LEAN FORWARD? WHAAAT...?

by Phillip Starr

You’ve heard it countless times…”Keep your back straight!” Anf for those who practice forms of karate and taekwondo, this assertion holds true. What about those who practice gong-fu? Well, it depends on whether you practice one of the “internal” systems – taijiquan, xingyiquan, or baguazhang – in which case, it isn’t necessarily true all of the time, especially when performing fajin (emitting “internal” power).

Yeah, I see your faces and that “deer in the headlight” look. Let me explain-

To start, there’s a Confucian precept known as Li Shen Zhong Zhen, which means, “to conduct oneself in accordance with the Middle Way.” It indicates that one should strive to cultivate and perfect oneself both inside and outside and strive for harmonious relationships with others. It made its way into martial arts practice where it means, “the (upper) body is held straight.” It was introduced into the internal arts by a well-known taijiquan master, Wu Yuxiang, in the late 19^th century.

It’s a very noble concept and everyone could benefit from practicing such fine self-cultivation; it isn’t at all difficult to conjure up an image of a dignified Chinese gentleman of the past, standing ramrod straight and stroking his beard as he observes something in the distance. And so this idea was further bailed into martial arts in China via contemporary Wushu, which was developed and approved by the State (wushu is a performing art that combines elements of gymnastics and Chinese opera with martial arts postures). And because Wushu included “new” forms of the internal arts, the principle of Li Shen Zhong Zhen was further imbedded into them.

Looks very picturesque; the performer’s postures are all done with the back absolutely straight and chest arched out…very proud and military-ish. Perfect for the CCP. But photos of early masters of the internal arts (which pre-date the CCP by a very long shot) present a very different image. In many postures (especially those wherein they’re executing fajin), their backs are inclined SLIGHTLY forward instead of being held perfectly vertical. The operative word in that sentence is “vertical.” And note that their cute little tushies do not protrude out behind them!

The back is straight, but not always vertical. It is never rounded or slumped. This shifts the weight a bit more to the fore, where the blow is being directed (there is NEVER a sideways incline) and it adds more impetus to the blow. Significantly more. The flexion is made at the hips, rather than at the lower or upper back…much as is done when executing a PROPER bow. It comes from the “kua”; the inguinal crease and hip area rather than from the spine or neck.

Additionally, recovery back into the vertical position is NOT done by utilizing the muscles of the lower back (or any part of the back, for that matter). Rather, it is done by using the muscles of the chest (as if lifting the sternum straight up). This much like what we see in the body-action that I call “whip” (this is described in my book, MARTIAL MECHANICS). The forward incline is often combined with other body-actions such as body-rotation and body-throw (also detailed in the same book). Special body actions are also employed to enhance the application of the “coiling power” used in fajin (coiling power and these additional movements are detailed in my book, REFINING JIN).

There is a form of qigong that uses both the incline and recovery (via lifting of the sternum) combined with special breathing. However, I will not detail it here; it must be learned firsthand from an instructor who is familiar with it.