YOU AND YOUR YI!

 By Phillip Starr

In Chinese, the word “yi” (意) Translates roughly as “intent, idea, imagination...” and it's one of the most crucial aspects of training in and applying any martial art. From judo to karate, taekwondo, kendo, gong-fu, or any other martial discipline, yi is of paramount importance. The founders of the Chinese styles known as xingyiquan and yiquan considered it important enough that they included it in the very names of the arts they developed!

Without yi, training becomes lifeless and empty. Application can become extremely difficult and very risky at best and can result in complete failure at worst. Yi is actually what makes technique work properly! If you just practice to lob your techniques out there (without yi), it's largely just so much wasted effort. Using yi doesn't necessarily mean that you need to put more “oomph” into your technique; it simply means to extend your intention as powerfully as you can. Additional physical effort isn't required.

When you think about it, the most important thing that we train (in any martial art) isn't how to punch or kick or execute throws, takedowns, or joint twists...it's the MIND! And when your practice partner attacks you (so that you can practice your defensive maneuver), he must do so with yi as well as body...that is, he must have the INTENT of attacking you and causing damage or pain although he doesn't have to actually carry through with it...but the INTENT must be there, In time, you'll notice that you can “sense” his intention before he even begins his attack.

Qi is directed by yi. The central principle of all qigong and fajin (a sharp emission of qi in technique) is, “Where the yi goes, the qi goes.” And it happens in that order; yi must move first, then qi instantly follows. So the first stage learning fajin or applying qi for healing purposes and such is the training of the yi. This is how I'm able to teach two-person qigong routines (such as the Unbendable Arm and the Immovable Posture) to people in less than 60 seconds. I get them to focus their yi in different ways and I know qi will follow. I taught this to numerous students in China. “Go and demonstrate that to any qigong masters that you meet”, I'd tell them. “They won't be able to do it.”

In fact, the qigong “masters” that I met were certain that a minimum of 2-3 years would be required to be able to perform these simple routines. They were astounded when I told them that I could teach it to anyone in less than one minute!

Training the yi fully is a process that is developed over time. It can't be mastered in a few minutes or days. And if you look inside several of the old training exercises, you can see that the training of the yi is at their core. When applied to your forms, it makes a lot of difference; the entire set will feel and even look differently. When you practice three-step and one-step fighting, strong focus of yi by BOTH parties is essential if you have any hope of developing real skill...