Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Glib

https://youtu.be/Prtux8S7ITw?si=wQMe4UE



I wonder why is there so much glibness in an advanced democracy?  I have met so many people who treat even something like this so simplistically! Is it simply your perception that turning from the hips is the way to do it? Watching the befuddled faces seems to echo that.  A simple experiment of turning above the pelvis and then below the pelvis, as shown, would test the veracity of whether one feels something or feels nothing.  


Isn't it also medical evidence that the pelvis/hips are significant joints in the body? Isn't it also a mechanical fact that “fulcrum” capability differs depending on distance factors? Accepting that evidence, isn't it logical reasoning that tells us the hips cannot turn by themselves but need to be powered by something else?  


Because your feet are so close together in this case,  the hips turn by first turning the waist, which then turns the hips....the reverse order cannot work.   In the case of taking a more extensive, sometimes much larger step size, isn't it then the pushing down of the feet generating power into the legs that turn the hips?  


Glib does indeed win superficially. If I had to guess, it is just more accessible for people to eschew logic and as well to be simplistic, aka glib in some explanation, and say, "The hips generate all movement".

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Is it internal or not?

 
 
 
 

 
My question to a Tai Chi instructor in 1977: "Can you show me an "internal" movement? He said: I'm doing it, but you can't see "internal movement."

How do you know you are doing "internal"? Well, you CAN see "internal" movement on Master Hwa since he does not wear one of those Tai Chi uniforms so big it makes a tentmaker envious. So, if you can see it on Master Hwa, but some teachers say you can't catch it on them, others, or yourself, how do you know? Why not ask why you can't see it instead of "believing" a teacher?   Then, ask what can I do to "get it"?


 In Classical Tai Chi, you know that you are doing "internal" by self-examination (seeing) where the movement originates in your body's torso. You know whether anyone is doing "internal" by examining (seeing) their movements. You can observe these things in your body, but as you progress, you can feel (tactile) whether the movement originates inside or outside the torso.


Master Wu Chien Chuan passed this on. Every move has to have yin and yang (not moving and moving) parts of the body, and those are either in the torso (internal), or they are not (external). The moving and not moving parts form a "junction" called a Yin/Yang pair. One part of the "pair" moves, and the other does not.


Much Tai Chi says it is "internal," but ask yourself the following question when you see it: Is the movement originating in the torso or an extremity outside the torso, such as arms, legs, etc.? You also have to reckon with the fact that any "extremity" is the furthest point or limit of something and that internal is situated on the inside.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Tai Chi with a "McDonald's" Mentality

 



Hello,

I am a new student in tai chi, as of June of last year. I studied Karate, and then, due to an auto accident, I decided to begin the journey of tai chi. I could not do the Karate. I had back surgery, and tai chi has helped to strengthen my back. I know it is a long journey, but I would appreciate any advice you would give me.
Thank you in advance for your response. I was a school teacher for 25 years, and during that time, I taught Shotokan Karate for several years. After the accident, it took me the best part of a year to gain mobility; then, I started tai chi by finding a class that someone offered for the back. I took it and found it very helpful.
I found Master Hwa's home page, Classical Tai Chi, on the Internet and was drawn to it immediately. It offers the most in-depth opportunity yet. I watched his videos on the page to take a look and found it excellent.
I am still learning the background of tai chi and still have a long way to go. But I want to find the most credible avenue as I begin this journey. I am 56 years old and want to make this decision I plan to follow for the rest of my life. I read on his website that you are a certified teacher and a senior student. I see you were the first accredited teacher. Can you offer some advice and encouragement? It is not easy, but I want to do this.
Roland
Hi Roland!
A big problem with learning Tai Chi is approaching it with a frantic "I want it now" mentality. I'll tell you the same thing I tell my Tai Chi students. Any decision you make as to whether you continue Tai Chi needs one year. You have found an excellent teacher in Master Stephen Hwa, who teaches Classical Tai Chi.
What is relevant is giving yourself enough time to experience Classical Tai Chi adequately in some depth. There is great depth in Master Hwa's many videos on YouTube. Access them from his website, all 50+ videos. I also recommend his Teachable website, and that address is on his Classical Tai Chi page.
On the other hand, a year is short in terms of a lifetime, and you would have needed to make a GREAT time commitment. There is something good about having a good video where you can watch a movement ten times. I know of no teachers who would repeat something that much in class.
Many Americans approach Tai Chi with a "McDonald's" Mentality. Those students expect Tai Chi to be cheap, fast, and enjoyable, just like a cheeseburger from McDonald's. They want it to be affordable, easily accessible, and pleasing to their taste. Unfortunately, this mindset doesn't always align with the principles and goals of Tai Chi, which require patience, dedication, and a commitment to learning and improving over time.
Deciding to stay or go based on less than one year may be doing yourself a disservice. Since you would have needed more time to make an educated decision, you will not be doing yourself any favors by quitting after three months.
I see people every semester in the schools where I taught Tai Chi who I never see again after eight weeks. No matter what I say, they undoubtedly feel that they know enough about it to warrant their decision. Thinking this is a shabby way to treat oneself, taking Tai Chi differs from going out and buying anything. "Well, I don't like this after one month, so I'll return it." Tai Chi better meet or exceed my expectations. This thinking is "frenetic"!
As a teacher, I'm sure you understand teaching students who come to class in a "tizzy," as it were. As the famous Tai Chi author Robert W. Smith said, "I grew tired of teaching Tai Chi and simply retired; I found Americans simply too frenetic to teach." Don't fulfill what sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy about being too frantic to learn.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Long better than Short & Vice Versa?

 Long better than Short & Vice Versa?





This is also known as Rationalizations vs. Reasoning for doing Internal

ᴛᴏ: ꜱᴛᴇᴘʜᴇɴ ʜᴡᴀ, ꜱᴜʙᴊᴇᴄᴛ: ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴɪɴɢ ᴠꜱ. ʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ

Hi Master Hwa: ɪɴ your book, "ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴇᴀꜱᴜʀᴇ", ᴘ. 121 ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴜꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʀᴍꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ "ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋꜱ", ᴀɴᴅ "ʙᴀꜱɪᴄ ʙᴜɪʟᴅɪɴɢ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋꜱ" ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʙᴜɪʟᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏɢɪᴄᴀʟ ꜱᴛʀᴜᴄᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ. ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ "ʙᴀᴄᴋʙᴏɴᴇ" ᴏꜰ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏᴍᴘɪʟɪɴɢ ꜰᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟ ᴇᴠɪᴅᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ ᴠꜱ. ʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟɪᴢɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏᴍᴘɪʟɪɴɢ ᴍᴇʀᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ.

ꜰᴏʀ ɪɴꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ, ɪ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴅᴏ ᴛʜᴇ 24 ꜰᴏʀᴍ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ ᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴅᴏ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ꜱᴛʏʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ ᴏʀ (ɪɴꜱᴇʀᴛ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴀʀᴛɪᴀʟ ᴀʀᴛ). ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜɪꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴅᴏɢɢᴇᴅʟʏ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ɪᴛ. ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴛ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴡʜʏ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴛʀᴀɪɴɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴅᴏɢɢᴇᴅʟʏ ʀᴇꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ..." ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ 24 ꜰᴏʀᴍ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ, ʏᴀɴɢ ꜱᴛʏʟᴇ, ᴇᴛᴄ...". ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ɪ ꜱᴀʏ, ᴀ ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏ ɪɴ ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛᴀɪ ᴄʜɪ, ᴀ "ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋ" ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴍᴏᴠᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴ ʙʀɪᴇꜰ ᴇxɪꜱᴛꜱ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ʏɪɴ/ʏᴀɴɢ ᴊᴜɴᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏʀꜱᴏ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏʀꜱᴏ.


ᴊɪm

ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀ ʜᴡᴀ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ
ᴊɪᴍ: ᴍʏ ᴛᴇᴀᴄʜᴇʀ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴀʀɢᴜᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ 24 ᴠꜱ. 108 ʟᴏɴɢ ꜰᴏʀᴍꜱ. ʙᴜᴛ, ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇɴᴛʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴏɴ ᴀʀɢᴜɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ ʙᴏᴅʏ ꜱᴛʀᴜᴄᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏʀ ᴘᴏꜱᴛᴜʀᴇ. ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ, ᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ᴇᴀꜱɪʟʏ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴꜱᴛʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴅɪꜰꜰɪᴄᴜʟᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴀʀɢᴜᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠɪɴᴄᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ʟᴏɴɢ ɪꜱ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ.
ꜱᴛᴇᴘʜᴇɴ


Thursday, December 28, 2023

"Ting Jin" during Sparring

 Ting Jin during sparring

 



 Instead of pushing back at the opponent's attack, the best known defensive strategy of Tai Chi is to follow and stick to the opponents' move, neutralize or drain off its power and then counterattack. In order to be able to follow and stick to the opponent, one has to be relaxed, sensitive and quick on the feet, matching the opponents move with ease and anticipation. That is one reason that the Compact Form optimizes body posture to achieve lightness and nimbleness through parallel feet, compact movements, and avoidance of
"double heavy".
 

Tai Chi applications emphasize stickiness or adherence to the opponent. This is useful only because this complements the fajin move perfectly. The characteristics of Fajin are:
 

• Delivery of Fajin is most effective when already
in contact with the opponent such as sticking to
the opponent.
 

• Delivery of fajin is most effective when the
hand in contact with the opponent is sufficiently
relaxed to allow "listening" or "ting jin"- the
objective of sticking to the opponent.
 

• Fajin has the ability to go from relaxation to
full power instantly. 

 

When one sticks to the opponent and detects a weakness in opponent's move, one can suddenly counter attack with fajin without telegraphing the intent. If the capability of fajin is not available, even when one detects weakness in the opponent, one will not be able to take full advantage of those fleeting opportunities.

Monday, December 18, 2023

The 分开腿 Fēnkāi tuǐ "Parting Leg"

 分开腿 Fēnkāi tuǐ "Parting Leg" 分开腿 Fēnkāi tuǐ "Parting Leg"



Posture 34, 36 - Parting Leg movements R & L, as Master Hwa says, "...begin the kicking section of both Round and Square Forms..." As Jim Roach says: The kick at this part of the movement becomes a front kick and is something someone would use on you even when sparring. Sparring tends to end quickly when one is kicked in the groin, even cautiously. ...there is the intent of projecting power from the core flowing down the relaxed leg all the way to the toe as if the leg is a whip..." In this part of the movement, the Arms cross at the wrists as the hands form hollow fists, the left palm facing down and the right palm facing up allowing you to STICK to somones arms as they grab your arms. In the crossed position your forearms can clasp an opponent's arms as you fold yours at the elbow. One might say your arms act in a scissor-like movement folding at the elbow. ■ Even though the kick is not a full power kick (more of a kicking motion), there is the intent of projecting power from the core flowing down the relaxed leg all the way to the toe as if the leg is a whip. The toe is slightly stretched forward and the stretch is maintained during the sweep ■ Right upper body opens 45 degrees to the right ■ Right upper body closes to the left 45 degrees as the right palm rotates clockwise to face left ■ Upper body continues to turn left 45 degrees as the right knee lowers to allow the right hand to pass under the left hand ■ Arms cross at the wrists as the hands form hollow fists, the left palm facing down and the right palm facing up ■ Right heel lifts off the ground ■ Right foot moves forward and then kicks ■ Right leg swipes to the right 90 degrees as both arms unfold to the sides and move to a low position

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Placing the Yin/Yang junction correctly

 Neuromuscular control, placing the Yin/Yang junction correctly a more in-depth look.





 Real neuromuscular control, understanding junction”, “disjunction” and the “hinge” analogy. “One thing that even some long-time students don't get is how and where to place the "junction of Yin and Yang". One needs to see their own "dis-junction”. 

Diving "deeper" into understanding, a Yin/Yang Junction is more than "...at the waist...".  As he raises either arm, Master Hwa places the "junction" of the arm (which is the elbow) at the same height...each and every time. The elbow "junction" moves with the straight arm so that the elbow junction is at the exact location next to his waist, Then he can bend the arm. 

In other words, he raises the entire arm with no bend so that the elbow (junction of yin and yang) is at the same spot concerning his waist, each time. If a student does not do this and instead bends the arm with no fixed point for the elbow concerning the waist it is a “dis-junction” As he is raising it thus negating a definite location of a Yin Yang junction. 

It's as if someone wanted to use a "hinge" (the elbow) on a door frame but instead of putting it in the most optimum spot would slide the hinge up and down the door frame and then attempt to use "bend" it as it was sliding rather than fixing "fastening" it down first to use "bend" it.”

Friday, December 1, 2023

Classical Wu Style Tai Chi "Quarter Body Folding Movement"

  



 

Classical Tai Chi Workshop from July 2011, Buffalo, NY. Master Stephen Hwa of Classical Tai 

Chi (Wu Tai Chi, Wu Style Tai Chi Taiji). Master Hwa discusses Silk Reeling "Quarter Body 

Folding Movement".

 

Excerpted and some editing from "Uncovering the Treasure, Classical Tai Chi's Path to Health & Energy" by Stephen Hwa:


Please go to this link: Classical Wu Style Tai Chi "Quarter Body Folding Movement"
Master Stephen Hwa teaching it and you can see student and friend Al Judd. RIP dear Al.
 
Al Judd was a Classical Tai Chi student of mine and in one photo is with Master Stephen Hwa and Sifu Tom Kostusiak. Another photo is with direct instruction from Master Stephen Hwa and Tom Kostusiak in the background. RIP Al, it was always good to have you as a student. I did not know you had a Black Belt in Judo and thank you once again for enabling our access to teach at St.Marks.

The folding move involves only one side of the body; but in this case, it is not the entire side (including the legs which are shown in the photo above) (including the legs which are shown in the photo above) which would be known as "hand follows foot, elbow follows knee", so please do not confuse this with that movement

This is just the upper quadrant of the body moving/folding as a unit. It is a QUARTER-BODY move. In the case shown in the video, the right side of the body is folding or unfolding by keeping the left side of the body stationary. The stationary part provides support, and some of the power for the move but the lower 2 quadrants (legs) provide grounding. The Right side of the body is yang, and the left side of the body is yin. The Yin-Yang junction is at the spine. One can visualize that the spine is a hinge, so each side of the torso, down through the buttocks is like a door that folds or unfolds using that hinge. If the leg was involved in the movement, it would be a HALF-BODY move.

Even though only a quarter of the body is moving it is still an important example of how to make a move but still keep a portion (in this case 3/4 of the body). It is also of importance as an example of how to make a move but keep a significant portion of the body alignment intact. Whether half-body or quarter-body, whether the leg moves with it or not it can only be achieved when the turning power comes from the waist and the entire back's muscles.

If this is done correctly and tailor-made, one will achieve a continuous energy flow in the body. It is a "neigong" exercise. It is tailor-made to be a "silk reeling exercise" which might be defined as a continuous symmetrical simple internal movement or movements. By doing this, one will be able to learn gradually how to move with internal discipline and enjoy the sensation of internal energy circulation. This exercise emphasizes the stimulation of muscles, tendons, and blood flow along the spine and the back. Those who practice this regularly experience a sense of rejuvenation and improved well-being. If one has spare moments during the day, particularly if the exercise can be carried out in a casual and relaxed mood, there will be more chances for the subconscious to play a part. The ultimate objective is to learn internal movements like this in more or less a piecemeal fashion and then integrate them into the Form play.

Saturday, November 18, 2023

DISCOVERY OF FOOTWORK TRAINING AID

LINK TO AID





"Lift Legs training using lower Quarter Body movement this way is very good. Jim, it should really help beginners on the footwork", Classical Tai Chi Master Stephen Hwa.
Jim Roach said: My Youtube Studio link of a video. This is my student, now a teacher, Sifu Jason Bulger doing a variation. I "discovered" it in my experimentation with lower body movement. Also "discovered" one needs to do this to 8 angles, N, NE, NW, S, SE, SW, E, W, not just front. That type of practice coincides with Classical Tai Chi Form instruction, wherein the first piece of business is teaching students to step and move in one of the 8 directions.
* Turning feet to various angles coincides with foot placement in the "Form
* Turning feet to various angles coincides with the numerous foot positions in the "kicking section".
*As you get comfortable with this, I recommend just very lightly touching (we had a tree) a surface, or wall with just the tip of a finger, even closing the eyes. A mirror is best in the beginning.
*Lightly touching with a finger is not a crutch but it is enough to help you maintain good body structure while you do this.
*This is Jason's first try, so he is bending his head too much; otherwise, the internal movement seems very good.
*Use abdominal and back muscles to lift
Master Hwa's instructions as well: "The leg lifting is accomplished by using abdominal and back muscles to lift either side of the pelvis, which in turn lifts the leg. In this case with Jason, either leg is completely relaxed since the lifting is done by internal power and not the leg muscles. The moving part is the leg and its associated abdominal and back muscles while the other parts of the body remain stationary to provide support and grounding. The Yin-yang junction may be visualized in either the right or left side of the abdomen and back region depending on which leg is lifted. One could classify this as a lower-quarter body movement. All lower body movements are from the core. This is just one example of it. Practicing with an imaginary mental picture that the legs do not end at the hip joints, but rather there is a leg extension into the core of the body has helped some students learn how to initiate lower body movements from the core."Lift Legs using lower Quarter Body movement

That was paraphrased and an excerpt from Page 5., "Internal Discipline of Tai Chi": Uncovering The Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health Paperback – May 12, 2010

by Stephen Hwa (Author)

Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE "SECRETS" OF TAI CHI...(there are no secrets)




Let's not continue to conflate "Fajin" (a delivery of power) only with the "one-inch punch" that Tom Kostusiak is so gracefully partaking of. That Fajin "punch" which time-wise is of SHORT DURATION! As you see in the photos which also show Tom being Fajin yanked aka "longer duration" and Punch "short duration" of force. 


How do we do either or both? If there is a "secret" to success it is to be found by us in our discernment or in failure a non-discernment of small differences in sensation that we feel.  This also involves our subsequent ability or inability to both note and choose options and movement efficiency.


 In a workshop, Master Stephen Hwa said "...the amount of Fajin you can deliver is proportional to how compact you can make the delivery..."  From that I discovered  it is an established principle that the smallest difference in sensation we can discern is proportional to the magnitude of the more prominent sensation. The more prominent "larger sensation" for all of us is the much larger section of the body that is away from the much smaller area that we wish to move.


There are no secrets to Tai Chi, if you want to develop a "one-inch punch" in a hurry go home and do slow quarter body movement as a punch for 2 hours a day for a hundred days. The thing is there are slim and none people willing to do that...the "secret" is in sheer persistence for a "short duration" of time. Or you can spread it over years as a "long duration" of developing power via Tai Chi Form practice, complete with health benefits with the same persistence.


Another aspect is the idea of how the "short" seems to be contained in the "long". The "long" seems to trace a seemingly infinite number of points from which the short-burst "fajin" can emerge instantly. Points, stops, pauses, straight lines, tangents, back to points from which force can be delivered from any angle. Do your Square Form it’s loaded with “points”! 


The idea is not only to strive in short burst power from one point, but to cultivate the long which creates many more possibilities for the short. The converse is not true, the long cannot come from the short. This seems to be related to the idea that we do not show the application but the intent "Yi" when we practice "Form".  


If the application were more pronounced in the form we do, it would probably have many short-burst movements and it probably would not be good for our health due to the jarring that would occur. It seems that only in the intermediate stages of practice does one begin to realize this point more fully and really "feel" the potential for short burst anywhere, making it meaningless to strike a heavy bag, or break boards repeatedly with internal "short" to cultivate it.