The hidden energy alignment in the form “Six Sealing and Four Closing”.
The line in six sealing and four closing video
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Model Yilu
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Master Chen, I’m beginning to get a better sense of this line, and how orienting our actions to power the line rather than pushing the hand directly, creates alot of power on the hand indirectly. I was wondering, when you refer to “laying the track” is this line “the track” that we are trying to establish? As if the hand is fixed to the track and our actions push it up and down the track, the way a locomotive engine would push or pull all the other cars attached to it up and down a railroad track? In which case, would it be a good idea to practice the circle holding a staff tucked into the rear foot arch, and across the front of the dantien as a method to have a fixed object to work to? I have heard you mention in the “Edmonton 09 DVD” series that ultimately we want to develop the ability to make the opponent feel as if this stick is “coming out”, and I’m just wondering if there is a training method?
Please see the photos in this page: http://practicalmethod.com/2011/02/bentonville-workshop-photos-2011/?nggpage=11
You need to work with a long staff to get an idea of this. You also need to know that our action is not straight as the staff, it is curved to suit the situation. Once understood, every move in Yilu has a new meaning and training changes.
Oh wow! Very helpful, thank you. I will work on it.
Bruce, one of the aspect Shifu spoke of when doing the exercise with the long staff is alignment. When you examine the picture you can see multiple points on him that are aligned with the trajectory of the pole. Each point that is added to the pole or track augments the internal energy. It is my understanding that there is a segmented sequential stretch in which each point continues to merge on the pole. When Master Chen had me doing this he applied pressure on my shoulder. Initially, I got stuck at the point of contact. Upon repeating this, he had me stretch from the ground up, becoming full; laying the tracks perhaps, and thus stretching (internally) through the point I was previously stuck.
Thank you for your input John, it definitely helps to clarify the purpose of the exercise. I have a big problem with trying to “power up” the shoulder rather than sinking and rotating the shoulder, stretching it open. Master Chen said it’s very “blotchy” power rather than “threaded” through as a result. I will try to use the orientation to the stick as a way to work on it, and keep your notes in mind while practicing.
I sort of picture the process of using the pole as threading a needle through a small whole. If the needle is bent it cannot make it through the hole. It is important to align as much of your body as possible to the line so that it is like the needle being threaded through the whole. Also ShiFu spoke of how this line is always moving and “bending”. This is another important aspect. If you can hold the line (the pole in the pictures) and move it as one piece there is power there. It is like your body becomes a large lever that you can use to push people.
I think the concept of threading a needle is a very good one. It conveys an idea of precision and focus. At the same time, it is as you say a “large lever”. I see it acting very much like a scissor jack, where the base plate is locked against the ground, and as the middle joint moves toward the center line of the jack it levers tremendous power out to the lifting plate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpEgNEQCTag
One of my favorite videos that I watch again and again deals with different methods of actualizing lines to create power. In it Master Chen tells us we have to learn to completely reverse how we normally think. One way to look at this would be that, the “line” itself IS the power, and whether or not we have power depends on our ability to know where they are in a given situation, and whether or not we can make them real. These drills seem like an indispensable part of that process.
“Germany 2011 Private Workshop 3” http://practicalmethod.com/2012/01/germany-2011-private-workshop-3-online-video-trailer/
Master Chen demonstrated the relations of right hand/arm/shoulder/kua (hip). Same to the left side as in the second move of the first form (Buddha’s Warrior Pounds Mortar), and through out the entire Yilu. (舉一反三)