Shaolin Hung Mei Theory
FIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR TAO LU (“SETS” OR “FORMS”)
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Positions
“Positions” refers to the fixed postures assumed when the body is stationary. The basic body postures for performing Tao Lu are: head up, neck erect, shoulders lowered, chest thrust forward, torso straight and hip locked. Once having grasped the essential components of these postures, the practitioner is required to smoothly expand the body, including the upper limbs or lower limbs, as he/she executes the techniques of the Tao Lu. If the student thrusts his/her arm or the leg forward or sideways, he/she must exert the outwardly directed force with maximum snapping motion from the shoulders or the hips respectively. The movements must be well coordinated with the rest of the body. The position of the lower limbs, the body height, the locking of the front foot and the outward stretching of the rear leg must work synergistically. The student’s postures and spiritual vitality reflect his/her skills of defending and attacking.
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Methods
“Methods” refer mainly to the defense skills that are developed through the practice of Tao Lu such as springing, kicking, punching, blocking, sweeping, stomping, shifting, jumping, grasping, etc. The routines and striking targets used throughout the Tao Lu, as executed through handwork, footwork, and eye contact must be very clear so as to reflect the specific features of the student’s skill in combat. For example, when springing off a leg (kicking) the force must be concentrated at the ball of the foot, when stomping the foot the force is to be concentrated at the point of the foot in line with the lower leg and when moving forward, the weight is concentrated on the sole. When punching, contact is made between the second and third joints of the first and second fingers. When striking with the hand, use the edge of the little finger side of the hand with the fingers pointing straight up. Having grasped these methods, the student will be able to perform the techniques correctly and express his or her innermost consciousness with Spirit (Shen), Power (Jin) and Focus. At any time, the student’s position may be well posed yet the path taken may not have been correct. Therefore the exercise would be devoid of combat effectiveness and lack inner consciousness in the movement.
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Body Work
Body Work does not mean isolated torso movement but moving the body as a whole. Using the trunk as a shaft, the waist as an axis and coordination of the upper and lower limbs, the student may execute the skills of twisting and turning, forward bending and backward leaning and pushing and drawing. The entirety of each movement, including waist twisting, shoulders turning and hips lowering must be well coordinated with smooth exertion of force that is also explosive. There is a proverb that says, “Easy to train fist, but difficult to train body”. Body Work is indispensable to the skills of defending and attacking. Without it, these skills cannot be performed with explosiveness, intent and conviction. So, the technical aspects, especially the role played by the waist, must be practiced, learned and grasped correctly. Another proverb rightly says, “Training fist one thousand times makes for perfect bodywork.”
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Smooth Exertion of Force
The student should exert force with great spirit and intent, explosively using the entire body in a harmonious manner. While practicing Tao Lu, it is important to remember to release all tension and stiffness in the movements. The movements should be initiated from a relaxed position then executed vigorously using snapping force concentrated on the intended point of contact. Think of these four words: smooth, relaxed, tense and accurate. Once the student understands how to apply these words to the practice of Tao Lu, he or she will be successful.
“Smoothness” is a required part of the process of effectively exerting force. If the process is correct, the student’s force will be concentrated rather than dispersed. There is a Wu Shu saying, “The hand is like an arrow and the body like a bow; the exertion of force is entirely spurred by the rear foot.” Take the case of a straight punch executed from a front stance. The process would be: pressing on the ground extends the knee, the knee drives the hip, the hip impulses the waist, the waist sets the shoulders in motion, the shoulders propel the elbows, and the elbows bring along the hands.” The force starts from the heels in the form of stomping or turning, is then transmitted to the waist in the form of impulsing and rotating and lastly it reaches the hands in the form of explosively propelling.
Attention should be paid to the “three sections” and the “six part coordination.” With respect to the upper limbs, the “three sections” refer to the “Tip Section,” or the hands, the “Middle Section,” or the elbows, and the “Base Section,” or the shoulders. For the lower limbs, the feet, knees and hips are referred to as the “three sections,” “Tip”, “Middle” and “Base Sections” respectively. The “Six Parts Coordination” refers to the coordination between the hands, elbows, shoulders, feet, knees and hips. These are linked in a clear process.
“Relaxation” refers to the ease and calmness of the organs and muscles of the body just prior to exerting force. But, the student must not be inert in his/her spirit and morale. Relaxation keeps the student free from stiffness and rigidity and opens the energy pathways allowing smooth and vigorous exertion of force. So, “relaxation” is a prerequisite to posing correct postures and coordinating the movement of the body. Some people, although properly positioning their hands and feet, appear rigid and inert with respect to their environment. The sole reason for the ineffectiveness of their movement is the lack of relaxation before initiating an exercise. There is a saying, “An inch of snap force, a gain of striking power.” Through smooth exertion, the force can be concentrated on the striking point resulting in a greater snap force as the movement speed increases. Another saying asks, “With a stiff shoulder though a vigorous arm, how can you wave your fist freely? Like a bow without a string, could you shoot an arrow out?” Where there is relaxation there is tenseness; where there is no softness, there cannot be any vigor. These ideas oppose, yet complement each other.
“Tenseness” refers to the virtually instantaneous tightening of appropriate muscles at the instant of contact. If the muscles are tightened too early, the result will be stiffness and lack of grace. The muscles return to a relaxed state an instant after contact in preparation for a subsequent application. The exertion must be well coordinated with the breathing. During the instant before executing explosive movement, the student inhales air, stores energy and builds strength. At the instant he or she exerts force, air is exhaled and energy released resulting in harmonious movement.
“Accuracy” means that the student must concentrate the force on a specific target accurately.
In summary, only by using explosive or snapping force can the student exert power without stiffness or rigidity. If the student can truly meet the requirements of “smoothness”, “relaxation”, “tenseness” and “accuracy”, there will naturally be snapping force in his/her movements.
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Spiritedness
When practicing Tao Lu, the student must, first and foremost, practice with vigor and focus. If he or she is distracted, the resulting movements will be dull and lack the spirit and feeling which are vital for effective learning. Only with a “combat will” in one’s innermost being can the student demonstrate the spirit of bravery and fearlessness. This spirit is not meant to be shown through gritted teeth, facial expressions or angry eyes, but on the contrary, should be disguised with poise and an easy manner.
