Hard and Soft Chi Kung

By Si-Fu Scott Baker

Within the different Martial systems there are two varieties of teaching internal or energy skills. Simply put they are hard and soft. For those who have invested some time and effort in the martial way it is usually easy to discern which of these two approaches an individual or style has adapted. Essentially the hard approach will include physical tension to some degree while the soft approach emphasizes the importance of staying relaxed. Many of the systems that become known for demonstrating breaking skills are utilizing hard chi Kung methodologies to achieve these ends. Soft chi kung's skills are most often demonstrated upon other people as is the case in most good Tai Chi demonstrations.

WING CHUN

THE STAGES OF ADVANCED "BEING" INTERACTION

1) POSITIONING: To occupy a strategic advantage

Being interaction within Wing Chun Kung Fu requires the correct understanding and application of positioning skills. This is the most basic level of being interaction. Positioning is achieved by correctly and accurately applying the techniques or positions of the system in relationship with the positions or techniques of your opponent. Positioning includes all hand/arm techniques, stances, leg techniques, body orientation or alignment, and use of correct centerline principles. Positioning not only demands that these techniques are correctly placed, but they must also be contextually correct. Contextual integrity includes the correct texture or relaxation levels, correct transitioning motions from one position to another and correct position with regards to the context of the opponent. Positioning is the chief corner stone base or foundation upon which all of the other being interaction skills are built. If positioning is incorrect then all other skills inevitably fail. Therefore, if one is unable to connect with ones opponent the first place to look for the problem is positioning.

STEPS TO MASTERY

By Scott Baker Ph.D

FEAR

Downside: Humans have a tendency to indulge, and by indulging in fear one quickly becomes consumed and controlled by it. This causes the shrinking of the individual's life experience and thus the individual personally. His life becomes boring and mundane, never attempting anything risky or new. This in turn produces an individual who is boring and mundane, who's life is ruled by his fears. He experiences little or no growth and is in a constant state of unhappiness and discontent.

Upside: Fear can be transformed into caution and a deep reverence for life, so long as fear is not indulged in. From this reverence for life grows the desire to grow and enlarge oneself to obtain the fullness of what life has to offer. Guided by caution one will begin to expand one's experience and gain confidence.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL WING CHUN KUNG FU TRAINING

NOTE: The photos mentioned in this article are not available online.

By Scott Baker Ph.D.