To complete a movement, even if you are thinking about the course of one
hand , you should not let the other hand dangle but rather it is important to
concentrate on that hand. In this way, the heart and the action on both sides of
the body will be in harmony.
In karate when punching or blocking for example, attention should be paid
to the hand that is being withdrawn. Furthermore, when kicking it is important
to be conscious of the supporting leg.
If you are having trouble with your punch, try to focus completely on your
withdrawing hand and a sense of "kime" and power will come.
"Imaginary" Upper, "Reality"
Upper body can be considered as your head. Lower body as your abdomen. The
word abdomen is often used in the world of martial arts, not only in China but
also in Japan, to explain one's center of gravity and spirit. It is said
"Imaginary" refers to that which is empty where "reality" refers to that which
is full or complete. Tightening the belt tightens the pelvis area and abdomen so
power is focused in the fourth lumbar vertebra. This bone is angled downward
and, related to the opening and closing movement of the pelvis, concentrates
power .
Kata
Kata combines "practicality, efficiency, and beauty".
"Practicality" - movement must be practical and readily usable.
"Efficiency" - efficient and suitable moves with no wasted
movement.
"Beauty" - beautiful movement born from practicality and
efficiency.
A way to measure techniques
Techniques are honed from daily training
Skill is born from correct form
Correct form is beautiful as it has no unnecessary movement
Pour your heart into the kata
And it will be alive.
Being consistent
A carpenter once said, if little pillars are lined up straight they
can hold a thousand times their weight.
Do not be discouraged by adversity, you will be strong if your mind and
posture are correct and your training is consistent.
Stagnation
Being stuck, immobile, and excessive awareness of self are referred to as
"stagnation" in the martial arts. Being stuck in one mode traps you in danger
and prohibits movement. You look but don't see, you speak but don't say
anything, you believe you are stopping but you are not.
Not moving while being in action is not the same as being immobile and
stagnant. Avoid being stagnant by always being prepared for action.
When you are consumed with yourself, you miss the feeling of others.
A drawback of those in love, is they don't see the faults of those they
love.
Respect is important, but being overly respectful and consumed with
formality reduces intimacy. On the other hand, politeness is forgotten when
friendship is taken for granted.
Breath of an honest person
The masses breath from the throat, an honest person from the heel
- Zhuangzi
Breathing from the diaphragm, commonly referred to as abdominal breathing
or belly breathing, is beneficial in martial arts for balance and to avoid loss
of breath. Using the pelvic floor and the lower diaphragm is also
important. When walking with the heel, the pelvic floor of the diaphragm moves
up and down, and air enters and exits the belly. When using the heel, the psoas
major muscle, which is connected to the diaphragm and pelvic floor, is also
pulled into action and this trains the psoas major muscle which is a deep core
muscle. The psoas major also plays an important role in helping the flexibility
of the hip joint which is so important in martial arts.
Skill with the Hocho (a long blade knife)
Mastering extreme techniques with a hocho according to a master cook
requires spirit enabled skills that are superior to physical ones. This skill is
understood from the workings of the mind, rather than determined by looking at
the sensory organs of the eye.
Therefore to cook, you need not only the mechanisms of nature but also a
sense from heaven. The master's knife lasts long and is never damaged. The
master follows a spiritual path that exceeds technology.
- Zhuangzi