I. Internal Arts Principles

1. Tai Chi Principles 1.1 "Eight Methods & Six Harmonies"
2. Tai Chi Principles 1.2  "The Six Internal Sound" (New Article)
3. Tai Chi Principles 1.3 "Reverse Breathing Training, and Rolling the Tan Tien" (coming soon!)

II. Internal Arts Methods

1. Tai Chi Methods 1.1 "8 Pieces of Brocade & Yang Family Form"
2. Tai Chi Methods 1.2 "13 Principles of Tai Chi"

Eight Methods and Six Harmonies

NEI GUNG CHUAN FA Internal Arts:
"Water Boxing" and "Tai Chi Foundational Principles"

Eight Methods:

1. Chi (qì)
2. Bone (gǔ)
3. Shape (xíng)
4. Follow (suí)
5. Rise (tí)
6. Return (huán)
7. Retain (lè)
8. Conceal (fú)

The Eight Practical Methods or Ways Explained:

1). VITAL ENERGY. CHI’ Concentrate the spirit to make CHI Spirit move -- this method is sometimes called a contained Fury and is unlimited, as energy is unlimited. It is driven by the imagination. Monks in the past made visual mock ups of animals fighting to drive this process.

2). BONE. Gu’ Containing the Power in the bone. Sometimes called condensing. Draws strength into the bones. The meaning is to have a full body connection with all joints connected, no loose or overly tight places. You make the outside Soft like cotton and the inside solid as steel.

3). SHAPE. Shing’ (Form) (Image) This can also be called engrams by science and thought. Imitating the animals. Anything that you can see or imagine in the universe can be copied. You see the image and copy it! you take the spirit form from that moment, and use it for training. You see two animals fighting and you copy their meaning and spirit, as the Hua Shan and Shaolin Monks did.

4). FOLLOW. Sui’ You do not Focus you just react, or act from your opponents intent before they do. The two ideas here are CIRCLE and STRAIGHT, circle is your awareness that must go out, expanding in all directions, to know your opponent and to know yourself. Straight is the way of power. Chi must be able to circulate without breaks and penetrate through, going unhesitatingly, straight to the offered target.
This is the level of first attaining awareness of intent, which comes fairly quickly when any form is done the chi gung way. “The spirit is like radar but the power is straight”

5). LIFT. Ti’ (Rise) Refers to the Bai Hui. The Crown Point at the top of the head. “ Lift the crown of the head towards the heavens” Lifting this up as if the Body is held by a string. This means to “wake up” to be alert. By lightly holding our attention on this lifting, the circulation becomes wide and smooth and the Chi runs faster.

6). RETURN. Huan’ shift and return going back and forth. Always return to the practice of expanding and contracting. practice Yin and Yang. This is what the Master’s know, and will be a separate article entitled “What the Master knew” We call this in and out when we breath chi in and expanding out as in our coiling exercises – chan ssu Jing. This practice leads to ‘song’ relaxed strength. We always return to Yin and Yang. We learn by contrast!

7). SUSPEND. Le’ RETAINS. By clearing the mind in light concentration (Contemplation) we become calm and humble. We wait in suspended stillness for the void. Make the breath deep and smooth, by controlling the breathing you remain calm and the body follows course by remaining relaxed. The sympathetic nervous system is overridden this way and we gain full control of the moment. When your body is relaxed you can move or choose not to, and your CHI will always remain smooth and abundant, and is able to complete its cycle of turning through each meridian, and completes the grand cycle from du mai to jen mai. Back and front, full revolutions or turning the Wheel of life without any care or need to control the process. This gives the body more oxygen and energy, and a power that arises like a wave out of the void; this creates the flexibility called the Dragon Body, and the ability to act instantaneously. You become calm and content (Santosh).

8). CONCEAL Fu’ You have the idea of your intentions in your mind without the opponent knowing. You conserve your energy, and never feel compelled to overtly show your abilities, they are there for when you need them. So you look for an opening, then act

Internal Six Harmonies:

1. Body and Mind Combine (tiheyuxin)
2. Mind and Intent Combine (xinheyuyi) 
3. Intent and Chi Combine (yiheyuqi) 
4. Chi and Spirit Combine (qiheyushen)  
5. Spirit and Movement Combine (shenheyudong) 
6. Movement and Emptiness Combine (dongheyukong)

Internal Methods of the Six Harmonies: The Combining's, this version can be read aloud:

1. Body combines (harmonizes) with heart/Mind. The heart also means confidence we first build our confidence. We use imagery to bring feeling to the body.
2. Mind combines (harmonizes) with Intent.
3. Intent combines (harmonizes) with Chi.
4. Chi combines (harmonizes) with Spirit (Shen)
5. Spirit combines (harmonizes) with movement’
6. Movement combines (harmonizes) with Emptiness (Wuji) or the Void.

Outer Six Harmonies:

1. The body and joints together. The Three joints of the body are the spine, back, and Neck. We move from the spine to the back to the neck in that order.
2. Hands and feet together. The three hand joints move from the shoulder, to the elbow, to the wrist.
3. Foot and joints together. The three foot joints move from the hip, to the knee, to the ankle.
4. Hand and foot
5. Elbow and knee
6. Shoulder and hip

This is a first look at an internal Martial Art or system that we will add later, if there is interest _ once again in all internal systems the martial and training principles are very similar. We will introduce parts or all of these systems when it is important to our Study Group. The principles above are linked with the form (liu He Ba Fa) it is popularly credited to a northern Chinese hermit. “It is said that he had longevity that exceeded way beyond a 100 years" (this is documented by the Chinese historians) "This longevity is also unheard of in this day and age" with the exception being, Daoist immortals practicing from Hua Shan mountain retreats. They study and teach these internal methods to achieve long life, in order to dedicate themselves to the advancement of their system, and to enter into the level of enlightenment it brings.
 

All internal Forms can really be called "Tai Chi" in a way -  there are even circle walking exercise's, with mother son palm changes as in modern Ba Gua in these internal "Tai Chi" forms, Most were called "Nei Jia" in the early days ..... They are all transformative processes', or  Internal Arts. "Nei jia"

One such method's common principles we are high lighting in this article is commonly called (Liu He Ba Fa), SIX/EIGHT Boxing, also more correctly referred to as WATER BOXING. It is said to have all the elements of the internal systems incorporated into its form. Ba Gua, Tai Chi, and Shing I. The three sister's boxings.  The WATER element is Change!  There is a very good article in Qi magazine this last month, which is concise, to the point, spoken from firsthand experience, about these ongoing transfomative processes & change - written by B.K. Frantzis. I suggest you get a copy and read it.
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The question I would like to propose to class this month would be; why are some very famous present day masters and students not able to duplicate these feats of longevity & strength? And how can we? What are we missing? What is that last piece?  Is it something that has been left out due to lack of interest, or over commercializing of the Arts?  Is it hidden? “Bring your answers to class; we will be examining these questions all month. Go about this with the same interest and depth as you would any Bunkai.

There is no right or wrong answers here: below are my thoughts’  I've presented these only as a starting point! Please bring your insights to class next Wednesday or Friday. We are interested in your insights.

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Here’s what I have observed; This is a basic insight which keeps coming up for me each time I revisit this, in that this missing piece is somewhat more Spiritual (energy driven) in nature, than other aspects of our trainings. Maybe it is our spiritual connection. Perhaps it is that final intense connection or immersion with the life force (CHI) with such depth, that it is on a level where we almost become spirit (energy)?

If it is, this would necessarily come out of disciplines that are required and maintained daily. We would have to rewin this level of commitment every day! It is not a gift that can be kept easily, once it's given. When cultivated in daily practice, in static and moving contemplations, we can rejuvenate this conscious connection again and again.  It also helps to share this training with others who are interested. (This keeps the outflows of this increased energy flowing and running smooth) - [not keeping it - "just to ourselves"] or pretending to know who is ready, and who is not, by saying this is a closed door teaching. We are not "gatekeepers" here, only lifelong students. See: "Nei Gung Chuan Fa, Internal Arts Intro: on this LCMA site" (With practice not speculation, the higher Spiritual Notes “Vibrations” are hit this way). Also important to us - would be, there are no easy answers! For we are all living in an urban industrial society, which robs us of our time, and life force daily. So we really do have to rewin this connection every day to maintain it.  It's like putting money into a bank, and withdrawing it each day as needed, without making ourselves spiritually bankrupt!  this is (balance)

We are not Hermits living in China's mountains, but we can learn from their example, dedication, and ways of cultivating the internal or eternal self. So why is this "spiritual knowledge" important to us and to our practice? We are studying this "internal way” We have been drawn to it for personal reasons. We also would like a long productive life, and to gain the very knowledge and practice, that brings a depth to our existence, our experiences, and enlivens our very purpose in life. "It raises us to an awakened state"  This benefits ourselves and our families, our circle of friends and even our careers! We start to make conscious choices. We begin stepping forward in life to unknown areas, we are brave and secure in this journey_ we have gained the energy now, and the endurance now, to travel the high roads now, we live in the now. We are more selfless, we become more adventurous’ we are now "self responsible"

We do not need permission from anyone to move forward in our lives, we own our own lives, no one else does! Since we are self responsible, we become self correcting, this gives us discression, and a natural moral compass that guides us _so we can walk the razors edge, WE take less damage when learning life's lessons!  Because of these ideas and actions_we are INSPIRED. “We are in_spired” ………... “In spirit”  We become our own center of the universe, not someone else's.

So what are we missing? The knowledge of the spiritual? That we are spirit (energy beings) (A Point of eternal consciousness that can never be extinguished) as one of my teachers would say: "We are soul and we have a body, we are not a body, that has a soul’_ More than that, we are all these things and more. So don’t let the cynical, power hungry, or negative people discourage you, or rob your energy, it is only their own fear, or envy that is showing through. "It's not their time yet to embrace this" So we don't try to promote these ideas, we just research and try to understand them.  So the last piece that is not necessarily missing, but just hasn’t been gotten to yet_for some of us, are these high spiritual energy’s.  When we elevate these to a high priority in our practice, we elevate ourselves. We experience our practice on a higher level>if we practice Chi at a higher level. It does sustain, and it perpetuates and extends all life. So maybe Yoda was right all along. "The force is with us" we just have to acknowledge it, to have its benefits. (Longevity being one)  Then Balance and Inspiration will also come to our lives. Something the ancients called santosh. Contentment.

How is this practical, and how does it compliment our other Martial Arts, though? That is up to us to find out in our practice, as we experiment daily with these PRINCIPLES. 

'PRINCIPLES’ In Tai Chi  and the Internal Arts are the foundations we are building on. We are all on a life long journey of building. It's a connected building process of these principles -- so it’s not just about learning another form or system. It's also about acquiring the principles to gain a high level of physical ability, awareness, and understanding of the body, mind, and spirit. These connections enhance our power, self esteem, and self defense, while we are unknowingly and continually increasing our awareness of how we interact with our surroundings. "This in itself keeps us protected" _ (Self Defense)

Internal Arts Work! "It’s a whole body learning approach" _ and it’s a building process _ in that it takes time and patience, which is also a benefit to us.  Reminder of my favorite definition of GungFu "Work done over time" 

"We build from the inside out, not the outside in, like we do with our other arts"

Best of luck in your studies and practice.                                                                                                  SIFU DAVE

The Six Internal Sounds

The Six Internal Sounds, Used after singing Sung’ these can be express forcefully to immobilize or expel Chi and can also be used for healing when sung silently or as if releasing an audible “siiiiiiiiiiiigh” Experiment with these sounds audibly and silently, and take it further if you wish by adding movement.

Reverse Breathing Training, and Rolling the Tan Tien

Presented in class.  Article coming soon!

Dao Yin: 8 pieces of brocade Chi gung

Also referred to by many names because of the age of this Chi Form, ex. "8 pieces of Golden silk Brocade.

1. Commencing
2. Push the Boat Down the River, also drawing the bow 
3. Lift Up Both the Sun and Moon, or Heaven and Earth. 
4. A Wise and Mythical Bird Spreads Her Wings, while looking backwards. 
5. Pick up a Rock With Confidence and punch with an angry gaze.
6. Slide the Window shutters to Look at the Moon
7. The Wind Blows in Your Face
8. The Old Monk Strokes His Beard, while curling his toes and bouncing his heels.

Yang Tai Chi Lineage chi gung Form

The first 1/3 of the w/family naming

1. Preparation/commencing
2. Step out raise hands
3. Ward off left
4. Grasp Sparrows' tail Peng, Lui, Ji, An
5. Single Whip
6. Raise hands
7. Shoulder Stroke
8. White crane spreads Wings
9. Brush knee left
10. Play the Pi Pa
11. Brush knee Left
12. Brush knee Right
13. Brush left knee
14. Play Pi Pa
15. Brush knee Left
16. Step forward deflect Punch parry 
17. Withdraw and push, an’
18. Cross hands – ride tiger to mountain

13 Principles of Tai Chi Chuan/ Internal Arts
 

PRINCIPLES OF TAI CHI CHUAN/13 Version, +13 practical applications, + 13 postures, steps, shapes, and directions.

Chi (The Life Force) _ Chi flows, Power will follow!

Postures or Shapes: Bases for Internal and External Martial Arts

1). Peng, (Ward off or inflated, an actual inflated feeling in body and arms) 2). Lu, (Pulling or roll back ) 3). Ji,( squeezing or compression) 4). An, (pushing downward, then up and out) 5). Tsai, (Grab w/fingers and pull down and snap, also the attack of vital points with fingers and Thumb) 6). lieh, (Splitting opponents energy, also spinning side to side) 7). Zhou, (Elbow Strike, can use entire arm) 8). Kao, ( Shoulder strike, also Bouncing with leaning) 9).Chin (advance) 10). Tui (retreat or dissolve) 11). Ku (look left, step) 12). Pan (Look right, step) 13). Ting (Center settling, and a wonderful Jamaican Drink).

• 13 Principles of Tai Chi Chuan

These are Unified_Done all at Same Time:

1. Sinking of Shoulders and Dropping of Elbows into gravity.
2. Relaxing the Chest (Front of body/and sides, the muscles and energy) then Rounding the Back
3. Letting Chi Sink down to Dan Tien, (Drop the tension of the heart and lungs and relax the diaphragm while holding no thoughts, then chi will sink).
4. Lightly lifting Up the Head as if held by a thread.
5. Relaxation of Waist and Hip.
6. Differentiating Between Yin and Yang/Empty and Full. I jing
7. Coordination of Upper and Lower Body and parts.
8. Using the INTENT mind/heart (YI) and not force.
9. Harmony among Internal and External.
10. Connecting the Mind/heart (Yi) and the Chi. “Unifying”
11. Seek and find stillness in movement.
12. Movement and stillness become one.
13. Continuity and Evenness present from beginning to end of form. Do not break CHI

                           Explanation of 13 principles and Requirements
                               “In the classics_these were called songs”

(As an example we’ve included one of the classical song's here, but will defer to contemporary requirements)

"Song of Look-Right:
Feigning to the left, we attack to the right
with perfect Steps.
Striking left and attacking right
we follow the opportunities.
We avoid the frontal and advance from the side
seizing changing conditions.
Left and right, full and empty,
*our technique must be faultless."
 

*This is from the yang family manuscripts: "Yang Family Manuscripts," Edited by Li Ying-ang,
also credited to "T'ai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions," 1983, p. 37

Sometimes these were practiced aloud, along with the Tai chi form. It is also not common knowledge but the "Lui He Ba Fa form" is considered an Epic story. With a beginning, body, and conclusion, just like going to the movies or theater.

Contemporary Requirements:

This is a working document for your personal study, feel free to download and add notes or edit!

 

1). Sinking of Shoulders and Dropping of Elbows into gravity. The requirement for the shoulders is to be completely relaxed and open. If you cannot relax and drop the shoulders, the entire torso will be uptight. The Chi will be blocked and it will lock the shoulders in this position and you cannot get power out. "Sinking the elbows" means the elbows point down and are rounded and relaxed. If the elbows raise, the Peng force is referred to as “broken” and you will not be able to move people easily, or protect yourself from incoming forces. Keep this natural if it doesn't feel natural, than it's not right.
 

2). Relaxing the chest while rounding and pulling up the back. (Turtle Back) The chest is depressed naturally inward so that the breath can sink to the Tan Tien. Do not project the chest outward or the chi will get in the upper trapezius and the body becomes top heavy. (The lower body should be like steel and heavy the upper body weightless) If this is neglected the heel connection and Yong Quan (bubbling well/bottom of foot) will be too light and can be easily uprooted. Raise the upper back and the chi adheres to and travels along the spine and back. Raising the upper back the lower back becomes relaxed which flattens the lumbar curve. Don't force these or go overboard with this, or it will cause tension and misalignment. When done in a relaxed and natural way, we then can acquire the ability to discharge force through the spine. This will inevitably increase our martial abilities.
 

3). Sinking the chi down to the Tan tien “Your Thoughts, please”
 

4). Lightly lifting up the head. The head should be held upright without tensing the muscles of the neck. So that the spirit can reach the top of the head, the crown point, the Bai Hui. Do not use overt strength, this will cause the neck to become stiff, and the breath and blood cannot flow freely. Cultivate a natural and lively feeling in all you do. If spirit cannot reach the Bai Hui, it cannot raise the Chi. Intention should be empty, lively, full, energetic, free, and natural, for the spirit to raise.
 

5). Relaxing the waist. The waist controls the movement of the entire body. By relaxing the waist the entire body aligns itself with gravity, our legs will be rooted and have power, and we will have a full big feeling in the thighs. This area is sometimes called the second heart or the second Tan Tien. We recognize insubstantial and substantial, and learn this continual changing is based on the turning of the waist. It is said that the source of strength in the postures lies in the waist. If you cannot get power out, look for the answer in the waist and legs. If the alignment is correct, solid, relaxed and balanced, than power will flow out and into your opponent. If the whole body is not connected and in harmony than the opponent will find your weak points and attack them. Additionally when you strike if you are out of alignment you will feel the repercussions of your own strike bouncing off your opponent, and entering back into you!

6). Differentiate Between Empty and Full: “Yin and Yang” Again this is Yin and Yang, Yi jing theory, insubstantial and substantial, beginning and ending. This is the first principle of the whole of (more properly named) TAI JI. When the weight of the whole body is resting on the LEFT leg, then the LEFT leg is substantial and the RIGHT leg is insubstantial. When you can separate substantial and insubstantial, you can turn quickly without using strength. If you cannot separate them, then you are double weighted, your movement can become heavy and slow. The stance is not firm and can easily be thrown off balance.
 

7).Coordination of Upper and Lower Parts of the Body, Upper and lower mutually follow. The Tai Chi Chuan classics said that the motion should be rooted in the feet, built up and released through the legs, controlled by the waist, and manifested through the palms and fingers! When everything is connected, upper and lower are considered the same. So when the waist, hands, and feet move together (everything moves) there is a continuous continuity of power. There are no weak links in the chain. Vice versa, if there is one part that does not move, or that is too tight or too loose, the whole body becomes disordered. If that one part is too tight or restricted it’s like a crack in the foundation. The foundation becomes useless, and the house topples.
 

8). Using the INTENT mind/heart (YI) and not force. The Tai Chi Chuan classics say, "this is clearly a matter of using the INTENT and not force." In practicing Tai Chi Chuan the whole body relaxes, this comes from practice, and this is not just a product of thought! This will be addressed in a future article called "What the Master Knew". This secreted knowledge is showcased in this article "What the Masters Knew" - The short version of this is, that _ in a slow contraction and a longer slower release of an individual muscle, or large muscle group, this leads to ever increasing control and relaxation, (Balanced Tonus) it creates "song" or  what many call the Dragon Body. This is extreme flexibility in a relaxed state. where there is not even a hint of tension. (Try this if you have tight shoulders; tighten them as hard, and as long as you can without overefforting or hurting yourself, than slowly release them - they will immediately drop, and become relaxed!) The old classics called this final result steel wrapped in cotton, where not one bit of residual force remains. Not in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or blood vessels, or internal organs. Nothing to bind you, inhibit you, or inhibit Chi from flowing. When this is acquired you are able to change lightly and smoothly both in your postures in class, and outside of the school context where you will meet new challenges easily. You will be able to move freely and easily and the chi will be unbroken in flow and will follow and meet you before you arrive. The body has meridians like the earth has rivers and streams. If not obstructed, the water flows. If the meridian is blocked or dammed up, the chi does not flow through. If the whole body is tight, or even in a small area, say if there is a pattern of tension somewhere, these meridians become stagnant and back up like a dammed river. The chi and blood will stop flowing freely, and this will be reflected in the whole body. It will be off balance and/or out of balance. If we have attained “song” a high level of the relaxed state, when the mind goes to its target, the chi follows it and the chi and the blood continue to circulate. When you attain song in your daily routine, after a time you will have real internal force. If you use course force than you reveal your own force. Remember conceal. If overt or evident force (Undirected Brute Force) is used or indiscriminately used, the internal and external become locked. This can and does happen, because of the continual use of overt force, where it is not needed. So have you ever experienced doing your training forms and it just doesn’t feel right anymore? This can be because we have learned all we can from a certain way or level of training and it’s time to try something new. So when we become locked and stiff and our movement is like that of walking through mud, or stomping through unset concrete. We can graduate to a new level,we can learn to walk through our trainings and life as if we are walking smoothly and consciously, as if walking on something potentially slippery, we move with smoothness and evenness, respectfully, carefully. Then "The breath will remain in the tan tien" (See tip for the Day) and the Chi energy will flow and expand out continuously.
 

9). Harmony Between Internal and External. Inside and outside coordinate. In the practice of Tai Chi Chuan the main thing is the spirit. Therefore, it is said that the spirit is the commander, and the body is subordinate. (Spirit is General the body the troops) If you can raise the spirit up, then the movements will be natural and agile. Then the postures remain insubstantial and substantial, and are capable of opening and closing. That which is called open, means not only the postures are open, but the mind is also open. That which is called closed, means not only the postures are closed, but the mind is also closed. Then we can make the inside and outside become one, and we become, complete, unified and our movement is expressed in a single complete impulse, like a wave that is rolling to the beach, after being given birth far out in the ocean.
 

10). Connecting the Mind/heart (Yi) and the Chi. Unifying "please folks, your thoughts on this principle too"  thx!

11). Seek and find stillness in movement. When we practice our external way we assume jumping about is good and we use all our energy. That is why after practicing everyone becomes tired. Internal Arts uses stillness to control movement. Although one moves, there is also stillness. Therefore, in practicing the forms, slower is better. If it is slow, the inhalation and exhalation are long and deep, and the chi sinks to tan tien. logically, there are less injuries in practice. Slow is practical when training . We go slow to go fast. Going slow when learning, enhances our sensory motor skills. A scientific approach to learning and explaining "Song" for everyone has the same anatomical neurological event that happens in our peripheral and central nervous system when we move. This is Sensory motor learning (this applies to all our energy systems)
 

12). Movement and stillness become one. Movement and Stillness are Present together, at once, in the same moment. Again; when we do our external movements we prize our skills in course force, building an external strength so that we can show and demonstrate a powerful ability to start and stop quickly, and also show extremely powerful punches and kicks. Sometimes till we are exhausted and out of breath after practicing. And our blood vessels pop. When we switch to our internal way we notice that the breath will be deeper and longer more even, and replenishing. The chi will sink to the Tan Tien (just below the navel our balance point) this is replenishing and we will actually feel rested after practice!  But we can still duplicate that same peak power! How is that so? We first learn this by contrast and comparison of our external movements compared to our internally directed movements. IT is then that we learn to join both internal and external strength together, again this is called unifying "movement and stillness" in the classics. Also, it is said we move allot on the inside but little is revealed on the outside.  We still can initiate equal speed and power but with less efforting.  Make this comparison yourself in practice. Don’t rely on someone else to tell you, just try it. “Don’t just think about it, practice it” and you will find this principle will reveal itself and what internal arts has to offer in your practice. You can see this in all contemporary Master's moves (just check out you_tube and see some of the older Okinawan Masters. and how they are now moving after a life of dedication to their training. This evolution happens whether their art has been labeled external or internal. One is not better than the other. Like the double fish in the Yin Yang symbol, both are contained in each other. As it says, "All roads lead to Rome" especially if you travel long enough! Then through practice and attention, you will see movement and stillness are contained in each other. That’s why I say, that all arts are very similar.
 

13). Continuity and Evenness Throughout the Form; Not pace and tempo. The form is mutually joined and unbroken. Therefore it is without interruption. No hesitating or stopping and starting. Therefore it is infinite. When we practice externally our force is the latter Heaven or course strength. Therefore, it is finite. Then naturally there are breaks and reconnectings. Starting points, and Stopping points. During the breaks, the old force is exhausted, and the new force has not yet arrived. (Old force expires and new force has not been given birth) At these moments, it is very easy for others to take advantage of us. Tai Chi Chuan uses INTENT and not force. From beginning to end, it is continuous and unbroken. It is circular, and like a wave, and in that way again and again resumes, revolves, expands, and has no limits. The original classics said that it is like a great river rolling on unceasingly, and the circulation of internal force, is like pulling silk from a cocoon. They the (Masters) all talk about practice being continuous and connected without interruption. Hmmmm, does that mean that we can eventually live the set and principles or the form in our day to day life. Can we take from that then, that if we don’t ever allow breaks, or startings and stoppings of our energy flow – no matter what happens IN training or LIFE!  We ourselves are the master's. Can we imagine what that would be like? And think what that continuous flow may do for us, say in all areas of our daily life, and of course our Martial Art. 

Assingnments: Due by August 12.
1). Please list the ways that you might think it would be of benefit to us to have our energy flowing continuous and unbroken. Is this one of those hidden teachings that we have looked over so easily? Do we have to practice it? … Not just think about it ……. Is this also why we don’t have that longevity that we look for in this life? What are your thoughts?
 

2). Please research and come up with explanations for Principle #10 and  #3, then bring your written thoughts to class. Will discuss them in class. This will be ongoing and remain a work in Progress.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of these principles are copy written so I have changed and updated them: Even so, please do respect the Principles and Masters …… so do not duplicate these for public dissemination, they are a guide for our study group @ NGCF, also; naturally, they just wouldn’t make sense to someone outside the School's circle of training. Thanks’
 

Tip for the day: Is to "keep the breath in the Tan Tien and you will remain rooted"
 

"Next module coming” (August 12) which will start to introduce our study of reverse breathing and the training way, with rolling, turning, rotating, and shaping the tan tien.
 

“Next following module” (Sept 12th) will follow with the 5 element theory: "Wu Shing" here is a preview:

WU SHING:

fire, water, metal, wood, and earth. Each creates, controls, and balances each other.
 

Creates:
Earth nourished by fire
Metal created by earth
Metal dissolves to nourish water
Water nourishes wood
Wood nourished fire
 

Destroys:
Water quenches fire
Fire tempers metal
Metal cuts wood
Wood restrains earth
Earth holds back, dams up water
 

Examples: Heart/ fire; Kidney/water; Liver/wood. 

Movement to the right is associated with the Element Fire. 

 Lao Gong PC8 Fire Point on Fire Meridian   Lao gung, Pericardium Meridian • Pericardium 8, Palace of Toil. Ying Spring Point on the Pericardium Channel. Fire Point on Fire Meridian. Location: On the palmar surface, draw in middle finger and curl to touch palm.
 

   This completes information study packet for completion of 1st module INTERNAL ARTS 101.

Best luck in your study and practice                                                    Sifu Dave

 

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