Advanced Energy Awareness in Martial Arts
By Adam Williss
It only makes sense that learning how energy works and how to use it to your advantage would be a large focus to martial artists. After all, energy is the basis of all human movement. Therefore, developing higher levels of energy awareness is crucial to the advanced martial artists. Yet, somehow most martial arts don't practice energy development exercises at all.
One of martial arts' most advanced energy training methods is referred to as Chi Sao. But before we get into that, it is important to make note of the difference between energy and force in martial arts. Energy, referred to as Chi by the Chinese, is exchanged in the martial arts between two people along the incoming and outgoing acupuncture meridians. In distinction, force is applied with a weapon such as the fist, elbow, knee, palm or foot. An example of force applied to a specific target is the one-inch punch as demonstrated by Bruce Lee.
Chi Sao, from the Chinese art of Wing Chun, is an advanced two-person energy drill that develops greater levels of sensitivity. Involving an uniterrupted, cyclical exchange between the meridians of the partner's arms, its movements teach ideal responses to energy. Chi Sao allows a person to receive energy from another and teaches how to use that incoming energy in a beneficial way. Its ability to take human reactions of energy to a much higher level are largely unseen in the martial arts as a whole. We also refer to the level of sensitivity developed through Chi Sao training as "listening ability."
Qigong, literally translated as "energy work", is often referred to in Chinese martial arts as forms or sets. Sometimes these forms can also be divided up further into separate exercises, but they are all generally types of qigong. These exercises develop and cultivate energy within the body.
The traditional learning structure of Wing Chun is divided up into three empty hand types of qigong. Each of these three qigong sets deals with a different objective for the student. These three forms of qigong are Bil Jee (Biu Jee), Chum Kiu & Siu Nim Tao.
Recieving and transmitting force is developed through the elbows, wrists and fingers in Bil Jee (Biu Jee) Qigong. Widely considered to be the most advanced form in Wing Chun, Bil Jee (Biu Jee) means "Thrusting Fingers" in Cantonese. However, its large movements, elbows, finger jabs and so called "emergency" techniques are actually the easiest movements to apply for the beginner.
Releasing energy is developed through the bold movements of Chum Kiu. Maintaining distance with the opponent and allowing energy to pass to them and into the ground, requires the coordinated movements of both footwork and handwork. Chum Kiu means "seeking the bridge". It teaches the concepts of turning, kicking and crossing distance between yourself while delivering centered power to a target.
Retaining energy is developed through proper skeletal alignment in Wing Chun's Qigong form called Siu Nim Tao. By perfecting Wing Chun's posture you allow optimal retention of energy as it passes through the body. Siu Nim Tao means "The Little Idea" and is generally taught first in the Wing Chun system. However, its small movements and refined simplicity requires the need for the kind of perfection only found in the most advanced students. It teaches the most advanced concepts of Wing Chun while developing the practioners root and relaxation.
Another high level type of qigong is used through the training of Wing Chun's Mook Yan Jong (wooden dummy). The traditional Mook Yan Jong qigong form consists of 10 different sets training individuals in the ability to release energy into an object. It guides a person's movements to the centerline of the opponent along specific acupuncture points found on the arms. Through relaxed repetition of the Mook Yan Jong's qigong form, a person becomes accustomed to moving their arms in alignment with these specific points.
What's so ironic is that the art of Wing Chun is also considered to be one of the fastest methods of learning effective fighting skills. What most people don't understand is how much depth there is in Wing Chun. Most people only look at Wing Chun as a fighting art. But on one hand, you have the extreme hardness of devastatingly lethal strikes and conditioning development --- but make no mistake, Wing Chun also offers one of the most advanced approaches to extreme soft, meditative mind-body movement and energy cultivation.
