Detailed explanation on kua alignment, and the exercise to get the kua in the correct position.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 15 min. In: English Year: 2010 Difficulty:2/5 At:Edmonton
“Kua Exercise” Online Video Trailer
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Wilkin! I love it when you find these old videos! This is a great addition to the other kua videos. Procedure for opening kua step by step. The details on sequential stretch in relation to Peng are illuminating.
Master Chen said Taiji is not 1, 2, 3. It is 1>2>3. Very important concept for building up Peng energy. I get to put it into Yilu and foundation exercises. Thank you.
Another way Master Chen has also used to express the same concept is “adding one”.
Kelvin, what is “adding one” concept? Do you mean 1 then 1+1 then 1+1+1?
I believe “add one” simply means add one. As in initially you had 0, now you have +1. Then if you do something else you have 0, the you will have +1. And not 1+1 which = 2.
Because every moment has its own differential, its own core of yin and yang. So every rotation is by definition an isolated incident. Or you’ve lost it.
Its like in the circle, elbow in(one thing), turn the body(one thing), hand out(one thing), and they can never be the same, literally, because past, present and future are different, and there is only now.
I may be mistaken, for I’m still a complete beginner, but this is my current understanding, I hope it helps.
🙂
I think this is to maintain the first stretch as to do the second one and then keep both stretches to do the third one. Each stretch is a yin yang separation and in this conjunction body part stretches building up energy alignment which is an energy path for neutralize and as well issuing power.
Yes, when performing a new action, the previous action is not lost.
One more important aspect of “Internal” movement… which is also a stretch.
It explains one aspect of indentation, protrusion that needs fixing. A very fundamental concepts that needs to be present all the time.
Later it reveals “what is stretching”… often termed as “one, then add one, then add one” — A must to watch
Everyone above has pretty much pointed out the value of this video….absolutely love it….this drill is a part of my daily routine….thanks again Master Chen for a superb, on point, effective teaching video.
Ive just puchased this exercize video. Strangely enough I think I already got it. Is this the same mechanics as the one inch punch? It really does feel that way..
With got it I mean actually know the movement…
From what I can understand, the mechanics between this video and the one inch punch have absolutely nothing in common.
Thanks for the reply Hugo I really appreciate it. Although I am no tai chi master whatsoever I must disagree but I can be wrong ofcourse. Let me explain. Standing in a bow and arrow stance(somewhat) hand in front like the positive circle with kua closed, open the leading kua then wheight shifts to the back then close leading kua again with force from the backleg and punch. I dont move fist only twist it and hit with the bottom 3 knukkles..it roles from the first 2 to thw bottom 3. I hope you understand what im talking about. I could be totally wrong though and do it wrong all together…please reply because know im confused… thanks
Its a sort of twist.. looks like fajing…
Thanks for writing, Joshua:
Yes, of course there are superficial similarities, or the appearance of relatedness, however, I recommend caution when translating. It would be interesting to see the movement you describe on video, and you could always post it for us.
However, what I can say is that I have been working on the mechanic described in the video for 5 years now, and I still can’t do it (of course there is some small improvement). I have also realised that it is *distinct* from all the other CMA training I had done, including taiji, in the prior 29 years.
It is our challenge to train the method beyond our first impression. Otherwise we end up training only what we know, to our own detriment of course, since we then cannot overcome ourselves.
This is far from complete, and only barely covers some hints, and is intended as a general list for all of us (myself included)…
“Difficult basic skills in PM taiji”
———————————–
– are my strikes still percussive? (yes? not PM taiji)
– when I “strike”, do I still exhibit forward intent? (yes? not PM taiji)
– have I verified with video, partners and material rulers that my front kua does not retreat with a forward movement or “strike”? (if no, not PM taiji)
– have I verified with video, partners and material rulers that my front kua and knee do not toss (lateral movement) when I open or fold my front kua? (no? not PM taiji)
– is my hand moving when I apply a “strike”? (yes? not PM taiji)
– am I leaking energy out my buttocks? (yes? not PM taiji)
– can my rear knee point upwards throughout an opening and folding of the front kua without my buttocks leaking energy down and my rear kua tossing laterally? (no? not PM taiji)
These are just my arbitrary examples of common biomechanical problems that we struggle with as we try to develop PM mechanics.
Any errors are mine, of course.
Thanks for writing, hope this helps.
Thanks for the fast reply Hugo. 5 years is indeed a long time since you havnt mastered it yet. When I practice this exersize I try to not move my shoulders, and keep my stance/knees firm no tossing. Lowering the dantien and openening and closing the kua, mimicing master chens movement. It was weird for me to actually do the movement within 1 hour practice. Thats why I posted a comment in the first place. Also thanks for pointing out those PM pointers it will help me alot, even by only reading them. Much appreciated. To finish: the oneinch punch is indeed not the same as you point out but the 3 axis do play a big role there is some more tossing involved though, similar to a whips movement when striking only in very small poportion. How do I post a vid ?
I never think I can do something until I have it verified from a reliable and valid measurement, which for me is Master Chen or one of my elder disciple brothers saying so. Self report measurements are grossly inaccurate…I always assume I don’t have it…nothing in this art is easily attainable.
Thanks John,
I feel the same way, I will ask my huanyuan xingi taichi teachers if they know more about it. They are listed on this website aswell. Albeweging.nl. I deeply thank you guys for answering my questions and clarifying my doubts. I feel that this kua movement plays and will play a major role in my development. If my teachers have an answer or can measure my progress on this movement I will let you guys know. Again, deeply appreciated.
Joshua, you can just put in a youtube link in a new post.
Joshuab
HunYuan is a different system with different requirements than Practical Method, as they are two distinctly different systems [albeit both creators had the same teacher in Chen Fa Ke].
the kua is a very important part of the body in many nejia, but they are not all used and developed in the same way. It is fairly common for someone to have flexibility and/or strength in this area, but the specialized mechanics / position required for Practical Method usually has to be progressively developed. Maybe you are naturally gifted for this specialized mechanics, however it is also natural for the mind to automatically filter what it perceives through past experience with and come to conclusions before ever getting physical verification or confirmation.
“Do not believe your body does what you think it is doing! Your body has a mind of its own and is quite independent of you. It does what it wants and what it is used to.”
http://practicalmethod.com/2013/09/declare-war-againt-your-own-body/
http://practicalmethod.com/2012/03/how-do-you-know-whether-you-are-learning/
Thanks guys for the guidance. I will take everything in considiration, pratice more and then some more……
Ok guys, I just finished a session with my friend who already knows more about practical method. I was doing it wrong hahaha. To much force, my stances where to firm like shaolin stances. Used to much force and depleting the energy. But I got it right now. Now I know what to work on. I want to thank you all for your help. It is hart warming. Thanks again.
Most enlightening & informative video. Excellent exercises for teaching the proper sequence for both opening and aligning the kua, with shoulder and knee on a converging axis while emphasizing that unless each of the aforementioned body parts is locked into place before the next alignment occurs, the energy of the move dissipates much like water spilling out if one pours it in a plastic bag which is not held up… a true “aha!” moment as to “visualization” of “peng” jin (internal energy) & structure. Much obliged for the priceless instruction.
Excellent example of three dimensions
Very good
Submation of forces from diff body part to give great resultant forces
Great video that describes methods of opening the kua and briefly mentions how the kua can be guided. I have noticed my kua opening and it has allowed me to do many things that I could not have done previously, for example the 45 degree side step – I used to fall over but now I don’t; and even rolling from rear foot to front foot in a stepping exercise has felt very different since the kua started opening up. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of restriction in my kua and I will be practicing these exercises to open it up more.
It was also a nice surprise in this video to receive an explanation and demonstration of adding one, or “what’s done cannot be undone”. I remember my teacher explaining the concept of “what’s done cannot be undone” and it changed my foundations and yilu significantly.