Shocking and Immovable Energies of Wing Chun

:: By Michael Herrera ::

Shocking energy (Jut Lik) is created throughout Wing Chun in techniques such as pak sao, lop sao, gum sao…etc. This form of energy gets its title “shocking” from the resulting posture disturbance created in the opponent as the techniques are being applied. As the opponent’s structure is shocked (attacked) vital targets are exposed. In this sense the application of shocking energy is often used to create right of way before striking the vital targets located on the centerline. In reality, these techniques are themselves attacks against the opponent’s structure not only creating openings, but also weakening his ability to absorb subsequent impacts.

Interestingly, shocking energy is most easily generated farther away from the body’s center. For this reason most of the well-known Wing Chun techniques applying (Jut Lik) utilize finger energy located the greatest distance away from the body’s center.

In contrast to shocking energy, there also exist the Wing Chun concept of immovable energy, which is most easily realized closer to the body’s center such as in the shoulders. This form of energy is most often realized as the immovable elbow (butt doan jeong) of Wing Chun. Exploring the complementary relationship between shocking and immovable energies can unlock new areas of Wing Chun skill.

To cultivate these energies a Wing Chun student must learn to relax and sink the shoulders downward connecting them to the waist. This heaviness in the shoulders can then be slowly transferred to the elbows cultivating the immovable elbow energy of Wing Chun. This heaviness in the elbows is then extended into the wrist where the opponent will feel a heavy responsiveness in the hands. This cultivation of heavy relaxed forwardness in the Wing Chun hands will allow the fingers to create devastating shocking energy (Jut Lik) in the opponent without disturbing ones own structure. As more skill is developed the fingers can apply ever-increasing amounts of shocking energy without compromising the six elements of good form (see  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCbXQlSj9nA).

Eventually, just as the heaviness of the elbows extended to the fingers, the shocking energy of the fingers can be slowly realized in the elbows as (Jeong Lik). With practice, one can begin to cultivate both shocking and immovable energies in the elbow. This unique combination allows one to apply subtle shocking energies during all forms of contact. For example, advanced chi sao in Wing Chun will allow for subtle attacks every cycle while the structure, control and precision remain undisturbed.

This combination of both immovable and shocking energy in the elbow is a simple realization of the complementary relationship between the shoulder and finger energies. My teacher would say that shocking and immovable energies are two sides of the same coin resembling that of the well-known wave particle duality in physics. The fingers exhibit shocking energy properties while the shoulders exhibit immovable energy properties as a result of their relationship to the body’s center. The elbows, located between the two, can uniquely realize both properties just as a photon can exhibit both wave and particle properties. Notice that this relationship restricts the amount of either energy present in any one area. More shocking energy in one location means less immovable energy and visa versa.

It is worth emphasizing again the order of Wing Chun energy cultivation outlined above for both immovable and shocking energies. These energies if artificially manufactured (done by most practitioners) create openings and instabilities that can be easily exploited by masters of the art. Proper cultivation of these energies must follow a clear order of skill development. Like all aspects of Wing Chun these energies must be cultivated over time under an experienced Wing Chun teacher through empty hand sets, wooden dummy, chi sao and weapons training.

About the Author:
Michael Herrera is a Wing Chun Instructor and founder of Austin Wing Chun. With an advanced background in physics he instinctively applies concepts rooted in the scientific method towards understanding the art. A student of Florida-based martial artist and Wing Chun master Karl Godwin, Michael considers himself to be fortunate having learned Wing Chun from such a highly skilled and meticulous teacher. This article in its original form can be found on the Austin Wing Chun blog at www.austinwingchun.blogspot.com.

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:: By Michael Herrera :: Shocking energy (Jut Lik) is created throughout Wing Chun in techniques such as pak sao, lop sao, gum sao…etc. This form of energy gets its title “shocking” from the resulting posture disturbance created in the opponent as the techniques are being applied. As the opponent’s structure is shocked (attacked) vital targets are exposed. In this sense the application of shocking energy is often used to create right of way before striking the vital targets located on the centerline. In reality, these techniques are themselves attacks against the opponent’s structure not only creating openings, but also weakening his ability to absorb subsequent impacts. Interestingly, shocking energy is most easily generated farther away from the body’s center. For this reason most of the well-known Wing Chun techniques applying (Jut Lik) utilize finger energy located the greatest distance away from the body’s center. In contrast to shocking energy, there also exist the Wing Chun concept of immovable energy, which is most easily realized closer to the body’s center such as in the shoulders. This form of energy is most often realized as the immovable elbow (butt doan jeong) of Wing Chun. Exploring the complementary relationship between shocking and immovable energies can unlock new areas of Wing Chun skill. To cultivate these energies a Wing Chun student must learn to relax and sink the shoulders downward connecting them to the waist. This heaviness in the shoulders can then be slowly transferred to the elbows cultivating the immovable elbow energy of Wing Chun. This heaviness in the elbows is then extended into the wrist where the opponent will feel a heavy responsiveness in the hands. This cultivation of heavy relaxed forwardness in the Wing Chun hands will allow the fingers to create devastating shocking energy (Jut Lik) in the opponent without disturbing ones own structure. As more skill is developed the fingers can apply ever-increasing amounts of shocking energy without compromising the six elements of good form (see  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCbXQlSj9nA). Eventually, just as the heaviness of the elbows extended to the fingers, the shocking energy of the fingers can be slowly realized in the elbows as (Jeong Lik). With practice, one can begin to cultivate both shocking and immovable energies in the elbow. This unique combination allows one to apply subtle shocking energies during all forms of contact. For example, advanced chi sao in Wing Chun will allow for subtle attacks every cycle while the structure, control and precision remain undisturbed. This combination of both immovable and shocking energy in the elbow is a simple realization of the complementary relationship between the shoulder and finger energies. My teacher would say that shocking and immovable energies are two sides of the same coin resembling that of the well-known wave particle duality in physics. The fingers exhibit shocking energy properties while the shoulders exhibit immovable energy properties as a result of their relationship to the body’s center. The elbows, located between the two, can uniquely realize both properties just as a photon can exhibit both wave and particle properties. Notice that this relationship restricts the amount of either energy present in any one area. More shocking energy in one location means less immovable energy and visa versa. It is worth emphasizing again the order of Wing Chun energy cultivation outlined above for both immovable and shocking energies. These energies if artificially manufactured (done by most practitioners) create openings and instabilities that can be easily exploited by masters of the art. Proper cultivation of these energies must follow a clear order of skill development. Like all aspects of Wing Chun these energies must be cultivated over time under an experienced Wing Chun teacher through empty hand sets, wooden dummy, chi sao and weapons training. About the Author: Michael Herrera is a Wing Chun Instructor and founder of Austin Wing Chun. With an advanced background in physics he instinctively applies concepts rooted in the scientific method towards understanding the art. A student of Florida-based martial artist and Wing Chun master Karl Godwin, Michael considers himself to be fortunate having learned Wing Chun from such a highly skilled and meticulous teacher. This article in its original form can be found on the Austin Wing Chun blog at www.austinwingchun.blogspot.com.