Movement Science and Internal Power [Video]

[Eric Olson]

I've been trying to find this video for a while. It shows Taiji master Chen Xiang hooked up to all kind of fancy movement equipment at Stanford university:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN88QIsMHqA

I think this kind of stuff could go a long way towards dispelling "internal" arts of mysticism. At its root, its really just about good body mechanics.

EO

[David Jamieson]

The mystic stuff is nonsense anyway.

Rational thought is all that is required to see that there is no way to be anything more than simply a human being.

I think we've moved beyond fairy tale antics and superstitious understanding. Those who haven't are on their own.

[pateticorecords]

Fight Science Kick Test (Capoeira, Karate, Muaythai & Taekwondo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw4EoWi5QSM

Sports Science: Kicking Power part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KjZegbUxZo

Fight Science - Qi Gong Tested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEOSkqGUK-M

National Geographic Documentary Myths Logic Of Shaolin Kung Fu full documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F4l3TdoELc

[IronFist]

Proper body mechanics is not internal power.

Proper body mechanics just means you have good form and have been doing whatever it is you do for a while.

That "Qi Gong Tested" vid had nothing to do with qi. It was just physical conditioning and proper application of body mechanics, the same as every other "qigong" demonstration ever. They only mentioned "qi" because they want to seem like that Asian dude is mystical because audiences eat that stuff up.

[sanjuro_ronin]

So, when a trained athlete or even a performer does something it is "good mechanics" and skill but when someone professing to be an "internal Master" does the same thing it is qi?
Interesting...
So when a circus performer does a one finger handstand that is simply muscles and skill but when an "IMA" master does it, it is Qi ?
When a performer takes hard shots to the body or even a canon ball, it is what exactly? because if they were wearing a shaolin robe and called themselves an "IMA" master we know it would be QI !

[pateticorecords]

Proper body mechanics is not internal power.

Proper body mechanics just means you have good form and have been doing whatever it is you do for a while.

That "Qi Gong Tested" vid had nothing to do with qi. It was just physical conditioning and proper application of body mechanics, the same as every other "qigong" demonstration ever. They only mentioned "qi" because they want to seem like that Asian dude is mystical because audiences eat that stuff up.

I only posted those for the science behind the movements and the body mechanics.

I believe that the disconnect with what is internal power comes from ancient beliefs that define them vs modern definitions.

Here is my example, have you ever heard the term he has "guts" what are they talking about? The intestines? Not really, "guts"=QI
When an archer or a sharp shooter shoot or release an arrow do they not release their breath? Breath Control=QI
When people get upset and they are told to breath and count to ten, doesn't it calm them slightly? This=QI
When people in distress find "super human" strength within themselves to survive when in normal circumstances they wouldn't be able to accomplish such feats is it "fake"? This too = QI

You can look at anything through a narrow scope and see only what you want to see or you can open you eyes and see the full picture

[IronFist]

Here is my example, have you ever heard the term he has "guts" what are they talking about? The intestines? Not really, "guts"=QI

"Guts" isn't qi.

"Guts" is intestinal fortitude (hence "guts") aka bravery/confidence.

For example:

"Do you have the guts to step into the ring against that champion boxer?"

We all know what happens when "qi masters" step into the ring.

When people in distress find "super human" strength within themselves to survive when in normal circumstances they wouldn't be able to accomplish such feats is it "fake"? This too = QI

False.

People in the situations you describe are using adrenaline and experiencing temporary central nervous system enhancements. It's not so much that they are getting stronger, but more that the body's natural safety systems are temporarily disabled, which is why they sometimes get injured in the process.

Can a mother in crisis lift a car off of her child? Sometimes.

Can her muscles, tendons, and ligaments tolerate the load? Probably not.

Your CNS has safety measures in place that limit available strength and flexibility to ensure that you don't hurt yourself when you move around throughout the day. Your muscles are capable of significantly more tension than what your body allows you to use, but your body thinks it would injure itself if you did so, so it limits your available strength.

Adrenaline released due to extreme situations can sometimes override these systems, hence people displaying random cases of "super human strength."

You can look at anything through a narrow scope and see only what you want to see or you can open you eyes and see the full picture

I prefer to use science.