Episode 30 - Back Power

Photo taken by Gogo Tsang




Movement in Stillness (Part II)

For an internal martial art practitioner, power is acquired through awakening the sleeping parts of the body (See Episode Three for more), so that he can utilise coherent bodily force.

This is the "Know your own self" stage. After you have revived your body and mind coordination, you can then enter the "Know others" stage to learn the application techniques. It is an incorrect approach to learn the application skills (know others) before your body has been revived back to the original conditions (know your own self), as your body and mind coordination is not yet fit enough to manage the application techniques.

An important part of our body which needs to be awakened, for the purpose of regaining coherent bodily force, is the muscles on our back plus the related power transmission channels. Whilst we do use our back muscles in our daily activities, many of us could not utilise these muscles to their full potential. Without going through proper training, we have little control over our back muscles. It is normal that a person does not feel the existence of his back muscles unless they are being touched by external objects. If one cannot coordinate the waist, the back and the shoulders, there will be serious dissapation of power in between.

One of the methods to call up the back muscles and the related power channel, and to enhance the coordination of different parts of the human body, is to practise standing exercises. The Santi Form is an effective tool which helps to activate the back muscles and the opening of the related power transmission channels. Appearing to be relaxed outside, a practitioner feels great tension from within while doing the Santi. Through the training, a practitioner learns how to control his back muscles and open the power transmission channels from his waist through the back to the shoulders. It is not an exercise on the back muscles alone (otherwise the practitioner should go to the gym) but an exercise to facilitate the coordination of the mind and the body as a whole. The involvement of will power (for opening up the power transmission channels and control of the back muscles) is more important than simply strengthening the muscles.

An indicator of success is a free control of the back muscles at will. The practitioner should feel that he is now more powerful and can "float" up an opponent by the movements of the back muscles alone.

He should then be able to use the technique of "sticking" effectively and should be in a position to appreciate what it is meant by "Chi at the back" as referred to in the Taiji Classics.




(Links to Parts One and Three)

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