Shaolin Hung Mei Theory
6 TYPES OF POWER USED IN HUNG MÉI
There are six types of “power” in Hung Méi Kung Fu:
- Direct Power
- Hard Power
- Full Power
- Indirect Power (also called Leaning or Shifting Power)
- Soft Power
- Empty Power
Generally, beginners can only use Direct and Hard Powers. Later, they will learn the subtleties of Shifting and Soft Powers. As the student progresses in the art, he or she will develop the ability to instinctively react to a given situation and apply the most effective technique.
Direct Power may be found in the fighting technique of the Tiger when he lunges forward and attacks his victim. Direct Power can simply be hard as in a hard block, or it can be full as in a punch thrown with great intensity.
Indirect Power is a variation of Direct Power. It remains hard, and can be full, but is even more effective. In Indirect Power, the Kung Fu student learns to use his or her opponent's momentum against him. In other words, the student takes advantage of any action initiated by the opponent that can be used to enhance the intensity of a given counter technique. For example, if an antagonist is moving forward, the student can lean or shift to the side - enough to avoid the incoming attack. At the same time, the student can strike the oncoming opponent. The resulting energy is equal to the sum of the force of the attacker's forward motion plus the force of the counterattack.
In the event that a student must defend himself against a much larger aggressor, the student must not rely solely on direct techniques. Force against force will not work when facing a stronger opponent. Instead, Soft Power will need to be applied. Soft techniques, such as the Kua Shŏu (挎手) grab, will enable the student to deflect a hard attack. Subsequently, a Hard or Full Power counterattack can effectively be executed.
The most difficult of the six powers to master is Empty Power. With it the student learns to absorb the energy of an oncoming attack, typically in the Bì Lóng (避龍) stance. Use of this power requires deep awareness, calmness, releasing of all muscle tension and tremendous focus.
