Good Internal Power in Wing Chun

[red5angel]

While at the last seminar Car Dechiara gave a simple demonstration that illustrated why proper rooting is important and also made me realize how internal power can be developed and utilized in wingchun very effectively. The demo was simple, he stood there while you pushed on him and tried to budge him. while doing this I noticed, especially around his joints, knees, elbows, shoulders, etc, small micro adjustments where his body was adjusting to and linking to move the energy down through him to the ground. Later on while discussing where some of our power comes from, it hit me that the same principle for which we were learning to absorb power, was also very similar if not identical to what we do to issue forth internal power.
A good example would be to look at a punch. When you punch, you use your arm, and for most people this is as far as it goes. Now look at the size of the muscle in your arm! Even with large muscle they cannot rival the mass of your leg muscle, which can be used as sort of a building point for internal power, linking your body to draw the energy up and out your fingers. those muscles are much more powerful and add to that the strong structure of the human body, its like a jackhammer! You bones and ligaments provide you with the structure to issue, gather, and send forth all the power you can develop through a strong root and good structure.
This is why your root is so important and why most people dont have the ability to deliver the sort of power they could, if they took the time to be precise. Anyone can get it, absolutely anyone! Its one of the things I think is awesome about wingchun, because this is where the equalizer comes in, If you are a smaller person and you have to fight a bigger opponent, wing chun that has a good root and solid structure can deliver the sort of energy to put those larger opponents down!
You combine these with good sensitivity, the ability to listen to your opponents thoughts and feel him before he feels himself and you have an awesome art!

[dezhen2001]

yup, WC is an awesome art Just have to practise hard and understand the principles (as well as how to use them)... hope i do one day

david

[red5angel]

Dezhen - The principles are easy to understand but take some serious practice to get down. Like Chess for example, you can teach someone to play Chess in a matter of minutes, but to play it well, or competitively, or to play it at a masters level takes practice, lots and lots of good practice!
The internal part is important. How can one go on to say that wingchun was created by a women, or works well for women (Which is often a selling point for schools) and then turn around and start muscling techniques and doing speed drills etc? Not everyone can get these. The women in my class are petite, not a whole lot of upper body strength compared to the rest of us but with time they could confidently compete with other wing chun people and defend themselves if necessary on the street. No need for them to do anything but practice wingchun an hour or two a day!

[Frank Exchange]

How were you trying to move him?

Were you actively trying to uproot him?

Most important, was there any upward component to your force?

[red5angel]

FrankExchange - This was just a demonstration, but not the hey look at me, no one can uproot me type. Just a push on me as hard as you can and watch what happens. He puts an arm out in front of him and you push into him. It shouldnt matter too much what direction anyway. For instance our Pak Sau drill has parts that teach us to deal with upward and downward energy. Ultimatley if you were in a conflict you would turn with it as soon as it got to be too much, or relax, whatever would deal best with it.

[Axiom]

Originally posted by red5angel
When you punch, you use your arm, and for most people this is as far as it goes.

I am by no means any kind of martial arts expert, but.... in which martial arts don't you use more than just your arm for a punch? Generating power through the whole body is something that was introduced quite early on in my Wing Chun class, and the same goes for other styles I have tried. I don't claim to be good at it, but it doesn't seem like rocket science.

[red5angel]

Axiom, I would agree, it would seem like the right way to go but often times this is not the case. to get your body to co-operate that way takes some work and some serious training to get it down, and of course there is always room for improvement!

[Axiom]

So, what gives you the impression that most people only punch with their arm?

[red5angel]

Most people naturally punch without body unity. Others, even martially trained, dont bother to train this specifically and only have a small fraction of what they could. Its like, priodically you meet a martial artist who can blow you away with his power, even at an old age. He hits you and it feels like a ton of bricks, and much more substantial then most. At the same time you are surrounded by people who practice the same art but dont have the substantial feeling when they hit you. thats the difference.

[Sabu]

Red5angel says:
"This is the word of the Lord"

Congregation replies:
"Thanks be to God" (sign of the cross)

[anerlich]

red5angel stumbles across a principle common to many MA's from many countries (WC, taiji, aikido, boxing to name but a few) and then comes across like he's Moses getting the stone tablets.

Film at eleven.

As AndrewS mentioned on another thread, watch the Tyson/Spinks fight for a truly awesome and horrifying example of using body unity to deliver punching power.

[red5angel]

If I get the chance I will definitely check that fight out. I understand that boxers use this principle pretty well too.
My point isnt necessarily that the principles arent there but that most people dont address them as much as they can or should. For a good example, check out your local Mcdojo or Mckwoon.

[Axiom]

So, you are addressing your initial comments at who? Students of so-called 'mcdojos' and 'mckwoons'? Or do you have also have a point to make to those who are students of decent schools and have already put 2 and 2 together and come up with the punch-with-the-whole-body theory?

[red5angel]

Well, even some of the so-called descent schools are not so good. Atleast the Mckwoons have a system for ranking and certifying thier instructors. A good portion of the instructors I have met shouldnt be teaching at all! Here in the area it is especially prevalant. I just recently found out that a guy who dropped from our school 2 months ago is now TEACHING for Emin Boztepe!!!! how do you get to teaching in two months of training?!

[Alpha Dog]

How does one get to making sweeping generalizations about the entire Wing Chun world, "exposing" all its strengths and weaknesses, after 2 years of training?