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Old 02-24-2010, 04:09 PM   #1
yichuan
Location: San Rafael
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Internal (Hunyuan) Strength from a Yi Chuan Perspective

We recently updated yichuankungfu.com with new video clips and a detailed interview with Yi Chuan Master Cheuk Fung.

A clip where he explains the characteristics of Internal (Hunyuan Strength can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHZKo...layer_embedded

Some of his comments on the subject from http://www.yichuankungfu.com/cheuk-fung/hunyuan/:

Student: What is Hunyuan strength?
Master Fung: Hunyuan strength refers to oneness, whole body strength or six surfaces strength. It is different from regular strength. The easiest way would be to show you, but, since you're writing this down the best we can do is compare it with regular strength. In contrast to Hunyuan strength, regular strength would be called sectional, broken or one-sided strength. It is not to say that regular strength can't be strong and forceful, only that the entire body is not contributing to whatever function the strength is required for. With regular strength the majority of the load is born by the local muscle groups in the limbs. With Hunyuan strength, the majority of the load is carried by the legs, waist and back. Regular strength is delivered directly, like a ram where the force is the inertia of the weight moving forward. Hunyuan strength is delivered indirectly... the inertia of the weight moving away from the target is more than that moving into it. Regular strength dissipates with movement. Hunyuan strength is stored within movement. This stored strength results in torque or martial velocity in each movement. That's why it's called oneness or whole body strength because the entire frame supplies torque to the limbs within each gesture.

Student: So why is Hunyuan strength so important?
Master Fung: The development of Hunyuan strength is the basis for both health cultivation and self defense. You have to understand that health and self-defense are inseparable when it comes to martial arts. A healthy mind-body is the foundation of strength and awareness and therefore of paramount importance in Kung Fu. The exercises we use to discover and develop Hunyuan strength are beneficial to health. Much has been written about this...deeper relaxation, lubricating the joints, stretching the tendons, strengthening the ligaments, massaging the organs, etc. We are holistically exercising the body in a balanced way. Of course Yi Chuan is martial in nature, therefore we emphasize postures and orbits useful for fighting. When deployed with the proper footwork and timing, techniques expressed with Hunyuan strength utilize the capacity of the whole body to absorb, redirect and discharge strength. Powerful techniques can be delivered without much movement but with sudden and overwhelming force. By arranging our training to develop Hunyuan strength, we address the intertwined issues of health and self defense simultaneously.

Student: So if I understand you correctly, it's not the movement or posture that you use that's important but whether or not it uses Hunyuan strength?
Master Fung: Exactly, that was your great grand teacher's point. Various postures and exercises are not the Kung Fu, they are merely an expression of it.

Kind Regards,

Steve
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