Train for:

  1. HEALTH, learn how to heal first
  2. SPORT PUSH HANDS, issue internal energy
  3. SELF-DEFENSE, deflect rather than check

Begin with an open mind and keep an open mind. Every day distractions will deter you; your own words will distract you. All are delusional and subterfuge. Trust only the truth that things constantly change. Others will be unable to persist, and deter you. Have courage and persevere.

CONCEPTS OF INTERNAL PRACTICE:

  • Directionality, characteristics, and expression appropriate to the style
  • Open, close and expand the kua or hip and shoulder "gates" of the body
  • Knees in alignment over the toes
  • Round or firm the back and hollow the chest, kung hsiung pa pei
  • Relaxing (song) into Sun and Nei ---"going with" and "going against" emptiness and fullness
  • Move from core to distal points "threading roots, branches, and leaves" through the three "trees"
  • Nurture emptiness (Wuji) prior to movement
  • Use the body's "five bows" to have I Tung Quan Tung, "one part moves, everything moves
  • Distinguish substantial and insubstantial weighting for the body parts to mutually follow
  • Sustain a "u-shaped groin" and link the inner thighs together
  • Link the forward leg's downward extension to the stretching of the back leg
  • Step to define the sit stance by placing the heel, setting the toes, then flexing the knees
  • Link the nine pearls or "gates" for qi flow
  • Change steps and techniques by moving through central equilibrium

AMPLIFYING QI

PA KUA & RIVER MAP LINKING QIGONG

Cultivating, circulating, and issuing internal energy is the key to a healthy life and all the Mountain Dragon internal arts focus. To amplify primordial qi (yuan qi) use the two esoteric channels. Amplifying qi along the front, back, and middle paths creates a firmness or sense of fullness. Palpable sensations associated with animalistic energies will arise as you change postures and move through different quadrants. The highest goal is to feel linked to all quadrants in what Chen Pan-Ling referred to as chung ting pu ---central equilibrium stance. Internal movements of hsing I, bagua, and taiji begin and end with this empty center every time you change direction.


Classical objectives include:

  • five internal energies of touch, continue, stick, follow, no seperation-no resistance
  • five steps
  • eight techniques
  • deflect-hit, grab-bind, sweep-throw: da dyan na shuai