There is a science to internal strength

Video Link: 

There is a science to internal strength 

12 minute Qi and Internal strength

"The investigation of Neijin (Internal Strength) via its manifestation in body motion forges a theoretical link between Qi and muscle actions in the regulation of motion to comport with the principles of yin and yang. This gives a formulation of neijin in the framework of physics and physiology and provides a pragmatic qi-motion paradigm to train for the strength, as well as a window into Qi at a level of basic science.

The practice of Taijiquan develops a kind of core strength, which by traditional theory is differentiated from regular physical strength, called Internal Strength or Neijin. Neijin is not a well-formulated concept, which is why references to in-depth studies of the subject are hard to find even in the Chinese literature on Taijiquan. There is no clear consensus of what it is or how best to train for it among experts of the various schools Taijiquan. But it is exalted as the mysterious strength that underlies the prowess of Chinese Martial Arts—the stuff that seems to defy one’s sense of speed, strength, and power expected in combat.

The rule of thumb of the uncharacteristic strength is that the more it appears of “physical force” the less it is of neijin. There is a persistent viewpoint that neijin is not associated with the musculature, so much so that it has spawned a cultural disdain of muscles in Taijiquan. This paper seeks to reconcile the musculature with neijin by looking at neijin feats as described in the classics of Taijiquan, such as the skill of “four ounces repelling a thousand pounds.” However, the study does not include the controversial claim of “empty space force,” which purportedly can propel a person by the wave of a hand without physical contact, and notes only that the phenomenon has not withstood scrutiny."

A Scientific Perspective of Neijin (Internal Strength)

C.P Ong 

Tai Chi Instructor/Author, USA

Correspondence: C.P. Ong, Tai Chi Instructor/Author, USA

Received: November 26, 2016 | Published: February 6, 2017

Citation: Ong C (2017) A Scientific Perspective of Neijin (Internal Strength). Int J Complement Alt Med 5(3): 00155. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2017.05.00155

Why give up several arts & get good at one?

 

Why give up several arts & get good at one?

"Passing on the small circle art" I am with Tom Kostusiak at Buffalo State College. Tom recalls my teaching him large circle Wu's Style when I was a disciple of the Wu Family.  He also recalls my study of Bagua Zhang.  I studied Bagua Zhang with a disciple of Li Zi Ming and his name was Dewei Li.  He was also a child psychologist and very versed in several arts.  Most notably he was a sword champion on the Mainland.  I assisted him in getting residence in the U.S. at one point. When studying Wu's style Master Eddie Wu asked me to give up my Tae Kwon Do and I did just missing the test for Black Belt.  

 I include some information here on Grandmaster Young Wabu who gave up several martial arts to study with Wu Chien Chuan.  To top it off he was at the top of the lineage chart for Master status in Monkey Boxing when he did so.  

"When you have something that works well, why complicate it?"

The study of Kata cuts across all martial arts and Classical Tai Chi is no exception.  In Tai Chi of course, the term Form is most often used instead of Kata.  Prof. Geoff Lane of the Danzan Ryu  JuJitsu system has written an article entitled "Back to Basics" which can be found here: Back to Basics.

In the article Lane pays tribute to Grandmaster Young Wabu's devotion and adherence to fundamental principles.  I include the excerpt here:

"Another martial artist I was very fortunate to meet with a similar quality was Linyi Maslin's father: Master Wabu Young, a Tai Chi master.  He studied in Hong Kong under Master Wu Chien Chuan in the 30's after he came to Hong Kong from Shanghai to escape the Japanese.  He spent his whole life perfecting one kata.  Doing it square, round, regular and mirror image, fast and slow, large and small...the basics...doing the same Tai Chi form for 70 years.  He passed away in 2004 (correction: note that Grand Master Young Wabu passed away on April 18, 2005 at the age of 101 in Rochester, NY), dying a "typical Zen Master's death (but that's another story), exuding power and grace to the end.  The basics served him well.  When you have something that works well, why complicate it?"

 Professor Geoff Lane teaches jujitsu at the Nibukikan in Chico, California.  Grand Master Young Wabu's daughter Lin-Yi Maslin also teaches Wu Style Tai Chi at the Nibukikan

Prescription for Survival doing Tai Chi

 " Many people practice Tai Chi solely for health and meditation, and yet the Classics refer often to the “opponent”. The technique of self-defense overlaps here with the philosophy of exercise - what is most effective in a fight is also most conducive to good health, long life, and mental serenity. This is not just a curious coincidence. It implies a coherent vision of life that includes self-protection. The world is viewed as an ever-changing interplay of forces. Each creature seeks to realize its own nature; to find its place in the universe. Not to conquer, but to endure. The assumption is that there are hostile forces. One can be attacked by animals, by angry or arrogant people, or just by the forces of Nature, within and without. In the human world, an attack is verbal and emotional as often as it is physical. The most subtle and manipulative struggles are the ones of which we are least conscious. But the prescription for survival is always the same - integrity. This is more than a moral adage, it is a physical actuality"

Lui, H. H.. Tai Chi Chuan: The Technique of Power (Chinese Taoist Texts) . Cloud Hands Press. Kindle Edition. 

Long Fajin, Short Fajin

Internal Discipline consists of "upper body turn", "half-body turn", "quarter body move" and more once you get into combining those. All are subject to moving along x,y, and z-axis in the body. The ability to move internally, much less to deliver internal power called "fajin" is subject to our ability or non-ability in all of those. Therefore, let's not continue to conflate "fajin" only with "one-inch punch" from a "quarter body movement" A "quarter body move" as concerns time consumption is of very short duration. As you see in the photo it shows a "long duration" of force had to be applied by Master Hwa to Tom Kostusiak. How do we do either "long", "short" or both? If there is a "secret" to success it is to be found by us in our discernment or non-discernment of small differences in the sensation that we feel. This ultimately is at our subsequent ability or inability to both note and choose options and movement efficiency. In a workshop, my teacher said "...the amount of fajin you can deliver is proportional to how compact you can make the delivery..." My insight from this shines a light on an established principle that the smallest difference in sensation we can discern is directly proportional to the magnitude of the larger sensation. If for instance one sloppily moves their hips while "upper body turning" then there should be immediate notice of the "magnitude" of the extraneous hip movement and then elicits a stabilization of hips. The "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.

WTC Square Form

WTC Square Form

The Concept of Yin (non-moving) and Yang (moving) Most untrained people make moves instinctively, not aware of how different segments of their body perform different functions in a joint effort to achieve the mission. One of the objectives of Classical Tai Chi is to teach how to identify and then perfect this capability. Square Form is the first step to teach beginners to be familiar with the concept and practice of segmentation. When one part of the body moves (yang), the rest of the body is completely still (yin). As discussed before, to achieve internal movements, the yin and yang must be paired to form a junction at the right place in the torso. If there is any movement in the yin, the junction will be altered and result in an entirely different kind of move. That is why when practicing the Square Form the more robotic look, the better. If one does not maintain stillness while other parts of the body move, the object of doing the Square Form is compromised. This is a drill to tune the neuromuscular control of the student. Most beginners cannot keep their neural signals focused on a narrow segment of their body. The diffusion of the signal creates unintended movements. This is called sloppy movements. The correct Square Form movement should look crisp and robotic. To be able to keep part of the body still, by itself, is also important training to eliminate unwanted habitual motions. Sometimes it is more difficult to train students not to move than how to move.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsdGm6lSfFQ

Short synopsis video Square Form WTC

 Link:  Short synopsis video Square Form WTC

Link: Comprehensive explanation/instruction

The Concept of Yin (non-moving) and Yang (moving) Most untrained people make moves instinctively, not aware of how different segments of their body perform different functions in a joint effort to achieve the mission. One of the objectives of Classical Tai Chi is to teach how to identify and then perfect this capability. Square Form is the first step to teach beginners to be familiar with the concept and practice of segmentation. When one part of the body moves (yang), the rest of the body is completely still (yin). As discussed before, to achieve internal movements, the yin and yang must be paired to form a junction at the right place in the torso. If there is any movement in the yin, the junction will be altered and result in an entirely different kind of move. That is why when practicing the Square Form the more robotic look, the better. If one does not maintain stillness while other parts of the body move, the object of doing the Square Form is compromised. This is a drill to tune the neuromuscular control of the student. Most beginners cannot keep their neural signals focused on a narrow segment of their body. The diffusion of the signal creates unintended movements. This is called sloppy movements. The correct Square Form movement should look crisp and robotic. To be able to keep part of the body still, by itself, is also important training to eliminate unwanted habitual motions. Sometimes it is more difficult to train students not to move than how to move.

Paraphrase and excerpted from Page 26., Square Form:  Uncovering The Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health Paperback – May 12, 2010

by Stephen Hwa (Author)

 URLhttps://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Treasure-Classical-Internal-Energy/dp/1449917895/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=uncovering+the+treasure&qid=1593450066&sr=8-1 

Winning execution of applications

 Link to "Winning execution of applications

"No winning applications, only winning execution of applications", Stephen Hwa. Link is to a 3-minute video of BSC workshop, 2011 and this application:, I'm also back there teaching some push hands with David Brown and Mark Thomasson:

In the mirror, you can see Jason being uprooted and he struggles to rebalance. Classical Tai Chi applications can be seen in each and every move of one's study of Tai Chi Form (108 movements). One needs to include a mental aspect of martial art intent or "Yi". In the video, you can see Jason allowing his arms to "crimp" (come close) to his abdomen as he pulls Hwa Laoshi. Jason did not do an internal movement where he could keep arms away from his own body and use "internal discipline" to turn at the waist. Note, I say "WAIST" .

"No winning applications, only winning execution of applications"

"No winning applications, only winning execution of applications"

Classical Tai Chi applications can be seen in each and every move of one's study of Tai Chi Form (108 movements). One just needs to include a mental aspect of martial art intent or "Yi". In the video, you can see Jason allowing his arms to "crimp" (come close) to his abdomen as he pulls Hwa Laoshi. Jason did not do an internal movement where he could keep arms away from his own body and use "internal discipline" to turn at the waist. Note, I say "WAIST" .
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvQ8LHllCVs

Its not Tai Chi if its not "internal"

 Link: It's not Tai Chi if its not "internal" 

Ok, there is a video link above which explains more, so once again: If the hips generate movement, why are there so many videos of students and Masters doing Tai Chi in chairs, wheelchairs where they cannot turn the hip? The hip JOINT is the largest weight-bearing JOINT in the human body the Hips are not the TORSO. David M. said: " I am a practitioner of Wu Style TCC (disciple of the Wu Family). I still do not understand why Master Hwa thinks that the hips should remain less mobile than the waist. have two of Master Hwa's DVDs and I find his concepts fascinating. . However, we have been taught that all of the movements are generated by the "hips" first, not the "waist".The hips are the fulcrum of the body and connect the upper with the lower. Jim R. said: HI David: I can understand your question because I too was a disciple of the Wu Family. I now know that the hip movement is generated second and cannot be generated until the waist movement is first.

Classical Wu Tai Chi - Turning Movement by Classical Tai Chi's Master Stephen Hwa

Classical Wu Tai Chi - Turning Movement by Classical Tai Chi's Master Stephen Hwa

See https://ift.tt/1JtLXfG Classical Tai Chi Turning Movement Video #2 answers the questions: How to find Yin-Yang junction, how to feel internal energy, how to do turning movement. For further details see: https://ift.tt/1JtLXfG In Chinese: https://ift.tt/1Kyh2cJ
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prtux8S7ITw

FOOTWORK TRAINING WITH GOOD STRUCTURE

 

VIDEO LINK:  FOOTWORK

"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)

 URLhttps://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Treasure-Classical-Internal-Energy/dp/1449917895/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=uncovering+the+treasure&qid=1593450066&sr=8-1