Each of us has hidden vital forces, a source of special internal energy that lurks in our body and at the right time can be thrown out to influence any object.
It is these forces that give a person physical and spiritual strength and strength, strengthen his will, resistance to disease, make his perception of life joyful and active. Moreover, with the help inner strength we can move our energy, concentrating it in any part of our body. Internal energy can be transferred to another, helping him get rid of the disease or improve his well-being.
To learn how to use your internal energy as much as possible, to use it at the right time, you need an appropriate technique.
Under normal conditions or during rest, the blood of an adult absorbs approximately 250 ml of oxygen per minute. During physical exertion, energy costs increase sharply and the body's need for oxygen can increase up to ten times, and therefore the lung capacity and respiration rate will increase by 20-30 times (Fig. 1. The effect of physical activity on the body's oxygen consumption and lung capacity ).
The system of exercises for the development of internal energy has the following goals:
1. To ensure that our body can function normally even in conditions of oxygen starvation. This is achieved by deliberately slowing down the pace of breathing during physical activity up to 1-2 breathing cycles per minute (while maintaining a normal pulse).
2. To achieve that under loads on certain muscle groups metabolic activation would not be extreme, normal activities would not be disrupted internal organs, tissue cells were not poisoned by lactic acid, and the decrease in animal starch (glycogen) in the blood did not go beyond the normal range.
3. To achieve that in conditions of physical exertion, the volume of blood entering the heart is sufficient, the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle increases only up to a certain limit, providing normal blood pressure and blood supply to the brain.
4. To achieve that, compensating for the lack of oxygen, the body was able to produce the required amount of red blood cells, increasing the hemoglobin content in the blood.
The Khikong exercise system has a static and dynamic form. The mostly static form consists of using the breathing process to gradually master your nervous system, and the exercises are performed in a static position, when all muscles are completely relaxed, and attention is focused on breathing. This is why practicing the static form of Khikong has its own main task training of the nervous system.
As for the dynamic form, as a result movement exercises ligaments are strengthened and made more elastic, the body acquires the ability to maximize quick response... In addition, practicing the dynamic form of Khikong makes it possible for the person who has mastered it to concentrate blood at will in any parts of the body, thereby contributing to the elimination of various local disorders. The main content of this form of exercise is the connection, fusion of Thought, Energy and Force (muscle). This is achieved thanks to:
1. motor exercises, when any movement is combined with breathing and is under constant control and management of consciousness.
2. control of movement with the help of consciousness, thought in order to achieve maximum accuracy and at the same time ease, smoothness of movements.
3. development of the entire energy system of the body. During the lessons, it is supposed to constantly focus on breathing, control it, and at the same time, despite considerable efforts in this direction, a feeling of freedom, lightness throughout the body.
There are two varieties of the dynamic form of Khikong:
a) external dynamic form - a method of developing internal strength with simultaneous strengthening of ligaments, increasing muscle tone through the use of special sports equipment;
b) internal dynamic form - a method of developing internal strength with the help of such motor exercises, when sports equipment is replaced by imagination, that is, the mobilization of latent internal energy organism occurs with the help of mental devices.
Martial arts athletes usually use a dynamic form to learn how to concentrate all the forces of the body in one place or another to give the blow maximum destructive force. Moreover, this power increases even more if it is supported by imagination.
Don't leave small things for later
The famous psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik made the following discovery: unfinished cases are remembered much better than completed ones. So it is with notifications of new letters, requests to call back and other small matters. Willy-nilly, you will think about them until you complete. This is one of the reasons for the energy leak, and it is in your power to patch the "leak".
Clean up your virtual desktop
Countless folders, files distract, interfere with concentration. "On the virtual desktop, leave only themed folders, for example," Work "," Documents "," Sports "," Consulting "," Family ", and organize everything else inside them," advise the authors of the book "100% Charged". Do not save separate documents to your desktop.
Increase reserves
What to do when the work requirements start to exceed our reserves and it turns out that even 8 hours of continuous work is not enough for us?
There is a way that can help increase your internal reserves: expose yourself to more stress, accompanying this recovery. That is, from time to time you need to challenge yourself: for example, to do work 10-15 minutes faster than usual. You will find that you will start to get things done faster than usual in normal situations. Do not forget about rest: it is very important after such calls to give yourself a rest for a quarter of an hour.
Decide on a goal
Define your productive time
The most productive time should be devoted to the most important things. it Golden Rule We constantly break our success because we don't know what is the most productive time. It is not difficult to find out: it is enough to observe yourself. For a week or two, get up early, try to work at night, early in the morning, in the afternoon and analyze what is happening, keep a diary. It is advisable to give up sweets, caffeine, and other stimulants for this period.
Plan "buffer zones"
Be sure to leave a fair amount of headroom between meetings, never schedule them back to back - even if they are in the same room or nearby. Life always makes adjustments, time is spent on various household trifles, travel, fees. Being late is unsettling, nervous, and wastes energy.
Move more
Sport is often perceived only as a way to relax and unwind. In fact, motor loads directly affect the work of the brain, the authors of the book Light Yourself have found out! ... It does not require high level activity and grueling workouts in the gym. The most convincing studies show that walking remains the main method of physical activity.
Instead of eating sweets, jump!
When we feel a lack of energy, the first thing that comes to our mind is to have a snack. We are trying to restore energy through fast carbohydrates. Indeed, we are instantly overwhelmed by the feeling of a surge of strength, but how long does it last? Usually 10-15 minutes, and then again we feel tired. There are several exercises in the book to help you provide an instant flow of energy. Here's one called hopping jumping. Jump in place for thirty seconds. If you are not in the right mood, pretend you have one and do the exercise until you feel inspired. The more practice, the better the result.
We save energy on solutions
Imagine a person who bought a water mattress and went to bed. In the morning he wakes up and sees water on his mattress. In annoyance, he goes to the store and changes the mattress to a new one. But in the morning he sees water again. Looking closer, he discovers that water is dripping from the neighbors upstairs. He thought what to do with the faulty mattress, but another question had to be asked: "How did the water get to my sleeping place?" Before solving a problem, ask yourself the question: "What is the real problem?"
Think Energy, Not Time
Energy, not time, is the main currency of high efficiency. Everything we do - from walking with children to talking to colleagues and making big decisions - takes energy. Without the required quantity, quality and focus of energy, we endanger any business we undertake. Moreover, each of our thoughts or emotions has energetic consequences - for better or for worse. Therefore, it is so important to learn how to restore the lost energy. So you can enjoy every day, enjoy the little things and become a happy person!
A set of exercises named after the Soviet hammer thrower Sergei Litvinov, who installed olympic record in throwing a projectile at a distance of 84.8 meters. The set consists of only two exercises: squats with a sandbag (sandbag) or a can of water and a 100-meter run.
Sand and water are dynamic weights that require more use of stabilizers to hold them.
- Bag Squats - 8 reps
- One hundred meter sprint.
There are four such circles.
Sisyphean Sprint
An exercise named after the king of Corinth from ancient Greek mythology, who rolled a heavy stone uphill. The exercise consists of running uphill: you need to find a hill (the higher the better) and make a sprint run to its top. Having reached the highest point, immediately go down - there, at the foot of the hill, you can already rest.
The number of such ascents must be calculated individually, based on the degree physical fitness, height and slope of the hill. If after two runs you still have two more strengths, you need to add weights. The best option is a backpack with books or the same sand.
Extraordinary leg day
Leg workout for guys and girls is a special day. It's hard and painful, but it works. If you train your legs once a week, it makes sense to set aside a separate day for an extra split. Our task is to make it as difficult as possible. Try this triset:
- Leg Press - 10 reps
- Leg extension at the knee joint - 10 reps.
- Knee flexion - 10 reps
For 95% of athletes, one such circle, performed without a break between exercises, should be enough to feel a strong filling of the muscles with blood. But, again, we do a hard workout: there should be three such circles, and in each last approach in each of the exercises, you need to do a triple drop set.
You finish the last set, lose 30% of the weight you worked with, and do 10 more times. Then, without pauses and rest, subtract another 30% from the remaining 70% of the burden and do the exercise again 10 times. The algorithm is valid for each of the exercises.
Half an hour deadlift
In this exercise, you need to do what the title says: deadlift with a barbell for half an hour. First, you need to take 50-60% of the maximum weight with which you can do only one repetition. Your task here is extremely simple - to make maximum amount repetitions in the minimum number of approaches. Ideally, you need to do 15 approaches: work continuously for one minute, then rest the same amount, and in the first approach you need to perform at least 30 repetitions.
All the combinations of exercises described allow you to do an unusually large amount of work - muscle fibers are injured, the muscles are guaranteed to hurt, but after a couple of days they will thank you. It is worth training in any of the described methods no more than once every one to two weeks.
FOLLOWER OF SHAOLIN KUNG-FU AND "UNCLE JUSTICE"If you want to reach heights and plunge into the depths of kung fu, practice qigong; if you want to reach heights and plunge into the depths of qigong, practice meditation.
(Ho Fatt Nam)
The epigraph contains the best advice I've ever heard in my years of kung fu and qigong practice. These are the words of Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, who taught me qigong. (Sifu is the polite form of addressing the master.)
When the imperial army of the Qing dynasty razed the famous Shaolin monastery to the ground, one of the abbots, the Reverend Jiang Nan, went into hiding and vowed to pass on * (* Some aspects of the oriental arts are "passed on", and the ritual itself is purely mystical) Shaolin art to the chosen disciple. After fifty years of wandering and searching, he finally passed on his art to the young sif Ian Fatt Kuen. Later, at the age of seventy, Sifu Yan endowed Sifu Ho with knowledge.
Sifu Ho practiced six different styles of Kung Fu, Malay Silat and was a Thai professional boxer before learning Shaolin Kung Fu from Sifu Yang. Masters of other martial arts often challenged Sifu Ho to single combat, which invariably ended in their defeat.
Now he is better known as a Chinese therapist, chiropractor and acupuncturist. He treated both high society and commoners. But, in my opinion, he achieved the greatest success in the art of meditation.
Another great master of kung fu sifu, Lai Chin Wa, had the most direct influence on the formation of my worldview. He was very popular among the people and was known under the respectful name "Uncle Justice". “Uncle Justice” was my first kung fu teacher and treated me like my own son.
Style martial arts Sifu Lai was also the kung fu of southern Shaolin. He studied with three masters: Sifu Nj Yu Long, Sifu Chui Kuen, and Sifu Lu Chan Wai. Sifu Nj's teacher was Sifu Chan Phuc, a monk from the Shaolin monastery.
"Uncle Justice" was a great fighter. At a time when legal issues were resolved with brute force, many people turned to him for dispute resolution as a magistrate. He told me that people respected his decisions (and they were always fair) because he had “big fists” with which he could “convince” anyone. He was also an excellent chiropractor, but did not become rich, as he took very little pay and generously gave alms.
Of all my teachers, Sifu Lai Chin Wa and Sifu Ho Fatt Nam had the greatest influence on me as a future master of kung fu and qigong. It was a great honor (and a great opportunity to gain experience) for me to learn from them. Thanks to them, I not only became a skilled fighter, but also learned the truths of the Shaolin philosophy of justice and compassion. I called my own school of kung fu and qigong Shaolin Wanam (a compound word derived from Wa sifu Lai Chin Wa and Nam sifu Ho Fatt Nam), combining the names of the mentors, in gratitude for their kindness and generosity.
Ignorance can lead to troubleQigong is closely related to Chinese martial arts. Until 1950, qigong was taught exclusively to select students. That is why they spoke of him as a kind of advanced style of internal kung fu, with the help of which the master could hit the enemy without leaving any external traces. There were rumors that the masters could painlessly endure the blows of an opponent without getting injured, and even repulse an armed attack with their bare hands. Since 1980, when qigong began to be taught as a health-improving art, many people began to think that it had nothing to do with martial arts!
So which point of view is considered correct? It seems to me that the answer to this question depends on the specific aspects of qigong application. Some techniques, such as "iron head" (when the master breaks a brick with his head) and "eagle's claw" (when the grip causes excruciating pain on the enemy), are intended exclusively for combat, and an inexperienced performer can cause significant damage to health.
On the other hand, most of the wellness techniques, such as the aforementioned Tao Yin exercises and “inducing the flow of qi,” are specifically designed to treat disease. At first glance, they have nothing to do with martial techniques, and the wrong impression is created that the martial and medical aspects of qigong have exactly the opposite methodology.
However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the basic concepts are common to achieve opposing goals. Training program the martial aspects of qigong contains exercises that promote health. For example, before practicing hitting the head on sandbags or plunging their hands into grain - traditional exercises for developing the "iron head" and "claw of an eagle" - students master wellness complex, learn to protect the head and hands with qi and heal possible injuries.
In the past, mentors did not always explain this to their own. students when they taught them the basic techniques of kung fu. There was a tradition to test the dedication and perseverance of trainees. Those who ignored the basic exercises could not prepare themselves for the harder challenges; those who practiced selflessly and thoughtlessly were seriously injured.
That is why many ordinary people considered high-level kung fu something mysterious. Unaware of the need basic exercises, which often seemed very far from combat use, the students copied the more expressive training techniques of the master; for example, in an effort to gain an "iron head", they smashed their foreheads against the wall! By training in this way, the student could not reach the level of the master, because he did not possess basic technique... This also means that in high-level kung fu, superficial knowledge (that is, ignorance) is dangerous. Unsupervised by a master, students attempting to perform a high-level technique may be injured.
QIGONG FOR HEALTH AND MARTIAL ARTSKung Fu places high demands on the health of its adherents. Most people are content with feeling good and being able to run a few steps to catch the bus. This is clearly not enough for a Kung Fu student. During training, he has to perform complex and energy-intensive techniques, endure the pain from the blows received during the half-hour sparring and not feel tired. It is quite obvious that an unprepared person cannot handle such loads. Therefore, the martial aspects of qigong affect health much more strongly than medical ones. They are designed to reach a level that is extremely demanding.
On the other hand, mastering the qigong technique of the medical direction will expand the capabilities of those fighters who pay significant attention to martial techniques, but are completely unfamiliar with the concept of using internal energy. Possessing an outstanding physical strength, many martial artists cannot boast of excellent health. That is why a real fighter should pay attention to such wellness exercise as Tao-Yin and "causing the flow of qi". Many craftsmen suffer from internal injuries received in battles. Trauma also affects their behavior, which is characterized by either depression or irritability and aggressiveness. Emotional and physical problems can be easily resolved with exercise wellness qigong.
Moreover, many medical qigong exercises increase the level of martial skill. For example, “lifting the sky” (see first chapter) directs the flow of energy to the shoulders and arms, filling them with inner strength. "Maintaining the Moon" (see chapter two) strengthens the spine, giving the body flexibility and mobility. Standing meditation (see chapter three) calms the mind by allowing martial artists to anticipate the opponent's movements. In high-level kung fu, the “evoked flow of qi” (see chapter four) makes the movements of the master faster and more powerful without disturbing the rhythm of breathing.
The martial aspect of qigong is sometimes called "hard qigong." However, the term “soft qigong” is rarely used to refer to the wellness aspect, probably to avoid misinterpretation.
Have you ever wondered why kung fu masters are not distinguished by their heroic appearance, although they have tremendous strength? Why do you think female fighters, so graceful and fragile, defeat male opponents with extraordinary physical strength? The answer lies in qigong martial techniques. Qigong also allows Kung Fu masters to maintain their strength and endurance despite their age. This becomes possible through the use of the internal resources of the body, rather than brute physical strength.
In kung fu, the student may not comprehend. only fighting technique, but also the art of breaking bricks, “holding” a blow without getting injured, fighting for several hours without breaking the rhythm of breathing, jumping high and running fast without any apparent effort. Let's take a quick look at the principles and training methods for acquiring these skills. If you want to apply some of them in training, it is advisable to study with a mentor.
SPACE PALMThe method described below is part of the art called "the cosmic palm", the very one that helped Sharifa break the brick (see: first chapter). Three factors are required: a sufficient supply of energy in the abdomen, the ability to direct this energy into the hand at the right time and provide energy protection for the palm.
First practice “belly breathing” (see Chapter 6) for at least three months to build up the required supply of cosmic energy.
Then proceed with the pushing the mountain exercise in the following sequence:
Place your arms bent at the elbows on your sides at chest level. Place your palms forward as shown in fig. 13.1.
Rice. 13.1
Gently move your hands forward, as in fig. 13.2, and exhale through your mouth at the same time. Without straining the muscles in your arms, imagine the flow of qi from your back to your palms.
Rice. 13.2 PUSHING THE MOUNTAIN
Then gently return your hands to their original position, breathing in with your stomach and imagining the flow of cosmic energy flowing into you. Repeat steps 2 and 3 several times.
Now close your eyes and as you move your hands forward, imagine that the power of your qi flow is so great that you can easily move the mountain from its place. Do the pushing motion twenty to one hundred times, depending on how confident you feel. Do the exercise from the beginning for that location for at least three months before moving on to the next step.
"Moving the mountain", hold your hands in this position (Fig. 13.2) for five to twenty minutes. The palms should be in a right angle with the forearms, the arms at the elbows should be straightened, the shoulders should be relaxed. Imagine your palms are very strong.
Bring your hands down, palms back, as shown in fig. 13.3.
Rice. 13.3
Imagine an energy ball in the middle of each palm. You will feel warmth in the heavy palms. Feel how your fingers are filled with power, and the whole body is filled with energy. In another three months you will master the art of the “space palm”. However, remember: the thoughtless use of the "space palm" can lead to serious internal injury.
Painful sensations in the chest area that may occur during the exercise indicate improper breathing and unacceptable muscle tension. Correct the mistakes and the pain will go away. If it intensifies, you must stop exercising, otherwise hemoptysis may begin. An orthodox doctor will not find any clinical abnormalities in you. The flow of qi invoked will eliminate the problem.
"GOLDEN BELL", EASY AND COMBAT WITHOUT TIREDTwo famous arts that enable the master to painlessly endure punches, kicks and even blows with weapons - "iron shirt" and "golden bell". Since it is very likely that you will get injured while trying to master these arts without guidance from a mentor, the following description is only intended to satisfy your curiosity and not to practice on your own.
Qigong exercises are aimed at strengthening the body from within and treating possible injuries. Mastering the technique “ iron shirt”, The student first hits himself with a bundle of brushwood, then a bag full of beans, and finally a bag of marble chips or ball bearings. Such actions stimulate superficial qi flow, which creates protection against external attacks. The student not only does not feel pain, on the contrary he likes it. In this case, the pleasure from the blows does not mean the manifestation of masochistic inclinations, but indicates that the spreading of qi is a very pleasant sensation.
Mastering the art of the “golden bell”, the student develops his energy internally and directs it outward, as if covering his body with a shield in the form of a bell. The basis of training is to control the internal energy.
The art of jumping high and running long distances quickly is called the art of lightness. One of the great masters of the past demonstrated in front of my sifu Ho Fatt Nam his ability to jump on a three-meter wall "from a standing position. Unfortunately, this art is now consigned to oblivion, although we know the method of training.
There are three stages in achieving the art of lightness. At the first, mechanical, level, the student walks around the clock with weights tied to his legs. He digs a hole and jumps back and forth in the morning and evening. Every day the student increases the depth of the ditch by several handfuls of earth.
At the second, energetic, level, the student at the moment of the jump directs the qi upward, which creates the impression of weight loss. At the highest level, the level of the mind, the master, in a state of deep meditation, gives mental commands to the physical body. Although I have read about similar exploits of kung fu masters and spiritual leaders of the past, I have not been able to test them on my own experience.
One useful method for developing the ability to run at ease long distances, known as the art of a thousand steps, is described in the eighth chapter. Those proficient in this technique are able to fight for many hours without gasping for breath.
Another way to improve your ability to fight sustained combat is through breathing and movement coordination. In the first stage of learning kung fu, the student conducts one intake per one breathing cycle. Over time, he manages to carry out a series of techniques in one breath, performing them as one smooth movement. Thus, he can learn to perform a long-term set of techniques without increasing the number of breaths and, accordingly, without changing the rhythm of breathing. The skills acquired in training are used in training and real fights.
The art of such coordination is perfected with the help of the “breath of the small universe”. Moreover, if with each exhalation the student saves 30% of the energy, using only 70% for the fight, he will be able to fight for hours. The technique of such breathing will be discussed in the next chapter.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN. SHAOLIN: CRADLE OF KUNG FU AND MEDITATION
SHAOLIN MONASTERY AND BODHIDHARMAAll kung fu styles originated in Shaolin.
(Famous saying)
Shaolin Kung Fu is known all over the world. It got this name from a Chinese monastery, which many call the most outstanding monastery on earth. There were actually two Shaolin monasteries. The original is in the Henan province in northern China, and it still exists today. There was another Shaolin monastery - in the Fujian province in the south. When it was suspected that revolutionaries were hiding there, the Qing Dynasty army razed him to the ground.
The Northern Shaolin Monastery was founded in 495 AD. NS. by an Indian monk named Batuo. It was considered the temple of the Chinese emperors, where for centuries monks offered up prayers to the sky for the prosperity of the empire. Many of the Shaolin monks were philosophers, poets, scholars and retired generals who retired from the bustle of the world. Among them were outstanding people such as the world famous Chinese astronomer Yi Xing, the famous traveler and translator Xiu-an Tsang, and the "miraculous" healer Zhan Zhi.
In 527 A.D. NS. Venerable Bodhidharma arrived at the Shaolin Monastery to teach meditation. In order to strengthen the spirit and body of the monks, Bodhidharma taught them two sets of exercises. The first of them is "eighteen hands of the tub", the second is the basis of "muscular metamorphosis".
Later, these systems of exercises formed the basis of Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong. Therefore, Bodhidharma is revered as the first kung fu patriarch of the Shaolin monastery. He also founded Ch'an (or Zen) Buddhism.
The Tao-yin exercises described in this book, such as "lifting the sky", "supporting the moon", "pushing the mountain", are borrowed from the "eighteen hands of the lohan", and many martial qigong exercises, for example, the "cosmic hand" - from the basics " muscle metamorphosis "
FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSCULAR METAMORPHOSISIf you are not happy with your body, you can strengthen it “from the inside” with the help of the “muscle metamorphosis” system, consisting of twelve exercises. Let's consider two of the most typical ones.
Stand up straight and relax, spread your legs slightly and do not think about anything. Bend your wrists so that the hands and forearms are at a right angle, and the fingers point forward, as shown in Fig. 14.1.
Rice. 14.1. MUSCULAR METAMORPHOSIS (Finger Extension)
While in this pose, press down with the base of your palms. At the same time, bend your toes up to the limit. Breathing is arbitrary. Repeat forty-nine times.
The second exercise can be performed as a continuation of the first or as independent exercise... Raise your straight arms in front of you to shoulder level. Clench your fists tightly, keeping them upright. Imagine that there is a stick in each fist; sticks should be perpendicular to the ground (fig. 14.2). Clench and relax your fists forty-nine times. Breathe freely and don't think about anything.
Rice. 14.2. MUSCULAR METAMORPHOSIS (clenching of fists)
There are few outwardly visible movements in these exercises, but you will feel how muscles, tendons and even bones move. The exercises are extremely simple, but effective and strengthen not only the arms, but the entire body. As in other cases, you should not rely on my words, but check them on your own experience. Do the exercises daily for several months, and the result will not be long in coming.
HARD AND SOFT: EXTERNAL AND INTERNALIt will not be an exaggeration to say that almost all types of techniques and power techniques available in the arsenal of various martial arts are in service with Shaolin Kung Fu. Some people mistakenly believe that Shaolin Kung Fu is an extremely “hard” and “external” school, ignoring the “soft” and “internal” direction. This misconception can be explained by two reasons. First, initially, Shaolin Kung Fu was really distinguished by its relative rigidity and adherence to external forms. Secondly, due to the large volume of training material, not many people have the patience or the ability to master a high-level technique, which is mostly “soft” and “internal”.
Demonstrations of Shaolin Kung Fu are often fast-paced and powerful, at least compared to the flowing, graceful styles of Tai Chi Chuan, Bagua, and Xinyi. Thus, as a rule, Shaolin martial art is mistakenly classified as a hard, external school of kung fu, and the directions of Bagua, Tai Chi Chuan and Xinyi are referred to as soft, internal schools.
“Hard” and “soft”, “external” and “internal” are casual, figurative expressions. "Rigid" means, as a rule, outwardly noticeable, dynamic manifestation of strength; “Soft” refers to those hidden techniques that are outwardly graceful and flowing. Karate, for example, is hard, while judo is soft. The word “soft” itself is actually an imprecise translation of the Chinese term “zhou”. The term zhou does not imply a lack of power, but it is the closest word we can offer. The strength of the zhou can actually exceed the so-called "hard" strength!
"External" is the strength developed by obvious, improvised means, such as lifting weights and stick fighting. “Inner” refers to the power developed by esoteric methods such as directed energy flow and visualization. According to one saying, inner strength is achieved by training jing (essence), training shen (mind), and training qi (energy); external strength is developed by training jin (tendons), gu (bones) and pi (muscles) *, when the principle of training is to strengthen the external form (the palm is “stuffed” on a bag of sand, and the fingers are strengthened by thrusting them into a container with peas), and serves as a manifestation of external power. At the same time, the “cosmic palm”, the power of which depends on the directed flow of qi and visualization, is an example of the manifestation of inner strength.
This classification is rather arbitrary and sometimes is arbitrary. Continuous training of hard external strength transforms it into soft and internal strength, and vice versa.
It is necessary to distinguish technique (in Chinese "fa") from mastery ("gong"). Technique refers to form (blocks, strikes, movements). Mastery shows how powerfully, accurately and quickly a technique is performed. In accordance with the principles of kung fu, the student should know that if he masters only the technique, without increasing his mastery, the effort spent will go to waste, no matter how much time he spends on training. True art is defined by skill, not mastery of a variety of techniques. This chapter is devoted to the fundamental principles of the development of inner strength, according to which the monks of the legendary monastery were trained.
* The technique "iron palm" in the book "The Art of Kung Fu of Shaolin Monastery", which the publishing house "FAIR" brought to your attention a year ago, the author calls this technique "an iron fist" Kita "Tai Chi Chuan").
ELEMENTS OF QIGONG IN KUNG FUKung Fu school students are introduced to the basic concepts of qigong already at initial stage learning;
in the process of training, they comprehend more complex elements of this art. Often, students learn qigong techniques involuntarily. For example, in southern Shaolin kung fu, the first technique a student learns is the “rider pose” (Figure 14.3), the foundation of the basics. My favorite teacher, "Uncle Justice," made me do only this stance for several months before teaching anything else. Among other things, the rider pose helps the student to accumulate energy in the force field of the abdomen (dan-tien).
Rice. 14.3. RIDER POSITION
In South Shaolin Kung Fu, the student masters pronouncing various sounds of an explosive nature at the time of performing different techniques. Sounds help him control the flow of energy and strengthen the internal organs with their vibrations. For example, when hitting with a fist, the sound “Hurt” is pronounced as if from the belly, and is not a throat sound, like some beginners. This sound not only energetically amplifies the impact, but also indirectly massages and stimulates the heart. The sound "yaaa" is shouted out while performing the "tiger claw" strike. In this case, the internal force is directed to the fingers and activates the lungs.
The student masters the coordination of movements with correct breathing... For example, when he jumps or moves quickly, he often breathes with his chest, directing the qi upward, which makes his movements swift. When striking, it explodes and directs the qi back to the stomach, so its movements are strong and balanced.
Kung fu learners in one breath perform a series of several movements, as one continuous technical element... The student learns when to hold the breath, when to inhale or exhale quickly, and when to slowly, letting the breath out like a long thin thread. Therefore, when during a fight one of the opponents makes a lot of noise, remember that he is not trying to draw attention to himself or scare the opponent, but regulates his breathing to enhance his fighting qualities.
POWERFUL HANDS AND RELIABLE STANDSKung Fu in Southern Shaolin is famous for developing powerful hands and reliable stands. Kung fu followers say that if the opponent is not a master, then powerful hands and stable stances ensure three-tenths of victory in battle. One of better ways achieving this goal is the "hard" qigong exercise known as the "golden bridge".
Stand in Rider Pose with both arms extended straight out in front of you at shoulder level, palms forward. Point the index fingers up, and bend the rest of the fingers, including the thumbs at the second joint, forming a typical Shaolin-style hand position - “one Zen shooting finger” (Fig. 14.4).
Don't think about anything and breathe naturally - this is a form of standing meditation. The minimum requirement is the ability to stand still in the golden bridge position for five hundred accounts, or about ten minutes. If you want to count, count with your belly. Don't think about how to do it, just count as your belly. Keep your back straight and relaxed. Keep your hips almost horizontal and your hands at right angles to your forearms. In the beginning, you will be able to stand for no more than a minute. Train vigorously daily, and after a few months you will be able to maintain the required posture for at least ten minutes.
The technique may seem very simple, but this exercise is one of the most energy intensive, but effective ways development of inner strength. When my students, many of whom are stronger and larger than me, first tested my fighting qualities in sparring, it seemed to them that my arms were like the trunks of solid trees. A few months later, after doing the golden bridge exercise conscientiously, they found that my hands were not as firm as their own. However, to beginners it seemed that their hands were “made” of wood.
The inner strength developed by the Golden Bridge exercise depends on the jing, or essence. Western physicists have discovered that if you strain every muscle in your arms, then a person will have enough strength to lift a locomotive. In this tough qigong exercise, we strengthen certain muscles at the molecular level. In the next exercise, we will develop two other human treasures: shen (mind) and qi (energy).
POWERFUL SMALL UNIVERSEStand up straight, relax and don't think about anything.
Place your palms on your stomach.
Bend your toes and, contracting the anus, inhale gently with your chest (but not stomach). When you inhale, the stomach falls. At the same time, lift your tongue and touch the alveoli. Imagine how cosmic emanations penetrate into you, and your own Vital energy flows up the back from the Gui-Yin energy field (at the anus) to the Bai-Gui energy field (on the head).
Hold your breath for a short time and concentrate the qi at the bai-kui point.
Exhale gently through your mouth and visualize the qi flowing down your forehead, then down along the front of your body and into your abdomen. When you exhale, the abdomen rises. At the same time, lower your tongue, touch it to the lower gum, relax your toes, anus and exhale 70% of the air.
Retain the remaining 30% of the air for a short time. Then gently “swallow” the air with your stomach, like saliva (if there is a lot of saliva in your mouth, this is a good sign).
Imagine how energy flows from the abdomen to the anus. Repeat the procedure 36 times.
Then move on to standing meditation for ten to twenty minutes. Imagine an energy ball on your head like a bright sun. Feel its wonderful radiant energy in all parts of the body.
Finish the exercise with eye warming and a facial massage.
This exercise causes the qi flow to move along the small universe with some effort. Therefore, it is called the “mighty little universe” (fig. 14.5) and is very useful (in the martial aspects of qigong).
Rice. 14.5. QI FLOW IN THE “POWERFUL SMALL UNIVERSE”
Over time, you will be able to do the exercise with your feet at a distance of shoulder width apart; your knees will be slightly bent and your arms dropped at your sides, like. shown in fig. 14.6.
Rice. 14.6 SPACE RACK
We call this pose “cosmic stance” because it is in this position that we are saturated with cosmic energy. Some call it the "brass bell" post because it is outwardly associated with a large bell.
Mighty Small Universe is considered one of the advanced qigong techniques. Therefore, do this exercise only under the guidance of a qualified mentor. Otherwise, the possibility of serious injury is not excluded.
Qigong significantly improves combat skills. Unlike other martial arts and different types physical exercise Qigong allows the kung fu master to improve without regard to age. The fact is that, unlike physical strength, which decreases with age, the internal power of qigong only increases with years of practice.
Qigong training allowed me, in my fifties, to defeat opponents half my age and win the southern style kung fu competition. My students Cheng Shang Shu (in his forties too) and Go Ko Hin (in his 20s) won the remaining nominations in Nordic and Tai Chi Chuan style.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN. Tai Chi: Energy and Poetry of Movement
Mysterious Tai Chi QuanTai Chi Chuan unites mind and body, consciousness and subconsciousness, personality and its environment. A person finds peace in his own soul, getting rid of worries and sorrows.
(Bob Klein)
As you watch Tai Chi Chuan practice, you may mistake the action for Chinese ballet. The Tai Chi Chuan movement is graceful, rhythmic and full of poetry. Nevertheless, Tai Chi Chuan is an extremely effective martial art.
How, then, do such graceful pas become a formidable weapon? Many people who practice Tai Chi Chuan do not know the answer to this question, because they practice solely for health purposes. But the patriarchs of Tai Chi practiced the art as a martial art and considered its health aspect to be secondary and taken for granted. Even now, having carefully examined the movements and techniques of tai chi, it becomes obvious their combat, not sports purpose. A tai chi master performs specific techniques or adheres to a particular style with the sole purpose of improving his fighting qualities.
Of course, this does not detract from the tremendous health benefits of tai chi chuan practice. In Chapter Thirteen, we already said that almost all styles of kung fu improve physical indicators, since a sick and weak person will not be able to master sophisticated technique combat. Tai Chi compares favorably with other martial arts schools precisely for its health-improving effect. It. It is perfect for the elderly and frail people, whose health condition is incompatible with the grueling training that is characteristic of most martial arts.
But, practicing tai chi like physiotherapy exercises, many students will not get the benefits that they could. In order to make the most of the full potential of Tai Chi Chuan, it is necessary to know what is hidden from prying eyes, and such esoteric knowledge is the art of Qigong.
QIGONG AS THE BASIS OF TI-CHI QUANThere are many arguments in favor of the fact that tai chi quan is perhaps the best martial art in the world, and all the advantages of this school are somehow connected with the qigong technique.
While Shaolin Kung Fu has hundreds of combat combinations, Tai Chi Chuan masters use only one set of techniques. In the currently most popular yang style, the original set consisted of one hundred and eight constantly repeating movements. The modern simplified version of this complex contains only twenty-four methods. Nevertheless, with their help, an experienced master will be able to repel any attack. It is difficult to overestimate the combination of countless self-defense techniques into an effective and compact combat complex. In most cases, however, the performer must apply “inner strength”, as victory requires more than technique. For example, if someone grabs your wrist, you can free your hand by turning your hand. This is exactly what they do in Shaolin Kung Fu - your palm presses on the opponent's wrist, causing him unbearable pain, and the aggressor is forced to loosen his grip. The Tai Chi Chuan technique is based on different principles. The master compensates for the lack of physical strength with the manifestation of internal energy and, while performing the tai chi technique, can perform the characteristic Roundabout Circulation full of inner strength that awakens powerful vibrations that cancel out the grip force. In turn, the inner strength is dissipated with the help of qigong.
Men and women of all ages have equal opportunities to achieve success. In many martial arts, a young man has a clear advantage over elderly woman, but not in Tai Chi Chuan. This is because the strength of a tai chi master is internal and does not depend on gender or age. Qigong is exactly the art that creates the inner strength of a person and helps to control it.
In many martial arts, the student pays for the acquisition of external strength by rough skin and calluses on the hands and feet. A tai chi master, possessing no less fighting power, will not only not wear these memorial signs - on the contrary, thanks to qigong, his appearance will become more attractive. While representatives of many martial arts schools become aggressive due to the specifics of training, Tai Chi practitioners are invariably calm and balanced. These qualities are a direct result of breathing exercises and qigong meditation. Tai Chi Chuan is not only effective art self-defense, but also an excellent way to prevent and treat diseases. With its help, a person successfully counteracts organic and emotional disorders. If the student is not aware of the importance of qigong as a fundamental component, tai chi quan training will be of great benefit in itself. However, training involving basic techniques qigong will greatly enhance the effect.
Tai Chi masters say there are three levels of mastery. At the first level, the student acquires health and physical strength by doing the Tai Chi exercises. At the second level, he can successfully use technique in battle. At the highest level, according to Bob Klein's epigraph in this chapter, the student reaches the level of a master, uniting mind and body, consciousness and subconsciousness, self and the outside world. The art of qigong is useful at the first level, necessary at the second and comprehensive third, the last level is identified with the search for Tao, or the path to gaining immortality.
REASONS OF SMOOTH AND GRACIOUS TI-CHI MOVEMENTThere are two approaches to chi exercises in Tai Chi, and if you want the best results, both should be used. One way is internal: the training method itself implies an increase in energy. Another way is external:
specific qigong exercises are added to the traditional set of techniques to develop inner strength.
Have you ever wondered why the Tai Chi Chuan is performed slowly and smoothly? This is due to the intrinsic nature of energy training. Rapid and abrupt movements interfere with the flow of energy. This is why tai chi instructors constantly remind students not to power loads... The problem is that they rarely explain how you can fight well without using mechanical force, or why muscle tension inhibits the development of inner strength.
In combat, as in regular training, a Tai Chi student does not use mechanical strength, but uses internal strength. In the first case, he has to strain his muscles, and this blocks the flow of energy along the meridians. A Tai Chi student seeks to be calm under any circumstances, even if someone threatens his life or the lives of those close to him. Thus, he maintains a continuous flow of qi, on which endurance and inner strength depend.
While training, the student coordinates his movements with the internal flow of qi. When he spreads his arms, performing the “horse opens his mane” technique, the movements should be calculated in such a way that the internal flow of qi reaches the hands at the right time. them and reach only the elbows (and be blocked there.) If the student strains his arms or other muscles in the body, he blocks the flow of qi.
During classes, movements are performed slowly and smoothly. At the advanced level, when the qi flow is so fast that it is guided by the master's thought, the movements can be very fast, especially during sparring or real combat.
INTERNAL ENERGY TRAINING IN Tai Chi QuanInternal Qi training means the development of latent strength when performing a complex or series of Tai Chi movements. As an example, consider the “grab a sparrow by the tail” technique. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the technique for performing this technique. Based on this, I will limit myself to describing the breathing and visualization techniques. Reading my explanations, refer to fig. 15.1.
Stand up straight and relax. Free your mind from extraneous thoughts (a).
Spreading your legs and raising your arms (b), inhale gently through your nose. Breathe through your chest or belly as you exercise.
Lowering your hands, exhale gently with your mouth (or nose) (c). Imagine the qi flowing down your arms.
Inhale (d).
Taking a step forward (e), while inhaling, imagine the qi flowing from the abdomen through the right shoulder and elbow to the hand. right hand.
Inhale, moving from position (e) to position (g), imagine how you are charged with cosmic energy.
Exhale, moving from position (h) to position (s), and concentrate the energy in the right forearm.
Sinking into a low stance, pull your body back a little (to), inhale, focusing the qi on the elbows (or on the wrists if you are a high-level master), and feel that you are firmly on the ground, transfer your body weight to left leg.
When striking, allow your inner strength to flow out (but do not exert physical effort) (k), starting the qi movement from the left heel through the waist to the elbows (or wrists). Use your palms to channel energy into your opponent.
If, before performing a technique, you accumulate cosmic energy in the stomach, the speed and power of the blow will increase significantly. Therefore, before moving on to internal energy training, you should practice belly breathing for at least three months. The fundamental importance of belly breathing for the conservation of cosmic energy is the same, regardless of the style of martial art you choose.
Rice. 15.1. CAPTURE THE SPARROW'S TAIL VIBRATION UNDER AN INTERNAL FORCE
In addition to belly breathing, the tai-chi stance (or “three-circle stance”; Fig. 15.2), which is similar to the “golden bridge” in Shaolin Kung Fu, belongs to the external methods of training internal strength | (see chapter fourteen). Tai Chi is used to strengthen the arms and secure the stances. This stance is much simpler than the “golden bridge”; during its implementation, the main attention is paid to the control of internal energy, while in the "golden bridge" stance, the jing (essence) is emphasized.
Stand with your feet about one-and-a-half shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly.
Raise your arms to chest level in front of you. Bend them slightly at the elbows and wrists, forming a circle. Relax your fingers, form a second, small circle with your thumbs and forefingers.
Pull in your stomach slightly and bend your knees as if you were holding the ball with your hips, forming an imaginary third circle.
Don't think about anything. The eyes can be open and closed.
Hold the stand for as long as you can. The minimum requirement is one thousand invoices, or approximately twenty minutes.
Don't worry if after a while your body starts to move and vibrate involuntarily. This is a manifestation of the principle of kung fu, according to which absolute rest generates movement, which, in turn, depends on the strength of the energy flow and indicates the development of inner strength. Many people find it hard to believe that such a simple technique can develop strength and cause involuntary (spontaneous) vibration. I advise skeptics to check my words in practice.
Inner strength can be used for many purposes. Control for energy flow enhances technical level and truly invaluable in battle. Controlling the flow of qi is the basis of bioenergy therapy, when the healer saturates the patient with positive energy, helping to get rid of pain or performing healing procedures. Powerful inner energy, working on a subconscious level, allows you to achieve significant success in work and everyday life.
"GENTLE SMALL UNIVERSE"Submitting to his will the "small universe", or a small cosmic flow of qi, the master conquers one more peak in mastering the technique of the art of tai chi quan. In the past, the ability to control the "small universe" was considered the greatest achievement. According to one saying, a person who has made a breakthrough into the "small universe" gets rid of hundreds of diseases. The one who is subject to the “grand universe” will live for a hundred years. Tai Chi masters pay close attention to this technique; so, with its help, the development of internal strength is accelerated and protection from accidental injuries of internal organs is created.
The “small universe” can be performed powerfully (see the previous chapter) and smoothly, effortlessly. In this chapter, we will look at the second, lightweight version of this technique, called the "gentle little universe"
Rice. 15.3. "GENTLE SMALL UNIVERSE IN A SPACE RACK"
The exercise is designed for those who already have control of abdominal breathing (chapter six), immersion breathing (chapter nine), and long breathing (chapter twelve).
Stand in the "space stance" (chapter fourteen). Place your hands on your stomach.
Perform belly breathing, submerged breathing, and long breathing (ten repetitions per exercise).
Touching the tip of your tongue to the alveoli, gently inhale through your nose into the abdomen, imagining that you are drawing in wonderful cosmic energy and storing it in the energy field of the abdomen. When you inhale, your stomach rises.
Take a short pause and feel the cosmic energy in your stomach.
Exhale gently through your mouth, touching your tongue to the lower gums in front of your teeth. Imagine the flow of vital energy flowing from the qi-hai point (on the stomach) to the kui-yin point (in front of the anus); further, to the vital point of Changqiang (at the tailbone), up the spine to the vital point of bai-gui (on the head), downward along the forehead and flowing out of the mouth (Fig. 15.4). The stomach falls off when you exhale.
Take a short pause.
Repeat the procedure about twenty times. Gradually increase the number of repetitions. Over time, the need for preliminary breathing techniques will disappear, and the exercise can be started directly from the fifth point.
Place your feet together for standing meditation. Close your eyes and open your third eye, which is located in the forehead area. Place your mind's eye on the abdomen. You must see (or imagine) a pearl of energy in a force field. For a few minutes, contemplatively enjoy its beautiful radiance.
Imagine a stream emitted by a pearl, and flowing along the "small universe". Mindlessly enjoy the flow of chi from the “small universe” for a few minutes.
Imagine an energetic pearl of energy again. Feel its radiant, warming energy in every cell of your body.
Warm your eyes with your palms before opening them. Massage your face.
The creation of mental images (visualization) is a very delicate and delicate task, during which you should avoid any tension. If the image is “blurred” and escapes the inner gaze, limit yourself to thoughts about the subject of meditation. Remember that the "small universe" technique is recommended to be learned under the guidance of an experienced mentor.
You will hear a lot when people begin to talk about internal energy. Some tell stories about magicians who throw hordes of attackers to the ground with a movement of their eyebrows, others do not believe in anything like that and refer to the school course of physics and biology. Some argue that if years of daily training are needed to achieve a result, then this is not worth trying to do, others only see true value in such things. I will try to summarize the existing points of view and consider the issue from the point of view of the use of internal energy (whatever is meant by this) in battle. I intend to rely on facts that I myself have witnessed or on eyewitness accounts and literature, which I have no reason not to trust. Mostly materials related to China will be used, since the rest of the world follows in its footsteps in such things.
First, some general remarks. Many people confuse such concepts as qigong and neigong. `Qigong 'in translation from Chinese means` work with qi', that is, precisely operating with internal energy. `Neigong 'is an` internal experience', that is, all types of training that are not directly related to training complexes, fights, general developmental exercises and special hardening. Neigong include, for example, "developing lightness" - the art of light jumps and running on walls, "building gravity" - developing stability of positions, what is called "growing into the ground", etc. Such techniques can use qi, or can and do not use.
According to the research of Chinese historians, qigong techniques appeared even before the advent of writing. They are described even in the earliest medical monument in China - "The Canon of the Inner Yellow Emperor." In the martial arts, the study of qigong went in two directions - in relation to the practitioner, to make training more effective, and in relation to harming the opponent.
The simplest application of qigong to oneself is to use qi techniques to bring oneself back to normal. Obviously, training will give the best effect if you start it with a clear head, fully focused on the work ahead. For example, in the treatise of the sanhuang style paochui (Cannon strike of three emperors) on methods of strengthening impact surfaces and shockproof hardening of the body, it is said that before starting training, one should stand in the "pole standing" position and close his eyes to practice breathing exercises until the qi fills the legs and rises to the dantian. And in the treatise "Explaining the True Meaning of Shaolin Fist Art" it says that it is possible to start stuffing the body only after the accumulation of qi reaches such a stage that it begins to "ooze through the pores of the body."
Our fans of hand-to-hand fighting may laugh at these "quirks", but Chinese fans of hard qigong (I emphasize - amateurs, not professionals, I talked with one such group in which people are engaged in free time, as in an amateur circle) can crack a brick held in the other hand with a clap of the palm, or, without any harm to themselves, be lifted on a trident stuck in the stomach. Those practicing traditional martial arts have probably noticed that it is recommended to perform approximately the same actions before starting the training of complexes, and this is not accidental. Gradually, the time of such regulation of the organism begins to decrease, and some gestures or mental images associated with the beginning of a complex or training become a "switch" for it. In a real combat situation, one such action performed instantly puts your body in a state of combat readiness. Wushu fans here in advantageous position, because the frightening ritual greetings of many complexes are excellent for both intimidating opponents before the start of the fight (it has been tested more than once on the street), and for bringing oneself into a combat state.
Another application of internal energy is based on the eastern doctrine of meridians and collaterals, and knowledge of the theory is very important here. Europe got acquainted with the Chinese art of acupuncture and moxibustion in the xvii century, and already in the next century, certain techniques of these techniques began to be widely used for therapeutic purposes. However, in isolation from theoretical knowledge, they turned out to be ineffective (there is a case when at the end of the 19th century in one of the French hospitals, patients rebelled against "jabbing doctors"), and after the passing of the fashion for Chinese techniques, they disappeared in Europe (including Russia) without a trace. Thanks to the close ties between the USSR and the PRC in the 40-50s, a revival of these techniques began, many Soviet doctors went to study or practice in China. At the turn of the 50-60s, through their efforts, a number of original and translated works on Chinese medicine, both theoretical and purely practical, were published, recognized centers for oriental (puncture) reflex therapy were formed in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Gorky ( Nizhny Novgorod), Kazan and Ulan-Ude. At the turn of the 80s and 90s, there was a new burst of fashion in the East, and new works began to appear in Russian concerning not only medical, but also combat aspects of the application of the doctrine of biologically active points. Thus, at present, among the countries of the non-Eastern world, Russia is in first place in terms of the amount of quality information related to these issues.
When studying issues related to the Chinese doctrine of internal energy, the problem immediately arose of what qi is. There are several dozen options for translating this term into Russian - "air", "breath", "lymph", "ether", "atoms", "nervous regulation", "vital energy", etc., each of which reflects only a small part of its meaning and none of which exhausts it completely. Moreover, this term can be combined with an infinite number of definitions. It seems that whenever Chinese specialists needed to explain a physiological or mental phenomenon, they immediately invented a new type of qi. At the same time, all these types are the manifestation of one single qi. Many Chinese authors, it seems, themselves do not really delve into the essence of the interaction of various manifestations of a single qi, being satisfied with the knowledge of their functions. In principle, this is sufficient for practical use. In the Russian-language literature, in relation to the tasks of medical practice, the most successful definition was proposed by V.G. Vogralik: qi is an integral function of all the body's activity, its energy, tone, vitality. The qi of each organ or organ system expresses exchange and function at a given moment; the resultant of all these manifestations is the single qi of the organism. This definition was accepted by the majority of Russian reflexologists. From my point of view, it is no worse than the definitions from Kadochnikov's system "a person is a mechanical system with a finite number of degrees of freedom", "a technique is the use of one's degrees of freedom to reduce the number of degrees of freedom of the adversary."
The concept of channels and collaterals that permeate the body, through which Qi circulates continuously, and the possibilities to influence this circulation through selected points, forms the basis of the special theory of Chinese medicine and Chinese martial arts. Every body is qi, clothed in some form. All physiological processes in the body ultimately boil down to the interaction of various types of qi, both inside and outside a given form. However, the passage of qi in a closed circuit through some significant points and areas connected by a network of channels performs an important controlling function. This theory has been developed over the centuries. She currently describes about 36 points located on 12 main and two "wonderful" channels. In addition, the flow of qi can be traced through six more "miraculous" channels. Approximately 280 out-of-channel points are also distinguished.
If in the East this system is accepted as something given, then in the West they tried to place an obvious materialistic justification for it. The simplest option - combining the canal network with the neurovascular trunks - did not work: only very small segments were able to combine. Currently, a more subtle theory is being developed that the structural basis of the main points and channels is intercellular gap junctions. Closely related to this theory is the hypothesis about the connection of "body channels" with intermuscular clefts, which basically coincide with the lines of muscle contouring.
The complexity of determining the location of the canals on the usual human anatomical atlas led some researchers to the idea that the canals are a purely functional system, without a definite real carrier. However, laboratory studies using modern techniques refuted this opinion. For example, Chinese experts have found that with electrical stimulation of points along the canal, a red or white line may appear, caused by hyperemia (red dermographism) or spasm of skin vessels (white dermographism).
In 1986, the materials of a unique experiment carried out at the Paris Nenner Institute were published. A liquid containing technetium was injected at certain points using acupuncture. The rays emitted by it were recorded using an electronic camera. As a result, it was revealed that the radioactive liquid spread strictly along the "channels" emitted by traditional Chinese medicine. When the same liquid was injected into arbitrary points on the body that were not associated with acupuncture, it did not spread throughout the body at all.
So, to summarize this theoretical digression: there are certain interrelationships and mutual influences between the various parts of human organism. To explain this mechanism, there is a theory described in terms of qi energy. From modern explanations, this theory in positive side distinguished by its brevity and time-tested nature. From point of view practical application it is absolutely not important for us to know what is behind it.
In medicine, it is usually necessary to fine-tune the flow of qi to bring the body back to normal. In battle, an instant result is required (unless you are a secret killer who requires the victim to die from malaise after 3 days, 7 hours and 28 minutes), and it is the result that is important - the death of the enemy - and not the mechanism for obtaining it. Therefore, in the theory of martial arts, not six hundred points were usually studied, each school had its own limited set - usually 36 points, these sets differed from school to school. A deep theory was also not needed, it was only important to know where these points are. However, in our modern conditions, it is usually not required to kill people, so if you want to be able to apply the art of influencing points in a regular fight, then you need to clearly understand what will happen after exposure to a certain biologically active point - a person's heart will stop or just empty right there. intestines (the first, of course, will instantly end the battle, but the second can also decide the fight in your favor). This also requires some familiarity with the theory. As an example, I will cite a story told in a private conversation by Anatoly Kovgan, president of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Shaolinquan Association.
When he was in the Shaolin Monastery several years ago and was actively making acquaintances with monks and other wushu masters, he was told about one of his new acquaintances that he was one of the greatest modern masters of influence on points. During lunch in one of the nearby eateries, A. Kovgan asked the monk himself if this was true. The monk replied that it was true, and said that he would now demonstrate his art. Noticing the interlocutor's concern, he said that he could not be afraid, they would not demonstrate on him, and they went to the owner of the establishment. Looking at the owner, the monk said that he (the owner) was not completely healthy, and asked if he had noticed such and such symptoms in himself. The owner replied that he had noticed and agreed to be treated by the monk. The monk immediately struck with his fingers at some point, and the owner with a crash fell on the spot unconscious on the couch standing in that room (the crash occurred due to the fact that he knocked something over during the fall). The monk actually conducted a treatment session, pressing some points, after which he brought the owner to his senses by pressing the desired point. He began to thank for the treatment and was very surprised when the neighbors came running and began to find out what the noise was - he did not remember anything.
However, there is an opposite point of view on the art of influencing points. In 1991, one of the greatest wushu masters of our time, Ma Minda, came to the USSR. While communicating with wushu lovers, when asked about the art of death touch, he replied that he doubted that anyone would be able to use this art in battle against him. His doubts were quite justified - according to my visual assessments in battle, he acted at a pace of 3-5 beats per second. To approach such a mill at a distance of even a blow, mastery of the art of death touch is not enough.
So, is the art of affecting points applicable in hand-to-hand combat? In my opinion, mastering this art can be compared to having a knife in your hand. If you have a knife, then this is a serious advantage, but it is still not enough to win: if you have a weak blow, then you may not even tear your opponent's clothes, if the enemy is good at fighting, then you will not be able to use a knife against him at all. So it is with the art of influencing points. If you want to use it in battle, then in addition to memorizing the location of the necessary points and the effect they cause, you need to be able to instantly find them by touch (in order to know which finger to press when you took a grip approximately Right place), strengthen your fingers (in order to press the desired point even through clothing and in order to be able to strike with your fingers to the required depth), learn to grab the thrown sandbags (to develop the ability to grab instantly and firmly), well, and master at least basic skills of ordinary hand-to-hand combat otherwise, while you grab your grip or aim to strike with your fingers, you risk running into a straight line in the jaw.
A more surprising way of dealing with internal energy is the so-called "emitting external qi". The theoretical definition of this: through prolonged training using any method, to harmonize the internal qi human body, to accumulate it inside the body, and at the right time using certain biologically active points to emit it outside. I have no doubts about its reality: being a couple of years ago in Krasnoyarsk, I met Mr. Zhang Junqi from Xian, who was engaged in the qigong school "emitting qi through the index finger" and at the invitation of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Association Shaolinquan led qigong groups. For the Krasnoyarsk TV channel Afontovo, he agreed to hold a public demonstration of his art, which I attended.
It took place in an ordinary gym, everyone took part in the demonstration - both from among the practitioners and those who simply came from the street, having heard about what was happening - a total of 30 people. Zhang warned that he did not intend to emit full "battle" portions of qi only a demonstration, and because as soon as someone feels that it is difficult for him to stand and wants to fall, let him sit down on the floor immediately. After that, he began to make "shots" at the crowd at short intervals (at least this is how it looked - he stretched out his hand towards the participants in the demonstration with straightened forefinger and middle fingers, and every time he shuddered with the sound `ts!" in the crowd, someone lowered themselves to the floor.) After about 15 people were on the floor, we said that it was enough for the demonstration, but then one of the participants who entered with a challenge said that he had not felt anything and therefore nothing Zhang approached a few meters and fired another "shot" at him - no effect. Then Zhang asked if he really wanted to feel the effect and if his heart and liver were in order. Having received an affirmative answer to both questions, Zhang immediately fired a "shot" in full. The guy collapsed on the spot in a twisted position as if knocked down - all his muscles contracted.
Scary art, isn't it? However, to master it, it really takes years and years of practice, and its use in battle is comparable to using single-shot pistols: after firing from one you need to get the next one, and during this time opponents can get closer to the distance of hand-to-hand contact. So, in my opinion, it is applicable only as an auxiliary skill - like pirates used pistols during a boarding fight. If you still want to master this art, look for a teacher. More or less normal technique for self-study is given in the book by Lin Housheng and Luo Peiyu "300 questions about qigong" (question 116), which has already passed 2 editions in Russian for last years, but since it was published in Novosibirsk, I doubt that this book will be available to those wishing to study from other regions.
And the last and most famous use of internal energy in the martial arts is to strengthen the blow. Its use is comparable to the use of knuckle dusters. As the founder of the Baguazhang style, Dong Haichuan, responded to a student's question, "Striking with the use of internal energy is based on striking with the help of force." In Chinese martial arts, there are usually three levels of mastering the use of energy in striking - striking with the effort-ching, striking with the use of qi and striking with the use of Shen. The concepts of jing, qi and shen are found in any theoretical work on qigong, they all refer to substances present in the body from birth, however, using special techniques, some substances can be distilled into others. In the martial arts, jing is understood as force coming "from the bones and tendons," the complex effort of the whole body, as opposed to the force li arising from muscle contraction and can appear even if the body is motionless.
It is believed that a student masters the release of effort-ching if his movements contain the so-called "three external coordination", that is, "the movements of the shoulders and hips are coordinated, the movements of the elbows and knees are coordinated, the movements of the hands and feet are coordinated." This can be achieved in a couple of years of training. Movement using qi occurs when the entire body participates in it with all its capabilities (see the earlier definition of qi, accepted among Russian reflexologists). This is achieved over a longer period of time, it is necessary to master the "three internal coordinations". Shen is identified with the spirit, a blow with the use of Shen becomes, as it were, animate, it is no longer an ordinary blow, but a work of art.
Those who remember the Chinese feature film "South and North Shaolin Monasteries" shown in short excerpts in the "Travelers' Club" TV show, or saw it on videotapes (it is known in the version with the translation from Japanese subtitles as "Arahan - Buddhist Monk") may recall the final fight, where Shaolin martial arts mentor Zhireng (played by Yu Hai from the Shandong provincial wushu team) and monk Zhiming (played by multiple champion Chinese Wushu Li Lianze) use the same technique of the praying mantis style. Despite the fact that Li Lianze seems to be doing all the movements absolutely correctly, he is still far from Yu Hai, who has been practicing the mantis style all his life. How do you achieve this skill, you ask? You have to train, train, and train, for years and decades. But this is long, you exclaim! Well, the East is a delicate matter, it is not in vain that those who are considered masters in the West, in the East are at best identified with advanced students ...