Wing Chun & Body Awareness

By Adam Williss

Proprioception (PRO-pree-o-SEP-shun) is the awareness of one's own body movement derived from muscular, tendon, and articular sources. Unlike the five "classical" external senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing) by which we perceive the outside world, proprioception is an internal sense that provides feedback solely on the status of the body. It is the sense that indicates whether the body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other.

"It's the precursor to good balance, which is at the core of human functioning," explains Dr. Scott Cuthbert, in a recent article featured in OC Metro. Cuthbert is chairman of the board of research for the International College of Applied Kinesiology. "Without it, we have no sense of our bodies."

Proprioception is what allows someone to learn to walk in complete darkness without losing balance. Without the appropriate integration of proprioceptive input, an artist would not be able to brush paint onto a canvas without looking at the hand as it moved the brush over the canvas; it would be impossible to drive an automobile because a motorist would not be able to steer or use the foot pedals while looking at the road ahead; a person could not touch type or perform ballet; and people would not even be able to walk without watching where they put their feet.

Even if you're involved in sports, strength training at the gym or work on cardio exercises, you most likely only concentrating on physical activity. These exercises can not compensate for a lack of proprioceptive training.

However, studying an internal art such as Wing Chun can not only train the proprioceptive sense, it can sharpen it to extraordinary levels. Practicing Wing Chun's forms such as Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu or the Wooden Dummy form can greatly increase proprioceptive. In addition, doing the forms slow while focusing on each body part provides an environment whereby the proprioceptive information being fed back to the brain stimulates an intense, dynamic "listening environment" to further enhance mind / body integration. Further advanced training that enhances higher levels of proprioception involve taking away the sight sense through blind-folded sparring, chi sao or mook jong practice.

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By Adam Williss Proprioception (PRO-pree-o-SEP-shun) is the awareness of one's own body movement derived from muscular, tendon, and articular sources. Unlike the five "classical" external senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing) by which we perceive the outside world, proprioception is an internal sense that provides feedback solely on the status of the body. It is the sense that indicates whether the body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other. "It's the precursor to good balance, which is at the core of human functioning," explains Dr. Scott Cuthbert, in a recent article featured in OC Metro. Cuthbert is chairman of the board of research for the International College of Applied Kinesiology. "Without it, we have no sense of our bodies." Proprioception is what allows someone to learn to walk in complete darkness without losing balance. Without the appropriate integration of proprioceptive input, an artist would not be able to brush paint onto a canvas without looking at the hand as it moved the brush over the canvas; it would be impossible to drive an automobile because a motorist would not be able to steer or use the foot pedals while looking at the road ahead; a person could not touch type or perform ballet; and people would not even be able to walk without watching where they put their feet. Even if you're involved in sports, strength training at the gym or work on cardio exercises, you most likely only concentrating on physical activity. These exercises can not compensate for a lack of proprioceptive training. However, studying an internal art such as Wing Chun can not only train the proprioceptive sense, it can sharpen it to extraordinary levels. Practicing Wing Chun's forms such as Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu or the Wooden Dummy form can greatly increase proprioceptive. In addition, doing the forms slow while focusing on each body part provides an environment whereby the proprioceptive information being fed back to the brain stimulates an intense, dynamic "listening environment" to further enhance mind / body integration. Further advanced training that enhances higher levels of proprioception involve taking away the sight sense through blind-folded sparring, chi sao or mook jong practice.