Kaitain(UK)
06-05-2001, 04:09 PM
This topic is triggered from the comments in the internal/external thread, but is sufficiently different to merit it's own thread. hopefully
How do you train to become internal?
I've seen two different paths and I know which I prefer:
Path 1:
Song , 'springiness', compact closed form is trained from day 1.
Path 2:
Song, springiness etc are discussed and made important throughout training as a goal to achieve. The form is trained large and open, with time the student is encouraged to 'internalise' the movements as the above mentioned principles are realised.
To me Path 1 is the long route with little gain to start - but perhaps the goals are reached in a faster time.
Path 2 on the hand gives rapid advancements (externally) whilst still allowing the internal skills to develop.
I train Path 2 and find the constant revelations and break throughs to be massively heartening. My friend trains Path 1 and spends a lot of time feeling despondent at the lack of progress.
So my question to everyone is:
How important is it to train the external elements and movements first before beginning to look to internal development. I get the impression from Josh that he feels that any external work is detrimental to the internal development of a student.
My argument against that is based on the discussion made on power generation - I agree that true internal power comes from smooth, unfettered waist movement. However, I think the segmentation of the waist and hips is extremely difficult to learn - I found that I developed external power generation first and that it is becoming more and more internal/dan tien based as my segmentation improves. In the meantime my other movement has been improving all the time - my 'springiness' in my limbs has come on superbly as a result of the work I did whilst freeing up my waist.
"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"
How do you train to become internal?
I've seen two different paths and I know which I prefer:
Path 1:
Song , 'springiness', compact closed form is trained from day 1.
Path 2:
Song, springiness etc are discussed and made important throughout training as a goal to achieve. The form is trained large and open, with time the student is encouraged to 'internalise' the movements as the above mentioned principles are realised.
To me Path 1 is the long route with little gain to start - but perhaps the goals are reached in a faster time.
Path 2 on the hand gives rapid advancements (externally) whilst still allowing the internal skills to develop.
I train Path 2 and find the constant revelations and break throughs to be massively heartening. My friend trains Path 1 and spends a lot of time feeling despondent at the lack of progress.
So my question to everyone is:
How important is it to train the external elements and movements first before beginning to look to internal development. I get the impression from Josh that he feels that any external work is detrimental to the internal development of a student.
My argument against that is based on the discussion made on power generation - I agree that true internal power comes from smooth, unfettered waist movement. However, I think the segmentation of the waist and hips is extremely difficult to learn - I found that I developed external power generation first and that it is becoming more and more internal/dan tien based as my segmentation improves. In the meantime my other movement has been improving all the time - my 'springiness' in my limbs has come on superbly as a result of the work I did whilst freeing up my waist.
"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"