Generation of Power

Sifu Maury recently enlightened me with a high-level understanding of how power is generated in kung fu. While learning the short sticks form it seemed to me that some of the moves were purely coming from the wrist in contrast to most moves that are combined with a shift in stance to generate power. I had made the same incorrect assumption that most other martial art styles have through practicing these moves, thinking that the power generation comes from the legs and through a hip twist. The hip twist is very pronounced when observing karate and older forms of TaeKwon-Do. In ITF TaeKwon-Do they actually rethought the generation of power during my training in the late 90s and we moved to an up-and-down sinewave movement with less emphasis on hip twisting. This wave movement is actually closer to the original kung fu approach. Unique to kung fu styles is a theory of spirals as power generation, movements are more complex and spiral up through the body. You will observe some hip twisting as part of this but the end result is a fast and powerful attack that moves like the end of a whip.

The spirals also generate chi in the body. In the same way coils around a solid core can generate a magnetic field and energy flow, the spiral movement around the trunk and limbs generates a chi field which creates energy in the body. This is a very hard concept to get your head around and it is tremendously exciting for me to have an initial taste of this concept so I can explore it further.

Nick
Green stripe sash

Green stripe sash

My new son has been keeping me busy recently, so far it has been an incredible challenge of stamina, endurance, patience and both inner and physical strength. I needed to depend on many of the skills I have picked up in my martial arts training to get through this up to now. I have been able to continue with my kung fu training through most of this, only missing 2 classes during the week of the delivery when I was staying at the hospital. No matter how drained and exhausted I have been, training has given me an enormous surge of energy and vitality together with a feeling of calm that has really helped me get through this so far.

Jennifer expressed an interest in starting to train at the school with me which I find very exciting. It would be so great to have the 3 of us all training together, what a way to build a strong family sharing in something so important.

My big kung fu news recently is that I received my green stripe sash on Saturday. The ceremony went well and I performed my "flower fist tiger" form for the people there. I was also given a special dedication - a gift from the students of a kung-fu teddy bear for Ethan with a donation to Jennifers youth group at her church. The family there keep surprising me with how supportive they are.

With the new sash I am now joining the intermediate leadership team at the school, a smaller group that is more advanced so we spend less time going over the basics. This is a great step forward for me, I get most out of training with the higher levels. The other good news is that we have started a new weapon form, short sticks. This is going to be very interesting, fighting with a weapon in each hand, the first time I have experienced anything like this. We are also continuing with the Hung Ga form. There is an interesting semester ahead with the biggest challenge being balancing my new family life with training.

Nick
Green stripe sash

Ethan was born on March 8

My first born son Ethan was born on 3:08pm on March 8. Mother and baby are doing very well.

See Ethan's blog