dnc101
05-20-2002, 09:38 PM
I study American Kenpo, but I've been looking at some of the more traditional CMA stuff just as a matter of curiosity. In particular, I've been looking at some of the stances in internal styles. You seem to be mostly weighted on one leg- especially the rear or trailing leg. I've played with this a little to try and figure the advantages and disadvantages. I thought I'd run some of my thoughts by you guys and see if I'm on the right track. It won't hurt my feelings any if you tell me I'm full of (dung), since I don't claim to know what I'm talking about anyhow.
First off, my knee hurts at just the thought of being left out front in an exposed position. But since the weight is on the back leg the front is easily and quickly moved.
Moving forward in this stance gives momentum and power as you move to the front leg. But I see CMA practitioners punch with the trailing arm as they move their weight to the rear leg. This would seem to violate the principle of Directional Harmony- the body and the strike moving together in the same direction. But if I don't rotate the fist when I strike (that's how I see them do it- palm up) I actually get some power with the strike. This is due to the rotation of the hips and torso, which is a mechanical principle. Also, the weighted leg is sort of like a spring, storing power as it is compressed. But is there some internal principle at work here as well? I don't get as much power as I'd like, so there is probably something I'm missing.
This shifting and transfering of weight from front to rear leg seems to allow for some subtle angles and contouring. It would move your targets just enough for the strike to clear while allowing just enough angle to sneak in your own counter strike.
Our foot maneuvers seem to be similar to those of the CMA stuff I've seen. Our 50/50 weight distribution feels more maneuverable. But that could be because I'm not well versed or practised in the CMA footwork.
Last, the stance itself is a little hard on my knees when I move in it. Am I doing something wrong here? I know that is difficult to answer without seeing me. But I can't be the only one to have experienced this- I'm guessing there are a few common errors that most begginers and the untrained tend to make.
Any help here would be appreciated. I'm not trying to become a practitioner of another style- just trying to expand my knowlege base.
First off, my knee hurts at just the thought of being left out front in an exposed position. But since the weight is on the back leg the front is easily and quickly moved.
Moving forward in this stance gives momentum and power as you move to the front leg. But I see CMA practitioners punch with the trailing arm as they move their weight to the rear leg. This would seem to violate the principle of Directional Harmony- the body and the strike moving together in the same direction. But if I don't rotate the fist when I strike (that's how I see them do it- palm up) I actually get some power with the strike. This is due to the rotation of the hips and torso, which is a mechanical principle. Also, the weighted leg is sort of like a spring, storing power as it is compressed. But is there some internal principle at work here as well? I don't get as much power as I'd like, so there is probably something I'm missing.
This shifting and transfering of weight from front to rear leg seems to allow for some subtle angles and contouring. It would move your targets just enough for the strike to clear while allowing just enough angle to sneak in your own counter strike.
Our foot maneuvers seem to be similar to those of the CMA stuff I've seen. Our 50/50 weight distribution feels more maneuverable. But that could be because I'm not well versed or practised in the CMA footwork.
Last, the stance itself is a little hard on my knees when I move in it. Am I doing something wrong here? I know that is difficult to answer without seeing me. But I can't be the only one to have experienced this- I'm guessing there are a few common errors that most begginers and the untrained tend to make.
Any help here would be appreciated. I'm not trying to become a practitioner of another style- just trying to expand my knowlege base.