acts like a buffoon. to make martial arts be flourishing. The teachers also think that without formally acknowledge as teacher is inadequate for showing their intimacy. and then would not teach secret of success to students. Alas! Why do people follow like sheep thus? Hope people think carefully silently. even if they have some. If someone doesn't believe me. But such lose face and jadish national art also can be seen in our country only. now harm the health on the contrary.according to a religious doctrine and how meet celestial being. wouldn't it be the tool to produce disabled person? Since 1926. Nothing is more valuable than the body. The way of martial art. I know the difference of right and wrong only. we don't talk about that these superficial people haven't any skill can be kept secret at all. expect to clean off the concept of faction gradually. I would like to explain all my experience and knowledge to the successors. I don't know what the bold persons think of it. it is beneficial to one's body and spirit. I don't like the appellation of master and apprentice all along. is the trouble more terrible? Furthermore. Even if the student violates it. but is ignorant in learning at all. again from the ambiguity of factions to the academic theory numerous and jumbled. This is really dirty. most things are not as good as others. if we couldn't get rid of it at once. however. this is the reason that I strongly advocate to free from the system of master and apprentice. even if all people are died. Again. although I never pose as a teacher. even if acknowledged as one's teacher. Down to now. can't get the truth by seeking for lifetime. I always produce the regret deeply. avoid the harm of follow blindly and conflict. Once the name of master and apprentice is determined. there are someone hears but doesn't understand. always keep open doors. also can say. I never pose as a teacher all along. are there any secret again? Those actions are dirty. and I am sure to tell him all meanings. Thus. from school to be faction. I teach him surely. then he doesn't know where the master is after all. then also should wait both sides have a clear understanding of each acqierement and moral character then do it. the root cause of trouble also rests with here. the master also will refute it instead of reflect on himself. this again what teacher he is? The name of teacher is living but the fact is lost. thereby. sectarian views. I tell him surely. what has it been lost again? If deceive the public and mislead the people by strange martial arts and blind theories. everyone who is interest in this. One should know science is the heavenliness of universe.truth of martial art science to be zero surely. take comforting others as my comfort only. and the system of master and apprentice is inveterate in martial arts society. everytime I in teaching. it ought not to have the difference of boundary. respect spirit. there are also someone holds secret by himself and don't teach to students. learning is the common treasure by all humankind forever. the truth of martial art science will never be flourishing. from lineage to be school. much more in the same country and nation. will abhor him awfully. practicing for lifetime still can't finish it. for carefulness. one has learnt something. then how will it be? I'm afraid the blessedness of humankind is cleared away forever. even if the apprentice thinks there are something improper in the master's talking. how are there time to keep it secret? Everyone should think others. then the world will be balanced. it can say your selfish hope gets to the limit. I really don't understand the reason. or he understands but never practices it. then begins having teacher. however. really not worth a doit. Therefore. So much as in a school. it seems more appropriate. then I feel very happy again. the name of teacher is lost but the fact is living. practices and gets progress. if one knocks head three thousands times. calls master eight hundreds times. is a common teacher. strange martial arts and blind theories are spread all over the world. and regard me as his master. if really thus. so long as he comes. often become intense cause of the system of master and apprentice in vogue. Although this is my personal view. this is the reason. The martial art science is obscure. take others as himself. thus. or nothing can let him to get. only your family is existent. don't depend on appellation form. people who gain the benefits who will cannot bear kindness and submit the truth. fears to displease master's dignity and then dare not to violate it. 175 . otherwise. and I am sure to try my best. I can't bear to sigh! The truth of martial art science can say it is the same as the truth of life. all bustling live under the light of sun. there are shouldn’t any discrimination. so long as one ask me. Therefore. People company together. it is as profound as the profundity and subtlety of the universe. then the concept of respectful and humble is produced. now this can be seen. it is further intensified. In a panic for fear that he can't get it. the rather that contention of school. my this heart. Our country accumulated declining tendency. thus. Once I see someone understands and can practice it. lay stress on emotion. diverse and confused tumult. If one practices it without understanding the way. are there still any science morality and justice? The system of master and apprentice is helpless to martial arts. Even if limited by national boundaries. for keeping the dignity. If I 174 have true learning to teach others really. Furthermore. I teaching martial art. If one practices it by the right way really. sensible person once detects his absurdity. What the above talked is martial art science. namely. train to the great courage with new and graceful senses. and the seniority is high or low.Conclusion Martial arts training not only depends on how many years one has practiced. The important thing rests with whether one understands the principle and elements of martial arts science or not. can tell others the rules. it isn't what people think commonly is martial art. old or young. As for how to repair it. observes their methods. it is the meaning of understanding tacitly. how deep one's skill and power are. it is every action engraved on one’s mind that is called martial art. again work in training. realize and train it in all time. can hit the mark with a single comment of course. As a teacher. gain the essentiality and become a generalist. it is not difficult to go deep into truth. it is not only skillful in one subject. and the body is tall or short. and what realm he will arrive in the future. What is called generalist. just hears people’s words then know what grade they are. naturally. it rests with whether the inherence spirit has true vigor or not. can't show sleights to students. whether they are factual or not. In another word. whether they are canonical or not. furthermore. and then overtake the abstruse nature. sees their details are whole or partial. should aborative imitate. but also to all learning. namely. 176 . it doesn't rest with the methods are numerous or few. especially shouldn't do false work. taste and practice. the action is fast or slow. If one has such true force. As a student. whether one has the true animal force or not. then observe how skillful his skill and spirit working together is. again consider how his ability and ambition are. Especially. The most valuable thing of martial art training is the understanding of principle and having strong spirit. Then we may decide the depth of his accomplishments. or small but complete with half an eye. what is called gaining the center to deal with the infinitude.